2017-2018 Catalog 
    
    Nov 23, 2024  
2017-2018 Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Finance Economics Major


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Professors Gitter, MacLeod, Simon
Associate Professors Bryan, Rahman, Skosples, Yazar
Assistant Professors Breidenbach, Charna, Vollrath, West

This major provides a strong foundation in economics coupled with advanced courses in finance.  It is analytical and practical in its approach, and is a “recognized” program by CFA Institute.  High-performing students may study for CFA Level I in their senior year.

Learning Objectives


Finance Economics majors will be able to

  1. demonstrate command of knowledge of fundamental and technical concepts of finance;
  2. effectively and accurately interpret, analyze and present financial data and information in oral, written and graphic forms;
  3. apply critical-thinking and problem-solving skills in financial-related business areas;
  4. determine when change is appropriate and adapt to change as it occurs;
  5. demonstrate a sense of ethics, responsibility, and service to users of financial data and information;
  6. demonstrate an awareness of the global financial and business environment; and
  7. better discern personal interests and establish career objectives.

Major Requirements


A total of 13.5 units consisting of the following:

Elective Courses


4 upper-level units (numbered 250 or above)

Finance Elective Courses


1 unit from ACCT 341 , one of the BUS 307 modules, BUS 490 , BUS 491 , BUS 495 , or BUS 499  . For 307, 490, 491, 495 and 499, the focus must be finance related and pre-approved by the department chair.

Economics Elective Courses


3 Economics (ECON) units. Of these three units, at least one must be an Advanced Economics course, and at least one must be an International course, with the remaining units from any other ECON courses. Recommended: ECON 255  or ECON 259 , ECON 355 , ECON 372 , ECON 378 . NOTE: If both ECON 255  and ECON 259  are taken, one will serve as the required course, and the other may be used as one of the electives.

International Courses


ECON 282 , ECON 345 , ECON 353 , ECON 370 , and ECON 372 . BUS courses (BUS 345  , BUS 476  and possible BUS 499 ) may be taken to meet the international requirement, but three ECON electives are still required.

Note(s):


It is recommended that the statistics course be completed by the end of the sophomore year, as it is a prerequisite for ECON 251  and ECON 252 . BUS 361  must be completed by fall semester of the junior year. Note that two of the required courses (BUS 462  and BUS 465 ) are often offered only every other year. A grade of C- or better is required in the senior year course (either BUS 462  or BUS 465 ).

 

Recommended: ENG 310  and MATH 110  for those considering graduate work in finance.

Other Information


Majors should be declared during the sophomore year. In order to declare one of the department majors or minors, a student must have either a) a 2.5 cumulative University grade point average, or b) a 2.0 cumulative University grade point average and have earned a B in one course taken in the intended major or minor track. Additionally, International Business majors must meet with the Chair of the department.

Double majors in the department are allowed only if one of the majors is Accounting. Some major/ minor combinations are permitted, but a minor in business or economics may not be combined with a major in management economics, or international business.  Finance majors may not minor in economics, but they may minor in business by taking an extra business course above that otherwise required for the minor.

For all majors, it is recommended that the statistics course (MATH 105  or MATH 230  or PSYC 210 ) be completed by the end of the sophomore year. MATH 105  may not be taken for credit after receiving credit for MATH 110  or above.

Students considering a second economics course should consider courses numbered in the 200s.

Only one unit of 495 may be counted and a maximum of two units from 490A, 490B, 491, and 495 may be counted toward any major in the Economics department. BUS courses do not count toward the economics major, and ECON courses will not usually count toward the business administration major.  A general principle followed by the department is that no more than two courses may be counted towards completing requirements in more than one program. 

For all majors and minors in the department, only MATH 105 or MATH 230, PSYC 210, and ACCT, BUS, and ECON courses (or their off-campus equivalents) can be used to meet department requirements. All elective courses must be upper-level (numbered 250 or above). Students must attain a minimum 2.0 grade point average in their major to graduate. Courses eligible to be counted in the major or minor cannot be taken credit/no entry. All pre-requisite courses must be successfully passed with a grade of C- or better to qualify for enrollment in the subsequent course.

A maximum of 13 units of credit in any one discipline (accounting, business, or economics) and 17 total units of credit in the economics department may be counted in the 34 units required for graduation. Additional discipline or department units will result in greater than 34 units required for graduation.

All economics courses (ECON) below the 490 level meet the Social Science distribution requirement (Group I).

A-Levels, International Baccalaureate, Advanced Placement, and Other Credits

Students who pass A-Levels in Economics with a C or better will receive a total of two credits; one for ECON 110  and one general unit of lower-level Economics credit.

Students who pass A-Levels in Accounting with a C or better will receive a total of only one credit, and that will be for ACCT 217 .

Students who pass A-Levels in Business with a C or better will receive a total of only one credit, and that will be a general-unit of lower level business credit.

Information on credit for International Baccalaureate and Advanced Placement may be found in the Academic Regulations and Procedures section of this Catalog.

Students may use a proficiency examination or an advanced placement examination to meet the requirements of ECON 110 . Information on the proficiency examination for ECON 110  will be given during new student orientation. Advanced Placement Rules are listed in the Academic Regulations and Procedures section of this Catalog.

Students who transfer courses to Ohio Wesleyan University should consult with the department chair regarding the appropriate credit to be awarded. If several courses are transferred at less than 1.0 unit (3.75 credits), additional courses may be required. For all majors and minors in the department, a majority of the courses must be completed at OWU.

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