Economics Department
Advising Tips for Prospective Majors
Everyone starts with Econ 10 – it’s the gateway
to all other economics courses.
Exceptions:
If a student has prior college-level economics they might
get credit for Econ 10, in which case they should take Econ 11.
There is a placement exam for first-year students to place
out of 10 and into 11; it doesn’t get them a course credit, just lets them
start with 11 (most students are probably better off taking Econ 10 anyway).
Econ 100 (first year seminar) counts as Econ 10 for all
requirements
Econ 11 is recommended in the first-year spring for
prospective majors.
Majors usually take at least two of the three other
required economics courses (Econ 160, 205, and 206) by the end of their second
year.
Students should also take one or two electives in their
first two years – perhaps in the first-year spring for those planning to major
(they’re often the most fun, anyway).
100-level electives require only Econ 10 and provide a good
way for students to try out different topics early in their economics major.
All 200-level electives require Econ 11 and some have other
prerequisites. They are usually
taken a bit later in the major, after students accumulate experience.
No specific non-economics courses are required for the
major, though calculus is recommended, especially for those considering graduate
studies in economics or business.
Prospective majors are encouraged to explore PLS courses in
their first year.
Questions about the economics major can be directed to the
Department Chair; the major advisor is usually chosen (by the student) when
declaring the major in the second-year spring.
It’s never too late to start an economics major – not
that we recommend putting off taking Econ 10 (!) but students can still manage
to complete the major, even if they don’t take many economics courses in the
first year.
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