Business Economics

How you spend your time, what you buy and where you work all impact the economy. A Bachelor of Science in Business Economics from the University of Idaho prepares you to analyze the choices people make about using resources, such as time and money, and helps you develop an understanding of how these decisions affect business around the world. 

You may earn the general business economics degree, or a business economics degree with a finance option. With the general degree, you'll have more flexibility in taking courses in related fields in, and outside, the College of Business and Economics. The degree's financial option gives you a more focused area of specialization with specific courses in finance.

As a business economics major, you will study economic systems like socialism and capitalism. You will also explore important economic drivers such as supply and demand, inflation, international trade, unemployment and governmental policies. The program aims to build strong critical thinking, analytical and research skills. The degree provides a broad education that will open doors to many career opportunities.

As a student in the College of Business and Economics, you will learn business the way business is actually done in the real world. You will examine issues relevant in today's market and engage in hands-on programs that simulate real business situations. You’ll closely collaborate with other students, receive personal mentorship from top business faculty and network with practicing professionals.

The nationally-acclaimed Integrated Business Curriculum (IBC) is the college's signature program. In your junior year, you will work as part of a team with other business students to address problems for companies such as Boeing, Micron, Starbucks, Columbia Sportswear and Coldwater Creek. The yearlong experience strengthens your teamwork and decision-making skills, and gives you cross-functional knowledge in business systems, product and process planning, managing firm resources and business operating decisions.

Prepare for Success

If you are fascinated by current global issues and events and want to know more about what drives economies around the world, a degree in business economics may be for you. The field requires excellent analytical and critical thinking, as well as good problem-solving. You should also have strong research and communication skills.

Your First Year

During your first year in the College of Business and Economics, you will complete core discovery courses and general university requirements in English, math, science and communication. You also will take Business 100, an introductory course that provides a broad overview of all business majors.

You will take foundation business courses during your second year and spend your junior year working as part of a small team with other business majors in the Integrated Business Curriculum. Your fourth year will include an intensive capstone course with upper-division business economics courses. 

Business Economics Curriculum Sheet: General or Finance Option 

What You Can Do

A degree in business economics provides practical knowledge and skills that enhance many professions. You may become a:

• Auditor
• Credit analyst
• Financial analyst
• Industrial market analyst
• Loan officer
• Market analyst
• Bond trader
• Economic analyst
• General manager
• Chief executive officer
• Insurance agent
• Lobbyist
• Purchasing analyst
• Budget analyst
• Environmental planner
• Import/export agent
• Investment broker
• Management consultant
• Real estate appraiser

Opportunities

With a background in business economics, your career options are unlimited. Graduates are prepared to pursue opportunities in business, government, public administration, law, education, journalism, foreign service, consulting and politics. Many of our nation’s top executives and politicians hold degrees in economics. The degree is also excellent preparation for law school or graduate school in many disciplines.

Current Research

Faculty members in the College of Business and Economics are nationally and internationally recognized for their expertise in business economics. Current faculty research projects and interests include:

• Macroeconomics as it relates to airline profitability
• Wine pricing and quality
• Increasing productivity in economics education
• Economic prosperity in small communities
  

Activities

Economics Club: Learn more about the major by attending the club’s regular meetings throughout the year. The club coordinates guest speakers who are practicing economics in a variety of careers.

International Economics Honor Society: The Economics Club sponsors a chapter of Omicron Delta Epsilon, an international honors society in economics. To be eligible for membership, you must have at least 12 credits in economics courses with a 3.0 grade point average in these courses.

Hands-On Experience

In the College of Business and Economics (CBE), you will have hands-on experiential learning opportunities to ensure your readiness for the real business world. These interactive programs give you practical experience and business know-how that will set you apart. Our signature programs include:

• Integrated Business Curriculum: The program revolutionizes the traditional model of teaching business in standalone classes and emphasizes a more realistic approach to business education. The innovative yearlong program brings together juniors in all business majors to address real issues.
• VIEW Entrepreneurship Program: Vandal Innovation and Enterprise Works (VIEW) provides opportunities for you to create and pursue new business ideas and build entrepreneurship skills. The program is available to all majors and hosts an annual competition for teams of student entrepreneurs.
• Vandal Solutions: A nonprofit, student-operated company that gives you practical business experience, while offering the university and local businesses market research, Secret Shoppers and feasibility studies. Proceeds benefit university programs and activities.
• Barker Trading Room: Students gain practical experience in this sophisticated trading room outfitted with 60-inch plasmas tuned to CNBC, a real-time trade station and current technologies. 
• International Experiences: Discover business globally by studying abroad for a semester or accompanying our faculty on one of several CBE student international trips.
• Internships: Gain valuable on-the-job experience through quality internships with major employers.

Facilities

The modern J.A. Albertson Building is home to the College of Business and Economics. Here students learn in technologically advanced classrooms featuring smart boards and wireless connectivity.