The Honors Program in Economics

The Honors Program presents highly motivated economics majors with opportunities for a more individualized and challenging curriculum in the many branches of the discipline. The structure of an Honors candidate s curriculum is outlined below. Entrance to the program is ideally in the sophomore year, when the student with good Principles grades will be urged to consider the Honors Theory sequence (EC 203-204) in place of the standard theory sequence (EC 201-202). However, those students who have already completed EC 201 and/or EC 202 may be accepted into the Honors Program. Students considering the Honors Program should arrange to take Statistics (preferably EC 157) as soon as pos sible and to take Econometric Methods (EC 228) immediately following. Note that EC 228 and the Honors Theory courses have a calculus prerequisite. MT (100-101, 200-201) or its equivalent are suggested preparation for both the Econometrics course and the Honors Program in general. Four elective courses numbered from EC 300-399 are required during the junior and senior years. The Honors candidate must complete a six-credit Honors Thesis (EC 497-498) in the senior year in the context of the Honors Thesis Seminar.

In addition to the formal academic requirements listed above, students in the Honors Program are invited to attend a variety of seminars, lectures, dinners, and social gatherings as part of the program. An opportunity to interact with faculty in non-academic settings is encouraged through this social aspect of the program.

If you are interested in Honors in Economics, whether you re a freshman, sophomore, or junior, see Professor Murphy, Carney 333, Chair of the Honors Committee. He will help you decide whether you may be qualified for the program.

Honors Curriculum
(Frosh/Soph): Principles, EC 131-132 and Statistics, EC 157
(Soph/Jr): Honors Theory EC 203 and EC 204
(Jr/Sr): Elective courses and Econometric Methods
(Sr): Senior Honors Thesis Seminar EC 497-498

Senior Honors Thesis
The Senior Honors Thesis is an important and integral component of the Department s Honors Program. The distinction of Honors in Economics may only be conferred upon those students completing an Honors Thesis, as well as other components of the program. A letter grade less than B+ on the Honors Thesis would be considered a deficiency to the conferral of Honors in Economics. A higher letter grade supports the conferral, but does not in itself assure that the distinction shall be conferred. The conferral is the sole responsibility of the Honors Committee.