Director of Undergraduate Studies: Dr. Susan Elmes, 1006 International Affairs Building; 854-9124; se5@columbia.edu

Director of Departmental Honors Program: Dr. Susan Elmes, 1006 International Affairs Building; 854-9124; se5@columbia.edu

Departmental Advisers: For a list of Economics Department advisers for the major, concentration, and interdepartmental majors please see the department Web site

Departmental Office: 1022 International Affairs Building (IAB); 854-3680

• http://www.columbia.edu/cu/economics/

Economics is the study of the ways in which society allocates its scarce resources among alternative uses and the consequences of these decisions. The areas of inquiry deal with a varied range of topics such as international trade, domestic and international financial systems, labor market analysis, and the study of less developed economies. Broadly speaking, the goal of an economics major is to train students to think analytically about social issues, and as such provide a solid foundation for not only further study and careers in economics, but also for careers in law, public service, business, and related fields.

The Economics Department offers a general economics major in addition to five interdisciplinary majors structured to suit the interests and professional goals of a heterogeneous student body. All of these programs have different specific requirements but share the common structure of core theoretical courses that provide the foundation for higher-level elective courses culminating in a senior seminar. Students are urged to carefully look through the details of each of these programs and to contact an appropriate departmental adviser to discuss their particular interests.

Advanced Placement

Tests must be taken in both microeconomics and macroeconomics, with a score of 5 on one test and at least a 4 on the other. Provided that this is achieved, the department grants 4 credits for a score of 4 and 5 on the AP Economics exam along with exemption from ECON W1105.

Departmental Honors

Economics majors and economics joint majors who wish to be considered for departmental honors in economics must:

1. have at least a 3.7 GPA in their major courses
2. take ECON W4999 Honors thesis workshop (a one-year course)
3. receive at least a grade of A- in ECON W4999.

Students must consult and obtain the approval of the departmental undergraduate director in order to be admitted to the workshop. Please note that ECON W4999 may be taken to fulfill the seminar requirement for the economics major and all economics joint majors. Students who wish to write a senior thesis (W4999) must have completed the core major requirements and speak with the director of undergraduate studies in the spring semester of their junior year. Normally no more than 10 percent of the graduating majors in the department each year may receive departmental honors. Please see the departmental honors section in the department FAQ page for more information.

Undergraduate Prizes

All prize recipients are announced at the end of the spring semester each academic year.

Sanford S. Parker Prize

Established in 1980, this prize is awarded annually to a Columbia College graduating student who majored or concentrated in economics and plans on continuing his or her studies in an economics Ph.D. program within the two years following his or her graduation.

Romine Prize

Established in 1997, this prize is awarded annually to two students (Columbia College or General Studies) majoring in economics: one for the best honors thesis paper, and the other for the best economics seminar paper.

On-Line Information

Students can access current and useful information on-line that includes: a comprehensive FAQ page; requirement changes to the major and concentration; sample programs and checklists; faculty office hours, contact information and fields of specialization; adviser information; teaching assistant information; research assistant opportunities; list of tutors; and Columbia-Barnard Economics Society information.