BA in Economics & Mathematics/MA in Economics
The BA in Economics & Mathematics/MA in Economics dual degree allows academically outstanding undergraduate students to complete an MA in Economics from the Graduate School of Arts & Sciences at the same time as the joint BA in Economics & Mathematics. Mathematics and statistics are key tools in many aspects of economics. The joint major in Economics & Mathematics aims to provide foundational skills in both subjects while focusing course selection on both subjects’ common goals. The major is appropriate for economics students with interest in the mathematical techniques and for mathematics students interested in applications in economics. The major provides credentials in both subjects, leaving room for elective credits for students with other interests.
Admission
Admission to the BA in Economics & Mathematics/MA in Economics dual degree program requires an individual application for each student, and evaluation of each application by the Master’s Admissions Committee. Applicants must already be majors in Economics & Mathematics and making good progress on satisfying the requirements listed below. The BA in Economics & Mathematics/MA in Economics dual degree program can be combined with undergraduate minors. For information on application requirements and deadlines, please see the Graduate School of Arts & Sciences’ BA/MA and BA/MS Program Application website.
Learning Outcomes
- Demonstrate a thorough understanding of fundamental economic principles and be able to apply these ideas to analyze public policies, business practices, and real-world events.
- Locate the necessary data to analyze and evaluate world events, and analyze data using appropriate econometric methods.
- Have the ability to apply mathematical methods, through modeling and large-scale data analysis.
- Acquire in-depth knowledge in several areas of economics, as well as a broad perspective on the subject.
- Be able to conduct scholarly and/or nonacademic work in a professional and ethical manner.
- In addition, goals which reside more strongly with the mathematics department contributions to the major include demonstration of a mastery of ideas and techniques of calculus and linear algebra and an ability to identify and apply these ideas to economics and other fields, plus a demonstration of focused expertise in one or more areas of mathematics.
Requirements
This BA/MA program is identical to that of the BA/MA in Economics, except that the candidate must satisfy:
and
- All requirements for the MA in Economics.
- Note that since CAS EC 501 and EC 502 are required in the BA joint major, they cannot be used to simultaneously fulfill any of the three required electives, but EC 507 and EC 508 can be used to simultaneously fulfill the BA elective requirements.
Please refer to the BA/MA and BA/MS Programs section of this Bulletin for admissions and other information. Students interested in applying to this particular BA/MA program are advised first to contact the Undergraduate Academic Administrator in the Economics Department.
Honors in the Major
Students may earn the distinction of departmental Honors in the Major by achieving a 3.5 or greater GPA in their economics courses (including required mathematics and statistics classes) and successfully completing the two-semester honors thesis classes CAS EC 401 and EC 402 (students may count these classes as fulfilling two of the required five electives in the major). The CAS EC 401/402 sequence culminates in a thesis (written under the supervision of an economics department faculty member) and oral defense of the thesis before a committee of three faculty in April. Students must complete CAS EC 204 or EC 304 before enrolling in CAS EC 401. Qualified students who are interested in writing a thesis should contact Professor Todd Idson, director of undergraduate studies in the economics department, no later than the second semester of their junior year, and if approved will be directly registered in CAS EC 401 by the Department of Economics staff.
