For more information on the Bachelor of Arts degree, please see the BA General Bulletin.
For specific course syllabi, please visit Course Information.
Economics
OBJECTIVES
The Department of Economics and Finance provides modern training in economic and financial theory and practice to prepare students for a successful career in business, industry or government.
Graduates with a degree in business economics or finance are prepared for a wide variety of challenging and rewarding positions in such fields as banking, investments, corporate financial management, insurance, real estate, financial planning, economic research and market analysis. Adegree in economics also provides a very solid foundation for further graduate study, especially in law or public affairs.
DEFINITION OF MAJORS AND MINORS
Bachelor of Arts: Economics Major
A first major in economics for a B.A. candidate consists of all the degree requirements for the B.A. in economics listed earlier in this bulletin (which includes ECO 231) plus ECO 232, 331, 339, 351, 353 and 12 hours of advanced economics electives. Total 27 hours with at least a 2.0 GPAin all economics courses at SFAand overall. At least 12 advanced hours must be completed at SFA.
A second major in economics for a non-B.B.A. candidate consists of ECO 231, 232, 331, 351, 353 and nine hours of advanced economics electives. Total 24 hours with at least a 2.0 GPA at SFAand overall. At least 12 advanced hours must be completed at SFA.
Economics Minor
A minor in economics for a B.B.A. candidate consists of ECO 231, 232 and 339 (all of which are already included in the B.B.A. degree requirements), 351 or 353, and six hours of advanced economics electives. Total 18 hours (only nine additional hours) with at least a 2.0 GPA. At least nine hours (six of which must be advanced) must be completed at SFA. Aminor in economics for a non-B.B.A. candidate consists of ECO 231, 232, 351 or 353, and nine hours of advanced economics electives. Total 18 hours with at least a 2.0 GPA. At least nine hours (six of which must be advanced) must be completed at SFA.
Bachelor of Arts
| Suggested Program for Economics Majors | |||
Freshman Year (34 hours) |
|||
| ENG 131 | 3 | ENG 132 | 3 |
| Language | 4 | Language | 4 |
| Science w/lab | 4 | Science w/lab | 4 |
| HIS or PSC | 3 | HIS or PSC | 3 |
| CSC 121 | 3 | ART/MUS/THR/DAN | 3 |
| 17 | 17 | ||
Sophomore Year (30 hours) |
|||
| Language | 3 | Language | 3 |
| ECO 231 | 3 | ECO 232 | 3 |
| ENG/PHI/HIS | 3 | HIS or PSC | 3 |
| HIS or PSC | 3 | MTH 220 | 3 |
| Elective | 3 | Elective | 3 |
| 15 | 15 | ||
Junior Year (30 hours) |
|||
| ECO 351 | 3 | ECO 353 | 3 |
| ECO 339 | 3 | ECO Elective | 6 |
| ECO 331 | 3 | Major/Minor Requirements | 6 |
| Major/Minor Requirements or Electives | 6 | ||
| 15 | 15 | ||
Senior Year (26 hours) |
|||
| Major/Minor Requirements | 13 | Major/Minor Requirements or Electives | 13 |
| 13 | 13 | ||
NOTE: See the Degree Requirements for a complete listing of the B.A. in economics degree requirements.
COURSE CREDIT
Unless otherwise indicated, each course carries three semester hours credit and three hours lecture per week.
COURSES IN ECONOMICS (ECO)
231. Principles of Macroeconomics (ECON 2301) - Introduction to the behavioral science of economics that focuses on the aggregate behavior of households, firms and the government. Topics covered include gross domestic product, national income, economic growth, unemployment, inflation, the business cycle, fiscal policy and monetary policy, and international trade.
232. Principles of Microeconomics (ECON 2302) - Introduction to the behavioral science of economics, which focuses on the behavior of individual consumers, firms, government agencies and resource owners. Topics covered include basic price theory, market allocation of resources, consumer behavior, theory of the firm, governmental regulation of business and comparative economic systems.
311. Managerial Economics - Application of economic theory to business decisions. Prerequisite: ECO 232.
331. Money and Banking - Study of the monetary system, commercial banking and central banking in the United States. Prerequisite: ECO 231.
337. Public Finance - Study of the government's role in resource allocation in the economy, including identification of revenue sources and program expenditures, analysis of the effects of taxation and regulation, and understanding political markets and intergovernmental fiscal relations. Prerequisite: ECO 231 or 232.
339. Applied Statistical Analysis - Application of statistical and quantitative methods. Prerequisite: MTH 220.
345. Industry Structure, Market Power and Anti-Trust Legislation - Study of how industry structure determines the market power of individual firms. Examination of the impacts of market power and dominance on consumers and society in general with emphasis on the role played by government through anti-trust legislation. Prerequisite: ECO 232.
351. Income and Employment - Overall performance of the economy with emphasis on the determination of national income, employment and price levels. Prerequisite: ECO 231.
353. Price Theory - Internal workings of a market economy, including price determination and resource allocation in competitive and monopolistic situations. Prerequisite: ECO 232.
359. Sports Economics - Asurvey of the economic theory and literature relevant to the various economic issues in professional and amateur sports. Topics include public funding of sports arenas, labor relations and compensation, and antitrust issues in sports markets. Prerequisite: ECO 231 or 232.
361. Environmental Economics - Economics treatment of environmental policy issues, including pollution abatement and recycling, economic efficiency, market failure, and the valuation of environmental goods.
439. Labor Economics - Theory of labor markets, dealing with labor supply, demand, wage rate behavior, income distribution, wage differentials and unemployment. Prerequisite: ECO 231 or 232.
475. Special Problems in Economics - One to three semester hours. Individual instruction in special topics in economics. Prerequisites: senior standing and approval of department chair.
480. International Economics - International trade theory, tariff and non-tariff barriers to trade, international transactions statement analysis, foreign exchange analysis, direct investment, and current issues and events. Prerequisites: ECO 231, 232.
485. Internship in Economics - Supervised on-the-job training in one or more facets of the field of economics. Cannot be used to satisfy any of the advanced economics courses required of economics majors or business economics majors or economics minors. Prerequisites: junior standing as a major in economics or business economics or a minor in economics, overall GPA of 2.5 or higher, economics GPA of 2.8 or higher, and consent of department chair. Pass or fail.
See General Bulletin.
Information Technology
OBJECTIVES
The digital computer is one of the most useful devices developed by mankind. Computer science is the discipline concerned with the study of this device and how it can be used to process information and help solve complex problems.
The computer science curriculum is designed to allow the future computer specialist to obtain a broad education coupled with detailed knowledge in computer science sufficient to lay a foundation for professional competence in the computing field. Non-specialists may also take computer science courses that will acquaint them with computing capabilities applicable to their main field of endeavor.
STUDENT ORGANIZATIONS
The Computer Science Club is sponsored by the Department of Computer Science and is open to all students. This organization should be of particular interest to students who desire to become acquainted with the computing profession, computing professionals and students with similar interests.
Membership in Upsilon Pi Epsilon, the computer science honor society, is for select juniors, seniors and graduate students who maintain specified scholastic standards. Students who want to be considered for this honor should consult the Delta Chapter faculty adviser or a student officer.
DEFINITION OF MAJORS
Bachelor of Arts Degree - Information Technology Major
General Requirements
Students must satisfy the requirements for the Bachelor of Arts degree with a major in information technology as listed in the College of Business section of this bulletin.
Information Technology Major Requirements (34 hours)
- Twelve hours from: CSC 101 or 121, 102, 202, 211 (12 hours)
- Twelve hours from: CSC 340, 350, 351, 353, 355 (12 hours)
- Three hours from: CSC 452, 455 (3 hours)
- CSC 411 (1 hour)
- Six advanced hours of computer science (6 hours)
(a maximum of three hours may be used from CSC 385 and 412)
DEFINITION OF MINORS
Information Technology Minor Requirements (21 hours)
- CSC 101 or 121, 102 (6 hours)
- Nine hours from: CSC 202, 211, 340, 350 (9 hours)
- Six hours from a list of approved interdepartmental courses (6 hours)
At least 12 hours of computer science (six of which must be advanced) must be completed at SFA. Must maintain a 2.0 GPA in minor courses, in computer science courses completed at SFA, in advanced computer science courses at SFAand in computer science transfer courses. (Contact the Department of Computer Science for the list of approved courses.)
Other Computer Users
- CSC 101 - Introduction to Computing
- CSC 121 - Introduction to Information Processing Systems
- CSC 340 - Application Software for Microcomputers
- CSC 350 - Internet Technologies
- CSC 351 - Internet Programming Concepts
- CSC 353 - System Administration
- CSC 355 - Network Administration
- CSC 452 - Database Application Development
- CSC 455 - Enterprise Security
| Suggested Course Sequence | |||
Freshman Year (32 hours) |
|||
| Freshman English | 3 | Freshman English | 3 |
| Science | 4 | Science | 4 |
| Mathematics | 3 | CSC 102 | 3 |
| CSC 101/121 | 3 | Core Elective | 6 |
| Core Elective | 3 | ||
| 16 | 16 | ||
Sophomore Year (30 hours) |
|||
| CSC 202 | 3 | CSC 211 | 3 |
| MTH 220 |
3 |
CSC 340 or 350 | 3 |
| Minor Requirement | 3 | Minor Requirement | 3 |
| Core Elective | 6 | Core Elective | 6 |
| 15 | 15 | ||
Junior Year (30 hours) |
|||
| Major Requirement | 6 | Major Requirement | 3 |
| Minor Requirement | 3 | Minor Requirement | 6 |
|
Liberal/Applied/Fine Arts |
3 |
Liberal/Applied/Fine Arts |
3 |
| Core Elective | 3 | Core Elective | 3 |
| 15 | 15 | ||
Core & Remaining Requirements
- Six to eight hours from: BCM 247; COM 111, 170; ENG 273; FRE 131, 132; GER 131, 132; GRK 131, 132; ILA 111, 112; LAT 131, 132; SPA 131, 132; SPH 172, 272.
- Three hours from: ART 280, 281, 282; DAN 140, 341; MHL 245; MUS 140; THR 161, 370
- Three hours from: ENG 200-233H, 300; HIS 151, 152; PHI 153, 223 Three hours from: ANT 231; ECO 231, 232; EPS 380; GEO 131, 230; PSY 133, 153; SOC 137, 139 (ECO 231 or 232 is recommended)
- HIS 133, 134
- PSC 141, 142
- BLW 335 or GBU 325
- Twelve hours from: CSC 340, 350, 351, 353, 355
- CSC 411 (one hour) and three hours from: CSC 452, 455
- Six advanced hours of computer science (restricted)
- Minor or elective hours as required
Minimum of 28 hours needed to complete the degree program.
No student may enroll in any business course numbered 300 or higher unless 60 hours of course work will have been completed by the end of the semester for which the student is enrolling.
At that time the following courses should have been completed:
- CSC 101 or 121 (3 hours)
- Mathematics (6 hours)
- CSC 102; 202 or 211 (6 hours)
- Science (8 hours)
- Freshman English (6 hours)
COURSES IN COMPUTER SCIENCE (CSC)
A student must have a grade of C or higher in all courses that are prerequisite to a computer science course before enrolling in that course. Unless otherwise indicated, each course carries three semester hours credit and three hours lecture per week.
101. Introduction to Computing - General study of computer types, capabilities, uses and limitations. Use of operating systems and application software on a microcomputer. Use of network environments to access online resources. Introduction to problem solving using a computer. Prerequisite: two years of high school algebra or equivalent. Credit not available for students who have taken CSC 121. May not be taken by business majors.
102. Computer Science Principles - Fundamental concepts of computer systems and systems software and an overview of computer science issues. Problem solving and program development using a high-level programming language. Prerequisite: eligibility for enrollment in college algebra.
121. Introduction to Information Processing Systems (BCIS 1305) - General study of computer types, capabilities, uses and limitations from a business-oriented perspective. Use of operating systems and application software on a microcomputer. Use of network environments to access online resources. Introduction to problem solving using a computer. Prerequisite: eligibility for enrollment in a 100-level college mathematics course. Credit not available for students who have taken CSC 101.
201. Introduction to Computer Programming (COSC 1317) - Basic techniques for solving problems by use of a digital computer. Emphasis on application of the computer as a quantitative tool and on the use of the FORTRANlanguage. Prerequisite: two years of high school algebra or equivalent.
202. Computer Programming Principles - Problem solving and algorithm design, program structures, data types, software development methods, and programming style. Prerequisite: CSC 102.
211. Event-Driven Programming - Emphasis on problem analysis, solution design and programming methods. Implementation of commercial applications. Prerequisite: CSC 102.
214. Computer Organization - Binary representation of data and instructions, arithmetic and logical data operations, hardware structures, memory organization, and addressing of data and data structures. Machine language and assembly language instructions and programming, hardware/software interface, and selected programming techniques. Prerequisite: CSC 202.
241. Data Structures - Advanced programming techniques, including indirection and recursion. Conceptual development and implementation of data structures, including arrays, records, linear lists, stacks, queues, trees, tables and graphs. Applications involving strings, sorting, searching and file operations. Prerequisites: CSC 202; CSC 211 recommended.
301. A Contemporary Programming Language - One to three semester hours. Language constructs and applications area. Control structures, input/output, data structures. Use of language in problem solution implementation. May be repeated once for a different language. Prerequisite: six hours of computer science or the equivalent. Additional prerequisites may vary with different languages.
321. Programming Methods and File Structures - Programming efficiency techniques, debugging techniques and file processing for applications in business. Comprehensive programming assignments. Prerequisites: CSC 202, 211.
323. Software Engineering - Current software engineering theory and practice. Methodologies, techniques and tools of software engineering. Prerequisite: CSC 241.
331. Object-Oriented Programming Methods - Use of a modern object-oriented programming language for industrial applications emphasizing contemporary development practices. Comprehensive programming assignments. Prerequisites: CSC 202, 211.
333. Discrete Structures for Computer Science - Mathematical structures for describing data, algorithms and computing machines. Theory and applications of sets, relations, functions, combinatorics, matrices, graphs and algebraic structures, which are pertinent to computer science. Prerequisites: CSC 202; MTH 233 or 144.
340. Application Software for Microcomputers - Advanced utilization of spreadsheet software. Utilization of database software. Operating systems and disk management skills. May not be used to satisfy computer science requirements for a computer science or computer information systems major or a computer science minor. Prerequisite: CSC 101 or 102 or 121.
342. Algorithm Analysis - Study of algorithm design, analysis tools and techniques for selected problems, including sorting, searching, graphs, branch and bound strategies, dynamic programming, algebraic methods, string matching, and sets. An introduction to order notation, timing routines and complexity classes. Prerequisites: CSC 214, 241.
343. Computer Architecture - Architectural structure and organization of computers. Analysis of the processor components, memory structure, I/O section and bus. Study of system component interrelationships and interactions with the operating system. Prerequisites: CSC 214; CSC 241 recommended.
350. Internet Technologies - Technology, structure, limitations and uses of the Internet. E-commerce and digital transactions. Web page design. May not be used to satisfy computer science requirements for a computer science or computer information systems major or a computer science minor. Prerequisites: CSC 101, 102 or 121.
351. Internet Programming Concepts - Introduction to Internet application programming using scripting languages and user-interface design in a server-delivered, browser-based environment. May not be used to satisfy computer science requirements for a major or minor in computer science or computer information systems. Prerequisites: CSC 202 and 350; or CSC 241.
353. System Administration - The configuration, installation and maintenance of a computer using a current operating system in a networked environment. Emphasis will be placed on resource management, performance and security. May not be used to satisfy computer science requirements for a major or minor in computer science or computer information systems. Prerequisites: CSC 202 or 211.
355. Network Administration - Network administration principles, tools and techniques, including network installation, configuration, operation and maintenance. Exploration of current issues, topics and trends in network development. May not be used to satisfy computer science requirements for a major or minor in computer science or computer information systems. Prerequisite: CSC 202.
385. Internship in Computer Science - One to three semester hours. Supervised on-the-job training in one or more facets of the field of computer science. Prerequisites: Advanced standing as a major or minor in the Department of Computer Science, three advanced hours of computer science, overall GPA of 2.5 or higher, computer science GPA of 2.5 or higher and consent of the CSC 385 course supervisor. May not be used to satisfy computer science requirements for a computer science or computer information systems major, or any minor in the Department of Computer Science. May be repeated to a total of three hours credit. Pass or fail.
401. Contemporary Topics in Computer Science - One to three semester hours. Study of recent developments and topics of current interest in computer science. Astudent may repeat this course once with department chair approval. May be used only once to partially satisfy the 400-level course requirement in computer science. Prerequisites: six advanced hours of computer science or department chair approval. Particular prerequisites may vary with different topics.
411. Ethics in Computer Science - One semester hour. Study of ethical concepts to guide computing professionals. Implications and effects of computers on society. Responsibilities of computing professionals in directing emerging technology. May not be used to satisfy requirements toward a minor in computer science, computer information systems or information technology. Prerequisites: 18 hours of computer science with at least six hours advanced and department chair approval.
412. Computer Science Practicum - Operation and supervision of computer facilities in a production and student environment. May not be used to satisfy advanced computer science requirements for a computer science or computer information systems major, or any minor in the Department of Computer Science. Prerequisites: 18 hours of computer science with at least six hours advanced and department chair approval.
421. Applied Operations Research - Quantitative techniques for resource management, decision-making and system analysis with emphasis on development and use of computer implementations of mathematical models. Prerequisites: CSC 241; MTH 144 or 233; MTH 220.
425. Database Management Systems - Study of database management systems. Design and implementation of applications using database management systems. Prerequisites: CSC 241; CSC 321 or 331; three additional advanced hours of computer science excluding CSC 340, 350, 351, 353, 355, 385, 411, 412, 452 and 455.
426. Requirements Engineering and System Modeling - Study of the methodology for building a complete application system. Emphasis on critical analysis of existing systems and design of computer-based systems. Prerequisite: CSC 323.
431. System Simulation and Model Building - Simulation methodology, generation of random variants, design of experiments with deterministic and stochastic models. Prerequisites: CSC 241; MTH 144 or 233; MTH 220.
435. Teleprocessing and Data Communications - Functional evolution and role of data communications. Considerations in data communications. Applications in general. The design issues. System components and their interrelationships. Networks. Prerequisites: CSC 241, 343.
441. Principles of Systems Programming - Operating systems principles, systems utilities, language processors and user interfaces. Prerequisites: CSC 214, 241; CSC 323 or 342 or 343.
442. Organization of Programming Languages - Language definition, structure, data types, control structures, parameter passage, subprogram interface and block-structured language. Information binding, data storage and mapping, execution environments, input/output, recursion, multiprocessing. Prerequisites: CSC 241; CSC 323 or 342 or 343.
445. Computer Graphics - Overview of the hardware, software and techniques used in computer graphics. Graphics primitives, two-dimensional transformations, painting, windowing and clipping. Three-dimensional graphics, including hidden lines and surfaces, lighting, texturing, and shading. Prerequisites: CSC 241; CSC 323 or 342 or 343; MTH 133.
452. Database Application Development - Applied study of the logical and physical organization of database systems and their role in information technology. Design and implementation of applications using database management systems. May not be used to satisfy computer science requirements for a major or minor in computer science or computer information systems. Prerequisites: CSC 211, 340.
455. Enterprise Security - Practical approaches to ensuring the security of information systems. May not be used to satisfy computer science requirements for a major or minor in computer science or computer information systems. Prerequisites: CSC 353, 355.
475. Special Problems - One to three semester hours. Individual instruction in a computer science. May be repeated once for a different topic with department chair approval. Prerequisites: junior standing and department chair approval.
See General Bulletin.