The Economics program focuses on the systematic study of the production, conservation and allocation of resources in conditions of scarcity, together with the organizational frameworks related to these processes. Economics is truly all around us, present in almost every aspect of our lives from the perspective that every human activity involves choice between alternatives (i.e., trade-offs) and the use of some scarce resource. Studying the subject gives students a general understanding of the world and its inner workings. Students learn everything from what determines the price of goods and services to why the average standards of living vary so widely within and between countries. An economics major is very versatile and provides excellent preparation for law school. Economics majors can find positions with the government, in all areas of business decision-making, in positions associated with technology or finance, and more.
The Associate in Arts for Transfer (AA-T) or the Associate in Science for Transfer (AS-T) is intended for students who plan to complete a bachelor's degree in a similar major at a CSU campus. Students completing these degrees (AA-T or AS-T) are guaranteed admission to the CSU system, but not to a particular campus or major. To earn this Economics AA-T degree, students must meet the following requirements:
- completion of the following major requirements with a minimum grade of "C" (or "P");
- completion of a minimum of 60 CSU transferable semester units with a grade point average of a least 2.0; and
- certified completion of the CSU General Education-Breadth (CSUGE) or Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum (IGETC) for CSU, which requires a minimum of 37-39 units.
It is highly recommended that students complete courses that satisfy the U.S. , History, Constitution, and American Ideals requirement as part of CSUGE or IGETC before transferring to a CSU.
Students planning to transfer to a four-year institution and major in Economics should consult with a counselor regarding the transfer process and lower division requirements.
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses: | ||
| ECON 200 | Principles of Macroeconomics | 3 |
| or ECON 200H | Principles of Macroeconomics - Honors | |
| ECON 201 | Principles of Microeconomics | 3 |
| or ECON 201H | Principles of Microeconomics - Honors | |
| ECON 208 | Business and Economic Statistics | 4 |
| or MATH 108 | Introduction to Probability and Statistics | |
| or MATH 108H | Introduction to Probability and Statistics - Honors | |
| MATH 141 | Business Calculus | 4 |
| or MATH 250 | Single Variable Calculus I | |
| List A - One course from the following: (3-4 units) | ||
| ACCT 200 | Financial Accounting | 4 |
| ACCT 201 | Managerial Accounting | 4 |
| BUSAD 127 | Business Communication | 3 |
| CIT 101 | Introduction to Computer Literacy | 3 |
| MATH 102 | College Algebra | 4 |
| MATH 151 | Precalculus | 4 |
| MATH 251 | Single Variable Calculus II | 4 |
| List B - One course from the following: (3-5 units) | ||
| ECON 100 | Introduction to Economics | 3 |
| ETHS 100 | Introduction to Ethnic Studies | 3 |
| GLST 101 | Introduction to Global Studies | 3 |
| MATH 252 | Multivariable Calculus | 5 |
| MATH 265 | Linear Algebra | 4 |
| POLIT 140 | Introduction to Comparative Politics | 3 |
| POLIT 141 | Introduction to World Politics | 3 |
| or POLIT 141H | Introduction to World Politics - Honors | |
| POLIT 150 | Introduction to Public Policy | 3 |
| PSYCH 100 | General Psychology | 3 |
| or PSYCH 100H | General Psychology - Honors | |
| SOC 100 | Introduction to Sociology | 3 |
| or SOC 100H | Introduction to Sociology - Honors | |
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Major Total | 20-23 | |
| Total Units That May Be Double Counted | 9 | |
| General Education (CSU-GE or IGETC) Units | 37-39 | |
| Elective (CSU Transferable) Units | 7-12 | |
| Total Units | 60 | |
See Section on Degree, Certificate, and Transfer Information for additional information on the Associate Degrees for Transfer.
To earn an SBVC Associate Degree for Transfer (AA-T or AS-T) students must complete one of the following general education patterns:
Program Learning Outcomes
At the completion of this program, students will be able to:
- Explain, graph, and analyze key macroeconomic and microeconomic models by applying the concept of market equilibrium.
- Identify data sources, describe appropriate empirical tools, and perform research on data they retrieve from original surveys, or official and industry sources.
- Evaluate economic issues and public policy by using economic models or data analysis while identifying underlying assumptions of the model(s) and limitations.
- Communicate economic ideas by means of written essays or reports which demonstrate the ability to formulate informed opinions on economic policy issues and recognize the validity of opposing viewpoints.