Undergraduate Studies

Why Study Economics?

Economics is relevant to almost every aspect of our lives. At its core, it is the study of decision-making in the face of scarce resources and competing interests. The need to make these prudent choices pervades our day-to-day lives – as individuals, as a community, and as a society.

Economics provides causal insights into important social issues such as:

• Health Care
• Protecting the environment
• Reducing inequality, and the design of social programs and tax systems

While education in economics is relevant for business or management, its scope and rigour are much broader. Economics is a social science; as an intellectual discipline, economics seeks to measure, analyze, and understand a wide range of social phenomena using a rich set of technical tools and methods.

Hear more about why you should pursue Economics from Professor Hashmat Khan from the Department of Economics:

B.ECON Honours’ Offerings

Students can pursue a B.ECON Honours in Economics or specialize in the following concentrations:

• Advanced Economic Analysis
• Computational Analysis
• Economic Development
• Economic Data Science
• Financial Economics
• International Political Economy
• Mathematics and Quantitative Economics
• Natural Resources, Environment and the Economy

The Department also offers a less rigorous 15-credit General Bachelor of Economics Program. The program is restricted to internal applicants within Carleton.

Program Structure

Students in the Honour’s 20.0 credit Bachelors of Economics program are expected to complete the following courses in sequence.

Pursuing an MA in Economics

Students in Carleton’s undergraduate economics programs who are interested in pursuing our MA in Economics prepare by taking the courses listed below with minimum grades of B+ or higher. If these courses (or equivalents from your university) have not been completed with minimum grades in the B+ range or higher or are not in progress by the time an MA application is submitted, the applicant may be required to complete or repeat any or all of the courses listed below which may be included in an offer of admission to Carleton’s Extended Masters in Economics (EMA), providing the applicant is meeting the other admission criteria, including the B+ CGPA requirement, calculated using a student’s grades in their last 20 courses completed.

• ECON 3001 – Mathematical Methods of Economics
• ECON 4001 – Mathematical Analysis in Economics
• ECON 4002 – Statistical Analysis in Economics
• ECON 4020 – Advanced Microeconomic Theory
• ECON 4021 – Advanced Macroeconomic Theory
• ECON 4706 – Econometrics I

Post-Baccalaureate Diploma in Economics

Our department offers a post-baccalaureate diploma to:

• Anyone who would like additional preparation for graduate education in economics
• People who have already completed an undergraduate degree in another discipline and would like a rigorous and structured introduction to economics
• Those with a degree from outside Canada, whether in economics or another discipline, who are looking for a one-year, recognized, Canadian qualification in economics

Important Pages for Undergraduate Students

Registration Information for Undergraduate Students

Undergraduate Course Outlines

Choosing the Right Program

Carleton Undergraduate Economics Society (CUES)

B.ECON Student Ambassadors

Math & Writing: Tutorials & Preliminaries

Undergraduate Programs and FAQ

Professional and Academic Development

The focus of an education in economics is on intellectual growth and development. It fosters critical thinking which is one of the most valued skills for Canadian employers. This is also reflected in higher salaries and wages for economists in the job market relative to many other disciplines. It can also provide a unique leadership edge in your career.

Further, technical knowledge gained through the study of economics is portable and highly valued by employers in many areas including:

• The banking and financial sectors
• Development
• Labour Relations
• International Trade
• Entrepreneurship
• Corporate and climate finance

Students in our program often inquire about job opportunities. We strongly recommend to regularly check your emails. Our department sends out emails regarding any networking events for potential employment and research opportunities for students. The CUES (see below) also prepares important workshops and events throughout the year that help students in the program fine tune their skills suited for future employment.

We also recommend checking job bank sites such as the Government of Canada Jobs page.

Our faculty specialize in an array of research fields that might be of interest for your future academic or employment opportunities.

See recent CO-OP placements here.

Carleton Undergraduate Economics Society (CUES)

The Carleton University Economics Society (CUES) is dedicated to enhancing students’ engagement with economics. Their society organizes various events throughout the academic year, fostering connections among students enrolled in the B.Econ program and enabling them to network with their peers. These events provide unique opportunities for students to interact with faculty members, attend informative presentations, and expand their knowledge of economics. For additional details about our upcoming events, we invite you to visit our Instagram page.

Student Testimonials

Hear from recent graduate, Tayssir Benchoubane, who double majored in Economics and Political Science and his plans post-graduation, the importance of research, and what he has learned from the program.

Carleton’s Capital Advantage

Carleton’s location in the nation’s capital, Ottawa, gives you unique access to a wide range of resources in the public service. You will benefit from a wealth of research facilities and libraries in the city as well as the departments and agencies of the federal government, including: Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Bank of Canada, Competition Bureau, Environment Canada, Finance Canada (Department of Finance), Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development Canada, Health Canada, and Industry Canada.

Learn more about our Capital Advantage

Undergraduate Program Advising and Course Queries