A Guide to Undergraduate Economics at Brown

The purpose of this document is to provide students with information about economics as a field, the various concentrations in economics, the courses being taught, and the professors to see if you have questions.

It's organized as a series of questions and answers. Find your question, and, hopefully, we'll provide you with a useful answer!

1) What is the economics program, in general?
2) What are the requirements for the Economics Concentration?
3) Must I take ECON 0110 and ECON 1110?
4) Does economics require a lot of math?
5) How should I sequence my courses?
6) What's better for my career, economics or COE business economics track?
7) How should I decide whether to be an economics concentrator versus concentrating in math-economics or applied math-economics?
8) How about double concentrations?
9) Is it necessary for an MBA or law degree?
10) Is it necessary for an M.A. or Ph.D. degree?
11) How about transfer credits?
12) What about study abroad?
13) What's the policy on internships and independent studies?
14) Are there opportunities to do research in the economics department?
15) Can you list the advisors?
16) Can you list the courses?
17) Can you explain the renumbering and renaming of finance related courses?
18) Are there any courses offered by other departments that are acceptable for Economics concentration credit?
19) How do I graduate with honors?
20) What are the requirements for the combined programs with the applied mathematics, mathematics and computer science departments?
21) What are the department's policies regarding transfer credit and study abroad and at other institutions?

1) Can you describe the undergraduate economics program in general terms?

Economics is the study of how individuals, businesses, and governments choose to allocate resources to best satisfy their objectives. The study of economics serves a number of purposes: it helps students understand the functioning of markets, of firms, and of financial organizations; it helps students understand public debate about economic policy, including taxation and government expenditure, trade and globalization, health and welfare; it prepares students for graduate study in fields like business and law; and it prepares students for graduate study leading to careers in teaching and research in economic; and it serves as a direct steppingstone towards employment in business, finance, non-profit, and government organizations.

Students begin with Economics 0110, an introductory course that stresses the economic problems of our society, and the vocabulary and principles of economic analysis. Intermediate level courses in microeconomics (Economics 1110), macroeconomics (Economics 1210), and econometrics (Economics 1620) round out the list of foundation courses for the concentration. Economics students must also fulfill a calculus requirement.

The economics department sponsors a number of alternative concentration options. The most popular is the standard economics concentration, described below. Three additional concentrations are administered jointly with other departments and are described separately under their respective titles. They are the concentrations in applied mathematics-economics, in mathematical economics, and in computer science-economics. The first two are especially recommended for students interested in graduate study in economics (see (6), below).

The department offers many of the required courses in an interdepartmental concentration called Commerce Organizations and Entrepreneurship, or COE for short. COE is jointly run by the departments of economics and sociology, and the division of engineering. COE has three possible "tracks," one of which, the business economics track, is similar to a business economics concentration that was offered by our department until the early 2000s. Please contact the COE administrator for more details, including information about advising in that concentration.

2) What are the requirements for the standard concentration in economics?

Standard Economics Concentration:

Mathematics Course Requirement: MATH 0060, 0070, or 0090, or a higher-level math course. Note that certain advanced economics courses may impose additional mathematical prerequisites. The standard mathematics requirement may be met through Advanced Placement tests, but “placing into” a higher level mathematics course than Math 0090, without actually taking that higher level course, does not satisfy the requirement.  The AP mathematics credit must appear on your Brown transcript. If in doubt visit the Math Department’s calculus placement FAQ at http://www.math.brown.edu/~banchoff/CalcPlacement.htm

Economics Course Requirements: ECON 0110. ECON 1110 or 1130, 1210, 1620 or 1630, and at least five other 1000-level economics courses. There are a total of nine required economics courses.
In sum, you must complete 10 courses, 1 in mathematics and 9 in economics.

3) I took a course in economics in high school. Do I really have to take Economics 0110 and Economics 1110?

ECON 0110 (principles of economics) is a required part of the standard economics concentration. It is also a prerequisite for ECON 1110 (intermediate microeconomics) , and 1110 is a prerequisite for most advanced courses in economics.

The economics department will place you out of ECON 0110 if you have taken Advanced Placement tests in microeconomics and macroeconomics, have scored at least 4 on both, and have submitted those scores to Brown. In this case AP credit for ECON 0110 will appear on your transcript, and you will not have to take an additional economics course in its place. We will also place you out of ECON 0110 if you have taken the international baccalaureate (IB) HL exam in economics, and scored a 6 or 7. If you have taken British A-levels, we may place you out of ECON 0110, but this is done on a case-by-case basis by the department‘s transfer credit advisor. Students majoring in the standard economics concentration, who never placed out of ECON 0110, may substitute an additional 1000-level economics course for ECON 0110, with permission from their concentration advisors.

Note that ECON 0110 is not required for the concentrations in applied mathematics/economics, computer science/economics and mathematical economics. It may still be a useful introduction to the subject matter of economics if you have not had one before, but it does not meet a concentration requirement in those concentrations.

4) Does economics require a lot of math?

Economics as a discipline makes considerable use of mathematics, although most undergraduate economics courses requires only a solid background in high school level geometry and algebra plus some basic calculus. The economics concentration requires a course in calculus and a course in econometrics (statistical applications in economics).

The calculus requirement may be met through high school Advanced Placement courses, providing you pass the AP exams at the required level, and the AP credit is recorded on your Brown transcript. (Please see the mathematics department web site for the relevant AP credit policy.) The requirement may be met through transfer of course credit for a calculus course taken at another university. However, taking a calculus course in high school, with no AP or other credit shown on your Brown transcript, does not satisfy the calculus requirement. (Again, the Math Department’s calculus placement FAQ is at http://www.math.brown.edu/~banchoff/CalcPlacement.htm.)

We recommend that you take your econometrics course (ECON 1620 or 1630) before the end of your junior year. Students who want to write an empirical honors thesis are encouraged to take ECON 1630, for which ECON 1620 is a pre-requisite.

If you think you might want to go on to a graduate degree in economics, you should take as much mathematics and statistics as you can.The mathematics courses required or recommended for the math-econ and applied math-econ concentrations provide good guidance for this purpose.

5) How should I sequence my courses?

It’s best to take ECON 0110 and calculus in your freshman year (although starting later is possible, if you find yourself reconsidering concentrations after that year). If possible, get ECON 1110 (or 1130) done in your freshman or sophomore year, and ECON 1210 (intermediate macroeconomics) done in your sophomore year. You should take econometrics (ECON 1620 for economics concentrators, 1630 for the combined concentrations) as early as possible, so that you can take the advanced courses that use it. To get the most out of advanced applied courses such as labor economics (ECON 1310) and health economics (ECON 1360), and/or if you would like to use statistical methods in an honors thesis, economics concentrators should follow ECON1620 with ECON 1630.  A research methods course (ECON 1390) is also recommended for those wishing to learn how to do empirical research; a parallel course for those interested in financial economics research is ECON1790.  All advanced courses in the concentration require ECON 1110 (or ECON 1130) as prerequisites, some also require ECON 1210 and/or ECON 1620, and a few have other pre-requisites, so it’s advisable to look over the course list and note which courses that potentially appeal to you require what pre-requisites. Leave part of your junior year and all of your senior year open for advanced courses, and, possibly, honors work.

If you are in one of the combined concentrations with applied mathematics, computer science, or mathematics, take the math or c.s. courses as early as you can. Note that ECON 1630 has several prerequisites, including linear algebra, probability and statistics, and ECON 1110 or 1130. If you are going to take ECON 1630, get started early on the prerequisites.

6) Which would be best for my career, Economics or the COE-business economics track major?

For job placement, we think it doesn't matter much. Choose the one which is closest to your intellectual interests. What topics interest you most? Let that be the guide.

7) How should I decide whether to be an economics, math-economics or applied math-economics concentrator?

As indicated in 4), graduate training in economics is highly mathematics-intensive.  The math-economics or applied-math economics concentrations are therefore highly recommended for students considering going on to graduate school in economics.  Strong training in mathematics can also enhance your ability to work in certain types of jobs, like financial analysis and some government and consulting jobs.     

8) What about double concentrations, like economics and international relations?

Many students do two or more concentrations, economics being one of the two. For our students, the most common double concentrations are with international relations and political science; development studies, history, public policy, and environmental studies are also common double concentrations with economics. But economics can be doubled up with almost any other concentration. As far as overlapping courses are concerned, the economics department doesn't care. (But other departments might!) For combined concentrations like applied mathematics-economics, see question 20 below. Incidentally, you cannot concentrate in both economics and COE-business economics track, nor can you concentrate in more than one of the concentrations sponsored by the Economics Department (for example economics and applied math-economics).

9) Do I need to concentrate in economics in order to go on to a graduate school of business administration or a law school?

No, but it sometimes helps. Graduate programs in business and law draw their students from a wide variety of undergraduate concentrations, and do not insist that their students have extensive backgrounds in economics. It is important to point out, though, that economic analysis plays a major part in the curriculum of most graduate business schools, and that modern legal theories are affected by economic analysis. The feedback that we get from our graduates who go on to business and law schools is that they benefit from their undergraduate training in economics.

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10) Do I need to concentrate in economics in order to do graduate work - an M.A. or Ph.D.- in economics?

If you plan to do graduate work in economics it is most important to get a strong background in mathematics and statistics. Consult with the advisors for the applied mathematics-economics, mathematical economics, or related concentrations. Exposure to economics courses can help you to decide whether a career in economics interests you and help you obtain an early foundation for graduate study.

11) I am a transfer student from another university, and I took courses in economics. Can I get transfer credit toward my Brown degree?

Transfer credit is routinely given for courses comparable in content and quality to those offered at Brown. See our list of faculty advisors to find the transfer credit advisor (in 15 below).

12) I plan to take an economics course while studying abroad for a semester or a year. Can I get transfer credit toward my Brown degree?

Yes. See  the material below and our transfer credit advisor Professor Stefan Hoderlein. Note that transfer credit is normally given for a limited number of courses. Typically students get economics concentration credit for around 1 course per semester, and up to 3 courses per year, while studying abroad.  The number of ordinary credits toward graduation (as opposed to concentration credits) for economics courses is not limited.

13) What is the department policy on internships and independent study?

Many of our concentrators do internships, often at Wall Street firms, banks, or research institutes. We think these are great learning experiences. However we do not grant course credit for internships. Nor do we require internships as part of the workload in any of our standard courses. Internships are not a required part of our concentration in economics, or in any of our combined concentrations.

Students can take independent study courses in our department, currently identified as ECON 1970 courses. In such courses, professors (with their students) decide on the scheduling of meetings, on work requirements, and on how grades will be determined. The most common arrangement is for a student and a professor to meet once a week during a semester, and for the student to present a research paper at the end. The content of the course is whatever the professor and student agree upon, in the broad area of economics.

Internships enter this picture as follows: A professor teaching an independent study course may allow a student to offer some work that the student developed during the course of an internship. Such work should comprise a fraction of the total work done for the ECON 1970 course. The professor will ensure that all the work done for the independent study course is equal to the work done in a typical Brown course; that it was done by the student and not by others; and that the intellectual content of the independent study course meets Brown's standards. The professor will ensure that the final product of the course is substantially more than a study produced during the internship, with a new cover.

14) What opportunities are there to do research in economics as an undergraduate?

Writing an honors thesis during senior year (see below, 19) is one of the best ways to have the experience of doing research as an undergraduate.  The framework of independent study courses, described in 13, is another alternative.  A few faculty members have funding with which to hire undergraduate research assistants, and there is a fund, the Chase Manhattan RA fund, that permits professors to hire as research assistants undergraduates who are concentrators and are eligible for financial aid.  The UTRA program run by the Dean of the College’s office is another possibility.  Students interested in helping with the research of a faculty member may directly contact professors who know them or may send a letter indicating their interests with a resume and list of relevant course work to the Student Affairs Manager, Angelica Vargas.

15) Who are the advisors in the economics department?

The Department of Economics has assigned three faculty members the job of advising economics concentrators, with a fourth responsible for advising students in the joint concentrations, and an additional advisor handling questions of transfer credit and study abroad.  There are four faculty members who do freshman and sophomore advising, but if you are a sophomore ready to sign up for your concentration, you should see one of the concentration advisors (initial list below).  You’ll also find below the name of the professor who manages our undergraduate program as a whole, and the names of two staff persons who may be helpful.

Economics concentration advisors:

Mark Dean (Economics)
Office: Robinson Hall 303C
Office Hours: Ec1110-Th. 2-4, Ec2010 Tues. 2-4
Email: mark_dean@brown.edu
Phone: 3-2097 Fax: (401) 863-1970

Kfir Eliaz (Applied Math-Economics, Computer Science-Economics)
Office: Robinson Hall 102A
Office Hours: Wed. 10-12
Email: Kfir_Eliaz@brown.edu
Phone: 863-2112 Fax: (401) 863-1970

Blaise Melly (Economics)
Office: Robinson Hall 302D
Office Hours: Wed. 1-2:30
Email: blaise_melly@brown.edu
Phone: 401-863-6297 Fax: (401) 863-1970

Lily Qiu (Economics)
Office: Robinson Hall 215
Office Hours: Mon. & Weds. 11-12
Email: lily_qiu@brown.edu
Phone: (401) 863-9864 Fax: (401) 863-1970

Applied Math-Economics, Math-Economics, and Computer Science-Economics concentration advisor:

Kfir Eliaz (Applied Math-Economics, Mathematical Economics, Computer Science-Economics)
Office: Robinson Hall 102A
Office Hours: by appointment
Email: Kfir_Eliaz@brown.edu
Phone: 863-2112 Fax: (401) 863-1970

Transfer credit and study abroad advisor:

Stefan Hoderlein
Office: 70 Waterman Street, Room 201
Office Hours: by appointment
Email: Stefan_Hoderlein@brown.edu
Phone: 863-2691 Fax: (401) 863-1970

Freshman and sophomore advisors: Profs. Anna Aizer, Nathaniel Baum-Snow, George Borts, and Pedro Dal Bó (see the Department’s Faculty web page or ask the receptionist for office and phone information).

Director of Undergraduate Studies: Prof. Louis Putterman, 70 Waterman St., Rm. 301, 863-3837.

Departmental Receptionist: Lauren Gallo, 103 Robinson Hall, 863-3836.

Student Affairs Manager: Angelica Vargas, 103 Robinson Hall, 863-2465.

16) What courses are currently available for undergraduates in the economics department?

2009-10 class schedule. This list is subject to revision. Check this website for updates. 

Please see the course catalog in Banner for full course descriptions.

17) Can you explain the renumbering and renaming of finance related courses?

In 2006, several finance related course underwent renumbering.  The following list shows you the old and current numbers of the courses in this area.

18) Are there any courses offered by other departments that are acceptable for Economics concentration credit?

Yes, there are a few.  Before the Banner system began, there were some courses that were cross-listed with both ECON course numbers and course numbers in other departments.  Some of these courses are now listed only under the other departments, but they are still taught by economics professors or professors with substantial economics training, they still require ECON 1110 or equivalent as a pre-requisite, and they are still accepted in fulfillment of Economics concentration requirements as if they were 1000 level ECON courses.  The courses that fit this description are Education 1150, Environmental Studies 1350, Public Policy 1700F (Economics and Public Policy) and Urban Studies 1420.

19) What are the requirements for graduation with Honors in Economics?

Students may graduate with honors in economics, mathematical economics, applied math-economics, and computer science-economics, if (1) they have excellent grades in economics concentration courses, usually meaning a grade point average in those courses of at least 3.5, (2) they find a faculty member or members willing to supervise their work on a senior thesis, and (3) that faculty member (or those faculty members) find(s) the completed thesis to be of honors quality. Normally the thesis requires two semesters of work during the senior year.

A student interested in becoming a candidate for honors in these concentrations should, at the end of the junior year or very early in the senior year, (1) find a faculty member willing to supervise the thesis project, (2) inform the department honors and awards advisor (Prof. Sriniketh Nagavarapu) of his or her intention to write a senior thesis and of the name of the thesis supervisor, and (3) provide the department honors and awards advisor with a copy of his or her Brown transcript. The student will enroll in ECON 1960 in fall semester of their senior year (if it is offered) and in ECON 1970 during spring semester, or will enroll in ECON 1970 twice if ECON1960 is not offered, while working on the thesis. For a student in the honors program, the credits earned in these courses do not replace other concentration requirements; they are in addition to the standard requirements.  A student writing an honors thesis in applied finance may substitute ECON1790 for ECON1960.

For a student to be nominated for honors by the economics department, the student‘s faculty supervisor must be a member of the economics department. If a student in a combined concentration writes an honors thesis under the supervision of a faculty member from another department, he or she must be nominated for honors by that department. For example, an applied mathematics-economics major may write an honors thesis under an applied mathematics faculty member, but then must be nominated for honors in the Applied Mathematics Department.

A student majoring in applied mathematics-economics, computer science-economics, or mathematical economics should write a thesis that makes use of the techniques learned in that concentration.  To make sure that this is the case, a student in one of the joint concentrations whose main thesis advisor is in the economics department should identify a secondary reader on the faculty of the other department who can confirm to the honors and awards advisor in the economics department that the thesis is appropriate to the joint concentration.

An honors thesis is more than a good course paper. It must represent a substantial effort in research and exposition. While the department does not specify page lengths or other requirements, the candidate should establish his or her goals in an understanding with the thesis supervisor.  The candidate should have ongoing contact with the advisor while working on the thesis, recognizing that handing in what the student takes to be a finished thesis after months without contact is a likely route to failure.

An honors thesis can be descriptive, historical, mathematical, or statistical. It can be oriented toward fact, toward theory, or toward policy. Copies of honors theses written in past years are kept by the department office, and interested students may look at them to see what has been done before. Students who plan to write statistical theses are encouraged to take ECON 1630 before their senior years.

Students should note that an honors thesis done in the economics department may not also be used as an honors thesis or as a senior thesis in another department or program. Although double concentrators may be awarded honors, honors can be awarded in one concentration only.

20) Can you describe the combined concentrations, involving economics and applied mathematics, computer science, and mathematics?

Applied Mathematics-Economics Concentration

The philosophy of this program is to provide sufficient command of mathematical concepts to allow pursuit of an economics program emphasizing modern research problems. Economic theory has come to use more and more mathematics in recent decades, and empirical research in economics has turned to sophisticated statistical techniques. The applied mathematics-economics concentration is designed to reflect the mathematical and statistical nature of modern economic theory and empirical research.

This concentration comes in two flavors, or tracks. The first is the advanced economics track, which is intended to prepare students for graduate study in economics. The second is the mathematical finance track, which is intended to prepare students for graduate study in finance, or for careers in finance or financial engineering. Both tracks of the applied mathematics-economics concentration have A.B. degree versions and Sc.B. degree versions.

Standard Program for the A.B. degree in Applied Mathematics-Economics-Advanced Economics Track
Prerequisites: MATH 0100, 0520.
Course Requirements:

APPLIED MATHEMATICS:

(a) APMA 0350 and 0360. One course from APMA 0160, CSCI 0040, CSCI 0150, CSCI 0170. One course from APMA 1200, 1210. APMA 1650.

(b) One course from APMA 1200, 1210, 1660, 1670, 1680, 1690, 1700, MATH 1010. No course may be used to simultaneously satisfy (a) and (b).

ECONOMICS:

ECON 1130 (or 1110 with permission), 1210, 1630; plus at least three other 1000-level economics courses. Of those three courses, at least two must be chosen from the “mathematical-economics” group. This group comprises ECON 1170, 1470, 1640, 1750 (old number 178), 1810, 1850, 1860, and 1870.

Standard Program for the Sc.B. degree in Applied Mathematics-Economics-Advanced Economics Track
Prerequisites: MATH 0100, 0520.
Course Requirements:

APPLIED MATHEMATICS:

(a) APMA 0350 and 0360. One course from APMA 0160, CSCI 0040, CSCI 0150, CSCI 0170. One course from APMA 1200, 1210. APMA 1650.

(b) Two courses from APMA 1200, 1210, 1660, 1670, 1680, 1690, 1700, MATH 1010. No course may be used to simultaneously satisfy (a) and (b).

ECONOMICS:

ECON 1130 (or 1110 with permission), 1210 and 1630; plus at least five other 1000-level economics courses. Of the five courses, three must be chosen from the “mathematical-economics” group. This group comprises ECON 1170, 1470, 1640, 1750 (old number 178), 1810, 1850, 1860, and 1870.

Standard Program for the A.B. degree in Applied Mathematics-Economics-Mathematical Finance Track
Prerequisites: MATH 0100, 0520.
Course Requirements:

APPLIED MATHEMATICS:

(a) APMA 0350 and 0360. One course from APMA 0160, CSCI 0040, CSCI 0150, CSCI 0170. APMA 1200. APMA 1650.

(b) One course from APMA 1180, 1330, 1660, 1670, 1680, 1690, 1700, 1720, MATH 1010. (APMA 1720 is most preferred in this list.)

ECONOMICS:

ECON 1130 (or 1110 with permission), 1210, 1630; plus three other 1000-level economics courses. Of the three courses, two must be chosen from the “financial economics” group, and one must be chosen from the "mathematical economics" group. The "financial economics group comprises ECON 1710, 1720, 1750 (old number 178), 1760, 1770 and 1790. The "mathematical economics" group comprises ECON 1170, 1470, 1640, 1750 (old number 178), 1810, 1850, 1860, and 1870. No course may be used to simultaneously satisfy the "financial economics" and the "mathematical economics" requirements.

Standard Program for the Sc.B. degree in Applied Mathematics-Economics-Mathematical Finance Track
Prerequisites: MATH 0100, 0520.
Course Requirements:

APPLIED MATHEMATICS:

(a) APMA 0350 and 0360. One course from APMA 0160, CSCI 0040, CSCI 0150, CSCI 0170. One course from APMA 1200, 1210. APMA 1650.

(b) Two courses from APMA 1180, 1330, 1660, 1670, 1680, 1690, 1700, 1720, MATH 1010. (APMA 1720 is most preferred in this list).

ECONOMICS:

ECON 1130 (or 1110 with permission), 1210 and 1630; plus five other 1000-level economics courses. Of the five courses, three must be chosen from the “financial economics” group and two must be chosen from the "mathematical economics" group. The "financial economics" group comprises ECON 1710, 1720, 1750 (old number 178), 1760, 1770 and 1790. The "mathematical economics" group comprises ECON 1170, 1470, 1640, 1750 (old number 178), 1810, 1850, 1860, and 1870. No course may be used to simultaneously satisfy the "financial economics" and the "mathematical economics" requirements.

Computer Science-Economics Concentration

The joint computer science-economics concentration exposes students to both theoretical and practical connections between computer science and economics. The intent of this concentration is to prepare students for either academic careers conducting research in areas that emphasize the overlap between the two fields; or professional careers that incorporate aspects of economics and computer technology.

The concentration is offered in two versions, the A.B. and the Sc.B. While the A.B. degree allows students to explore the two disciplines by taking advanced courses in both departments, its smaller number of required courses is compatible with a liberal education. The Sc.B. degree achieves greater depth in both computer science and economics by requiring more courses, and it offers students the opportunity to creatively integrate both disciplines through a design requirement.

Standard Program for the A.B. Degree in Computer Science-Economics
Prerequisites: MATH 0090 and 0100, or the single course 0170; 0520 or 0540; ECON 0110; at least one course that satisfies the CS Department Writing Requirement.
Course Requirements:

APPLIED MATHEMATICS: APMA 1650.

COMPUTER SCIENCE: Seven computer Science courses are required (six if CSCI 0190 is taken) consisting of (CSCI 0150 and 0160), or (CSCI 0170 and 0180) or CSCI 0190; CSCI 0220, CSCI 0310, CSCI 0520. Two courses from either of the following tracks: (1) Analytical track: CSCI 1410, 1490, 1550, 1570, 1590, 1760, and one of APMA 1210, APMA 1660. (2) Information systems track. CSCI 0320, CSCI 1230, 1260, 1270, 1380, 1430, 1480, 1660, 1670, 1680, 1730, 1900.

ECONOMICS: ECON 1110 or 1130, 1210, 1630; plus at least three other 1000-level economics courses. Of those three courses, at least two must be chosen from the “mathematical-economics” group. This group comprises ECON 1170, 1470, 1640, 1750 (old number 178), 1810, 1850, 1860, and 1870.

Only one of APMA 1210 and CSCI 1490 may be taken for concentration credit.

Standard Program for the Sc.B. Degree in Computer Science-Economics
Prerequisites: MATH 0090 and 0100, or 0170; 0520 or 0540; ECON 0110; at least one course that satisfies the CS Department Writing Requirement.
Course Requirements:

APPLIED MATHEMATICS: APMA 1650.

COMPUTER SCIENCE: CSCI 0150 and CSCI 0160, or CSCI 0170 and CSCI 0180, or CSCI 0190, CSCI 0220, CSCI 0310, CSCI 0320. CSCI 0520. One of the following tracks: (1) Analytical track. Two courses from the set: CSCI 1410, 1490, 1550, 1570, 1590, 1760, APMA 1210, 1660. (Only one of these two APMA courses may be included in the analytical track set.) (2) Information systems track. Two courses from the set: CSCI 1230, 1260, 1270,1380, 1430, 1480, 1660, 1670, 1680, 1730,1900. One additional 1000-level CSCI course.

Only one of APMA 1210 and CSCI 1490 may be taken for concentration credit.

ECONOMICS: ECON 1110 or 1130, 1210 and 1630; plus at least five other 1000-level economics courses. Of those five courses, at least three must be chosen from the “mathematical-economics” group. This group comprises ECON 1170, 1470, 1640, 1750 (old number 178), 1810, 1850, 1860, and 1870.

Capstone Course: a one-semester course, normally taken in the student's last undergraduate year, in which the student (or group of students) use a significant portion of their undergraduate education, broadly interpreted, in studying some current topic (preferably at the intersection of computer science and economics) in depth, to produce a culminating artifact such as a paper or software project.

Mathematical Economics Concentration

Designed to give a background in economic theory plus the mathematical tools needed to analyze and develop additional theoretical constructions. Emphasis is on the abstract theory itself.

Course Requirements:

ECONOMICS: ECON 1130 (or 1110 with permission), 1210 and 1630; plus at least three other 1000-level economics courses. Of these three courses, at least two must be chosen from the “mathematical-economics” group. This group comprises ECON 1170, 1470, 1640, 1750 (old number 178), 1810, 1850, 1860, and 1870.

MATHEMATICS: At least two calculus courses through MATH 0180 or its equivalent; linear algebra (MATH 0520 or 0540); plus either option A or option B as follows: Option A is MATH 1610, MATH 1620, plus one course from the “advanced mathematics” group. Option B is APMA 1650, plus two courses from the “advanced mathematics” group. The “advanced mathematics” group comprises MATH 1010, 1110, 1120, 1130, and 1140.

21) What are the department’s policies with regard to transfer credit and study abroad?

Course Credit and Concentration Credit

It is helpful to distinguish between course credits, which count toward the completion of the general course requirement for graduation from Brown, and concentration credits, which count towards completion of concentration requirements. Standards are generally higher for the latter than for the former. In particular, to receive credit toward fulfillment of concentration requirements in the Economics concentration, courses should be advanced economics courses, which means, among other things, that they have a prerequisite of a theory course like ECON 1110 or ECON 1130. More elementary courses can often receive course credit but not concentration credit.

Study Abroad

Study abroad can be a rewarding experience, and the Department tries where possible to accommodate the needs of students who wish to spend time studying elsewhere during the course of their programs at Brown. However, at least for those students who enter Brown as Freshmen, graduating from Brown with a concentration in Economics should mean that most of one’s economics courses have been taken at Brown. To assure that this is so, we limit the number of credits that fulfill concentration requirements to one per semester abroad or to three per year abroad. Exceptions are made on a case by case basis. There is no restriction on the number of courses that can be awarded ordinary course credits, and no restriction on the number of courses that can be counted towards the concentration by students transferring from another school.

Although we will share whatever information we have about which schools have good reputations in economics, we do not try to steer students towards particular schools. Since you may have other reasons for wanting to study in Mexico, Japan, or elsewhere, we try to give credit for any bona fide college or university course in economics, regardless of where taken.

Problems arise mainly when there is a question about whether a particular course qualifies as an economics course, as opposed to being a general course in social studies or current events, or a management course. Course titles may refer to an apparently economic topic, but if the instructor is not an economist, economic modes of analysis are unlikely to be central and the course is therefore not likely to be acceptable to our department.  To be awarded concentration credit, a course taken elsewhere should build on (usually, have a pre-requisite of) the equivalent of our ECON1110.

Business or management programs sometimes include courses overlapping those offered by an economics department. However, assuming that any business course is by definition also an economics course is a common mistake. Much of what is taught in business programs is not economics. The Economics concentration will not accept for concentration purposes applied management courses that are lacking in economic analysis.

Summer Courses

Summer courses taken outside of Brown are treated like courses taken abroad or on other campuses during the academic year, except that there are college rules governing what kinds of summer courses can be used for credits towards graduation. Ordinarily, only one course per summer can be used to fulfill concentration requirements, but additional course credits may be awarded at the discretion of the Transfer Credit Advisor.

Transferring To Brown

If you transfer to Brown from another institution, there is no set limit to the number of economics courses for which you may receive credit, including ones that can be applied to meet concentration requirements. Each course taken at your former institution or institutions is considered individually for correspondence with courses offered at Brown. Courses without a Brown counterpart can receive course credit under the ‘unassigned’ category. If the latter courses are sufficiently advanced in nature, they can also be used to fulfill concentration requirements.

The most common problem facing transfer students, with regard to transferring economics credits, concerns the introductory courses in micro and macroeconomics. Most colleges and universities require their students of economics to take both a one semester introduction to microeconomics and a one semester introduction to macroeconomics. At Brown, we cover such introductory material in a single semester only, in ECON 0110. Even though you may have taken a full semester introductory course in micro or macroeconomics, it cannot be treated as the equivalent of our ECON 1110 or ECON 1210, which are intermediate courses. Introductory and intermediate courses usually have very similar lists of topics, but they cover their material at different levels.

Approval Procedure

Although some programs require an advance signature from a concentration advisor, approvals of transfer credit usually can be made final only when you meet with the transfer credit advisor after courses have been completed and a transcript has been received by Brown. It is helpful to obtain your own copy of the transcript to show to the transfer credit advisor, but if this is not possible, other evidence of course completion can be used. Usually, a copy of a syllabus suffices to establish whether a course meets the requirements for credit, but it is advisable to save as much of your work as is feasible in case more evidence of the level of the course is requested.

Contacting the Transfer Credit Advisor

The Transfer Credit Advisor appointed by the Department is Professor Stefan Hoderlein. He can be reached by e-mail at Stefan_Hoderlein@Brown.Edu.

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