FAQ

Changes in requirements for Economics major, minor and concentration for the Class of 2023

Economics major

• Rather than taking Micro Principles (ECON1131) and Macro Principles (ECON1132), students will take a 4-credit Principles of Economics course (ECON1101).
• Students will be required to take six electives, at least four 3000 level electives. Previously, they were required to take five electives, with at least three 3000 level electives.
• The total number of courses required remains 11 (plus the Calculus co-requisite). This requires 36 credit hours in Economics.

Economics minor

• Rather than taking Micro Principles (ECON1131) and Macro Principles (ECON1132), students will take a 4-credit Principles of Economics course (ECON1101).
• Students will now be required to take Econometric Methods (ECON2228) in addition to the existing required Micro Theory, Macro Theory and Statistics courses and two electives.
• The total number of courses required remains 7 (plus the Calculus co-requisite). This requires 24 credit hours in Economics.

Economics concentration (CSOM)

• The CSOM Core will now require Principles of Economics (ECON1101) and one other Social Science Core rather requiring Micro Principles (ECON1131) and Macro Principles (ECON1132).
• Students will still take a 4-course sequence that includes Micro Theory, Macro Theory, and two electives, at least one of which must be an upper level elective. AP credit towards the major, minor or concentration
• In order to receive AP credit towards the major for Principles of Economics (ECON1101), a student must score 4 or 5 on both Micro Principles and Macro Principles AP exams.
• AP credit for Statistics is generally not accepted for Statistics (ECON 1151).
   

Impact of change in Principles of Economics on the Social Science Core Requirement for the Class of 2023

Social Science CORE/AP (Potentially affecting ALL incoming freshmen)

• Micro Principles (ECON1131) and Macro Principles (ECON1132) will not be taken by the Class of 2023.
• Principles of Economics (ECON1101) will count as one course towards the Social Science core.
• AP credit for Micro Principles and Macro Principles will still be accepted as individual courses towards the Social Science Core (no change to current policy)
  • Principles of Economics (ECON1101) will be distinct from each of these AP courses
  • Thus a student who has AP credit in Micro Principles and then takes Principles of Economics would complete the Social Science core.
• NOTE: The Department offers multiple freshmen Core renewal courses that satisfy the Core (though only some may be available in a given year):
  • Beyond Price: Markets, Cultures, Values (ECON1502)
  • Human Disease: Health, the Economy, and Society (ECON1701)
  • Life, Money & Health: The Economics of Healthcare (ECON1702)
  • The American Divide: The Economics of Inequality (ECON1703)
• We expect many students will fulfill the Social Science Core by taking Principles of Economics (ECON1101) and then also either having AP credit or taking another Social Science Core course that they would have taken anyway.
   

Full requirements for Economics major, minor and concentration for the Class of 2023

Economics Major: 11 courses, 36 credit hours

• Principles of Economics course (ECON1101, 4 credits)
• Micro Theory (ECON2201 or ECON 2203)
• Macro Theory(ECON2202 or ECON 2204)
• Statistics (ECON1151, 4 credits)
• Econometric Methods (ECON2228, 4 credits)
• Six electives (ECON 2205-ECON 4497, except ECON 3345 and ECON 4435)
  • At least four must be upper-level electives (3000 or higher)

Economics Minor: 7 courses, 24 credit hours

• Principles of Economics course (ECON1101, 4 credits)
• Micro Theory (ECON2201 or ECON 2203)
• Macro Theory(ECON2202 or ECON 2204)
• Statistics (ECON1151, 4 credits)
• Econometric Methods (ECON2228, 4 credits)
• Two electives (ECON 2205-ECON 4497, except ECON 3345 and ECON 4435)
  • At least one must be an upper-level electives (3000 or higher)

CSOM Economics Concentration

• All CSOM students are required to complete Principles of Economics (ECON1101, 4 credits), another Social Science Core course, and Statistics (OPER1135 or OPER1145).

For the Economics Concentration, they must also complete four more courses:

• Micro Theory (ECON2201 or ECON 2203)
• Macro Theory(ECON2202 or ECON 2204)
• Two electives (ECON 2205-ECON 4497, except ECON 3345 and ECON 4435)
  • At least one must be an upper-level electives (3000 or higher)

AP credit towards the major

• In order to receive AP credit towards the major for Principles of Economics (ECON1101), a student
  must score 4 or 5 on both Micro Principles and Macro Principles AP exams.
• AP credit for Statistics is generally not accepted for Statistics (ECON 1151).

Special Note regarding students in the Classes of 2021 or 2022:

Students in the Classes of 2021 or 2022 are allowed to complete the Economics major or minor by fulfilling the requirements for the Class of 2023.

Advice for Freshman Econ Majors

First semester:

• Calculus I - MATH1100 or MATH1102 (must be taken before micro theory (ECON 2201))
• Principles of Economics - ECON1101 (highly recommended for first semester, can be second semester if no room in classes)

Second semester:

• Recommended: Math for Economic Analysis - ECON 2211 (for less math-oriented) OR Calculus II (MATH 1101/MATH 1103, for possible math minors/majors; Calculus II is required for Honors Theory)
• Recommended: Statistics - ECON 1151 OR Micro Theory - ECON 2201
  Note: These are highly rigorous courses. Taking one rigorous course now reduces the course burden sophomore year but not all freshmen may be ready for the rigor required in these courses.
   

Economics Major Typical Schedule

*MATH 1100/1102 must be taken before ECON 2201 so take ASAP. Ideally, ECON 1101 would also be taken during the first semester, though because of class sizes this may not be possible and waiting until second semester is acceptable.

**It is expected and highly recommended that economics majors will complete the intermediate theory sequence (ECON 2201 and ECON 2202) by the end of their sophomore year. If the major is started late, aim to finish both theory courses by the end of first semester of junior year at the latest.
 

Advice for All Freshmen

Students are required to take two social science core courses at Boston College. Economics now offers just one core course that qualifies as credit towards the Economics major (ECON 1101).

Freshmen who have taken AP Economics (Micro/ Macro Principles) in high school should be sure to get the AP Econ exam results sent to Boston College as each exam counts (with appropriate score of 4 or 5) as one course towards the social science core requirement. We expect many students to satisfy the Social Science Core requirement by taking ECON 1101 and having one AP Economics course.

For those without AP Economics credit (or other Social Science AP credit), taking ECON1101 and one social science Core renewal course would be an excellent option to investigate, both those in Economics and those from any other Social Science major. However, if their back-up major is in another Social Science (Pol Science, Sociology, etc.), they may want to just start in on that major as well. Many students will eventually take a qualifying social science core course in one of these disciplines.
 

Advice on Math Courses for Freshmen

The Economics department recommends that students take MATH1102 (for Math and Science majors) but allows students to take MATH1100 instead. Students with SAT Math scores over 700 should be particularly encouraged to attempt the Math and Science major version. (Remind students that Orientation Leaders do not have access to their scores and may not be as comfortable with Math as they are.)

There are many students who may have taken AP courses.

Students who have scored very well on the Math BC exam (ex. 5) may want to go directly to Multivariate Calculus (MATH2202 or MATH2203).

Students who have done well on the Math AB exam (4 or 5) or who have tried the Math BC exam but scored just a 3 or 4, etc. may prefer to jump in at MATH1105 (which is similar to MATH1103). If they don’t want the Math/Science version, they may also jump in at MATH 1101.

These are not strict rules but general guidelines. Students can discuss their choice with the Math department representatives at summer advising or elsewhere.

Final Notes:

1. Economics majors and minors can skip ECON 1101 if they have qualifying AP credit in BOTH Microeconomics and Macroeconomics. However, they will need to take an extra elective to replace this course to satisfy the degree requirements.
2. Micro Principles and Macro Principles courses will be offered for the last time next academic year. Freshmen are not eligible to take these courses.

ECON1101 Principles of Economics, ECON1131 Principles of Microeconomics and ECON1132 Principles of Macroeconomics each satisfy one semester of the University Core Requirement in Social Science. Those in the Class of 2022 and earlier often satisfy the two required Social Science Core courses by taking ECON1131 and ECON1132.

However, those in the Class of 2023 and beyond are not allowed to take ECON1131 or ECON1132. Students taking ECON1101 can satisfy the second Social Science Core requirement by:

1. ihaving a qualifying AP exam (Principles of Microeconomics or Principles of Macroeconomics or any other qualifying AP exam from the Social Sciences)
2. taking a Core course in another Social Science discipline
3. taking an Enduring Questions or Complex Problems course that satisfies the Social Science Core requirement.

The Economics Department from time to time offers Enduring Questions and Complex Problems courses under the University Core Renewal Program.

In the Fall 2019, the Enduring Questions courses ECON1502.01 Beyond Price: Markets, Cultures, Values and ECON1702.01, Life, Money, and Health: The Economics of Health Care will be offered. These courses will each satisfy one semester of the University Core requirement in Social Science. They will not not count towards the major, minor or CSOM concentration. They are not substitutes for Principles for any major, minor, or CSOM concentration.

Q: How do I register for the Economics major (minor, CSOM Concentration)?

To register for the economics major (minor, CSOM Concentration) please contact us at econ@fmwww.bc.edu and provide your Eagle # in the email.

You should also provide the following information:

1. Your name, school (A&S, CSOM, etc.), graduation year, and Eagle ID
2. List any other majors you currently have
3. State clearly which major you want as your primary major (Your academic adviser will be assigned from faculty in your primary major.)
4. List any other minors that you currently have
5. List any majors you would like to drop
6. List any minors you would like to drop

Q: Are there certain courses that must be taken in the BC Economics department?

MCA&S and CSOM economics majors must take Microeconomic Theory (ECON 2201 or ECON 2203), Macroeconomic Theory (ECON 2202 or ECON 2204), and Econometrics (ECON 2228) in the BC Economics department. MCA&S Economics majors must also take Statistics (ECON 1151) in the BC Economics department. CSOM Economics majors must take Business Statistics (OPER 1135) or Business Statistics-Honors (OPER 1145).

Q: How do I apply to study abroad and what courses can I transfer back for credit towards my MCA&S major, CSOM concentration, or minor?

Students interested in studying abroad should review the material on our Study Abroad page.

Students should contact the Office of International Programs (OIP), located in Hovey House. OIP plans and coordinates your study abroad semester or year from beginning to end: from offering advice about various programs; applying to and planning your course of study at whatever program you may choose; and transferring credits and grades to BC when you return.

The Economics department will determine which courses are of the appropriate level to be considered upper- or lower-level Economics electives or satisfy other content restrictions. We also have rules on how many and which courses can transfer back for credit towards the major or minor (see Restrictions section below and the Study Abroad page).

MCA&S majors may transfer up to three courses for credit towards the major from outside the department chosen from the following list: one Principles course and two electives. "Outside the Department" includes study abroad, summer programs, and BC's Woods College.

Exceptions:

1. Students going abroad for the entire year, may transfer up to four courses total, for credit towards the major from outside the department chosen from the following list: one Principles course and three electives.
2. Students with AP credit for Principles may transfer three electives, one that substitutes for Principles and tow that satisfy elective requirements.

CSOM concentrators and economics minors may transfer two courses total, for credit toward the concentration or minor from outside the department from the following list: one Principles course and one elective. "Outside the Department" includes study abroad, summer programs, and BC's Woods College.

Exceptions:

1. Students going abroad for the entire year may transfer up to three courses total, for credit toward the concentration or minor from outside the department chosen from the following list: one Principles course and two electives.
2. Students with AP credit for Principles may transfer two electives, one that substitutes for Principles and one that satisfies an elective requirement.

Preconditions for transferring any electives towards the MCA&S major, CSOM concentration, and minor.

To ensure that students are able to complete the requirements for the major in time for graduation, all students must have the following courses completed before studying abroad: Statistics, and either Micro or Macro Theory (although we strongly prefer that both theory courses and Econometrics are completed before studying abroad). To be eligible to transfer back credits, A&S majors, A&S minors and CSOM concentrators must earn at least a B- in at least one of the Intermediate Theory courses before going abroad.

Specific courses from study abroad programs that we accept for credit towards the MCA&S major, CSOM Concentration, and minor.

The Department has collected a list of courses from universities throughout the world that we have approved the economic content to accept it for credit towards the MCA&S major, CSOM concentration, and minor. For electives the list also indicates whether the course content is accepted as a lower-level (2000) or upper-level (3000) elective. See the Study Abroad section for more details. Courses you take on the list of pre-approved courses will automatically be placed on your audit when Student Services receives the grade, provided you mee the credit hour and other restrictions listed in the Study Abroad section.

This list is updated periodically but is not exhaustive as courses are continually changing and students find new programs to attend. If you are interested in a course that is not on the list contact Professor Cichello, the Director of Undergraduate Studies paul.cichello@bc.edu; 2-0107; 342 Maloney Hall. Professor Cichello will determine if the course content qualifies as a lower-level (2000) or upper-level (3000) elective. Please send Professor Cichello a course syllabus and ideally, the prerequisites. Generally speaking the same rules apply for electives taken abroad as for our electives: if the course has an Intermediate Theory prerequisite it will generally be accepted as an upper-level (3000) elective; if the course has only a Principles prerequisite it is accepted as a lower-level (2000) elective; if a course has no Economics prerequisites it will generally not be accepted as an economics elective.

Do you need Department permission to study abroad?

As part of the application process to study abroad OIP provides students with a form that they bring to the Director of Undergraduate Studies in each of their majors to be signed for department approval to study abroad. Economics has a special arrangement with OIP, such that you do not need approval of the Director of Undergraduate Studies to study abroad.

Q: Should I apply for the Honors Micro and Macro Theory courses (ECON 2203 and ECON 2204) and, if so, how do I apply?

Honors Micro Theory (ECON 2203): The honors section of micro theory (ECON 2203) is offered in the fall semester each year and is highly recommended for students who want to be candidates for departmental honors at graduation. It is a "by Department permission" course for which students must apply. Applicants must have completed ECON 1101 (or ECON 1131 and ECON 1132 or have AP placement) by the end of the previous spring semester. ECON 2203 also has a prerequisite of Calculus I and Calculus II [MATH 1100/1101 or MATH 1102/1103 (preferred) or 1105] or their equivalent. AP-BC calculus is accepted as the equivalent of two calculus courses, whereas AP-AB calculus counts as only one calculus course.

To apply, download the Honors Micro Theory (ECON 2203) application and email a copy of the application to Ms. Eileen Tishler (tishlere@bc.edu; 317A Maloney Hall), by March 29, 2019. Late applications will be considered in a second round if the class is not filled after the spring registration period. Students are expected to have very high grades in Principles of Economics and calculus courses to gain admission to the course. Students taking a Principles or calculus course during the spring semester will have their admittance decision deferred until after the grades for these courses have been recorded.

Students who have already taken Honors Macro Theory (ECON 2204) will generally be accepted into ECON 2203 providing they have earned at least a "B-" in ECON 2204.

Honors Macro Theory (ECON 2204): Students who take Honors Micro Theory in the fall semester are automatically accepted into Honors Macro Theory (ECON 2204) in the spring semester unless their performance is poor. Most students in Honors Macro Theory have been in Honors Micro Theory during the preceding semester. Students who want to take Honors Macro Theory who have not taken Honors Micro Theory should contact Professor Murphy.

Q: I am interested in writing a Senior Honors Thesis. What does the thesis involve and how do I apply?

Students interested in writing a senior honors thesis should consult the Senior Honors Thesis Guidelines. The Guidelines document describes the philosophy behind the senior thesis and walks you through the process of selecting a topic, engaging a faculty advisor, and registering for the two-semester honors thesis seminar. The final pages of the Guidelines provide a timetable for submitting a thesis proposal, along with the application form that accompanies your proposal.

Q: I am interested in taking one of the Economics electives offered by the Woods College of Advancing Studies. How do I register for a Woods College course?

The Economics department accepts the following Woods College courses offered during the regular academic year as economics electives towards the MCA&S major, minor, and CSOM concentration:

• ADEC 2210 Behavioral Economics is accepted as a lower (2000)-level elective
• ADEC 3500 Social Policy is accepted as a lower (2000)-level elective
• ADEC 3394 Urban and Regional Theory is accepted as a lower (2000)-level elective

The Department does not accept any other ADEC courses.

The Department also accepts summer courses offered by the Woods College. You may not take either of the Intermediate Theory courses nor Econometrics outside the department, which includes the Woods College.

To register for an elective during the academic year, contact the Woods College, located in St. Mary's Hall, South. If they accept you into the course, bring a Course Approval Form to Professor Paul Cichello, Director of Undergraduate Studies, for his signature (paul.cichello@bc.edu; 342 Maloney Hall) and return the signed form to Student Services. Department approval is not needed for summer courses.

Some points to keep in mind if you take a Woods College course:

• A Woods College ADEC elective counts as a course taken "outside the department." You are permitted to take two Economics electives total, from outside the department, which includes the Woods College, study abroad, and courses taken at other universities.
• You may not take either of the Intermediate Theory courses nor Econometrics outside the department which includes the Woods College.

Q: How do I register for an Internship and what academic credit do I get for it?

Download the Internship Approval Form or pick up a copy of the form from your Dean or Student Services. Scan and email the completed form signed by both you and your supervisor at the internship to the department's Director of Undergraduate Studies, Professor Paul Cichello (paul.cichello@bc.edu). Professor Cichello will then register you for the ECON 1199, a one-credit pass/fail internship course. Once you complete your internship Professor Cichello will need a brief one or two-sentence e-mail from your supervisor indicating that your internship was satisfactorily completed. The credit appears on your audit but does not count toward the credits required for the major, minor, or CSOM concentration.

NB: The Economics department does not offer internships. Interested students must find an internship in the private or public sectors.

Q: I would like to work as a research assistant on a faculty project. How do I apply to be a faculty research assistant?

Boston College's Undergraduate Research Fellowship program (URF) supports research assistantships during the academic year and the summer. Application deadlines are typically in the first week in September for the fall semester, mid-December for the spring semester, and mid-March for the summer.

To apply for a Fellowship email Professor Paul Cichello. The e-mail should include an expression of interest in being a research assistant, a copy of your audit and any specific research interests. Professor Cichello will then forward your e-mail to the economics faculty. If a faculty member is interested he/she will contact you to arrange a meeting. If there is a match the faculty member applies for the Fellowship with your name listed as the research assistant. If accepted you will be paid at an hourly rate for the duration of the assistantship. Generally faculty are interested in more advanced students who have completed their Theory courses and Econometrics.

More information on the URF

Note: The application form available at the URF website is for faculty only.