A major in economics consists of nine to 12 units in economics, including Economics 100, 200, 251 and 252. Majors must also take at least four 200 or above level courses in economics (at least three of which must be 300-level courses) plus at least one unit from the department's Senior Year Experience (SYE) offerings. That is, Economics 450 (SYE Seminar) or Economics 489/490 (SYE Independent Project), or Economics 498 and/or 499 (SYE Honors Project). Majors must maintain a grade point average in economics of at least 2.0 and must earn a grade of at least 2.0 in both Economics 251 and Economics 252.
Students interested in majoring in economics should take Economics 100 (Introduction to Economics) as early as possible, preferably during their first year. Credit for Economics 100 will be granted to students who earn a grade of 4 or 5 on the College Board's Advanced Placement Examinations in microeconomics or macroeconomics.
Economics 200 (Quantitative Methods in Economics) is a research methods course required of all majors. It is recommended that this course be taken as early as possible. Students who have taken Mathematics 213 or Mathematics 325 and 326 may take another economics elective in lieu of Economics 200.
Economics 251 (Intermediate Microeconomic Theory) and Economics 252 (Intermediate Macroeconomic Theory) are economic theory courses required of all majors. Every 300- and 400-level course in economics has either Economics 251 or Economics 252 as a prerequisite. Potential majors are advised to take Economics 251 and Economics 252 during the sophomore year. First-year students can register for Economics 251 and Economics 252 by permission only.
It is expected that Economics 251 and 252 be taken at St. Lawrence. Exceptions to this policy are granted only to transfer students in special cases. Courses taken at other universities or as part of off-campus study programs do not normally satisfy the 300-level requirement.
Although Accounting 203 and 204 do not count toward the major in economics, it is strongly recommended that economics majors take these courses at some point during their time at St. Lawrence. Students should work closely with their academic advisors to select courses for the major and those interested in graduate programs should plan accordingly.
Students interested in graduate study in economics are advised to pursue the economics-mathematics interdisciplinary major or to take as many courses in that major as possible. Students interested in graduate work in business are advised to take Economics 201 (Accounting), Computer Science 140 (Introduction to Computer Programming), Mathematics 135 (Calculus I) and Economics 313 (Financial Economics).
Students must have a 3.0 average in economics to enroll in an independent study course (Econ 289, 290, 389, 390, 489, 490).
Graduation with honors may be recommended upon the basis of grades, the completion of an honors project approved and supervised by a faculty member, and an examination on the thesis. Students who expect to undertake such a program should consult with the department chairman in the last term of their junior year.
Economics 200 (Quantitative Methods in Economics) is a research methods course required of all majors. It is recommended that this course be taken as early as possible. Students who have taken Mathematics 213 or Mathematics 325 and 326 may take another economics elective in lieu of Economics 200. Accounting 203 and 204 as well as Economics 108 and 115 do not count towards the combined major.
Graduation with honors may be recommended upon the basis of grades, the completion of an honors project approved and supervised by a faculty member, and an examination on the thesis. Students who expect to undertake such a program should consult with the department chair of economics and mathematics in the last term of their junior year.
Environmental Studies - Economics Combined Major
The requirements for the combined major in Environmental Studies and Economics (Environmental Economics) are given below. It is essential that the student work closely with advisors in both the Economics Department and the Environmental Studies Department in planning his/her program.
| ECONOMICS |
|
ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES |
|
| *ECON 100 Introduction to Economics |
1 unit |
Introduction to Environmental Studies |
1 unit |
| ECON 200 Quantitative Methods in Economics |
1 unit |
THREE Policy/Pollution Courses (PP) |
3 units |
| ECON 251 Intermediate Microeconomics Theory |
1 unit |
Foundation of Environmental Thought Electives |
1 unit |
| ECON 252 Intermediate Macroeconomic Theory |
1 unit |
**TWO Electives (one elective should be a cross-listed environment science course for BA students or a social science course for BS students) |
2 units |
ECON 308 Environmental Economics
or
ECON 384 Resource Economics
|
1 unit |
| **THREE economics electives (must include at least two 300/400 level courses) |
3 units |
8 units |
7 units |
*This course may be omitted with advanced placement credit or other advanced standing. **Electives that are dual-numbered should be taken under the economics number.
In addition to maintaining a 2.0 university-wide cumulative average, students majoring in the environmental studies-economics combined major must maintain a 2.0 cumulative average on all economics and environmental studies courses taken and must earn at least a 2.0 in Economics 251 and Economics 252. Economics 251 and 252 must be taken at St. Lawrence before the end of the junior year. Accounting 203 and 204 as well as Economics 108 and 115 do not count towards the combined major.
Economics 200 (Quantitative Methods in Economics) is a research methods course required of all majors. It is recommended that this course be taken as early as possible. Students who have taken Mathematics 213 or Mathematics 325 and 326 may take another economics elective in lieu of Economics 200.
Graduation with honors may be recommended upon the basis of grades, the completion of an honors project approved and supervised by a faculty member, and an oral presentation on the thesis. Students who expect to undertake such a program should consult with the department chair of economics or environmental studies in the last term of their junior year.
African Studies - Economics Combined Major
The requirements for the combined major in African Studies and Economics are given below. It is essential that the student work closely with advisors in both the Economics Department and the African Studies Board in planning his/her program.
| ECONOMICS |
|
AFRICAN STUDIES |
|
| *ECON100 Introduction to Economics |
1 unit |
ONE approved 400-level African Studies course such as AFS 402, Seminar on African Development. |
1 unit |
| ECON 200 Quantitative Methods in Economics |
1 unit |
| ECON 251 Intermediate Microeconomics Theory |
1 unit |
| ECON 252 Intermediate Macroeconomics Theory |
1 unit |
FOUR other African Studies courses
|
4 units |
FOUR other electives in Economics. At least two of which must be at the 300/400 level and at least two of which must be selected from:
ECON 228 African Economies
ECON 322 International Economics
ECON 336 Economic Development |
4 units |
8 units |
5 units |
*This course may be omitted with advanced placement credit or other advanced standing.
In addition to maintaining a 2.0 university-wide cumulative average, students majoring in the African studies-economics combined major must maintain a 2.0 cumulative average on all economics and African studies courses taken and must earn at least a 2.0 in Economics 251 and Economics 252. Economics 251 and 252 must be taken at
St. Lawrence before the end of the junior year. Accounting 203 and 204 as well as Economics 108 and 115 do not count towards the combined major. Although not required, participation in the Kenya Semester Program is strongly recommended.
Economics 200 (Quantitative Methods in Economics) is a research methods course required of all majors. It is recommended that this course be taken as early as possible. Students who have taken Mathematics 213 or Mathematics 325 and 326 may take another economics elective in lieu of Economics 200.
Graduation with honors may be recommended upon the basis of grades, the completion of an honors project approved and supervised by a faculty member, and an oral presentation on the thesis. Students who expect to undertake such a program should consult with the department chair of economics and the chair of the African Studies Advisory Board in the last term of their junior year.
Asian Studies - Economics Combined Major (proposed)
This proposed major is subject to approval by the Academic Affairs Committee
at St. Lawrence University and the appropriate New York State authorities.
The requirements for the proposed combined major in Asian Studies and Economics are given below. It is essential that the student work closely with advisors in both the Economics Department and Asian Studies in planning his/her program.
| ECONOMICS |
|
ASIAN STUDIES |
|
| *ECON 100 Introduction to Economics |
1 unit |
TWO Foundational Courses in Asian Studies. |
2 units |
| ECON 200 Quantitative Methods in Economics |
1 unit |
| ECON 251 Intermediate Microeconomics Theory |
1 unit |
| ECON 252 Intermediate Macroeconomics Theory |
1 unit |
| ONE elective in Economics which must be a course dealing exclusively with Asian studies. This course may be an economics course taken as part of an Asian study abroad program, or an ECON 389/390 Independent Project, or an ECON 489/490 SYE Independent Project, or an ECON 498/499 SYE Honors Project which deals with an Asian topic. |
1 unit |
FIVE electives in Asian Studies. They must include at least one course at the 300/400 level. No more than two electives from a single discipline can count as part of the minimum four. Economics courses listed for Asian studies credit may also count for economics major.
|
5 units |
THREE other electives in Economics. At least two of which must be at the 300/400 level and at least one of which must be either:
ECON 322 International Economics
or
ECON 336 Economic Development |
3 units |
8 units |
7 units |
*This course may be omitted with advanced placement credit or other advanced standing.
In addition to maintaining a 2.0 university-wide cumulative average, students majoring in the Asian studies-economics combined major must maintain a 2.0 cumulative average on all economics and Asian studies courses taken and must earn at least a 2.0 in Economics 251 and Economics 252. Economics 251 and 252 must be taken at St. Lawrence before the end of the junior year. Accounting 203 and 204 as well as Economics 108 and 115 do not count towards the combined major. Although not required, participation in an Asian study abroad program (e.g., China or Japan or India ) is strongly recommended.
Economics 200 (Quantitative Methods in Economics) is a research methods course required of all majors. It is recommended that this course be taken as early as possible. Students who have taken Mathematics 213 or Mathematics 325 and 326 may take another economics elective in lieu of Economics 200.
Graduation with honors may be recommended upon the basis of grades, the completion of an honors project approved and supervised by a faculty member, and an oral presentation on the thesis. Students who expect to undertake such a program should consult with the department chair of economics and the coordinator of Asian Studies in the last term of their junior year.
Canadian Studies - Economics Combined Major
Under the Canadian studies combined major program, students fulfill all of the requirements for the economics major plus seven courses in Canadian Studies. The requirements for the combined major in Canadian Studies and Economics are given below. It is essential that the student work closely with advisors in both the Economics Department and Canadian Studies Board in planning his/her program.
| ECONOMICS |
|
CANADIAN STUDIES |
|
| *ECON 100 Introduction to Economics |
1 unit |
CNS 101 Introduction to Canada |
1 unit |
| ECON 200 Quantitative Methods in Economics |
1 unit |
CNS 201 Canadian-American Relations |
1 unit |
| ECON 251 Intermediate Microeconomics Theory |
1 unit |
**FOUR electives from offerings in Canadian studies in the various academic departments. |
4 units |
| ECON 252 Intermediate Macroeconomics Theory |
1 unit |
| **FOUR economics electives including at least THREE at the 300/400 level. |
4 units |
***ONE of the following courses:
CNS 401 Junior/Senior Seminar
or
CNS 479/480 Internship
or
CNS 489/490 Independent Project
or
CNS 498/499 Honors Thesis
|
1 unit |
***ONE Senior Year Experience (SYE) course:
ECON 450 Senior Seminar
or
ECON 489/490 Senior Independent Project
or
ECON 498/499 Senior Honors Project
|
1 unit |
9 units |
7 units |
*This course may be omitted with advanced placement credit or other advanced standing. **ECON 223, Perspectives on the Canadian Economy, can fulfill an elective requirement in both economics and Canadian studies. ***With permission of the chair of the economics department, the SYE requirement in economics may be waived if a 400-level Canadian studies course with substantial economics content is taken.
In addition to maintaining a 2.0 university-wide cumulative average, students majoring in the Canadian studies-economics combined major must maintain a 2.0 cumulative average on all economics and Canadian studies courses taken and must earn at least a 2.0 in Economics 251 and Economics 252. Economics 251 and 252 must be taken at St. Lawrence before the end of the junior year. Accounting 203 and 204 as well as Economics 108 and 115 do not count towards the combined major. Although not required, participation in the the St. Lawrence program in Canada is a logical complement to the combined major.
Economics 200 (Quantitative Methods in Economics) is a research methods course required of all majors. It is recommended that this course be taken as early as possible. Students who have taken Mathematics 213 or Mathematics 325 and 326 may take another economics elective in lieu of Economics 200.
Graduation with honors may be recommended upon the basis of grades, the completion of an honors project approved and supervised by a faculty member, and an oral presentation on the thesis. Students who expect to undertake such a program should consult with the department chair of economics and the chair of the Canadian studies in the last term of their junior year.
Economics Minor
A minor in economics consists of at least six courses in economics including Economics 100, 200, 251 and 252. Minors must maintain a grade point average in economics of at least 2.0. Accounting 203 and 204 as well as Economics 108 and 115 do not count toward the economics minor. Minors may substitute an additional economics elective for Economics 200 if they take any of the following: Mathematics 113, 213, 325, 326 or Psychology 205.
How to declare an economics major or minor
Students must have a 2.0 cum in economics to declare a major or minor. Students who have taken Economics 251 and 252 must have a 2.0 or higher in each course in order to declare a major. Students should schedule an appointment with the chair of the department of economics or any other economics faculty member to discuss their academic plans. To this appointment bring (a) a yellow major declaration card or blue minor declaration card, (b) an academic transcript (available for download from APR ), and (c) two copies of the appropriate major or minor contract. (Students declaring the Canadian Studies - Economics Combined Major should download the Economics Major contract.)
