The business economics major is designed for students who want to understand how economic organizations function and who want to run economic organizations: for-profit firms, not-for-profit firms, and governmental organizations. The major has two analytical cores.

First, economic analysis is essential to understand the micro- and macro-economic environments within which economic organizations operate and to identify the trade-offs that these organizations face.

Second, a two-course sequence in accounting and finance teaches the basic analytical concepts required to evaluate the financial history, to guide the day-to-day operation, and to envision the future paths of an economic organization.

Graduates will be equipped to participate in the operation of all forms of economic organizations, to work in the financial services sector, to pursue professional programs, or to start their own businesses.

1. Ten departmental units (6 of which must be Beloit College units):
   
   1. Economics 199, 211, 212, 216, 251, 285, and 380.
   2. Three elective units:
      1. No more than one unit from Economics 202, 204, and 206.
      2. At least two units chosen from Economics 220, 235, 245, 301, 302, 303, 306, and 336.
2. Supporting courses (3 units):
   1. Students may select three courses from the defined concentrations below, or substitute other courses in consultation with their advisor. Further, students may create a different concentration in consultation with their advisor. If students do not wish to pursue a concentration, or are looking for other extra-departmental courses to take to complement their major, we recommend any of the following: Interdisciplinary Studies 202, 313, Sociology 285, Philosophy 100, Mathematics 110. Students are also encouraged to explore summer career bridge courses when topics meet their interest. Note that Philosophy 100 is helpful for law school. Mathematics 110 may be helpful for some graduate programs.
   2. Possible concentrations:

      1. Analytics (marketing research, business/data analytics): Mathematics 205, Computer Science 111, Environmental Studies 258, Writing/Comparative Literature 215, and other quantitative and qualitative research method courses in various disciplines.

      2. Marketing: Psychology 250, Art 125, 325, Anthropology 309/Critical Identity Studies 209, Political Science 215, Media Studies/Journalism 350, Environmental Studies 260, and Computer Science 165, 265.

      3. Entrepreneurship: Interdisciplinary Studies 202, 313, Theatre and Dance 246, 262, and Art 325.

      4. Health Administration: Biology 172 (Topic: Human Biology), Political Science/Health and Society 201, 212, 230, and Psychology 250.

      5. Sports Management: Journalism/Media Studies 125, Media Studies 110, 300, BIOL 172 (Topic: Human Biology), and Psychology 250.

      6. Financial Advising: Interdisciplinary Studies 202, 313, Psychology 250, and other courses offered by finance instructor in residence.

      7. International Business: Political Science 249/Environmental Studies 248, Anthropology 100, Psychology 265, and up to two language courses (must be the same language).

Recommended courses for all Business Economics majors: Interdisciplinary Studies 202, 313, Sociology 285, Philosophy 100, Mathematics 110. 

The core of the economics major is economic theory. Economic theory is the set of tools an economist uses to understand the bewildering world of commerce to predict the behavior of individuals and certain groups into which they gather. The required and elective courses of this major will give students an appreciation for the way in which professional economists look at the world and how they try to understand how it works.

Students wanting to become professional economists should, of course, take this major. But it would also benefit those who are considering careers in other areas (law, public policy, business) and who have a flair for abstract reasoning and mathematics.

1. Ten departmental units (6 of which must be Beloit College units):
   
   1. Economics 199, 211, 212, 251, 303, 305 or 306, and 380.
   2. Three elective units: no more than 1 unit from Economics 202, 203, 204, 205, 209, and at least 2 units from Economics 220, 235, 245, 301, 305 or 306, 320, and 336.
2. Supporting courses (3 units):
   
   1. Three units from Mathematics 110 or 113, 115, and 1 course numbered 175 or higher, chosen in consultation with the student’s advisor OR Mathematics 115 and two additional courses numbered 175 or higher.

International political economy (IPE) is a field of study that examines the systemic connections between the political and institutional rules of the social order and patterns of economic structure and performance in an international context. Though the field draws mainly upon economics and political science, the boundaries of IPE are somewhat fluid, incorporating sociology, anthropology, history, and area/regional studies.

The IPE major complements existing programs in international education by offering an international field of study that incorporates a rigorous quantitative sequence as part of its core curriculum. This internationally-oriented major that emphasizes social scientific empirical methods will be especially attractive to students interested in pursuing graduate programs in development studies and international economics, and careers in international business consulting, financial services, and NGO operations.

1. Ten departmental units (6 of which must be Beloit College units):
   1. Economics 199, 211, 212, 235, 251, 303, and 380.
   2. Three elective units from Economics 202, 203, 204, 205, 206, 209, 220, 301, 306, and 336.

2. Supporting courses (3 units):
   1. A minimum of 1 unit on general world history of culture or on interactions or relations among countries.
   2. A minimum of 1 unit on a specific country or region of the world that is different from the student’s home country or region of the world.
   3. No more than 2 units from the same discipline can count toward these requirements.
   4. Students are strongly encouraged to take either Political Science 130, 160, or 246.
3. Double majors in International Political Economy and International Relations may double count no more than 4 units.

The quantitative economics major enables students to use elements of mathematics to model scenarios in microeconomics and macroeconomics. It teaches students empirical techniques that enable them to test hypotheses emerging from the underlying micro and macro theory by using data drawn from individual firms and entire economies around the world. Through their course choices, students can observe quantitative comparisons between benefits and costs in a variety of contexts that range from the environment to health, gender, labor, and systems for organizing economic activity.

1. Ten departmental units (6 of which must be Beloit College units):
   1. Economics 199, 211, 212, 251, 303, 305 or 306, 380.
   2. One from Economics 202, 203, 204, 205, 209, 220, and 271 (if the subject of this topics course is pertinent).
   3. Two elective units from Economics 235, 245, 301, 302, and any of the courses not used to satisfy the preceding requirement [Economics 202, 203, 204, 205, 209, 220, 271 (if the subject of this topics course is pertinent), 305, 306].
2. Supporting courses (3 units):
   1. Three units from Mathematics 110 or 113, 115, 175, 190, 205, 300, and 310.