Overview Form

College And Department

Course Action

Core Goal Assignment

Course Details

Cross Listing Course Name/Number

N/A

Current

Add

Remove

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Is this course repeatable for credit?

Yes

No

Are there any course equivalencies for this course?

Yes

No

What restrictions apply?

Is this course part of academic program assessment?

Yes

No

Specify how the Course Objectives for this course align with the academic program assessment plan.

Specify how the Student Learning Outcomes for this course align with the academic program assessment plan.

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Current catalog description

Microeconomic analysis, theory of the firm, cost and output determination, marketing pricing, income distribution, and international economics.

Proposed catalog description, in the present tense, including prefix, number, title, (credits), (prerequisites), (co-requisites), course description, and semesters offered. Catalog description should be exactly as it is to appear in the catalog.

This course explores the meaning of microeconomic analysis, specifically, the theory of the firm, cost, output, and profit determination, pricing strategies, income distribution, present value analysis, and international economic behavior.

Justification For Request

What research has led to this request?

The Department of Physics and Engineering Science has requested that ECON 202 be added to the Core Curriculum. In certification examinations for certain engineering licenses, the concepts of present value, cost analysis, break-even analysis, and risk/uncertainty are items necessary for students to master. The original request from the department was if ECON 201 could fit this description. Upon discussion with Monica Gray of the Department of P&ES, it was clear to the department chair of Finance and Economics that these topics are already covered in ECON 202. The issue with engineering students is that they have no opportunities for additional credits. The hope was that engineering students could take ECON 201 (already in the Core Curriculum) as their Critical Thinking requirement. By including ECON 202 in the Core Curriculum, engineering students can take these necessary topics for future need, while at the same time completing their Critical Thinking requirement and not having to take an additional three hours beyond what is needed for graduation.

What impact will this request have on existing academic programs?

The Department of P&ES has requested at least one section be dedicated to "Engineering Students Only". While we may have to increase capacities on other existing ECON 202 sections to accommodate business students, the impact will likely be an additional 5-10 students per section, or, the hiring of one teaching associate in extreme cases (likely during the spring term, when ECON 202 demand tends to be heavier). The faculty of the Department of Finance and Economics was told of these circumstances and still voted 8 (yes), 1 (no), and 1 (abstain) to admit ECON 202 to the University Core Curriculum.

What financial costs are associated with this request?

Given the current austerity environment, the Department of Finance and Economics has greatly reduced its number of teaching associates and expanded its section capacities. At this time, the department hires one teaching associate to teach one to two classes per semester. At most, this need would require a third class for a teaching associate per semester (excluding summer).

If NO change in cost is anticipated, how is this possible?

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Any additional information