The Major

Economics studies how markets allocate resources, goods and services, and incomes throughout the economy. It analyzes how the aggregate level of economic activity is determined; how well the economy performs with respect to inflation, unemployment, and growth; and the implications of government involvement in particular markets and in the economy as a whole via policies to improve economic performance or distributional equity. The major is designed to develop a core set of skills useful in analysis of economic issues while maintaining a commitment to a liberal arts education. The curriculum provides preparation for graduate study or careers in economics, business, law, government, and public affairs.

Students are encouraged to participate in the Scripps College Economic Society, the Student Investment Fund, and Money Wise Women events and activities. The Joan Robinson Prize is awarded for superior accomplishment in the economics senior thesis.

Requirements for the Major

Economics

  1. Prerequisite
    • Mathematics 30. Calculus I (to be taken prior to Economics 101).
  2. Core Requirements
    • Economics 51. Principles of Macroeconomics.
    • Economics 52. Principles of Microeconomics.
    • Economics 101. Intermediate Microeconomic Theory.
    • Economics 102. Intermediate Macroeconomic Theory.
    • Economics 120. Statistics.
    • Economics 125. Econometrics.

    3. Prerequisites and core courses are to be completed at Scripps. Students planning to study abroad are urged to complete core courses beforehand.

  3. Electives: The economics major requires four additional upper-division courses in economics, to include at least two courses with an intermediate theory prerequisite. At least two of the four electives must be taken at Scripps.
  4. Senior Seminar and Thesis
    • Economics 190. Senior Seminar.
    • Economics 191. Thesis.

Mathematical Economics

  1. Core Requirements
    • Economics 51. Principles of Macroeconomics.
    • Economics 52. Principles of Microeconomics.
    • Economics 101. Intermediate Microeconomic Theory.
    • Economics 102. Intermediate Macroeconomic Theory.
    • Economics 120. Economic Statistics.
    • Economics 125. Econometrics.
    • Economics 126. Econometrics II or Economics 127, Special Topics in Econometrics (both CMC) or equivalent.

    Unless otherwise specified, prerequisites and core courses are to be completed on the Scripps campus. Students planning to study abroad are urged to complete core courses beforehand.

  2. Electives: Two additional courses in economics, both of which must have an intermediate theory prerequisite. At least one of them must be taken at Scripps.
  3. Mathematics Courses
    1. Math 30, 31, and 32 (Calculus I, II, and III).
    2. Math 60 (Linear Algebra).
    3. One semester of either Math 102 (Differential Equations) or Math 151 (Probability)
  4. Senior Seminar and Thesis Economics
    1. 190. Senior Seminar.
    2. Economics 191. Thesis.

Dual Majors

A student wishing to complete a dual major in economics and any other field must fulfill the economics major requirements listed above with the following exceptions.

  1. She must complete three (rather than four) electives, at least two with an intermediate theory prerequisite.
  2. She may take the senior seminar either in the Economics Department or in the department offering the complementary portion of her dual major.

B.A./M.A. Program

A B.A./M.A. program in economics with The Claremont Graduate University is available for Scripps economics majors. Claremont Colleges students; contact CGU for more information.

For the Minor

A minor in economics consists of Economics 51, 52 and five upper-division (beyond 51 and 52) economics courses, at least one of which must be either Intermediate Microeconomic Theory or Intermediate Macroeconomic Theory.

Honors Program

Requirements for honors in economics or mathematical economics:

  1. A grade point average in the major of at least 10.5.
  2. A grade of A- or better on the senior thesis.
  3. A successful oral defense of the thesis before the economics faculty and the thesis readers.

The student interested in being considered as a candidate for honors should consult with her economics adviser during the second semester of her junior year.

Taken from Scripps website at http://www.scrippscollege.edu/academics/catalog/economics.php