Economics at Brown: A Guide for the Perplexed Student

The purpose of this section is to provide students with all the information we have 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) Can you explain the finance course renumbering?
4) Must I take EC 11 and EC 111?
5) How should I sequence my courses?
6) What's better for my career, economics or COE business economics track?
7) How about double concentrations?
8) Does economics require math?
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?
14) Can you list the advisors?
15) Can you list the courses?
16) Are there any courses offered by other departments that are acceptable for Economics concentration credit?
17) How do I graduate with honors?
18) What are the requirements for the combined programs with the applied mathematics, mathematics and computer science departments?
19) I know I should ask the COE people, but what are the requirements for the business economics track of the COE concentration?

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 economics.

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 computer science-economics, and in mathematical economics. These concentrations are especially recommended for students interested in graduate study in economics.

The department once administered a concentration in business economics, but this was discontinued several years ago.  The few students still at Brown who signed up for this concentration at the time it was available may complete it according to the requirements listed at that time.

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 very similar to the old business economics concentration. Please contact the COE administrator for more details.

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 am totally baffled by your renumbering and renaming of finance related courses. Please help!

You're not the only one. Each line of the table below shows equivalent courses. That is, new ECON 1780 equals old ECON 1330, and so on. Note that the table shows the 4-digit Banner course numbers, rather than the old 3-digit pre-Banner numbers. To convert to 3-digit equivalents, just knock off the zeros at the ends!

4) 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.

5) How should I sequence my courses?

It’s best to get ECON 0110 and calculus done in your freshman 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 or 1630) as early as possible, so that you can take the advanced courses that use it. If you are a COE-business track concentrator, finish ECON 1710 by the beginning of your junior year. 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 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) 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 majors” are with international relations and political science. 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 18 below. Incidentally, you cannot concentrate in both economics and COE-business economics track.

8) Does economics require a lot of math?

As the concentration programs indicate, we do require mathematics courses, including courses in calculus and 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.

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.

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 important to get a strong background in mathematics and statistics. Consult with the advisors for the applied mathematics-economics, mathematical economics, or related concentrations. (See 14 below).

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 a limited number of courses comparable in content and quality to those offered at Brown. See our list of faculty advisors to find the transfer credit advisor (in 14 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 Geoffroy deClippel . 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?

Many of our concentrators do internships, often at Wall Street firms. 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 studies 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 studies 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 studies 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 studies course meets Brown's standards. The professor will ensure that the final product of the course is substantially more that a study produced during the internship, with a new cover.

14) Who are the advisors in the economics department? Where can I meet them? When are they available?

Lists of faculty advisors are shown below. If you are an economics concentrator, you may choose your advisor from the list. Check with the department receptionist in Robinson Hall 103 (phone: 863-3836), for office hours, and for updates of this list. Or check our website for updates.

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

Rachel Friedberg (Economics)
Office: Robinson Hall 216
Office Hours: Wed. 10-11:30
Email: Rachel_Friedberg@brown.edu
Phone: (401) 863-7578 Fax: (401) 863-1970

Brian Knight (Economics)
Office: Robinson Hall 102C
Office Hours: Tues. 10-12
Email: Brian_Knight@brown.edu
Phone: (401) 863-1584 Fax: (401) 863-1970

Glenn Loury (Economics)
Office: Robinson Hall 304B
Office Hours: Tues.&Thurs. 10-12, and by appointment
Email: Glenn_Loury@brown.edu
Phone: (401) 863-2606 Fax: (401) 863-1970

Blaise Melly (Economics)
Office: Robinson Hall 214
Office Hours: Wed. 1-2:30
Email: blaise_melly@brown.edu
Phone: 401-863-6297 Fax: (401) 863-1970

David Weil (Economics)
Office: Robinson Hall 204
Office Hours: Wed. 10:30-12
Email: David_Weil@brown.edu
Phone: (401) 863-1754 Fax: (401) 863-1970

(NOTE THAT COE-BUSINESS TRACK STUDENTS MAY CONSULT WITH THE ABOVE ADVISORS, BUT SHOULD HAVE THEIR FORMS SIGNED BY THE COE ADVISOR.)

15) 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.

16) 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 ECON1110 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.

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

Students may graduate with honors in economics, mathematical economics, applied math-economics, computer science-economics, and engineering-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 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 1970 twice, or in ECon 1940-1950 (if 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.

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 do a thesis that makes use of the techniques learned in that 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.

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, 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.

An honors thesis done in the economics department may not be used as an honors thesis or as a senior thesis in another department or program.

18) 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), 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), 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), 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. APMA 1200. 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), 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), 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), 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), 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.

19) I know I should ask the COE people, but what are the requirements for the business economics track of the COE concentration?

COE Concentration, Business Economics Track:

Mathematics Course Requirements: Same as the standard economics concentration.

Foundation Course Requirements Other than Economics Courses: SOC 1030, SOC 1090, ENGI 0020, ENGI 1010.

Economics Course Requirements.: Same as the standard economics concentration, except ECON 0710 is also required, ECON 1710 and EC 1720 must be included among the five 1000-level economics courses, and the three remaining 1000-level courses must be chosen from the "COE-business-related" group. This group comprises ECON 1160, 1310, 1360, 1440, 1450, 1460, 1500, 1540, 1550, 1600, 1750, 1760, 1770, 1780, 1790, and 1800. There are a total of ten required economics courses.

For more information on COE visit their webpage.

NOTE: Students are not permitted to major in both economics and COE, business economics track.

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Transfer Credit Policies Including Study Abroad

There are a number of situations in which a student may request credit for courses taken away from Brown. These include courses taken before transferring to Brown from another college or university, advanced placement work done prior to college, summer courses, and study abroad. This memo answers some questions that are frequently asked about such transfers of credit. Remaining questions should be addressed to the Transfer Credit Advisor.

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.

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 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 Geoffroy deClippel. He can be reached by e-mail at Geoffroy_DeClippel@Brown.Edu.

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Contact

Director of Undergraduate Studies:
Louis Putterman (Louis_Putterman@brown.edu)

Student Affairs Manager:
Angelica Vargas (Angelica_Vargas@brown.edu)

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