CAS: Economics

Students with advising inquiries should contact the appropriate EC Academic Advisor below based on the first letter of their last name:

• A – I: Katarina Stewart (katms@bu.edu)
• J – Re: Mavis Manoloto (mavisjm@bu.edu)
• Ri – Z: Katie Hennessey (kahenne@bu.edu)

Upon completion of the CGS program, students must have earned credit towards the following 10 courses:

• Humanities: 3 courses
  • Choose two from CGS HU 103, CGS HU 201, or CGS HU 202
  • CGS HU 104*
• Natural Sciences: 2 courses
  • CGS NS 201 and CGS NS 202
• Rhetoric: 2 courses
  • CGS RH 103 and CGS RH 104*
• Social Sciences: 3 courses
  • Choose two from CGS SS 103, CGS SS 201, or CGS SS 202
  • CGS SS 104*

*Required course taken during the Summer term.

The Economics major requires nine courses with grades of ‘C’ or higher. For required courses, please see the CAS Bulletin. 

Students choosing economics as their major are required to demonstrate a proficiency in calculus by completing any of the following with a grade of ‘C’ or higher: CAS MA 121, CAS MA 122, CAS MA 123, CAS MA 124, CAS MA 127, or CAS MA 129 or by achieving at least a 4 on the appropriate calculus Advanced Placement examinations.

Students should take CAS EC 101 and CAS EC 102 as soon as possible, since these courses are prerequisites for all other required courses. CAS EC 201, CAS EC 202, CAS EC 203, and CAS EC 204 should be taken before the senior year. Please note that while Economics majors are advised to take CAS EC 203 to prepare them for upper-level EC courses, MA 115, MA 213, or QST QM 221 may be substituted for CAS EC 203. The remaining five courses are to be chosen from CAS EC 320-599.

For more information, please see the Economics Department webpage.

Students interested in pursuing either the CAS Computer Science & Economics joint major or the CAS Economics & Mathematics joint major should consult with a CAS Economics advisor for guidance on degree planning. Please note that these joint majors have slightly different requirements. It is strongly recommended that students consult a CAS Economics advisor to ensure that there are no issues with the sequencing of their major courses.

• Completion of the CGS required courses and appropriate electives
• Cumulative GPA greater than or equal to 2.00

Boston University students completing a degree in CAS must also complete the following requirements. 

• BU Hub requirements
• CAS requirements:
  • Second Language requirement
• Economics major requirement
• CAS requires a minimum of 128 credits, excluding PDP, ROTC, and FY and SY courses.