Business Economics

The Ivy College of Business has partnered with the Department of Economics to offer a Business Economics major.  

Where business studies the organizations and functions that deliver goods and services to customers, economics studies those good and services with respect to production, distribution, and consumption, and the choices we make about how to best utilize the resources we have.

Undergraduate Major in Business Economics

For undergraduate curriculum in business, major in business economics.

Through a partnership between the Ivy College of Business and the Department of Economics, a major in Business Economics is offered.  Students will complete the general education requirements (including business foundation courses), supporting courses/major prerequisites, business core requirements for the bachelor of science (BS) degree, and 19 additional credits in the major.

The objective of the Business Economics major is to provide a high quality education with a balanced emphasis in both business and economics. Such an education should equip graduates with a unique set of skills distinguishing them from other graduates. In particular, they will have the ability to use both business and economic reasoning to think critically and address complex issues using tools and decision making models of economics, business, mathematics, statistics, as well as concepts from the biological, physical, and social sciences; to make decisions and to communicate effectively.

Students are limited to three business majors/degrees within the Ivy College of Business, or a total of three business majors/minors within the college.  This limit is on business majors/degrees/minors only, and does not apply to multiple majors/degrees/minors taken outside the Ivy College of Business.

For more information on the undergraduate major in Business Economics, please visit: https://www.ivybusiness.iastate.edu/undergraduate/majors-minors/business-economics/

Curriculum:

In addition to the basic business requirements, business economics majors must also complete:

Required Courses (10 credits):
ECON 301	Intermediate Microeconomics	4
ECON 353	Money, Banking, and Financial Institutions	3
ECON 431	Managerial Economics	3
ECON 492	Graduating Senior Survey	R

Elective Courses (9 credits):
Select one course of ECON 230-289, 300-389, or 400-489		3
Select two additional 400-489 level ECON courses		6

NOTES:

Business Economic majors must take STAT 326.

Business Economic majors take MATH 160 and ECON 207 instead of MATH 150 and MATH 151.

Students majoring in business economics are not permitted to take agricultural business or economics as a double major, or economics as a minor.

Business Economics, B.S.

Sample 4-Year Plan (Your plan may differ)

Freshman
Fall	Credits	Spring	Credits
BUSAD 102 or 103	1	STAT 226	3
ECON 101	3	ACCT 284	3
COM S 113	3	BUSAD 250	3
ENGL 150	3	ENGL 250	3
MATH 160	4	ECON 102	3
LIB 160	1	BUSAD 203	1
	15		16
Sophomore
Fall	Credits	Spring	Credits
ECON 207	3	PHIL 230	3
SP CM 212	3	STAT 326	3
ACCT 285	3	Business Core Course	3
Natural Science	3	ECON 301	4
Business Core Course	3	Global/International Perspective@	3
	15		16
Junior
Fall	Credits	Spring	Credits
ACCT 215	3	ECON Electives	6
HUM/SOC SCI	3	Business Core Courses	6
Business Core Courses	6	US Diversity#	3
ECON 353	3
	15		15
Senior
Fall	Credits	Spring	Credits
ECON 431	3	ECON 492	R
ENGL 302	3	ECON Elective	3
HUM/SOC SCI	3	MGMT 478*	3
Global/International Perspective@	3	HUM/SOC SCI	3
General Elective	3	General Electives	6
	15		15
Total Credits: 122

@	Courses in these requirements may also be used as Global Perspective.
#	US Diversity courses may be used to satisfy HUM/SOC SCI.
*	All core classes must be completed prior to taking MGMT 478 in the graduating semester.

Students must be admitted to the professional program in business to major in business economics.  The requirements to enter the professional program are:

1.  Completion of at least 30 credits, Foundation Courses, ENGL 150, and all ENGL 101/99 courses if required.

2.  A minimum GPA of 2.50 either cumulative or in the Foundation Courses. Early admission is allowed for Honors-eligible students. (See your adviser for specific information)

Graduation Requirements:

        1.  Grade of “C” or higher in at least 30 credits of Core and Major courses.

        2.  42 credits of 300+ level courses from a four-year institution.

        3.  50% of required Business courses must be earned at ISU.

        4.  At least 32 credits and the LAST 32 credits must be earned at ISU (exceptions for study abroad and internship may be requested).

        5.  122 Credits minimum and a Cumulative GPA of at least 2.00 with no quality point deficiencies.

        6.  A grade of C or better in ENGL 250 required, and also in one other required ENGL course.

        7.  All 300-level and higher business credits must be earned at a four-year college.

        8.  Multiple business majors must have at least 15 distinct credits in each of the major requirements; when applicable, one course can be shared between business majors; see your adviser regarding multiple business degree requirements.