Undergraduate Programs - Economics
at the Andrew Young School of Policy Studies

Enrollment in the B.B.A. in Economics program is at its highest level in nearly a decade. The 102 B.B.A. majors in Fall 2000 represent a 20 percent increase in just one year, and more than a 30 percent increase since Fall 1998. In addition, the B.A. and B.S. degree programs have an enrollment of 23 students.

Job placements of Economics majors continue to be strong. Among the placement of recent graduates are analysts for the State of Georgia, Hatfield Philips (a real estate finance firm), Arthur Anderson Consulting, Sun Trust Bank, McKinsey and Co., and DefJam South Recording Label. Some have gone on to graduate programs at Georgia State, the University of Georgia, the University of North Carolina, and the University of Pennsylvania, among other schools.

The Department continues to explore new course offerings and degree programs. One new course is being offered jointly with Morehouse College, on the economy of South Africa; this course will be complimented by a study abroad program in South Africa. The Department is also in the process of designing a new joint major with the modern and classical language department, one that has proven extremely popular at other universities.

The Department provides a range of assistance and activities to its majors. An internship program is being started. The Department also provides tutoring resources to students through the Economics Tutorial Lab, designed to help students taking principles of macro and microeconomics. The lab is open daily, and is available to any student with an economics question. It is staffed by high-performing undergraduate economics majors and graduate students. Each semester, students enrolled in the 30 or more sections of principles courses utilize the lab's resources: in 2000, over 100 students were served each semester.

Now in its third year of use, all principles of microeconomics classes use the Iowa Electronic Market (IEM). This is a real time and real money electronic futures market designed specifically as a teaching and research tool. Students use real money accounts to trade contracts with payoffs based upon real-world events such as political outcomes, companies' earnings per share and stock price returns. The AYSPS staffs this 10-computer lab with graduate teaching assistants.

The Economics Club, now in its fourth year, is open to all students majoring in, or having an interest in, economics. Among other activities this year, members met with local business leaders, and the club hosted its fourth annual faculty/student mixer this fall at the home of Professor Bruce Kaufman. Joel Sculer and Anders Petersen served respectively as president, vice president and treasurer through the end of spring semester. Officers for 2000-2001 are Clay Bryan, president, and Tanya Nopowhan, vice president. Club activities for 2000 have included two career-exploration seminars featuring local financial and consulting firms, a resume writing workshop, as well as a meeting with the Atlanta chapter of the National Association for Business Economics. More career exploration seminars are planned for 2001, as well as extra-curricular activities such as a sky-diving trip and spring cookout. Kelly Edmiston is faculty advisor for the club.