**See the Spring 2025 courses and syllabi here**
Undergraduate Course Descriptions
ECON 2010 - Principles of Economics: Microeconomics
Studies demand and supply, consumer behavior, the theory of business enterprise, the operation of competitive and monopolistic markets, and the forces determining income distribution. A full introduction to economic principles warrants completion of both Econ 2010 and 2020. Students planning to take both semesters of economic principles are advised to take Econ 2010 first, though this is not required. The department recommends Econ 2010 to students intending to take only one semester of principles.
Credits: 3
ECON 2020 - Principles of Economics: Macroeconomics
Studies the determinants of aggregate economic activity, the effects of monetary and fiscal policy upon national income, and economic policy toward unemployment and inflation. A full introduction to economic principles warrants completion of both Econ 2010 and 2020. Students planning to take both semesters of economic principles are advised to take Econ 2010 first, though this is not required. The department recommends Econ 2010 to students intending to take only one semester of principles.
Credits: 3
ECON 2060 - American Economic History
Surveys American economic history from colonial origins to the present. Cross-listed as HIUS 2061.
Credits: 3
ECON 2070 - Economics of Gender at Work
This course is an introduction to the economic analysis of gender in labor markets. Students will learn about economic approaches to understanding and examining gender differences in workplace outcomes such as pay gaps and occupational segregation.
No prior coursework in economics is required.
Credits: 3
ECON 3010 - Intermediate Microeconomics
Studies the theory of prices and markets; includes an analysis of the forces determining the allocation of economic resources in a market economy.
Prerequisite: ECON 2010 and one of the following: MATH 1190, MATH 1210, MATH 1310,or APMA 1090.
Credits: 4
ECON 3020 - Intermediate Macroeconomics
Studies macroeconomic theory and policy; includes an analysis of the forces determining employment, income, and the price level.
Prerequisite: Econ 2020 and Econ 3010 or 3110, or instructor permission.
Credits: 3
ECON 3030 - Money and Banking
Studies the role of money in the economic system, with emphasis on monetary policy and theory.
Prerequisite: Econ 2020.
Credits: 3
ECON 3040 - The Economics of Education
Analyzes the demand for, and supply of, education in the United States, governmental policies regarding education, and proposed reforms.
Prerequisite: Econ 2010.
Credits: 3
ECON 3050 - The Economics of Welfare Reform
Analyzes the major government programs intended to help people with low incomes. Particularly concerned with whether programs have effects that are consistent with their justifications and how they can be redesigned to better achieve their goals.
Prerequisite: Econ 2010.
Credits: 3
ECON 3110 - Mathematical Microeconomics
Covers the same topics as Econ 3010 using differential calculus through constrained maximization of functions of several variables. Credit is not given for both Econ 3010 and 3110.
Prerequisite: ECON 2010 and two semesters of calculus.
Credits: 4
ECON 3430 - Economics of Sustainability and the Environment
Sustainability addresses how we manage the environment and share limited, valuable natural resources across time and space. The lens of microeconomics helps us understand why we have environmental problems and how we can solve them. Economics provides valuable tools for solving problems with pollution, over-exploitation of resources, loss of biological diversity and, of course, global warming.
Prerequisite: ECON 2010 or instructor permission
Credits: 3
ECON 3559 - Laws, Markets, and Disparities
ECON 3600 - Economics of the Art Market
This course investigates key topics in the economics of the art market (or markets). It may be viewed as a course in applied micro-economics, with an interest in identifying the key factors that shape market outcomes, whether measured in terms of prices of individual artworks, the distribution of revenues among the major players in the market (artists, dealers, auction houses, etc.), or the financial rewards to the ownership of fine art.
Prerequisites: ECON 2010 and ECON 2020
Credits: 3
ECON 3630 - Economics of the Middle East
Surveys major economic issues in the development of countries in the Middle East/North Africa region since World War II, using concepts in development economics.
Prerequisite: Econ 2010 and 2020.
Credits: 3
ECON 3640 - The Economics of Africa
Examine the economic problems confronting sub-Saharan Africa countries, focusing on what is needed to accelerate sustainable growth and reduce poverty. Use standard economic tools to gain an understanding of the economic management challenges faced by African policy makers and the similarities and differences between African countries. Explore Africa's relationship with the rest of the world, focusing on trade, aid and economic cooperation.
Prerequisite: Econ 2010 and 2020.
Credits: 3
ECON 3650 - The Economics of India
This course provides an understanding of India's economic system, strengths, and challenges. Students will analyze economic reforms, economic growth, economic development, and India's connection wit the rest of the world, focusing on trade, aid, and economic cooperation. Finally the course will provide students with a framework for analyzing macroeconomic problems and examining significant economic issues.
Prerequisite: Econ 2010 and 2020.
Credits: 3
ECON 3720 - Introduction to Econometrics
Guides students in the use and interpretation of economic data, focusing on the most common issues that arise in using economic data, and the methodology for solving these problems.
Prerequisite: STAT 2120, STAT 3120, APMA 3110, or APMA 3120.
Credits: 4
ECON 3820 - Introduction to Behavioral Economics
The course will use classroom simulations and lab reports to help students discover insights about economic behavior and policies. Each weekly topic is structured around an important economic principle, which is presented in the context of an "experiment" involving a sequence of decisions in a simulated game or market. After participating in the simulation, students complete a lab report. Prerequisite: ECON 2010. Credits: 3 |
ECON 4010 - Game Theory
Analyzes the theory of strategically interdependent decision-making, with applications to auctions, bargaining, oligopoly, signaling, and strategic voting.
Prerequisite: Econ 3010 or 3110 and STAT 2120 or equivalent.
Credits: 3
ECON 4020 - Auction Theory and Practice
Covers the building blocks of modern auction theory (e.g., First Price versus Second Price, Dutch versus English, Revenue Equivalence, Auctions of Multiple Goods), critically assesses this theory by studying recent auctions in practice (e.g., 3G auctions, milk and timber auctions, eBay versus Amazon), and applies auction theory to other, non-auction, environments (e.g., election races, take-over bid-wars, duopoly pricing).
Prerequisite: Econ 3010 and STAT 2120 or equivalent.
Credits: 3
ECON 4030 - Market Design: Engineering a Better World
The course will consider the theory and practice of market design. We will study classical market failures (market power, externalities, incomplete information, missing markets), the core tools used in practice (auctions and deferred acceptance algorithms), and examples of their real world use (FCC Spectrum Auctions, Google Adwords, the Boston Public School Match, the National Resident Matching Program, and the Northeastern Kidney Exchange)..
Prerequisite: Econ 3010 or Econ 3110
Credits: 3
ECON 4070 - Economics and Gender
This course will apply micro-economic theory and empirical methods to explore the role of gender in shaping economic outcomes, examining the inter-relationships between family formation (marriage and fertility), human capital investment, and labor market outcomes. Public policy applications will be emphasized.
Prerequisite: Econ 3010 (or 3110) and ECON 3720 (or 4720).
Credits: 3
ECON 4080 - Law and Economics
Applies microeconomic theory to the analysis of legal rules and institutions. Includes the effect of economic forces on the development of law, and the effect of laws on the allocation of resources.
Prerequisite: Econ 3010 or Econ 3110 or instructor permission.
Credits: 3
ECON 4095 - Dynamic Economics with Applications
Students will learn the mathematical tools economists use to model and analyze dynamic economic problems. Topics include transitional dynamics, optimal control theory and recursive dynamic programming. I will show you how to solve economic problems such as consumption/savings, investment and capital accumulation, optimal growth, industry dynamics, job search, portfolio choice, natural resource extraction, and dynamic games.
Prerequisite: ECON 3010 or 3110
Credits: 3
ECON 4110 - Competitive Strategy
A course in business strategy for advanced undergraduates. Examines topics such as value creation and capture, industry structure, creating and maintaining competitive advantage, vertical structure of the firm, adapting to change, and long-run growth of the firm. Extensive use of business school cases and readings from the popular press.
Prerequisite: ECON 3010 or 3110
Credits: 3
ECON 4150 - Economics of Labor
Analyzes employment and wages, including the economics of education, unemployment, labor unions, discrimination and income inequality.
Prerequisite: ECON 3010 or 3110, and ECON 3720, or instructor permission.
Credits: 3
ECON 4160 - Economics of Health
Uses microeconomic theory to examine the demand for health services and medical care, the market for medical insurance, the behavior of physicians and hospitals, issues pertaining to malpractice, and government policy.
Prerequisite: Econ 3010 or 3110; MATH 1220; ECON 3720/4720 or STAT 3220.
Credits: 3
ECON 4170- The Economics of Risk, Uncertainty, and Information
The principles of microeconomics are used to examine decision making under uncertainty: finance, learning, savings, contracts, and oligopoly.
Prerequisite: Econ 3010 or ECON 3110; ECON 3020.
Credits: 3
ECON 4175 - A History of Risk Management
This course examines the meaning of risk and the history of risk management from the Bronze Age through the Digital Age. From pure risks to speculative risks, systematic and systemic risks, risks that arise through individual choice as well as endogenous risks that arise through social networks, this course links together our natural aversion to loss and our attempts throughout history to mitigate loss and hedge risk. We focus on market developments designed to diversify risks such as futures, forwards, and insurance along with the co-evolution of probability theory as a tool to both understand and price risks. We evaluate the effectiveness of those tools through time and the challenges posed to their application in the rapidly developing complexity of the digital age.
Prerequisite: Econ 3010 or ECON 3110
Credits: 3
ECON 4180 - Regulating Infrastructure
Analyzes ownership arrangements and regulation of infrastructure industries. Industries examined typically include telecommunications, the Internet, public utilities, and transportation facilities. Special problems posed by natural monopolies, network industries, essential facilities, and congestion.
Prerequisite: ECON 3010 or 3110.
Credits: 3
ECON 4190 - Industrial Organization
Studies market structure, firm strategy, and market performance. Topics include strategic interactions among firms, as well as business practices such as mergers and acquisitions, price discrimination, advertising, product selection, innovation, vertical restraints, cartels, and exclusionary conduct.
Prerequisite: Econ 3010 or 3110.
Credits: 3
ECON 4195 – Empirical Industrial Organization
Empirical Industrial Organization examines various timely issues related to market structure, firm strategy, and market performance by combining the analysis of data and economic theory to develop and estimate econometric models.
Prerequisites: ECON 3010 and ECON 3720.
Credits: 3
ECON 4200 - Antitrust Policy
Studies government regulation and control of business through public policies designed to promote workable competition.
Prerequisite: Econ 2010.
Credits: 3
ECON 4210 - International Trade: Theory and Policy
Studies the nature and determinants of international trade and factor movements; the effects of international trade on prices of goods and factors; the consequences of tariffs, quotas, customs unions, and other trade policies and agreements, national or international; and international trade and the balance of payments.
Prerequisite: ECON 3010 or 3110; MATH 1220; ECON 3720/4720 OR STAT 3220.
Credits: 3
ECON 4220 - International Finance and Macroeconomics
Studies fixed and floating exchange rate systems. Topics include determinants of a nation’s balance of international payments; macroeconomic interdependence of nations under various exchange-rate regimes and its implications for domestic stabilization policies; and the international coordination of monetary and stabilization policies.
Prerequisite: Econ 3020.
Credits: 3
ECON 4230 - Seminar on Trade and Development
Examines various topics related to either international trade, Third World development, or interactions between the two. Examples include the effects of NAFTA, the WTO, multinational firms, child labor, rich country protectionism against Third World imports, volatile primary commodity markets, and how trade liberalization affects workers in rich and poor countries. The course will be structured on student presentations and directed-research projects.
Prerequisite: Econ 3010 or 3110 and either ECON 4210 or ECON 4610.
Credits: 3
ECON 4240 - Economics of Immigration
This course offers an introduction to the economics of immigration, with an emphasis on the effects of immigrants on receiving countries, including effects on workers, crime, inequality, and fiscal effects. The course will heavily use theory from intermediate micro and will do close readings of empirical studies.
Prerequisite: ECON 3010 or 3110 and ECON 3720 (or equivalents).
Credits: 3
ECON 4300 - Public Choice
Studies politics using economic analysis. Topics include the theory of voting rules, regulation, taxation, and interest groups; the growth of government; and the design of constitutions.
Prerequisite: ECON 3010
Credits: 3
ECON 4310 - Economics of the Public Sector
Studies the justifications for government activities, the design of programs consistent with these justifications, the effects of major existing and proposed expenditure programs and taxes, and positive and normative analyses of political systems.
Prerequisite: Econ 3010 or 3110.
Credits: 3
ECON 4320 - Economics of Urban Areas
This course explores how economists think about cities. Why do cities exist? Why are they located where they are? Why do some cities grow and others decline? Within a city, what determines where people live, how they commute to work, and what they pay for housing? Topics to be treated include agglomeration economies, location theory, land use patterns and policies, urban housing and transportation, and local public goods.
Prerequisite: Econ 3010 or 3110 and ECON 3720.
Credits: 3
ECON 4340 - The Theory of Financial Markets
Studies the theory and operation of financial markets and the role of financial assets and institutions in the economic decisions of individuals, firms, and governments.
Prerequisite: Econ 3010 or 3110, Econ 3030, and STAT 2120 or equivalent.
Credits: 3
ECON 4350 - Corporate Finance
Analyzes the theory of financing corporate operations and corporate decisions regarding the allocation of capital among alternative projects; includes the nature of financial instruments and the behavior of capital markets.
Prerequisite: Econ 3010 or 3110, Econ 3030, and STAT 2120 or equivalent.
Credits: 3
ECON 4360 - Empirical Finance
Develops and tests models of asset pricing and allocation in finance, to determine both the validity of the theories and the extent to which they should guide us in financial decision-making.
Prerequisite: ECON 4720.
Credits: 3
ECON 4365- Global Financial Markets
Study the role and the importance of the financial system in the global economy. Construct general equilibrium models that encompass the financial markets as well as the rest of the economy. These models will be used to understand the recent subprime crisis, the European sovereign debt crisis, and many market phenomena such as extreme volatility and contagion.
Prerequisites: ECON 3010 or 3110 (ECON 3020 is recommended).
Credits: 3
ECON 4370 - Behavioral Finance
Behavioral finance questions the efficient market hypothesis. In addition, this course explores noise trader models and the “over and under reaction” debate. Readings are mostly from professional journals. Students should be quite serious about finance.
Prerequisite: Econ 3010 or 3110 and ECON 4340.
Credits: 3
ECON 4380 - Investment Management
This course examines the investment process used by a variety of institutional investors. Students will study the tools and investment challenges faced by investment managers at such institutions. These include evaluating the role of institutional investors (e.g, endowments and pensions), portfolio choice, manager choice, asset allocation, risk management, and alternative asset class investing.
Prerequisites: TBD
ECON 4390 - The Economic Theory of Advertising
Course deals with theories explaining the nature of advertising, and evaluates market performance in this industry, using Game Theory and Oligopoly Theory. Calculus will be used extensively.
Prerequisite: STAT 2120 or equivalent and Econ 3010 or 3110.
Credits: 3
ECON 4400 - Topics in Economic History
Comparative study of the historical development of selected advanced economies (e.g., the United States, England, Japan, continental Europe). The nations covered vary with instructor.
Prerequisite: Econ 3020, or Econ 2010 and 2020 and instructor permission.
Credits: 3
ECON 4410 - Economics of the European Union
Studies the history, theory, and empirics of European economic integration. Focuses on monetary union, as well as product and factor market integration.
Prerequisite: Econ 3020.
Credits: 3
ECON 4420 - Macroeconomic Policy
Integrated analysis of public policies (including monetary, fiscal, debt-management, foreign exchange, and incomes) designed to cope with fluctuations in national income, employment, and the price level, and to influence the rate of economic growth. Emphasizes policies adopted during specific historical episodes and the theory of macroeconomic policy.
Prerequisite: Econ 3020.
Credits: 3
ECON 4430 - Environmental Economics
Explores the origins of environmental problems, how to measure the value of environmental amenities, and the efficacy of specific forms of regulation, including mandated technologies, taxes, subsidies, and pollution permit trading. Topics include air and water pollution, climate change, the transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy sources, and sustainable development.
Prerequisite: Econ 3010 or 3110.
Credits: 3
ECON 4435 - Economics of Climate Change
This course examines climate change - the nature of the impact, what can be done, and why it is important - through the lens of economics. The role of discounting, equity, uncertainty, and international agreements will be discussed.
Prerequisite: Econ 3010 or 3110.
Credits: 3
ECON 4440 - Economic Inequality
Economic analysis of the growth of income and wealth inequality since 1980, in the United States and around the world. Emphasis on measuring inequality, understanding the causes of growing inequality, and possible policy responses.
Prerequisite: Econ 3010 or 3110, and ECON 3720 or ECON 4720.
Credits: 3
ECON 4444 - Artificial Intelligence and the Future of Work
Advances in artificial intelligence and automation have proceeded rapidly in recent years and have reached an inflection point that will have profound implications for the future of humanity. This course analyzes the short- and medium-run implications for employment, economic growth, and inequality. It also covers philosophical questions such as the long-run implications of artificial intelligence rivaling human intelligence.
Prerequisite: ECON 3010 or 3110 and ECON 3020 (concurrently ok) or CS 3102 (concurrently ok).
Credits: 3
ECON 4445 - Policy Analysis
This course will introduce you to the econometrics methods for evaluating public policies. At the end of the course you will be familiar with the strenghts and weaknesses behind a variety of evaluation methods commonly used to examine programs such as the minimum wage, education or job training.
Prerequisite: ECON 3720 or ECON 4720.
Credits: 3
ECON 4590 - Majors Seminar
Reading, discussion, and research in selected topics. Topics vary by instructor and course may be taken for credit more than once.
Prerequisite: Instructor permission.
Credits: 1 to 3
ECON 4610 - Economic Development
Studies the peculiar problems of economic growth in underdeveloped countries, including government and market failures. Examines factors underlying pverty, hunger, illiteracy, and corruption in developing countries, and the scope for (rigorously evaluated) policies to improve these conditions.
Prerequisite: ECON 2010 and ECON 3720 (or 4720 or STAT 3220 or equivalent). ECON 2020 and ECON 3010/3110 are helpful but not required.
Credits: 3
ECON 4620 - Seminar on Development Economics
This course covers important topics in development economics, such as health, education, gender, environment, institutions, and infrastructure. The primary goal of the course is to prepare students to conduct and evaluate empirical research in development economics. To this end, the course will cover empirical tools necessary to study the problems facing developing economies. This class will not develop overarching theories about growth and poverty.
Prerequisite: ECON 3010, ECON 3720, and/or 4720.
Credits: 3
ECON 4710 - Introduction to Forecasting and Time Series Econometrics
Analyzes the theory and practice of forecasting economic variables using models for linear stochastic processes, including specifying, estimating, and diagnosing models of economic time series.
Prerequisite: MATH 1220; ECON 3720/4720 or STAT 3220.
Credits: 3
ECON 4720 - Econometric Methods
Studies the application of statistical methods to the testing and estimation of economic relationships. Emphasizes applied econometric studies and the problems that arise when analyzing time series and cross-section data by means of stochastic linear models.
Prerequisite: Econ 3720 or Stat 3120 or Stat 3220 or APMA 3110 or APMA 3120; AND Math 3350, or Math 3351, or APMA 3080.
Credits: 3
ECON 4730 - Markets, Mechanisms, and Machines
This course will present a collection of topics from Economics and Computer Science that constitute the building blocks of modern user-facing electronic systems. Many examples will come from modern digital advertising platforms that have both created huge success in user reach and effectiveness for advertisers and, at the same time, have generated a trail user privacy concerns.
Prerequisites: ECON 3010 or 3110 and ECON 3720 or 4720
Credits: 3
ECON 4740 - Algorithmic Economics
The course will cover recent work in Computer Science and Economics that enables the appropriate analysis of dynamic marketplaces where agents rely on algorithmic tools to make decisions and compete. The course will cover a range of fundamental concepts from machine learning and convex optimization and connect them with the concepts in game theory and economics of information.
Prerequisites: ECON 3010 or 3110 and ECON 3720 or 4720
Credits: 3
ECON 4810 - Advanced Macroeconomic Theory
Studies macroeconomic theory beyond the intermediate level. Emphasizes dynamic aspect of macroeconomic analysis under uncerainty, asset pricing, and various topics of macroeconomic policy. Includes a review of basic mathematical tools and models of economic growth.
Prerequisite: ECON 3010 and ECON 3020.
Credits: 3
ECON 4820 - Experimental Economics
Explores the use of laboratory methods to study economic behavior. Topics include experimental design, laboratory technique, financial incentives, and analysis of data. Emphasizes applications: bargaining, auctions, market price competition, market failures, voting, contributions to public goods, lottery choice decisions, and the design of electronic markets for financial assets.
Prerequisite: Econ 3010 or 3110 and a course in statistics, or instructor permission.
Credits: 3
ECON 4880 - Seminar in Policy Analysis
Introduces the methods used to estimate the effects of existing and proposed government programs. Methods will be illustrated with applications to several areas of government policy. Students will complete an empirical policy analysis under faculty supervision.
Prerequisite: Econ 3010 or 3110, ECON 3720, and ECON 4310.
Credits: 3
ECON 4990 - Distinguished Majors Seminar
Required for Distinguished Majors. An introduction to economic research and the writing of a Distinguished Majors thesis. Although the course is intended for Distinguished Majors, other highly motivated and accomplished students may be admitted if space permits.
Prerequisite: Econ 3010 or 3110; and either ECON 3720 or ECON 4720, or instructor permission.
Credits: 3
ECON 4993 - Independent Study
Independent study under the direction of a regular faculty member. Students may not use this class to obtain academic credit of summer internship.
Prerequisite: GPA of 3.300 in UVa ECON courses.
Credits: 1 to 3
ECON 4995 - Supervised Research
Research under the direction of a regular faculty member. Students may not use this class to obtain academic credit of summer internship.
Prerequisite: GPA of 3.300 in UVa ECON courses.
Credits: 1 to 3
ECON 4999 - Distinguished Majors Thesis
Supervised research culminating in the writing of a Distinguished Majors thesis. Restricted to members of the Distinguished Majors Program. Credits: 1 to 3 |
ECON 5090 - Introduction to Mathematical Economics I
Studies topics in univariate and multivariate calculus and linear algebra. Includes applications to the theory of economics.
Prerequisite: One semester of calculus and one additional semester of college mathematics, or instructor permission.
Credits: 3
ECON 5100 - Introduction to Mathematical Economics II
Studies topics in the theories of difference and differential equations and dynamic optimization. Includes applications to the theory of economic dynamics.
Prerequisite: ECON 5090 or instructor permission.
Credits: 3
ECON 5352 - British Economic History Since 1850
Studies the structure, performance, and policy in the British economy since 1850, focusing on the causes and consequences of Britain’s relative economic decline.
Prerequisite: Instructor permission.
Credits: 3
ECON 5520 - Special Topics in Economics
Graduate students combine coursework in an upper-level undergraduate economics course with additional special assignments. Because topics vary with instructor, this course may be repeated for credit.
Prerequisite: Graduate standing and instructor permission.
Credits: 3
ECON 5720 - Econometric Methods
Meets concurrently with ECON 4720. Studies the application of statistical methods to the testing and estimation of economic relationships. Emphasizes applied econometric studies and the problems that arise when analyzing time series and cross-section data by means of stochastic linear models.
Prerequisite: MATH 1220 and one of the following statistics courses: ECON 3720, STAT 3120, STAT 3220, APMA 3110, APMA 3120, or permission of instructor.
Credits: 3
The information contained on this website is for informational purposes only. The Undergraduate Record and Graduate Record represent the official repository for academic program requirements. These publications may be found at either www.virginia.edu/registrar/catalog/ugrad.html or www.virginia.edu/registrar/catalog/grad.html.