Economics, Bachelor of Arts

Program Information
Credential: 
Bachelor's Degree
Duration: 

2 years at RDC - 2 years at most universities

Delivery: 
Main Campus
Program Cost Estimates: 

Contact Information

Contact Name: 
Dr. Tim Heath
Contact Title: 
Associate Dean
Contact Phone: 
403.342.3400 OR 1.888.732.4630
Contact Email: 
inquire@rdc.ab.ca

Department Information

For more information about the Economics program, visit the Economics Department.

University Transfer Program

Two-Year University Transfer Program:

RDC offers the first two years of the Bachelor of Arts program.

For the most current university program and transfer information, see the Planning Guides in Academic Advising..

Related Careers

The following careers are open to graduates with a BA in Economics. Some may require additional training or certification in the specific field:

  • securities broker
  • commodities broker
  • financial manager
  • insurance agent
  • banker
  • credit analyst
  • investment analyst
  • researcher
  • auditor
  • sales representative
  • real estate agent
  • financial planner
  • government policy analyst
  • economic development officer

Many BA graduates pursue further degrees in professional fields (such as law or business administration) or graduate degrees in Economics (MA or PhD degree). The following careers are open to graduates with such degrees:

  • professor
  • research economist
  • lawyer
  • accountant
  • business administrator
  • regional/urban planner

B.A. graduates generally have superior skills in conceptual analysis, evaluation and critical reasoning, leadership motivation, and interpersonal and communication skills.

The Program

For a general discussion of the B.A. program, click here.

Economics studies how households, businesses and governments make choices about how to allocate scarce resources in order to best satisfy individual and social wants. The tools of economics can be used to analyse issues as diverse as unemployment, inflation, globalization, discrimination, environmental issues, taxation, health care and professional sports. Each year courses are offered in microeconomics and macroeconomics, and in selected fields such as money and banking, labour economics, international economics, sports economics, development economics, and industrial organization.

Transfer Features

Visit the Bachelor of Arts page for transfer features.

Requirements
Admission Requirements: 

Visit the Bachelor of Arts page for full admission requirements.

Math 30-1 is essential for success in pursuing a B.A. major in Economics. If you do not have Math 30-1, you may pursue the equivalent course during your first year at RDC. For further information, see an Academic Advisor.

Program Content
University of Alberta

For the Compulsory Core Requirements that must be completed in the courses of a four-year degree, see general information for the B.A. program.

Credits below = U of A credits. RDC credits may differ from U of A credits. Check the Alberta Transfer Guide for transfer credit information.

Refer to the University of Alberta Program Requirements on the Bachelor of Arts page for detailed information.

Suggested Pattern Year 1

  • ECON 201 & ECON 202 (6 credits)
  • ENGL 219 & ENGL 220 (6 credits)
  • MATH 202 or 203 (3 credits)
  • Open Options (12 credits)
  • Science Option (3 credits)
Year 1 Course Descriptions

ECON 201

Scarcity and choice. Methods used in economic science. Specialization; markets; and exchange. Supply and demand. Roles of consumers; firms and resource owners in competitive and monopolistic markets. International trade. Government intervention. Emphasis is on Canadian problems; issues; policies; and institutions. Credit will not be granted for both ECON 100 and ECON 201. Note: It is recommended that you have grade 12 level Math or equivalent as background.

ECON 202

Defining and measuring aggregate economic variables. National income and monetary theory. Government monetary and fiscal policies. Unemployment and inflation . Exchange rates and balance of payment. Emphasis in on the Canadian economy. Prerequisite: ECON 201 Note: Credit will not be granted for both ECON 101 and 202. Note: It is recommended that you have grade 12 level Math or equivalent as background.

ENGL 219

The focus is on formal preparation for university level essay writing and the skills related to critical reading; interpretation; and argument. Prerequisite: ELA 30-1 or English 095 NOTE: Credit will not be granted for both ENGL 219 and ENGL 210.

ENGL 220

The course explores a range of literary genres while continuing to focus on deepening the required structural and critical skills related to thinking and writing about literature. Pre-requisite: Engl 219 NOTE: Credit will not be granted for both ENGL 220 and 210.

MATH 202

Review of analytical geometry; differentiation and integration of simple functions; and applications. Prerequisite: Math 30-1 Note: You should take MATH 203 if you have at least 70% in Math 31.

MATH 203

Review of analytical geometry; differentiation and intergration of simple functions; and applications. Prerequisite: Math 30-1 and 31 or the equivalent. Note: Not recommended if you have less than 70% in Math 31.

Suggested Pattern Year 2

Refer to Academic Advising Planning Guides.

University of Calgary

For the Compulsory Core Requirements that must be completed in the courses of a four-year degree, see general information for the B.A. program.

Credits below = U of C credits. RDC credits may differ from U of C credits. Check the Alberta Transfer Guide for transfer credit information.

Refer to the University of Calgary Program requirements on the Bachelor of Arts page for detailed information.

Suggested Year 1 Pattern

  • ECON 201 & ECON 202 (6 credits)
  • ENGL 219 & ENGL 220 (6 credits)
  • MATH 202 or 203 (3 credits)
  • Open Options (12 credits)
  • Science Option (3 credits)
Year 1 Course Descriptions

ECON 201

Scarcity and choice. Methods used in economic science. Specialization; markets; and exchange. Supply and demand. Roles of consumers; firms and resource owners in competitive and monopolistic markets. International trade. Government intervention. Emphasis is on Canadian problems; issues; policies; and institutions. Credit will not be granted for both ECON 100 and ECON 201. Note: It is recommended that you have grade 12 level Math or equivalent as background.

ECON 202

Defining and measuring aggregate economic variables. National income and monetary theory. Government monetary and fiscal policies. Unemployment and inflation . Exchange rates and balance of payment. Emphasis in on the Canadian economy. Prerequisite: ECON 201 Note: Credit will not be granted for both ECON 101 and 202. Note: It is recommended that you have grade 12 level Math or equivalent as background.

ENGL 219

The focus is on formal preparation for university level essay writing and the skills related to critical reading; interpretation; and argument. Prerequisite: ELA 30-1 or English 095 NOTE: Credit will not be granted for both ENGL 219 and ENGL 210.

ENGL 220

The course explores a range of literary genres while continuing to focus on deepening the required structural and critical skills related to thinking and writing about literature. Pre-requisite: Engl 219 NOTE: Credit will not be granted for both ENGL 220 and 210.

MATH 202

Review of analytical geometry; differentiation and integration of simple functions; and applications. Prerequisite: Math 30-1 Note: You should take MATH 203 if you have at least 70% in Math 31.

MATH 203

Review of analytical geometry; differentiation and intergration of simple functions; and applications. Prerequisite: Math 30-1 and 31 or the equivalent. Note: Not recommended if you have less than 70% in Math 31.

Suggested Year 2 Pattern

Refer to Academic Advising Planning Guides.

University of Lethbridge

For the Compulsory Core Requirements that must be completed in the courses of a four-year degree, see general information for the B.A. program.

Credits below = U of L credits. RDC credits may differ from U of L credits. Check the Alberta Transfer Guide for transfer credit information.

Refer to the University of Lethbridge Program requirements on the Bachelor of Arts page for detailed information.

Suggested Year 1 Pattern

  • ECON 201 & ECON 202 (6 credits)
  • ENGL 219 & ENGL 220 (6 credits)
  • MATH 202 or 203 (3 credits)
  • Open Options (12 credits)
  • Science Option (3 credits)
Year 1 Course Descriptions

ECON 201

Scarcity and choice. Methods used in economic science. Specialization; markets; and exchange. Supply and demand. Roles of consumers; firms and resource owners in competitive and monopolistic markets. International trade. Government intervention. Emphasis is on Canadian problems; issues; policies; and institutions. Credit will not be granted for both ECON 100 and ECON 201. Note: It is recommended that you have grade 12 level Math or equivalent as background.

ECON 202

Defining and measuring aggregate economic variables. National income and monetary theory. Government monetary and fiscal policies. Unemployment and inflation . Exchange rates and balance of payment. Emphasis in on the Canadian economy. Prerequisite: ECON 201 Note: Credit will not be granted for both ECON 101 and 202. Note: It is recommended that you have grade 12 level Math or equivalent as background.

ENGL 219

The focus is on formal preparation for university level essay writing and the skills related to critical reading; interpretation; and argument. Prerequisite: ELA 30-1 or English 095 NOTE: Credit will not be granted for both ENGL 219 and ENGL 210.

ENGL 220

The course explores a range of literary genres while continuing to focus on deepening the required structural and critical skills related to thinking and writing about literature. Pre-requisite: Engl 219 NOTE: Credit will not be granted for both ENGL 220 and 210.

MATH 202

Review of analytical geometry; differentiation and integration of simple functions; and applications. Prerequisite: Math 30-1 Note: You should take MATH 203 if you have at least 70% in Math 31.

MATH 203

Review of analytical geometry; differentiation and intergration of simple functions; and applications. Prerequisite: Math 30-1 and 31 or the equivalent. Note: Not recommended if you have less than 70% in Math 31.

Suggested Year 2 Pattern

Refer to Academic Advising Planning Guides.