Getting Started
Why Economics?
Do you wonder:
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Economics can help in answering these (and many other) questions. |
Students major in Economics for a host of reasons. Some are attracted by the potential for making a difference in the world. Others enjoy the intellectual stimulation of economic problem solving. Economics appeals to students with interests in social studies, geography, ecology, physics, politics, social justice, logic, and applied mathematics among other fields. Most majors like the combination of logical and mathematical rigor with the policy orientation of the field. |
What about after graduation? Some recent alumni are pursuing graduate studies in top masters and doctoral programs in economics, public policy, law, business and medicine. Others are working in government departments, non-profit organizations, and a' variety of business settings. There are many job openings for graduates as economists. But even when the job description makes no explicit references to economics, graduates report the value to their careers of the critical-thinking and decision-making skills developed as majors. |
Begin at the Beginning |
Economics at Bryn Mawr begins with Econ 105 Introduction to Economics. This course introduces the central theme of economics: explaining how markets mediate among competing demands for scarce resources. Econ 105 is the gateway to the economics major and minor and a prerequisite for most other Economics courses. It also satisfies a Division I distribution requirement and complements programs in a host of fields including Political Science, Growth and Structure of Cities, and Environmental Studies. |
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Preparation |
There are no prerequisites for Econ 105. It assumes basic competence in algebra and graphing the relationship between two variables. |
Many of the 200-and 300-level courses in Economics require that you have completed Math 101 (differentiation of a single variable using the calculus). |
Advanced Placement
The department will waive the Econ 105 prerequisite for students who score a 5 on both the Microeconomics and Macroeconomics AP exams or a 6 or 7 on the Economics Higher learning Exam of the International Baccalaureate. The waiver does not count as course credit toward the major or minor; majors and minors receiving advanced placement must still take a total of 10 and 6 courses in economics, respectively. Students qualifying for advanced placement should see the department chair to obtain approval for the waiver and for advice on planning their course work in economics.
Next Steps
Follow Econ 105 with a topics course at the 200-level that applies your newly learned theoretical tools to concrete applications.
Planning Ahead
As you become interested in an economics major or minor, consult with members of the department about course choices and sequences. If you are considering Study Abroad, a) you should plan to take Econ 105 in the fall of your first yearl and begin to meet your other major requirements as soon as possible and b) you should consult with the Department to best align your major and study abroad plans.
