UWA Handbook 2023

Major Overview

Description

The rise and fall of economies, future employment prospects, incomes and living standards are all at the heart of economics. In a number of countries, elections are won or lost on the basis of economic issues such as taxation, debt or deficits. The Economics major prepares you for work in financial institutions, government, international agencies and the private sector as a forecaster, analyst or consultant. The major includes core subjects in both microeconomics and macroeconomics. Microeconomics provides the framework for analysing issues in taxation, trade and the competitive structure of markets, while macroeconomics focuses on the forces that influence long-term economic growth, inflation, unemployment and the balance of payments. Students also develop the capacity to understand the fundamental workings of the economy and markets, and implications of economic policy. The Economics major can be combined with a major in Finance if you are interested in pursuing a career as a financial economist.

Outcomes

Students are able to (1) demonstrate comprehensive theoretical and applied economic knowledge; (2) apply sound economic reasoning to analyse key economic information used to inform effective decision-making; (3) be effective and perceptive communicators of economic information to specialist and non-specialist audiences; (4) be effective team members and work effectively and collaboratively with others; (5) apply reflective and critical thinking skills to economic problems with responsibility and accountability.; and (6) demonstate awareness of ethical, cultural, social and sustainability issues relevant to the discipline.

Broadening guidelines

All students studying towards a Bachelor's Degree at UWA are required to Broaden their studies by completing a minimum of four units (24 points) of study outside their degree specific major. Broadening is your opportunity to explore other areas of interest, investigate new disciplines and knowledge paradigms and to shape your degree to suit your own aspirations and interests. Many of you will be able to undertake more than this minimum amount of broadening study and we encourage you to do so if this suits your aspirations. Over the next few months you will find here some broadening suggestions related to your degree-specific major. While we know that many students value guidance of this sort, these are only suggestions and students should not lose sight of the opportunity to explore that is afforded by your Broadening Choices. Advice can also be sought from your Allocated Student Advising Office.

Courses

Economics can be taken as a degree-specific major in the following degree courses:

• BP002 Bachelor of Commerce
• BH005 Bachelor of Philosophy (Honours)

Units