Economics Curriculum

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Major Requirements

100. Introduction to Economics (1 unit)
200. Quantitative Methods (1.5 units)
251. Intermediate Microeconomic Theory. (1 unit)
252. Intermediate Macroeconomic Theory. (1 unit)
Five electives, at least four at the 300-400 level (5 units)

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 ECON 251 and 252. A grade of P (pass) in ECON 251 or 252 does not count as a 2.0. No more than one independent project or off-campus economics course may count toward the minimum number of economics courses required for a major or minor.

Students interested in majoring in economics should take ECON 100 (Introduction to Economics) as early as possible, preferably during their first year. Credit for ECON 100 is granted to students who earn a grade of 4 or 5 on the College Board’s Advanced Placement Examinations in microeconomics or macroeconomics.

ECON 200 (Quantitative Methods in Economics) is a research methods course. It is recommended that this course be taken as early as possible, preferably before ECON 251 and 252. STAT 113 (Applied Statistics) is a prerequisite for ECON 200. Students who have completed Statistics 213 may choose not to take ECON 200 and instead choose an additional economics elective (at the 200- level or higher). ECON 200 may not be taken pass/fail.

ECON 251 (Intermediate Microeconomic Theory) and ECON 252 (Intermediate Macro-economic Theory) are economic theory courses required of all majors. Every 300 and 400-level course in economics has either ECON 251 or ECON 252 as a prerequisite. Potential majors are advised to take ECON 251 and ECON 252 during the sophomore year. First-year students can register for ECON 251 and ECON 252 by permission only. ECON 251 and 252 must be taken at St. Lawrence.

Although ACCT 203 and 204 do not count toward the major in economics, it is strongly recommended that economics majors take one or both of 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, especially graduate work in economics, should discuss their plans with their advisor as early as possible. 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 ACCT 203 and 204, CS 140 (Introduction to Computer Programming), MATH 135 (Calculus I) and ECON 313 (Financial Economics).

Minor Requirements

100.      Introduction to Economics. (1 unit)
251.       Intermediate Microeconomic Theory. (1 unit)
252.      Intermediate Macroeconomic Theory. (1 unit)
STAT 113. Introduction to Statistics (1 unit)
Three electives, at least one at the 300-400 level (2.0 units)

Minors must maintain a grade point average in economics of at least 2.0. The economics minor may not be combined with a major in Business in the Liberal Arts.

Certification to Teach Social Studies

The teacher certification minor is only available to students who matriculated before fall semester 2019. For information on teacher certification options approved by the New York State Board of Regents, requirements for the certification minor, and the requirements for the professional semester (including student teaching) please go to the Education department's website (https://www.stlawu.edu/education) or contact the Coordinator of the Teacher Education Program.  Students who are eligible to pursue this minor must complete all requirements and the professional semester by the end of spring semester 2022.

Honors

Department honors are awarded to students who have, upon graduation, at least a 3.5 average in economics courses and have successfully completed an honors project. Students who expect to pursue an honors project should consult with their advisor and the department chair as soon as possible in their junior year. Prospective honors students should also take ECON 342 (Econometrics) during their junior year (See also Honors in the Curriculum section of this Catalog.) Students pursuing Honors in Economics should register for ECON 495 in the fall and ECON 499 in the spring of their senior year.