Opportunities for Research
The Economics Department offers two courses that provide undergraduates with opportunities to conduct research under the supervision of faculty members:
In addition to these two departmental programs, undergraduates sometimes participate in ongoing faculty research projects. The College of Arts and Sciences maintains a registry of projects seeking undergraduate assistants. Visit the Undergraduate Research Office at the Arts College Advising Center, 172 Goldwin Smith.
The Honors Program
This program runs the entire senior year. During the fall, each participant formulates a research question and a research plan, surveys the relevant literature, and gathers necessary data. Participants meet in informal biweekly seminars to discuss their progress. At the end of the semester, they submit written thesis proposals. During the spring, each participant writes an honors thesis, under the direction of a faculty advisor of the student's choosing. All of this work, fall and spring, is undertaken in addition to the student's regular course work.
Honors students may choose a research question in any branch of Economics. Recent theses have examined, for example, economic aspects of legalizing marijuana, the Chinese labor insurance system and its implications for gender equality, Turkey's export performance, the effects of television news on consumer behavior, the emergence of high-yield (junk) bonds, the economics of medical malpractice, and the impact of enterprise zones on economic development.
The Honors Program does not count toward the major. Completion of the program, however, carries 8 credits in Econ 4990, applicable toward the 100-credit requirement in Arts and Sciences. Each student completing the program graduates "Cum Laude," "Magna Cum Laude," or "Summa Cum Laude," with the level of Honors based upon the quality of the thesis, as determined by a faculty committee.
Admission to the Honors Program is selective, and is based upon
- GPA -- both overall and in the Economics major,
- the applicant's brief description of his or her research topic, and
- letters of recommendation.
Juniors may obtain application materials at the Department Office during April. Applications are due the last day of classes, and each applicant is informed of the department's decision during June. Upon return to campus in August, students accepted into the Program enroll in Economics 4990, for eight credits.
For further information, see the Director of Undergraduate Studies.
The Department's Program of Independent Study
This program is less selective and less formal than the Honors Program, but also offers the student an opportunity to work closely with a faculty member and to conduct original research. Students participating in this program enroll in Econ 4980, Independent Study in Economics; this course carries variable credit, and is available both fall and spring semesters. Before enrolling in Econ 4980, the student must submit a proposal for independent study, approved by a member of the Economics Department.
For further information, see any member of the Economics Department, and visit the Arts College Advising Center, 172 Goldwin Smith.
Main Office
Department of Economics
404 Uris Hall
Cornell University
Ithaca, N.Y. 14853
Phone: (607) 255-4254
Fax: (607) 255-2818