University Catalogues

Economics-Finance Major (B.S.)

Economics and finance are closely related disciplines, reflecting the great degree of integration that exists between the economy and the financial system. The Economics-Finance major at Bentley is a unique, blended major that provides a strong foundation in both economics and finance.

The core economics and finance courses provide students with an in-depth understanding of how markets function at the micro and macro levels, and develop strong skills in financial statement analysis, as well as an understanding of the functioning of financial markets and systems. Students can customize their program of study by taking a wide variety of economics and finance elective courses to satisfy the program requirements and their individual interests. The culminating experience of the Economics-Finance major is the capstone course, EC 411 Monetary Economics, where students learn about how the U.S. Federal Reserve System operates and how monetary theory impacts the economy and financial markets.

The major is designed to prepare well-rounded students with in-depth knowledge and practical skills for a variety of careers, including commercial credit analysts, financial consultants, financial analysts, floor traders, investment analysts, investment bankers, securities lending associates, or venture capital analysts.

For further information about degree requirement policies and guidelines, see the Degree Requirements page.

Major Requirements

Major Courses (30 Credits)

Course Title Credits
Required Courses
EC 112Principles of Macroeconomics3
EC 224Intermediate Microeconomics3
EC 225Intermediate Macroeconomics3
EC 441Monetary Economics3
One EC elective. Students should select one economics elective in consultation with their faculty advisor. Any EC course not otherwise required can be used to fulfill the elective requirement.3
FI 305Principles of Accounting and Finance3
FI 306Financial Markets and Investment3
FI 307Advanced Managerial Finance3
FI 347Financial Modeling3
FI 351International Finance3
Total Credits30

The Business Environment (6 Credits)

Course Title Credits
CS 305Business Processes and Systems3
MG 300Strategic Management3
Total Credits6

General Degree Requirements

Foundations for Success (15 Credits)

Course Title Credits
FDS 100Falcon Discovery Seminar3
Communications and Writing
Select one from:
EMS 101Critical Reading and Writing3
or EMS 101L Critical Reading and Writing with Lab
or EMS 102 Critical Reading and Writing for ESOL
or EMS 102L Critical Reading and Writing for ESOL with Lab
And one from:
EMS 104Multimodal Communication3
or EMS 105 Multimodal Communication for ESOL
Information Technology
CS 100Solving Business Problems with Information Technology 3
Mathematical Sciences
Select one from:
MA 105Mathematical Foundations for Business3
or MA 105L Mathematical Foundations for Business with Lab
or MA 107 Applied Calculus for Business
or MA 107L Applied Calculus for Business with Lab
or MA 131 Calculus I
or MA 131L Calculus I with Lab
Total Credits15

Context and Perspectives (18 Credits)

Course Title Credits
Students must take six courses, one in each category of Context and Perspectives:
Total Credits18

Business Dynamics/Business Administration Minor (18 Credits)

Course Title Credits
All courses are required:
AC 115Introduction to Financial Reporting and Analysis3
EC 111Principles of Microeconomics3
FI 118Introduction to Finance3
LA 100Business Law3
MG 116Human Dynamics in Organizations3
ST 113Business Statistics3
Total Credits18

Communication Intensive

All students are required to take a three-credit course designated as a Communication Intensive. This requirement can be met within a variety of course subjects in both Arts & Sciences and Business. Communication Intensive courses are designated with a "CI" in the course schedule. Transfer students with a minimum of 30 credits will be waived from the Communication Intensive requirement.

Please note that certain majors have an additional three-credit Communication Intensive built into their major requirements, separate from the general CI requirement.

Additional Requirements

Arts and Sciences Electives (15 Credits)

Course Title Credits
Select five Arts & Sciences elective courses15
Total Credits15

Unrestricted Electives (18 Credits)

Course Title Credits
Select six elective courses18
Total Credits18

Total: 120 Credits