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More info on the Major

Prerequisites
Major Requirements
Concentrations
Major advising

Prerequisites
Before applying for admission to the Economics major, students must complete Econ 1110-1120 and Math 1110 (or equivalents), with grades of C or better. After completing these courses, see the Director of Undergraduate Studies in the Economics Department for admission to the major.

The fine print --

1. Students who have scored 4 or better on the A.P. Microeconomics exam place out of Econ 1110; those who have scored 4 or better on the Macro exam place out of Econ 1120. Students who have scored A on the GCE "A" level Economics exam (or equivalent) place out of Econ 1110 and 1120.
2. Students who have scored 3 or above on the A.P. Math AB or BC exam place out of Math 1110, satisfying the Math prereq for the Econ major; similarly, students who have scored A, B, or C on the GCE "A" level Math exam.
3. Economics 1110 and 1120 may be taken in either order.
4. Economics 3010, with a grade of C or better, substitutes for Econ 1110; Economics 3020, with a grade of C or better, substitutes for Econ 1120. The 3010-3020 sequence is designed for students who have strong backgrounds in mathematics (for example, engineering or science students) and do not intend to major in economics.
   

Major Requirements
The major itself requires a total of 8 courses at the 3000 level or above, with grades of C- or better. At least six of these courses must be at 3000-level, and must include:

1. Econ 3130 (Intermediate Micro) and 3140 (Intermediate Macro);
2. Either Econ 3210 (Applied Econometrics), or
   Econ 3190 (Statistics) and Econ 3200 (Econometrics).

The fine print --

1. Economics 3130 and 3140 may be taken in either order.
2. Economics 3010, with a grade of B or better, substitutes for both 1110 and 3130; Economics 3020, with a grade of B or better, substitutes for both 1120 and 3140. The 3010-3020 sequence is designed for students who have strong backgrounds in mathematics (for example, engineering or science students) and do not intend to major in economics. If Economics 3010 is applied toward the major, Economics 3130 cannot be applied; similarly, if Economics 3020 is applied toward the major, Economics 3140 cannot be applied.
3. If Econ 3210 is applied toward the major, neither Econ 3190 nor 3200 can be applied.
4. If Econ 3190 and 3200 are applied toward the major, they count as two courses.
5. No more than two 4000-level courses in Economics may be counted toward the major. In other words, beyond Econ 3130, 3140, and 3210, the major might include three 3000-level and two 4000-level courses -- but not two 3000-level and three 4000-level courses.
6. If Econ 3680 is applied toward the major, Econ 3670 cannot be applied.
7. Economics 4980 and 4990 cannot be counted toward the eight-course requirement.
8. All of the core courses (Econ 3130-3140, and either Econ 3210 or Econ 3190-3200) should be completed before the start of senior year. Other courses may be taken at any time. A few of our 3000- and 4000-level courses do not require 3130 and 3140.
9. No S/U for courses to be counted toward the major.

Concentrations in Economics
There are no formal concentrations within the Economics major.

Students planning graduate study in Economics should select Econ 3190-3200 rather than Econ 3210. These students should also take Math courses beyond Math 1110-1120, and consider including some of the following courses in their majors:

• Econ 3170-3180, Mathematical Economics
• Econ 4160, Intertemporal Economics
• Econ 4450-4460, Topics in Microeconomic and Macroeconomic Analysis
• Econ 3680, Game Theory.

Students planning careers in business management should consider including some of the following courses in their majors:

• Econ 3330, Financial Economics
• Econ 3510 or 3520, Industrial Organization
• Econ 3610-3620, International Trade and Finance
• Econ 3670 Game Theoretic Methods
• Econ 4400-4410, Analysis of Agricultural Markets and Commodities Futures Markets
• Econ 4430, Personnel Economics for Managers

In addition to completing the Econ major, these students should also consider taking courses in accounting and in subjects such as finance, marketing, entrepreneurship, business administration, and business law.

Students planning to attend Law School should consider including some of the following courses in their majors:

• Econ 3510 or 3520, Industrial Organization
• Econ 3540, Economics of Regulation
• Econ 3610-3620, International Trade and Finance
• Econ 3670 Game Theoretic Methods
• Econ 4040, Economics and the Law

In addition to completing the Economics major, these students should inquire at Career Services in the Arts College, concerning recommended courses offered by other departments.

Major Advising
When a student is admitted to the major, the Director of Undergraduate Studies will assign a suitable advisor based upon the student's interests and career goals. A student may request a specific advisor or later ask for a change of advisor.