Course Planning for New and Exploring Students
We recommend beginning with ECON 100: Introductory Economics as soon as possible before considering appropriate 200-level elective courses. Since calculus is required for the major, we recommend that students take calculus during their first year. To do so, students must take the ALEKS Placement Assessment upon arrival to determine where to start in the sequence for calculus. If a student does not immediately place into MATH 140: Calculus, MATH 102: Foundations in Math and/or MATH 103: Preparation for Calculus will be recommended.
AP/IB Credit
A student scoring a 4 or 5 on the AP Macroeconomics exam will receive 6 units of ECON electives, though no advanced placement in economics will be awarded. A student scoring a 4 or 5 on the AP Microeconomics exam will receive credit for the equivalent of ECON 100 and should register for a 200-level course.
Students scoring a 4 or 5 on the AP Calculus AB or AP Calculus BC exams will earn credit for MATH 140. If student elects to take MATH 140 at Lawrence, no additional AP credit will be awarded.
Declare a Major/Minor
All students are expected to declare a major before the end of sophomore year. Ideally, sophomore students will declare a major (and switch to an advisor in the major) before advance registration advising begins in spring term.
Major Advising
All students will transition to a major advisor upon declaration. The major advisor will help students plan their coursework to satisfy requirements for the major, select courses in other areas to complement the major or satisfy personal interests, and prepare for their Senior Experience. Prospective economics majors can consult with any of the following economics faculty about serving as a major advisor:
Add a Major Advisor
Need help identifying an advisor in the major? Students can contact advising@lawrence.edu for assistance with advisor matching.
Minor Advising
Students do not need an official advisor for the economics minor. Instead, economics minors are encouraged to consult with the department chair or other economics faculty for advice on course selection and satisfying minor requirements.
Additional Student Resources
If you still have questions about advising support related to the economics program, we invite you to contact the department chair.
Economics Major: First-Year Declaration Sample Course Map
| Fall | Winter | Spring | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | ECON 100 + MATH 102 (if needed) | ECON 2XX + MATH 103 (if needed) | ECON 2XX + MATH 140 |
| Year 2 | ECON 300 + STAT 255 | ECON 380 | ECON 320 |
| Year 3 | ECON 4XX | ECON 4XX | |
| Year 4 | ECON 4XX | ECON 601 |
Economics Major: Sophomore Declaration Sample Course Map
| Year 1 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year 2 | ECON 100 | MATH 103 (if needed) | ECON 2XX + MATH 140 | |
| Year 3 | ECON 300 + STAT 255 | ECON 380 + ECON 2XX | ECON 320 + ECON 4XX | |
| Year 4 | ECON 4XX | ECON 601 + ECON 4XX | ||
Mathematics-Economics Major: Sample Course Map
| Fall | Winter | Spring | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | MATH 140 + ECON 100 | MATH 155 | MATH 200 | |
| Year 2 | STAT 255 + ECON 300 | MATH 230 + ECON 380 | MATH 250 + ECON 320 | |
| Year 3 | MATH 340 | ECON 481 + ECON 410 | MATH 510 | |
| Year 4 | [ECON 601 + STAT 698/STAT 699/MATH 699] or Ind. Study |
Economics Major with Data Science Minor: Sample Course Map
| Fall | Winter | Spring | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | ECON 100 + MATH 102 (if needed) | ECON 2XX + MATH 103 (if needed) | MATH 140 |
| Year 2 | ECON 300 + STAT 255 | ECON 380 + CMSC 205 | ECON 320 + CMSC 208 |
| Year 3 | ECON 223 | ECON 4XX | CMSC 405 |
| Year 4 | ECON 481 | ECON 602 | ECON 4XX |
Economics Major with I&E Interdisciplinary Area: Sample Course Map
| Fall | Winter | Spring | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | ECON 100 | ECON 2XX + MATH 103 (if needed) | ECON 2XX + MATH 140 | |
| Year 2 | ECON 300 + STAT 255 | ECON 380 + I-E 110 | ECON 320 + I-E 212 | |
| Year 3 | ECON 4XX | I-E 100 | ECON 4XX + I-E 300 | |
| Year 4 | ECON 4XX | ECON 601 |