Economics Major

Requirements for the Major in Economics

Students majoring in economics take eleven courses in addition to the senior exercise. These courses include six required core courses, consisting of introductory courses, ECON 051 PO , ECON 052 PO  and ECON 057 PO ; intermediate courses ECON 101 PO , ECON 102 PO ; and either ECON 107 PO  or ECON 167 PO , plus five upper-division courses in economics (numbered 115 and above). At least two of the five upper-division courses must have an intermediate core course as a prerequisite; these courses are numbered ECON 150 PO  or above at Pomona (numbering can vary across the Claremont Colleges). Majors are expected to take their six required core courses and at least three of their five upper-division courses at Pomona. For exceptions to this policy, students should see the department chair. One accounting course may be counted as an elective. Completion of at least one course while at Pomona in calculus (MATH 030 PO  or higher) or a mathematics course with calculus as a prerequisite is required of all economics majors.

At the time of declaration of the major students are expected to have a primary or secondary advisor in the department. Economics and the mathematics course offered for completion of the Economics Major must be taken for a letter grade. Courses taken on a CR/NC basis are not acceptable in fulfillment of major requirements. A grade of C- or better in required core courses is required for majors in the field. Students majoring in economics may consider their course requirement for ECON 051 PO  or ECON 052 PO  waived if they perform satisfactorily on the corresponding placement test, but a student who skips both ECON 051 PO  and ECON 052 PO  must take one additional economics elective to fulfill the requirements of the major.

Senior Exercise. The economics major culminates in a senior exercise that consists of ECON190 PO - Senior Seminar in Economics  and ECON195 PO - Senior Activity in Economics . December graduates should enroll in ECON 195 PO  only in the fall; spring graduates should enroll only in the spring. ECON 190 PO  is only offered during the spring.

Interdisciplinary Majors with Concentrations in Economics

Economics can be selected as an area of concentration within four other majors: environmental analysis (EA); public policy analysis (PPA); philosophy, politics and economics (PPE); and gender & women’s studies (GWS). Those who are interested should see the relevant program description and consult with their advisors.