Economics Major & Minor Requirements
Economics Major
The requirements for a major in economics are:
- SDS 2020, or a pre-approved substitute statistics, such as SDS 3020, QBA 120 & 121, or ESE 3260. Math 2200 is a prerequisite for Econ 3150, a required course for the major.
- Math 1520 (Calculus II). Math 1520 is a prerequisite for Econ 4001.
- Econ 4830 (Mathematical Economics, a 1-credit, 5-week course), to be taken concurrently with Econ 4001. (Majors may instead complete Math 2130 – Calculus III prior to, or concurrently with, Econ 4001.)
- Econ 1501, Introduction to Microeconomics and Econ 1502, Introduction to Macroeconomics. These introductory courses can be taken in any order (or concurrently), typically during a student’s freshman or sophomore year.
- Seven upper-level economics courses which must include:
- Econ 4001, Intermediate Microeconomic Theory, and Econ 4002, Intermediate Macroeconomic Theory. (Econ 4001 is a prerequisite to Econ 4002.) These two courses are the foundation of any economic study. They introduce the student to the basic theoretical framework of economics.
- Econ 3150, Introduction to Econometrics, or Econ 4150, Introduction to Econometrics with Writing.
- Four 3000- and 4000-level elective classes. At least two of these classes must have Econ 4001 and/or Econ 4002 as a prerequisite.
All courses must be taken for a letter grade, and a C- or better must be received in each course in order to obtain credit toward the major. (Exception: Courses completed with a P (pass) or CR (credit) in Spring 2020 may be used for major/minor credit.)
Undergraduate Guide
The Undergraduate Guide contains much more detail about the major requirements, including: A discussion of AP credit; the policy regarding transfer credit for courses taken outside of the Economics department; suggestions for incorporating study abroad into the major requirements; and suggestions for the timing of classes to meet particular objectives, such as participation in the Latin Honors program or admission to a graduate program in Economics (or Finance). Majors are strongly encouraged to familiarize themselves with the Undergraduate Guide and to consult often with their major advisor.
Visit the Guide (PDF)Minor Requirements
At least five economics courses, along with the mathematics courses, as described below, are required for the minor, and there are two minor “tracks”:
- The Minor in General Economics: Econ 1501, 1502, 4001, 4002 and one additional elective having at least Econ 1501 and/or 1502 as a prerequisite.
- The Minor in Applied Microeconomics: Econ 1501, 1502, 4001, one elective having Econ 4001as a prerequisite, and one elective having at least Econ 1501 and/or 1502 as a prerequisite.
In addition to the courses listed above, both tracks of the minor require the completion of:
- Math 1520 (Calculus II). Math 1520 is a prerequisite for Econ 4001.
- Econ 4830 (Mathematical Economics, a 1-credit, 5-week course), to be taken concurrently with Econ 4001. (Minors may instead complete Math 2130 – Calculus III prior to, or concurrently with, Econ 4001.)
All courses must be taken for a letter grade, and a C- or better must be received in each course in order to obtain credit toward the minor. (Exception: Courses completed with a P (pass) or CR (credit) in Spring 2020 may be used for major/minor credit.)