Business, Economics, and Management
Why Student Business, Economics, and Management?
At Caltech, our unique quantitative approach prepares you for modern business challenges. Unlike traditional business bachelor's programs, our Bachelor of Science (BS) in Business, Economics, and Management (BEM) degree combines rigorous mathematical foundations with insights from economics, finance, computer science, psychology, and behavioral sciences, opening career pathways from Wall Street to Silicon Valley entrepreneurship.
Why BEM at Caltech?
Caltech Business, Economics, and Management majors can create a powerful combination of skills to set them apart by also studying another science or engineering option. The bachelor's degree curriculum integrates computer science and advanced mathematics, preparing you to tackle complex problems from multiple angles. You can launch a startup that treats wastewater in an underdeveloped country or start a financial organization for Gen Alpha investors—Caltech undergraduates have started business and hedge fund projects before graduation.
At Caltech's Ronald and Maxine Linde Institute of Economic and Management Sciences, students work alongside faculty inside and outside the business major to gain real-world research experience, pushing the limits of what we know about finance, economics, and the design and management of organizations. Here, you learn alongside scholars uncovering the theoretical underpinnings of the stock market or developing techniques for understanding predictive models of consumer behavior in e-commerce websites.
What You'll Learn
The business, economics, and management major curriculum builds strong data analysis and decision-making skills across economic theory, mathematical modeling and computer systems, quantitative finance, risk management, and data visualization, preparing students for careers spanning business strategy, entrepreneurship, finance, and tech. In Law and Finance for Startups, experience a course infused with real examples of how to turn a new idea into a mechanically sound company.
As one of the most popular options for a Caltech double major, the BEM bachelor's degree pairs with other undergraduate programs in science and engineering to add a modern business and finance strategy dimension to the traditional organizational management skill set. Whether you pursue a field like mechanical engineering, biotechnology, aerospace, or materials science, a deep understanding of markets and organizations sets you on a path of leadership and transformation.
View the Caltech catalog for degree requirements and curriculum information.
Who You'll Learn From
Business program faculty bring their expertise in math, finance, political science, computer science, management, environmental economics, behavioral economics, and other fields to the major. Our seven major professors and the division's social scientists ask you to learn as much as possible about a topic like deep learning or customer segmentation and lead discussions that you wouldn't have in other undergraduate programs. With vast networks across business, finance, and technology, professors invite influential guests to speak to their classes, from Techer alums working on Wall Street to Silicon Valley executives.
I thought I was just going to be a traditional software engineer at a big tech company. But, after taking an intro biology class as part of the core requirements, I was introduced to a new, different application of technology in science. Then, I went to Costa Rica and learned about rainforest sustainability and conservation, and I looked at the technology they used to aid those goals. I realized that with technology, you can solve so many kinds of interesting problems. After graduation, hopefully, I can start my own business.
Career Possibilities
Graduates of the undergraduate business, economics, and management program pioneer new applications of quantitative business analytics across hedge funds, consulting firms, marketing agencies, technology companies, and startups. They also go on to top PhD programs in finance and economics. When paired with a double major or minor, BEM majors also pursue high-level engineering and computing careers. Students become effective:
- Data scientists
- Entrepreneurs
- Financial engineers
- Investment banking analysts
- Management consultants
- Risk management specialists
- Quantitative research analysts
- Quantitative researchers
Curriculum Components and Prerequisites
Students are encouraged to take a foundational economics course early in their schedules in addition to the Caltech-wide core curriculum. No other prerequisites apply, but strong mathematical preparation is recommended.
BEM program components include:
- Foundational business, economics, and management subjects
- Scientific courses
- Writing and oral presentation courses
Pursue a Bachelor's in Business, Economics, and Management at Caltech
From modeling systems for investment decision-making to using game theory to predict behavioral economic trends, you'll add a dimension of practical business expertise to your Caltech bachelor's degree program with the Business, Economics, and Management major.