Academic Catalog 2019-2020 
    
    May 16, 2024  
Academic Catalog 2019-2020 [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Course Listing


Courses listed below are grouped together alphabetically by subject prefix.  To search for a specific course, please follow the instructions in the course filter box below and click on “Filter.”  

Departments and interdisciplinary programs are described in detail on the Majors, Minors, and Other Programs  page within this catalog.  Please refer to the detailed sections on each area of study for more information.  Requirements to fulfill a major or minor appear within each program or area of study.

All students must also complete the courses in the Common Curriculum (General Education), including Writing Across the Curriculum (WAC) requirements and other requirements that pertain to the undergraduate degree. Courses are numbered as follows.

000-049 - Non-credit courses.

050-099 - Common Curriculum (General Education) courses and others that do NOT count toward the major.

100-199 - Introductory-level courses which count for the major.

200-299 - Sophomore/junior-level courses that can be taken by non-majors. (Some departments may use 200-249 and 250-259 to delineate between sophomore and junior level offerings.)

300-399 - Upper-level courses intended primarily for majors - these are courses representing the depth component of the major.

400-499 - All advanced courses for seniors, including those used to fulfill WS (Senior Writing Experience requirement), small seminars, research, thesis, and independent studies.

Wherever possible, the departments have indicated the instructor and the term during which a course is given. Some courses are offered only occasionally and are so indicated. The College retains the right not to offer a course, especially if enrollment is insufficient.

A few courses are not valued at full course credit, and some carry double credit.

A full course unit may be equated to five quarter-credit hours, or three and one-third semester credit hours.

 

Computer Science

  
  • CSC 497 - Computer Science Capstone Seminar

    Course Units: 0.5
    (Spring; Rieffel) Development of the skills necessary for independent research: Reading scholarly works, designing experiments and empirically evaluating their results. Development of a comprehensive senior capstone project proposal. Investigation of professional ethics, skills and responsibilities. Prerequisite(s): 1) C- or higher in CSC 151  or   2) MTH 197 and a C- or higher in CSC 150. MTH 199  can be substituted for MTH 197. Note: Normally taken in Spring of the Junior year.
  
  • CSC 498 - Computer Science Capstone Project 1

    Course Units: 0.75
    (Fall, Winter, Spring; Staff) Design, implementation, and evaluation of the capstone project. Prerequisite(s): CSC 497    Note: Normally taken during the Senior year.
  
  • CSC 499 - Computer Science Capstone Project 2

    Course Units: 0.75
    (Fall, Winter, Spring; Staff) Design, implementation, and evaluation of the capstone project. Prerequisite(s): CSC 498    CC: WS Note: Normally taken during the Senior year.

Electrical Engineering

  
  • ECE 101 - The Joy of Electronics

    Course Units: 1
    (Winter, Spring; Hedrick) Introduction to the tools, skills, and principles of electrical and computer engineering. Emphasis is placed on developing an intuitive understanding while learning quantitative methods to design, test, and analyze electronics. Test and measurement tools include oscilloscopes, multimeters, and function generators. Circuit construction techniques include breadboarding and soldering as well as computer software to simulate circuits. Principles such as power, frequency, and modulation are taught through analog and digital electronics projects. Hands-on projects include an audio amplifier, crystal radio receiver, digital clock, and a microcontroller-operated robotic arm. Prerequisite(s): None.
  
  • ECE 118 - Introduction to Computer and Logic Design

    Course Units: 1
    (Same as CSC 118 ) (Fall; Traver) Fundamental material in the area of digital logic circuit analysis and synthesis, and computer organization. The components of digital computers are studied at the gate level, the function level,  and the machine organization level. Weekly laboratory exercises are required. Corequisite(s): ECE 118L CC: SET
  
  • ECE 218 - Embedded Microcontroller Projects

    Course Units: 1
    (Winter; Traver) Focuses on the design and implementation of microcontroller systems.  Topics include microcontroller architecture, interfacing, programming for control applications, multitasking, and tools used in embedded system design. The course includes a weekly project-based laboratory. Prerequisite(s): ECE 118  and one course from the following: CSC 103  , CSC 104  , CSC 105  , CSC 106  ,CSC 107  , or CSC 108    Corequisite(s): ECE-218L
  
  • ECE 222 - Introduction to Circuits and Electronics

    Course Units: 1
    (Winter, Spring; Spinelli) Electrical quantities, circuit principles, analysis and response of basic circuits, semiconductor physics, diodes, transistors, and operational amplifiers.  Includes a weekly lab. Prerequisite(s): PHY 121  or IMP 120    Corequisite(s): ECE 222L Note: Not open to Electrical, Computer, or Biomedical Engineering majors, or to students who have taken ECE 225 .
  
  • ECE 225 - Electric Circuits

    Course Units: 1
    (Same as BME 225   ) (Fall, Winter; Dosiek) Basic electrical circuit concepts and devices such as Ohm’s law, Kirchhoff’s laws, Thevenin and Norton equivalents, operational amplifiers, analysis methods, capacitors, inductors, ideal transformers, phasors, AC steady state analysis, complex power, frequency response and filters. Includes a weekly lab. Prerequisite(s): MTH 102  or MTH 112  or MTH 113  or MTH 115   OR MTH-115H or IMP 120    Corequisite(s): ECE 225L
  
  • ECE 240 - Circuits and Systems

    Course Units: 1
    (Same as BME 240   ) (Winter, Hanson; Spring, Yang) Transient analysis of RLC circuits; modeling of circuits using differential equations; system models and properties; Laplace transforms applied to circuit and system design and analysis; system functions; complex frequency; poles and zeros; stability; frequency response; filter design. Includes a weekly lab. Not open to ME majors Prerequisite(s): ECE 225  or BME 225    Corequisite(s): ECE 240L Note: NOT OPEN TO MECH. ENG. MAJORS!
  
  • ECE 241 - Discrete Systems

    Course Units: 1
    (Same as BME 241   ) (Fall, Spring; Pappu) Discrete signals and systems; classification and properties of systems; difference equations; Z-transform; Fourier series, Fourier transforms, the DFT and FFT; filters and filter design; A/D and D/A converters; applications to audio signal processing. Includes a weekly lab. Prerequisite(s): ECE 240  or BME 240    Corequisite(s): ECE 241L
  
  • ECE 248 - Introduction to Semiconductor Devices and Circuits

    Course Units: 1
    (Spring; Buma) Semiconductors: theory of operation of diodes and transistors; circuit models; basic electronic circuits and amplifiers: transfer characteristics and inverters. Includes a weekly lab. Prerequisite(s): ECE 225  or BME 225    Corequisite(s): ECE 248L
  
  • ECE 281 - Electrical and Computer Engineering Practicum 1

    Course Units: 0
    (Fall, Winter, Spring; Staff) Under the supervision of an ECE faculty member, students may participate in undergraduate research or a design project. To receive pass/fail credit equivalent to one free elective course, a student must receive a passing grade in three terms of the practicum course. Up to two credits may be earned in this way. Prerequisite(s): Permission of the faculty supervisor and the department chair is required.
  
  • ECE 282 - Electrical and Computer Engineering Practicum 2

    Course Units: 0
    (Fall, Winter, Spring; Staff) Under the supervision of an ECE faculty member, students may participate in undergraduate research or a design project. To receive pass/fail credit equivalent to one free elective course, a student must receive a passing grade in three terms of the practicum course. Up to two credits may be earned in this way. Prerequisite(s): Permission of the faculty supervisor and the department chair is required.
  
  • ECE 283 - Electrical and Computer Engineering Practicum 3

    Course Units: 1
    (Fall, Winter, Spring; Staff) Under the supervision of an ECE faculty member, students may participate in undergraduate research or a design project. To receive pass/fail credit equivalent to one free elective course, a student must receive a passing grade in three terms of the practicum course. Up to two credits may be earned in this way. Prerequisite(s): Permission of the faculty supervisor and the department chair is required.
  
  • ECE 295H - Electrical and Computer Engineering Honors Independent Project 1

    Course Units: 0
    (Fall, Winter, Spring; Staff) Sophomore project in Electrical and Computer Engineering for students participating in a scholars program. Prerequisite(s): Permission of the instructor.
  
  • ECE 296H - Electrical and Computer Engineering Honors Independent Project 2

    Course Units: 1
    (Fall, Winter, Spring; Staff) Sophomore project in Electrical and Computer Engineering for students participating in a scholars program. Prerequisite(s): Permission of the instructor.
  
  • ECE 310 - Electronic Devices

    Course Units: 1
    (Not Offered this Academic Year) Terminal characteristics and theory of electronic devices; band theory, photo and electronic effects, PN junctions; bipolar and field effect transistors, discrete and integrated electronics. Prerequisite(s): ECE 248  
  
  • ECE 318 - Digital Design

    Course Units: 1
    (Same as CSC 318 ) (Spring; Traver) The design of digital hardware systems at the module level using modern approaches. Datapath and control unit design, hardware description languages, programmable device implementations. Laboratory exercises using electronic design automation tools and a design project are required. Prerequisite(s): ECE 118   Corequisite(s): ECE 318L
  
  • ECE 325 - Acoustics of Speech Communication

    Course Units: 1
    (Not Offered this Academic Year) Acoustics, circuit theory, and signal processing applied to analysis of speech signals; Physiology of speech production; Articulatory phonetics; Acoustical and articulatory description of phonetic features and of prosodic aspects of speech; Perception of speech; Models of speech production and planning; Some applications to recognition and generation of speech by machine, and to the study of speech disorders. Prerequisite(s): ECE 241  or BME 241   
  
  • ECE 329 - Neural Networks

    Course Units: 1
    (Same as CSC 329 ) (Not Offered this Academic Year) Topics include the biological basic of artificial neural networks, neuron models and architectures, backpropagation, associative and competitive learning. Weekly computer laboratories and a final project required. Prerequisite(s): MTH 130  or MTH 234 , CSC 150  for CS students.
  
  • ECE 333 - Transmission Line Circuits and Applications

    Course Units: 1
    (Not Offered this Academic Year) Topics include sinusoidal sources, impedances, admittances, and basic circuit analysis; voltage and current as traveling waves; RLC circuit models and transmission line equations; characteristic impedance and propagation constant; reflection coefficient and power transfer; introduction of using matching circuits to reduce power loss; analysis and design of lumped-parameter (RLC) and distributed-parameter (transmission line) matching circuits; Smith Chart as an analysis/design tool. Includes a weekly studio session. Prerequisite(s): ECE 225  or BME 225   or equivalent. Corequisite(s): ECE 333L
  
  • ECE 336 - Computer Network Protocols

    Course Units: 1
    (Same as CSC 236 ) (Not Offered this Academic Year) Design, analysis, and operation of communication protocols for computer networks; TCP/IP, addressing, switching, routing, congestion control, application protocols. Prerequisite(s): ECE 118    / CSC 118   or CSC 120   
  
  • ECE 337 - Data Communications and Networks

    Course Units: 1
    (Same as CSC 237 ) (Fall; Spinelli) An introduction to the physical and data link layers of data communication networks, including error detection, and local area networks. Prerequisite(s): ECE 118    / CSC 118   or CSC 120   
  
  • ECE 341 - Energy Conversion

    Course Units: 1
    (Not Offered this Academic Year) Theory of electromechanical energy conversion; characteristics of transformers and DC induction; and synchronous machines. Prerequisite(s): ECE 225  or BME 225   
  
  • ECE 342 - Power Electronics

    Course Units: 1
    (Not Offered this Academic Year) Rectifying devices and rectifier circuits: device characteristics, waveforms, harmonic content filtering. Controlled rectifiers (thyristors, triacs): device characteristics, single phase and multiphase systems. Snubber circuits and divide limitations. DC-DC converters: design, application, topologies. Energy storage element selection and design: capacitors and inductors. Prerequisite(s): ECE 248 , ECE 350  
  
  • ECE 343 - Introduction to Electromagnetic Engineering

    Course Units: 1
    (Spring; Dosiek) Traveling waves: transmission lines; electrostatics; magnetostatics; applications to engineering problems; solutions by analytical and numerical techniques. Prerequisite(s): ECE 240 , (MTH 117  and PHY 121 ) or IMP 120   
  
  • ECE 344 - Electric Machines and Drives

    Course Units: 1
    (Spring; Dosiek) Introduction to electric drives; understanding mechanical system requirements; DC motors and variable speed drives; current, speed, and position controllers; induction machine variable speed drives; space vectors; permanent magnet AC and brushless DC motors; efficiency considerations and applications to alternative energy systems. Prerequisite(s): ECE 240  
  
  • ECE 347 - Image Processing

    Course Units: 1
    (Not Offered this Academic Year) The course covers the basic operations performed on digital images. These include digitization, image enhancement and restoration, color image processing, and image compression using the discrete cosine transform and wavelets. Prerequisite(s): ECE 241  or BME 241   
  
  • ECE 348 - Digital Circuits

    Course Units: 1
    (Not Offered this Academic Year) Special circuitry of digital systems; transistors as switches, logic gate families (RTL, DTL, TTL, ECL, MOS, CMOS, etc.), digital ICs semiconductor memories. Design projects required. Prerequisite(s): ECE 118 , ECE 248 , or permission of the instructor. Corequisite(s): ECE 348L
  
  • ECE 350 - Communication Systems

    Course Units: 1
    (Spring; Pappu) Frequency domain analysis, signal space representations, and their application to wireless communications; quality measures; performance in the presence of noise. Includes a weekly lab. Prerequisite(s): ECE 241   Corequisite(s): ECE 350L
  
  • ECE 351 - Probability and Digital Communications

    Course Units: 1
    (Fall; Spinelli) An introduction to probability with an emphasis on applications in digital communications. Digital signaling, coding, probability of error, matched filters, optimum receiver design, source entropy, channel capacity. Prerequisite(s): ECE 118 , ECE 240  
  
  • ECE 354 - VLSI System Design

    Course Units: 1
    (Same as CSC 354 ) (Not Offered this Academic Year) Design of very large-scale integrated systems including standard CMOS and more advanced and emerging technologies in nanoelectronics. Design from logic to physical levels and manufacturing processes. System-on-chip technologies and applications.  Includes a weekly lab. Prerequisite(s): ECE 118  and (ECE 225  or BME 225   or ECE 222 ) Corequisite(s): ECE 354L
  
  • ECE 358 - Waves in Communication

    Course Units: 1
    (Not Offered this Academic Year) Covers the basic concepts needed to develop electromagnetic devices in communication circuits/systems. Wave propagation and transmission, antenna concepts, design considerations, Friis transmission formula and radar equation, transmission line theory and guided waves. Prerequisite(s): PHY 121  or equivalent.
  
  • ECE 360 - Power System Analysis 1

    Course Units: 1
    (Not Offered this Academic Year) Power and energy in single-phase and polyphase circuits; transformer characteristics; single-line and three-line diagrams; load flow; per-unit analysis; instrument transformers; power system fault duty and x/r ; switching and lightning transients; power factor correction; power quality standards. Prerequisite(s): ECE 225  or BME 225   
  
  • ECE 361 - Power System Analysis 2

    Course Units: 1
    (Not Offered this Academic Year) Wave-propagation in transmission lines; analysis of power networks, load-flow solutions, and control; three-phase faults and symmetrical components; power system protection; stability of power systems. Prerequisite(s): ECE 225  or ECE 360  
  
  • ECE 363 - Analysis and Design of Electronic Circuits

    Course Units: 1
    (Fall; Buma) Multiple-stage amplifiers; Differential amplifiers; Frequency response of amplifiers; Feedback amplifier; Stability of electronic circuits; Analysis and design of operational amplifiers.  Includes a weekly lab. Prerequisite(s): ECE 248   Corequisite(s): ECE 363L
  
  • ECE 366 - Control Systems

    Course Units: 1
    (Winter; Sanchez) Modeling of control systems by block diagrams and flow graphs. Analysis of control systems response, error and stability, Root-Locus method, and frequency domain methods (Nyquist, Bode, and Nichols).  Includes a laboratory and design project. Prerequisite(s): ECE 240   Corequisite(s): ECE 366L
  
  • ECE 368 - Introduction to Antenna Theory

    Course Units: 1
    (Not Offered this Academic Year) This course will cover the basic concepts in antenna engineering. These include radiation and radiating systems, fundamental parameters of antennas, wire antennas, antenna arrays, aperture antennas, microstrip antennas, antenna synthesis, integral equation and the method of moments. Prerequisite(s): ECE 343  or equivalent.
  
  • ECE 369 - Phasors, Waves, & Music

    Course Units: 1
    (Not Offered this Academic Year) Review of phasor analysis, introduction of voltage and current as traveling waves, transmission line equations, waves, musical acoustics (theoretical and experimental measurements on musical instruments), auditorium acoustics, circuit analysis in instrument analysis and design, binaural recording and other novel techniques, special technical topics at the interface of Electrical Engineering and Music. Prerequisite(s): ECE 241    and ECE 343   , or permission of instructor.
  
  • ECE 370 - Engineering Acoustics

    Course Units: 1
    (Not Offered this Academic Year) Course topics will include principles of acoustics, electromagnetics, circuit theory and signal processing applied to the analysis of musical instruments, experimental characterization techniques, digital instruments, MIDI. The symbiosis between music and the hard sciences will be surveyed. Attendance at some out-of-class events is required. Please contact the instructor in advance for a list of dates. Prerequisite(s): ECE 241   Prereq/Corequisite(s): ECE 343  
  
  • ECE 377 - Biometric Signal Processing

    Course Units: 1
    (Same as BME 397 ) (Not Offered this Academic Year) This course details how signal processing is applied to create biometric systems,  which are technologies that measure and analyze human body characteristics.   These systems are widely used today in security and forensic applications. The course will reinforce many of the fundamental concepts that students have learned in their introductory DSP course and will cover both ID (voice) and 2D (face and fingerprint) biometrics. Prerequisite(s): ECE 241 , CSC 10x Corequisite(s): ECE-377L
  
  • ECE 386 - Introduction to Biomedical Instrumentation

    Course Units: 1
    (Same as BME 386 ) (Winter; Buma) Introduction to the theory and application of instruments in medicine. Measurements of the major systems in the body are covered. A weekly laboratory provides an opportunity to perform measurements and use biomedical instruments. Prerequisite(s): ECE 240  or BME 240    Corequisite(s): ECE 386L
  
  • ECE 420 - Introduction to State Space Analysis and Control

    Course Units: 1
    (Not Offered this Academic Year) Formulations of state equations. State space representation of linear systems. Dynamic characteristics of linear systems. Eigenvalues and eigenvectors. Solution of state equations. Controllability and Observability. Pole placement. Linear observers. Prerequisite(s): ECE 366  
  
  • ECE 463 - Fundamentals of Wireless Electronics

    Course Units: 1
    (Fall; Hedrick) Review of phasor analysis; inductance and coupling networks; resonance; complex power and power transfer; transmission line theory and applications; introduction to matching network design. Includes a weekly studio/lab session. Prerequisite(s): ECE 241    Corequisite(s): ECE 463L
  
  • ECE 481 - Special Topics in Electrical and Computer Engineering

    Course Units: 1
    (Staff) Topics chosen from the current literature according to faculty and student interest. Each of these special topics courses has variable content addressing specific current areas of interest to students. They will be offered whenever the need arises.
  
  • ECE 482 - Special Topics in Electrical and Computer Engineering

    Course Units: 1
    (Staff) Topics chosen from the current literature according to faculty and student interest. Each of these special topics courses has variable content addressing specific current areas of interest to students. They will be offered whenever the need arises.
  
  • ECE 483 - Special Topics in Electrical and Computer Engineering

    Course Units: 1
    (Staff) Topics chosen from the current literature according to faculty and student interest. Each of these special topics courses has variable content addressing specific current areas of interest to students. They will be offered whenever the need arises.
  
  • ECE 487 - Medical Imaging Systems

    Course Units: 1
    (Same as BME 487 ) (Fall; Buma) The basic physics, instrumentation, system design, and image reconstruction algorithms are covered for the following imaging modalities: ultrasound, radiography, x-ray computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), planar scintigraphy, and positron emission tomography (PET). Prerequisite(s): ECE 241  
  
  • ECE 490 - Electrical and Computer Engineering Independent Study 1

    Course Units: 1
    (Fall, Winter, Spring; Staff)
  
  • ECE 491 - Electrical and Computer Engineering Independent Study 2

    Course Units: 1
    (Fall, Winter, Spring; Staff)
  
  • ECE 492 - Electrical and Computer Engineering Independent Study 3

    Course Units: 1
    (Fall, Winter, Spring; Staff)
  
  • ECE 493 - Electrical and Computer Engineering Independent Study 4

    Course Units: 1
    (Fall, Winter, Spring; Staff)
  
  • ECE 494 - Electrical and Computer Engineering Independent Study 5

    Course Units: 1
    (Fall, Winter, Spring; Staff)
  
  • ECE 495 - Electrical and Computer Engineering Independent Study 6

    Course Units: 1
    (Fall, Winter, Spring; Staff)
  
  • ECE 496 - Electrical and Computer Engineering Independent Study 7

    Course Units: 1
    (Fall, Winter, Spring; Staff)
  
  • ECE 497 - Electrical and Computer Engineering Capstone Design Project 1

    Course Units: 0.5
    (Spring; Hanson) Topics in the seminar include professional and ethical responsibilities; the historical and societal context of electrical and computer engineering; contemporary issues, and the specification, analysis, design, implementation, and testing phases of a design project. Research papers, project reports, and oral presentations are required.
  
  • ECE 498 - Electrical and Computer Engineering Capstone Design Project 2

    Course Units: 0.5
    (Fall; Staff) The second term of the capstone design project. Students complete the design and begin the implementation of a system under the supervision of one or more faculty members. An oral presentation and design report are required.
  
  • ECE 499 - Electrical and Computer Engineering Capstone Design Project 3

    Course Units: 1
    (Winter; Staff) Students complete the  implementation, testing, and evaluation of a system under the supervision of one or more faculty members. A final presentation and design report are required. CC: WS

Economics

  
  • ECO 101 - Introduction to Economics

    Course Units: 1
    (Fall, Winter, Spring; Staff) Basic microeconomic model of price determination; impact of market structure on price and output decisions by firms; role of the public sector in an economy; basic macroeconomic model of national income determination; impact of fiscal and monetary policies on employment levels, price stability, and economic growth; international economic relationships. CC: SOCS
  
  • ECO 122 - Judgment and Decision Making

    Course Units: 1
    (Crossed with PSY 222   ) (Not Offered this Academic Year) An introduction to the scientific study of judgment and decision making. featuring perspectives  from cognitive psychology  and behavioral economics. Students will learn major theoretical concepts and empirical results from the literature. as well as how they apply to real-world issues. Students should also expect to improve their own ability to evaluate evidence and make rational, well-informed decisions in their own lives. Prerequisite(s): PSY 100   (for Psychology majors); BIO 210   or PSY 210   (for Neuroscience majors); ECO 101   (for Economics majors)
  
  • ECO 123 - Values, Norms, and Economic Justice

    Course Units: 1
    (Same as PHL 123  ) (Winter; Schmidt, S.J.) This class considers the goals economic policy might pursue and how different theories of the good lead to particular choices about desirable or undesirable economic policies. We consider mainstream economic thinking, which has roots in utilitarianism and liberalism, and alternative ideas such as libertarianism, Austrian economics, feminist, communitarian, and religious philosophy and economics. We apply these ideas to relevant policy issues, such as free trade, globalization, unemployment, income distribution, affirmative action, care of the environment, health care, and famine relief. CC: HUM Note: ECO 101   is not a prerequisite for ECO 123.
  
  • ECO 134 - Data Visualization

    Course Units: 1.0
    The digital world we live in generates vast amounts of data. This data has the potential to help us understand the world and make better decisions. This course is about representing data using the visual domain. We learn how to turn gigabytes of numbers into pictures and interactive displays. We will use the visual domain not only for communicating insights but also as a means of analysis. We will learn about data structures (how to connect to data), data aggregation (how to summarize data), and principles of design (how humans consume visual content). We will apply these concepts to business and economic data, including sales, financial performance, pricing, etc. The emphasis is on hands-on exercises and creation of new visualizations using data visualization software Tableau. CC: cc: SOCS
  
  • ECO 211 - Consumer Finance

    Course Units: 1
    (Not Offered this Academic Year) This course examines how consumers make decisions about borrowing, saving, and managing risk. The goal of this course is to learn how to think critically about these decisions. We will learn concepts such as time value of money, risk, and consumption smoothing. We will examine the markets for credit (credit cards, student loans, mortgages), saving/ investment (mutual funds, retirement plans, annuities), insurance and financial advice. We will ask why these markets sometimes fail and how regulation can help. Finally, we will examine how psychological biases influence consumers’ financial decisions and how private and public sectors can help in achieving better outcomes. Prerequisite(s): ECO 101   or permission of instructor.
  
  • ECO 225 - Economics of Sin

    Course Units: 1
    (Fall; Davis) Uses the tools of economic analysis to examine the markets for goods and services the sale of which is subject to public condemnation. Considers the impact and unintended consequences of economic policies toward these goods on market and social outcomes. Topics include the economics of transplantable organs, crime, addiction, intoxicants, marriage and sex. Prerequisite(s): ECO 101   
  
  • ECO 226 - Financial Markets

    Course Units: 1
    (Winter; Lewis) Study of the historical evolution, economic functions, and efficiency of financial institutions and markets, with an emphasis on the United States. Prerequisite(s): ECO 101   
  
  • ECO 228 - Environmental and Natural Resource Economics

    Course Units: 1
    (Spring; McCarty) Economic causes of environmental degradation and natural resource depletion; benefit-cost analyses of public policies for environmental protection and natural resource preservation; specific issues in energy and wilderness resource management, air and water pollution abatement, and solid waste management. Prerequisite(s): ECO 101   or permission of instructor.
  
  • ECO 229 - Introduction to Behavioral Economics

    Course Units: 1
    (Not Offered this Academic Year) Human behavior often departs from standard economic reasoning in predictable ways. This course is an introduction to the field of behavioral economics - the endeavor to enrich standard economic theory by incorporating psychological insights into human behavior. In this course you will study how behavioral economists explain a range of psychological and social phenomena and how those explanations differ from standard economic ones. In particular, you will study the various ways in which (apparent) irrationality influences people’s judgement and decision-making. Behavioral economics is invaluable to anyone with an interest in human behavior. It is particularly relevant to those with an interest in economics, management, marketing, public policy and the psychology of judgement and decision-making. Prerequisite(s): ECO 101   
  
  • ECO 230 - Mind of the Entrepreneur

    Course Units: 1
    (Not Offered this Academic Year) Examines three perspectives on the role of the entrepreneur in guiding resource allocation in a market economy. The traditional perspective focuses on resource allocation changing over time as the entrepreneur responds to opportunities for economic profit. The psychological perspective examines the personality characteristics of entrepreneurs. The non-traditional perspective explores the implications of the entrepreneur as a creator of demand as well as a supplier of new products. Includes the role of the social entrepreneur and some ethical issues. Prerequisite(s): ECO 101  
  
  • ECO 231 - Urban Redevelopment

    Course Units: 1
    (Spring; Lewis) An examination of why the economic fortunes of cities rise and fall and what can be done to redevelop urban areas and improve their long-term vitality. Varied perspectives are considered and recent revitalization efforts in Schenectady, Saratoga Springs, and the Capital Region are analyzed. Prerequisite(s): ECO 101   
  
  • ECO 233 - Public Policy and American Industry

    Course Units: 1
    (Not Offered this Academic Year) The structure, conduct, and performance of American industry; oligopoly theory and the applied theory of the firm; government policy toward business including antitrust and regulation. Prerequisite(s): ECO 101   
  
  • ECO 234 - Japanese-American Finance and Trade Relations

    Course Units: 1
    (Not Offered this Academic Year) Are Japan and the U.S. financially separate but inseparable? This course covers the evolution, institutional structure, cultural context, and efficiency of these two financial systems with special emphasis on their interdependence via institutions, trade, and capital movements. Prerequisite(s): ECO 101    CC: LCC
  
  • ECO 236 - Comparative Economies

    Course Units: 1
    (Not Offered this Academic Year) Why are some countries rich and others poor? Geography, economic systems, investment, culture and institutions will be explored as possible explanations. The channels through which these factors affect economic performance will be examined, and their importance will be assessed using relevant data. Prerequisite(s): ECO 101   
  
  • ECO 237 - Women, Men, Work and Family

    Course Units: 1
    (Winter; Bhargava) A critical analysis of gender issues in economics; changing roles of men and women in labor markets; human capital theory; radical-feminist perspectives; earnings differentials and occupational segregation by gender; economics of family; public policy. Prerequisite(s): ECO 101   
  
  • ECO 238 - Women, Technology and Globalization

    Course Units: 1
    (Spring; Sener) We explore the effects of technology and globalization on women’s economic outcomes. Does increased trade improve the working conditions of women? How does the expansion of the global fertility industry affect the economic opportunities available to women? Why are women underrepresented in high-tech industries? To what extent do women find the opportunity to get involved in the knowledge-creation economy? What is the role of technology in determining the gender wage gap?
  
  • ECO 241 - Microeconomic Analysis

    Course Units: 1
    (Fall, Winter, Spring; Staff) Theory of consumer choice; principles of production and analysis of cost phenomena; pricing and output decisions in competitive and noncompetitive markets; theory of distribution; general equilibrium analysis; introduction to welfare economics. Prerequisite(s): ECO 101   and MTH 101   , MTH 110   , or MTH 113   Note: A minimum grade of C in ECO-241 is required to register for ECO 498   .
  
  • ECO 242 - Macroeconomic Theory and Policy

    Course Units: 1
    (Fall, Winter, Spring; Staff) Aggregate demand theory. Foundations of aggregate consumption, investment, money demand and money supply. Aggregate supply theory. Keynesian, monetarist, and rational expectations models. Economic growth theory. Unemployment, inflation and stabilization policy. Prerequisite(s): ECO 101  and MTH 101   , MTH 110   , or MTH 113    Note: A minimum grade of C in ECO-242 is required to register for ECO 498   .
  
  • ECO 243 - Introduction to Econometrics

    Course Units: 1
    (Fall, Winter, Spring; Staff) Descriptive statistics, probability, random variables and their distributions, sampling, statistical inference including confidence interval estimation, hypothesis testing, and regression analysis. Introduction to economic research using statistical methods to test theories. Prerequisite(s): ECO 101    Note: A minimum grade of C in ECO-243 is required to register for ECO 498   .
  
  • ECO 290 - Economics Independent Study 1

    Course Units: 1
    (Fall, Winter, Spring; Staff) For projects which do not require use of the material from ECO 241   , ECO 242   , ECO 243   .
  
  • ECO 291 - Economics Independent Study 2

    Course Units: 1
    (Fall, Winter, Spring; Staff) For projects which do not require use of the material from ECO 241   , ECO 242   , ECO 243   .
  
  • ECO 292 - Economics Independent Study 3

    Course Units: 1
    (Fall, Winter, Spring; Staff) For projects which do not require use of the material from ECO 241   , ECO 242   , ECO 243   .
  
  • ECO 293 - Economics Independent Study 4

    Course Units: 1
    (Fall, Winter, Spring; Staff) For projects which do not require use of the material from ECO 241   , ECO 242   , ECO 243   .
  
  • ECO 295H - Economics Honors Independent Project 1

    Course Units: 0
    (Fall, Winter, Spring; Staff)
  
  • ECO 296H - Economics Honors Independent Project 2

    Course Units: 1
    (Fall, Winter, Spring; Staff)
  
  • ECO 331 - E-Commerce Economics

    Course Units: 1
    (Not Offered this Academic Year) This course applies economic concepts to analyze the new economy where sellers are able to transfer rights for use of goods and services to buyers through network-communication links. Theories of firm conduct and performance, efficiency and productivity, the role of information, intellectual property rights of digital products, ethical aspects and policy implications of E-commerce are discussed. Prerequisite(s): ECO 241   
  
  • ECO 332 - Economics of Technological Change

    Course Units: 1
    (Not Offered this Academic Year) The course will cover both macro and micro aspects of technological change. Topics include: Exogenous growth models, innovation-driven Schumpeterian growth models, creative destruction and the economy, competition and market structure, valuation of Research and Development (R&D) and patents, patent litigation and enforcement of Intellectual Property Rights (IPRs), innovation, technology diffusion in the global economy, and design of IPR regimes and R&D policies. Prerequisite(s): ECO 241   or ECO 242   
  
  • ECO 334 - Introduction to Financial Analysis

    Course Units: 1
    (Fall; Cheng, Spring; Dogruer) Fundamental concepts of finance (time value of money, risk, and rates of return); analysis of financial statements; bond and stock valuation; capital budgeting; cost of capital, leverage, and optimal capital structure; long-term debt management; dividend policy; mergers and acquisitions; case study of the performance of an enterprise which seeks to maximize shareholder wealth. Prerequisite(s): At least one of ECO 241  , ECO 242  , or ECO 243  .
  
  • ECO 335 - Economics of Health

    Course Units: 1
    ( Winter; Song) Examination of demand and supply for medical personnel; analysis of hospital cost, inflation, and health insurance. Discussion of issues in cost benefit analysis of public health and regulation of health care markets. Prerequisite(s): ECO 241  and ECO 243  , or permission of the instructor.
  
  • ECO 338 - Quantitative Methods in Economics

    Course Units: 1
    (Winter; Karadas) Application of mathematical models in economics. The use of matrix algebra, dynamic analysis, and optimization techniques in economic model building. Topics covered include theories of the consumer and of the firm, economic growth, international trade and finance, optimal timing, linear programming, and macroeconomic models. Prerequisite(s): ECO 241   
  
  • ECO 339 - Public Finance

    Course Units: 1
    (Fall; McCarty) Analysis of public sector expenditure and tax policy; efficiency and equity consequences of government spending and taxation; the nature of the public sector in the U.S., especially Social Security, education and the personal income tax; intergovernmental fiscal relationships. Prerequisite(s): ECO 241  and ECO 243   
  
  • ECO 341 - Current Topics in Microeconomics

    Course Units: 1
    (Spring; Schmidt, S.J.) A variety of microeconomic models and their applications to economic problems. Topics selected from year to year, possible topics include game theory, general equilibrium models, time and uncertainty, information economics, structure and behavior of firms, and public choice. Prerequisite(s): ECO 241   
  
  • ECO 344 - Economics of Education

    Course Units: 1
    (Not Offered this Academic Year) The economics of the education industry and education policy, and the relationship between education and economic performance. Topics include human capital investment, the production of education, the returns to education, financing education (using public or private resources), and school choice and education outcomes (student achievement, completion rates, lifetime achievement). Prerequisite(s): ECO 241   and ECO 243   
  
  • ECO 350 - Seminar in Experimental Economics

    Course Units: 1
    (Fall; Raeburn) This course provides an introduction to experimental methods in economics. Economic theories previously studied will be tested and either confirmed or evidence will be discovered that the theories are incorrect. Those found to be incorrect are usually based on questionable assumptions. Students will also become familiar with state-of-the- art research methodology in experimental economics, and will participate in and conduct experiments in bargaining, auction markets, and other economic situations. Prerequisite(s): ECO 241  and ECO 243   
  
  • ECO 352 - Seminar: Contemporary Problems in Macroeconomics

    Course Units: 1
    (Winter; Motahar) A detailed analysis of some fundamental current macroeconomic issues: growth and productivity, the roots of the current economic and financial crisis, and an examination of policy options designed to address the crisis. We will also conduct some relevant macroeconometric modeling and simulation exercises. Prerequisite(s): ECO 241  , ECO 242  , and ECO 243   
  
  • ECO 353 - Seminar in Econometrics

    Course Units: 1
    (Spring; Schmidt, S.J.) Application of econometric methods to economic problems, plus additional topics in econometrics selected from multicollinearity, serially correlated and heteroskedastic disturbance terms, systems of simultaneous equations, seasonal adjustment, distributed lag models, other time series topics. Prerequisite(s): ECO 243   , and ECO 241   or ECO 242   
  
  • ECO 354 - International Economics

    Course Units: 1
    (Spring; Motahar) Foreign trade and international finance, protectionism, international migration of capital and labor, political economy of trade policy, strategic trade policy, international coordination of macroeconomic policies. Prerequisite(s): ECO 241  , ECO 242  , and ECO 243    CC: LCC
  
  • ECO 355 - Monetary Economics

    Course Units: 1
    (Winter; Lewis) What money has been and is, with study of relevant institutions, including the Federal Reserve and its policies; the bond market and interest rates; asset demand for domestic and foreign currencies; and monetarist, Keynesian, and Modern Monetary Theory (MMT) approaches to the role of money in macroeconomics. Prerequisite(s): ECO 241   , ECO 242   , and ECO 243   ; ECO 241   may be taken concurrently.
  
  • ECO 356 - Seminar in Health Economics

    Course Units: 1.0
    (Not Offered this Academic Year) Designed to help students learn how to do research in the field of health economics. Students will conduct economic analysis on current health-related issues of public concern, ranging from rising health care cost to the prevalence of childhood obesity. Topics may include health care expenditures, Medicaid and Medicare, U.S. healthcare system, risky health behaviors, and healthcare reforms.  Prerequisite(s): ECO 241   and ECO 243    CC: SOCS
  
  • ECO 364 - Business Analytics

    Course Units: 1
    (Spring; Dvorak) This course is about creating business insights from big data.  The learning objective is to develop three abilities. The first is the  ability to manipulate big data. This includes downloading, merging, appending and reshaping data, and creating new variables. Second is the ability to analyze data. This includes exploratory data analysis, visualization, and sophisticated predictive algorithms including nearest neighbor, naive Bayes, decision trees, regression and others.  We will pay special attention to validating our predictions using the train and test regimen. Finally, students will develop an ability to formulate questions that can be answered using big data, and lead to better business performance. This includes using data to improve marketing, pricing, investing capital, customer satisfaction, costs, etc. The data manipulation and analysis will be implemented by writing programs in statistical software. Prerequisite(s): ECO 101  and ECO 243   (or STA 264 (MTH 264)  )
  
  • ECO 369 - Economics of Firm Strategy

    Course Units: 1
    (Spring; Yaisawarng) This course explores challenging business problems facing managers and develops a set of tools used to analyze a firms competitive environment, perform a comprehensive analysis of its position and make strategic decisions based on economic principles. It enables managers to place their organizations with competitive advantage and to perform better than their competitors. Prereq/Corequisite(s): ECO 241   
  
  • ECO 374 - Sports Economics

    Course Units: 1
    (Not Offered this Academic Year) The application of economics to issues in sports. Sports topics include player salaries, free agency, discrimination, gambling, the Olympics, the Super Bowl, and the impact of stadiums on local economies. Prerequisite(s): ECO 241   and ECO 243   
 

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