Department Overview
Economics is the study of what individuals, institutions, and economics systems do, and should do, to solve problems of satisfying virtually unlimited wants with limited means. Economics is the study of choice and optimization. It provides a logical and ordered way of looking at a wide variety of issues. The principles of economics are applicable to choices of personal, community, regional, national, and international scope. An increased understanding of economic concepts can provide substantial personal and social benefits at all levels.
The Department of Economics at Iowa State University has long
been a respected source of high quality information in all areas of economics
education, research, and outreach. Maintaining this respected position are 47
permanent faculty members, an active visiting scholar program, and over 40
professional and clerical staff members. The members of our faculty and staff
are committed to improving the lives of students and citizens in Iowa and around
the world.
The department maintains a full range of exceptional Undergraduate, Masters, and Ph.D. programs in theoretical,
applied, and agricultural economics. These programs benefit from the joint
participation of the College of Agriculture, the College of Liberal Arts and
Sciences, and Iowa State University Extension. This broad participation in the
academic arena assures the student that Iowa State University is a place where
the best of economic theory and application are integrated, providing the best
instruction available.
Instruction in economics at Iowa State University is on the cutting edge from both a theoretical and a technical perspective. The faculty at Iowa State University actively pursues the theoretical advancement of the science of economics. The department is active in its support of several major research centers within Iowa State University and in cooperation with other universities and institutions worldwide. Department faculty members are regularly showcased as authors of path-breaking material in the premier journals of the field. Graduate student theses and dissertations are regularly nominated for, and win, quality research competitions at the national and international levels. This participation in the forefront of economic research is reflected in the foundations and concepts presented to the student through the department's academic programs.
At Iowa State University, breakthroughs in the science of economics are delivered with the assistance and enhancements of breakthroughs in technology. Iowa State University is one of the premier networked computational environments in the world. The department maintains local area computer networks that provide state-of-the-art PCs for individual faculty, staff, and graduate students. Four worldwide web servers deliver course materials, outreach programming, and a growing library of research summaries to the world. All of these resources can directly access the university's high-speed internet connections for interaction around the room, throughout the campus, and around the world.
State of the art technology also speeds the delivery of departmental outreach and continuing education programs. The Department of Economics maintains a large commitment to Iowa State University Extension; providing up-to-date economic applications and consultation to citizens, businesses, and institutions throughout Iowa, the United States, and the world. Regular interactive video broadcasts through the Iowa Communications Network provide continuing education opportunities to everyone in the state, regardless of location. Worldwide web libraries and databases provide current information on local economic, demographic, and fiscal conditions in Iowa and the midwest United States.
The Department of Economics at Iowa State University is an exciting place where theory, application, instruction, technology, and outreach meet.