Bachelor of Science in Economics (Course 14-1)

专业详情

Course 14-1, leading to the Bachelor of Science in Economics, provides students with a breadth and depth of training in economics that is unusual at the undergraduate level. It combines training in technical economics with in-depth exploration of students’ areas of interest. Students choose from a diverse set of upper level undergraduate subjects and are encouraged to engage in independent research.

The aims of the SB in Economics degree program are threefold: to give students a firm grounding in economic theory and data analysis, to develop in-depth knowledge of particular economic issues, and to develop students’ capabilities for independent research. These aims correspond roughly to the requirements in the Course 14-1 program of theory, statistics and econometrics, electives, and research.

The requirements allow substantial freedom for students in designing individual programs within economics, and in balancing the program with subjects in other disciplines. The ample elective slots let students apply their technical skills to develop a deep understanding of whatever interests them, whether that is poverty in developing countries, international trade, game theory, for example. The department recommends that students interested in graduate work in economics build their technical skills with additional subjects in mathematics and computer science. Students can also complement their studies in the major with subjects in political science, history, and other social sciences.

The major is sufficiently flexible that students can transfer into the major or add it as a second major without having taken courses beyond  14.01 Principles of Microeconomics and 14.02 Principles of Macroeconomics in the first two years.  Students typically complete an intermediate micro subject, 14.05 Intermediate Macroeconomics, 14.30 Introduction to Statistical Methods in Economics, and 14.32 Econometric Data Science by the third year. This satisfies the prerequisites for all subjects (including 14.33 Research and Communication in Economics: Topics, Methods, and Implementation) and prepares students for research on their thesis and in other elective subjects.