In addition to our expanding course curriculum, the Economics department at UNC offers a multitude of resources and learning opportunities for students to explore the field of economics.
Summer Research & Other Funding
Adventures in Economics:
Andrew Pike, a UNC graduate with a degree in Economics, created this fund to encourage students to explore application of the curriculum through life experience. The possibilities are endless and are only limited by the imagination. Examples of “adventures” include attendance at a conference on economic topics or travel to interview someone you have learned about in an Economics course. Perhaps you are writing a paper for an Econ class and want to do research at the Library of Congress. You may have always wanted to ring the bell at the New York Stock Exchange. Be audacious!
How to apply? Write a proposal describing the adventure and how it connects to Economics. The proposal should include an estimated budget, student PID, and faculty name for reference. This grant is for Economics majors only. Email proposal to ECON_UndergradProgram@unc.edu.
The Hubert Brown Mayo Award for Summer Research:
Hubert Brown Mayo is a long-time friend of Carolina Economics. In recent years he gave a gift to the Economics Department to fund undergraduate student research in the areas of financial economics and financial markets. That gift has triggered a flood of student creativity in the years that followed.
How to apply? 3-step process: (1) Two students select a topic of research. (2) Identify a faculty advisor for mentorship. (3) Write a proposal about your research and submit it to the Admin Associate in GA 107.
The Guest Family Fund for Excellence in Economics:
With generous funding from the Guest family, this fund supports experiential learning opportunities for undergraduate Economics majors. Potential uses of these funds are summer research fellowships, support for internships, undergraduate faculty-mentored research, research expenses associated with writing honors theses, and travel assistance for research, competitions or academic conferences.
How to apply? 3-step process: (1) Two students select a topic of research in any area of economics. (2) Identify a faculty advisor for mentorship. (3) Write a proposal about your research and submit it to the Admin Associate in GA 107.
Study Abroad
Joint Degree Program with the National University of Singapore:
Students can spend two to four semesters at the National University of Singapore (NUS) and receive a joint Bachelor of Arts degree with a major in economics from both institutions.
Exploring Economics in Scandinavia:
Students are exposed to economic concepts by exploring and experiencing Stockholm’s history and culture through an economic lens. This course complements study in political science, business, sociology, women’s and gender studies, health policy and management, public policy, etc.
UNC Economics in Croatia:
Over the course of six weeks students are immersed in the life and culture of Split, Croatia. Students take two courses at the University of Split and visit a number of surrounding areas, including the Istrian Peninsula, the birthplace of sports tourism in Croatia.
Learning Opportunities
The Senior Honors Program:
This two-course sequence offers outstanding economics students in their senior year the opportunity to work closely with an individual faculty member on a specialized research topic chosen by the student. Completing a successful honors thesis is the only way to graduate with honors or highest honors in Economics at UNC. Students writing an honors thesis are required to take ECON 691H in
Fall and ECON 692H in Spring.
ECON 293 Internship Credit in Economics:
This course satisfies the College of Arts and Sciences requirement of one course in experiential learning. An internship must be pre-approved for credit.
ECON 390: Career Preparation for ECON majors:
The Economics Department is offering a one-credit course to help prepare students for a career in economics. Alumnus and Economics major Michael Norwood draws on his 28 years of financial industry experience as well as lessons learned on the UNC basketball team.
Job & Internship Opportunities
The Economics Department has a webpage dedicated to job and internship opportunities for undergraduate students.
Resources
Study Strategies: Professors Pat Conway and Rita Balaban put together five short videos to help students develop study strategies.
Tutoring: The Economics department offers three types of tutoring resources to appeal to different learning styles.
- EconAid Center: This resource center allows students to get extra help with an assignment, facilities TA and ULA office hours and help sessions, and provides a general study space for Economics students.
- Peer Tutoring: Offered through EconAid, this service is a FREE resource for students wanting individualized help.
- Private Tutoring: Offered by our Ph.D. graduate students, this service provides one-on-one tutoring sessions at a reasonable market rate.
Extracurriculars
The department offers a number of extracurricular clubs, honor societies and activities for undergraduate students to explore the discipline and to meet other economics majors. For more info on each of these organizations visit: econ.unc.edu/undergraduate/ > extracurriculars