Economics
Major and minor offered
Visit the economics department webpage at https://www.stlawu.edu/offices/economics.
The economics curriculum is designed to familiarize the student with economic theory and “the economic way of thinking,” to provide knowledge about economic institutions, to foster the development of skills in applying economic analysis to contemporary issues, and to create a foundation for critical thinking, problem-solving, and intelligent engaged citizenship. The major provides students with the knowledge and skills necessary to help solve today’s most challenging social and economic problems at a local, regional or global scale.
Restrictions
Finance is a specialized branch of economics and thus economics majors may not double major in finance and economics.
Major Requirements
- 100. Introduction to Economics (1 unit)
- 200. Quantitative Methods (1.5 units)
- 251. Intermediate Microeconomic Theory. (1 unit)
- 252. Intermediate Macroeconomic Theory. (1 unit)
- Five electives, at least four at the 300-400 level (5 units)
The maximum number of economics classes that count towards the economics major is 12.
Majors must maintain a grade point average in economics of at least 2.0 and must earn a grade of at least 2.0 in both ECON 251 and 252. A grade of P (pass) in ECON 251 or 252 does not count as a 2.0. No more than one independent project or off-campus economics course may count toward the minimum number of economics courses required for a major or minor. For transfer credit, a 200-level ECON elective must have a prerequisite of ECON 100; a 300-level ECON elective must have a prerequisite of ECON 251 or 252.
Students interested in majoring in economics should take ECON 100 (Introduction to Economics) as early as possible, preferably during their first year. Credit for ECON 100 is granted to students who earn a grade of 4 or 5 on the College Board’s Advanced Placement Examinations in microeconomics or macroeconomics. ECON 200 (Quantitative Methods in Economics) is a research methods course. This course should be taken as early as possible, preferably before the end of their second year. STAT 113 (Applied Statistics) is a prerequisite for ECON 200. Students who have completed Statistics 213 with a grade of 2.0 or higher may choose not to take ECON 200 and instead choose an additional economics elective (at the 200- level or higher).
ECON 251 (Intermediate Microeconomic Theory) and ECON 252 (Intermediate Macroeconomic Theory) are economic theory courses required of all majors. Every 300 and 400-level course in economics has either ECON 251 or ECON 252 as a prerequisite. Potential majors are advised to take ECON 251 and ECON 252 during the sophomore year. The two courses should not be taken in the same semester. First-year students may not take ECON 251 and ECON 252, and sophomores may not take any 300-level economics electives. Seniors may not take ECON 251 or ECON 252 without departmental permission. ECON 251 and 252 must be taken at St. Lawrence.
Although ACCT 203 and 204 do not count toward the major in economics, it is strongly recommended that economics majors take one or both courses at some point during their time at St. Lawrence. FIN courses may count as economics electives at the appropriate level.
Students should work closely with their academic advisors to select courses for the major and those interested in graduate programs, especially graduate work in economics, should discuss their plans with their advisor as early as possible. Students interested in graduate study in economics are advised to pursue the economics–mathematics interdisciplinary major or to take as many courses in that major as possible. Students interested in graduate work in business are advised to take ACCT 203 and 204, CS 140 (Introduction to Computer Programming), MATH 135 (Calculus I) and FIN 313 (Investments).
Minor Requirements
- 100. Introduction to Economics. (1 unit)
- 251. Intermediate Microeconomic Theory. (1 unit)
- 252. Intermediate Macroeconomic Theory. (1 unit)
- STAT 113. Introduction to Statistics (1 unit)
- Three electives, at least one at the 300-400 level (2.0 units)
Minors must maintain a grade point average in economics of at least 2.0. The economics minor may not be combined with a major in Business in the Liberal Arts or a major in Finance.
Honors
Department honors are awarded to students who have, upon graduation, at least a 3.5 average in economics courses and have successfully completed an honors project. Students who expect to pursue an honors project should consult with their advisor and the department chair as soon as possible in their junior year. Prospective honors students should also take ECON 342 (Econometrics) during their junior year (See also Honors in the Curriculum section of this Catalog.) Students pursuing Honors in Economics should register for ECON 495 in the fall and ECON 499 in the spring of their senior year.
Updated 7/1/25