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DECLARING AN ECONOMIC MAJOR



 

 

 

 

 

 


 


 

 


 


 

 

 

 

  •  Caution:Students who are thinking about or planning to major in economics should begin the major sequence in their first or sophomore years. The economics major is a four-year program and students who enter the program late will find it difficult to complete the major in time to graduate. Caution:  You are advised to complete  Math 170 and Math 121 prior to end of your sophomore year.
     
  • Take Note: Students enrolling in Math 121 and Math 170 are  given preference if they are declared economics majors. If you have not declared you may have difficulty getting into these courses.
     
  •  Important Note:Students who have not completed their math requirements and their intermediate theory courses by the end of their Junior Year may be unable to complete the economics major for graduation. 
     
  • Note:Seniors may not take a senior seminar unless they have completed all their math and intermediate level theory requirements.

Who should major in Economics?  

The decision to major in Economics should be based on a genuine interest in the discipline. Students should be anxious to study in depth the economic dimension of society. They should have a strong interest in contemporary economic issues such as unemployment, inflation, efficiency, deficit spending, poverty, discrimination, world hunger, corporate power, environmental pollution, public economic policies, and other economic issues of our time. If a student has such interests and if after testing the study of economics in an introductory economics course he/she is excited about further study, then the major is right for that person.
 

Declaring the Major:
 

You cannot declare a major until you have completed or are close to completing Econ 111. Discuss your decision or choice to major in economics with your current economics professor or any other available economics professor. There are advantages to declaring an Economics Major prior to completion of Econ 111 as it will enhance your ability to take other required courses for the Economics major. Once you have made your decision fill out a major declaration form (http://www.dickinson.edu/departments/reg/forms/MajorDeclar.pdf ) and bring it to Tammy Evelhoch, Department Coordinator. She will schedule an appointment to see one of our faculty as your academic adviser. If you have a preference for a particular faculty adviser let Tammy Evelhoch know and she will try to accommodate your request depending upon the existing number of advisees for that faculty member.

Down-loadable Major Requirements and Progress Form:   

Introductory courses appropriate for prospective majors: 

ECON 111, Intro to Microeconomics is the preferred entry level course for the major or minor.


 

Suggested Four Year Program 

The key to a well designed economics schedule is completing the introductory courses and mathematics requirements early in your undergraduate years. Calculus (Math 170) is required for both intermediate microeconomics (278) and macroeconomics (268), and statistics (Math 121 or a more advanced substitute) is required for intermediate macroeconomics (268).
First Year: Fall: 111, and MATH 170, or MATH 121; Spring: 111 or 112 and MATH 170 or MATH 121 (or MATH 225 or INBM 220 for INBM  majors only)

Second Year: Fall: 111 or 112 or 268, 278, or 288, and MATH 170 or MATH 121 (or MATH 225 or INBM 220 for INBM Majors Only); Spring: 112 and 268, 278, or 288

Third Year: Fall: 268, 278, or 288 and 200 or 300-level economics electives; Spring: 268, 278, or 288 and 200 or 300-level economics electives. Note: There is enough scheduling flexibility for study abroad in the junior year. If you planning to study abroad make sure you discuss your plans well in advance with your faculty adviser.
Fourth Year: Fall: Senior Seminar and/or 200 or 300 level economics elective; Spring: Senior Seminar and/or 200 or 300 level economics elective.