Honors Program

The Department of Economics Honors Program offers qualified majors the opportunity to conduct advanced research over two quarters (ECON 196A-B), culminating in a Senior Honors Thesis. Successful completion of the program earns students graduation with Distinction in the Major, which is noted on both their transcript and diploma.

Access to the ECON 196 Series Requires:

• Completion of the following courses:
  1. ECON 10A
  2. ECON 100B
  3. ECON 101
  4. ECON 140A
  5. ECON 140B (may be taken concurrently with ECON 196A)
• A minimum GPA of 3.50 in the above courses
• An overall GPA of at least 3.50

To Graduate with Distinction in the Major:

• A minimum GPA of 3.50 in both:
  1. ECON 140B
  2. ECON 196A-B

While not required for the Honors Program, the Department offers two additional Honors courses to help students prepare for research and graduate work:

Supplemental Courses

ECON 96
Prerequisite: Approval by the Department based on performance in ECON 1 and 2. This course is designed for majors and is usually offered during Winter and Spring Quarters.
Description: A small seminar class that gives sophomores the opportunity to read and discuss selected texts and research papers in Economics. The objective is to expose students to a wide range of research topics, preparing them for future research opportunities. This course is ideal for students interested in pursuing their own Economic research.

ECON 194
Prerequisite: Full-major standing and by invitation. If interested, please see the Undergraduate Advisor.
Description: This class introduces students to Economic research and serves as a possible lead-in to the Senior Honors Sequence (ECON 196A-B). It includes presentations on research methods, ethics, paths to graduate school, and talks from faculty and graduate students. The final product is a brief (two- to three-page) research proposal, presented in class.

Required Courses

ECON 196A
Prerequisite: 3.50 GPA in ECON 10A, 100B, 101, 140A, and 140B (140B may be taken concurrently with 196A). This course is usually offered during the Fall Quarter.
Description: Students undertake independent research projects under the guidance of a faculty member. The results are presented as an honors paper at the end of the second term (ECON 196B).

ECON 196B
Prerequisite: Completion of ECON 196A and ECON 140B. This course is usually offered during the Winter Quarter.
Description: Students continue their independent research projects under faculty supervision, presenting the final results as an honors paper at the end of the term.