Economics and Computer Science Major

Additional Information

• In rare cases, and with preapproval from both Economics and Computer Science, majors may receive 3 units of major credit for an elective outside of those listed above. Students must receive preapproval for such a course before enrollment, and approval will only be granted for courses that are in the spirit of the joint major.
• No credit is awarded in the major from the AP Microeconomics exam or the AP Macroeconomics exam. Students who have a score of 5 on the corresponding AP exam may elect to bypass ECON 1501 Introduction to Microeconomics and/or ECON 1502 Introduction to Macroeconomics, but any bypassed units must be made up with preapproved elective credit in Economics or Computer Science. In Economics, this preapproved elective credit may be at the 3000 or 4000 level.
• AP credit (and back credit) for MATH 1510 Calculus I and/or MATH 1520 Calculus II is accepted in the major.
• Please refer to Arts & Sciences' Policies & Procedures for more information about credit for test scores and college credit prior to matriculation to Washington University.

Study Abroad

• Majors selecting an approved study abroad program (for one semester) may receive transfer credit for ECON 3150 Introduction to Econometrics. Note: Many study abroad programs in Europe do not offer the equivalent of ECON 3150 Introduction to Econometrics in the spring semester. A grade of C (or higher) is required in study abroad coursework. Preapproval from the Economics department's study abroad advisor is required.
• Majors selecting an approved study abroad program (for one semester) may receive transfer credit for one economics elective. A grade of C (or higher) is required in study abroad coursework. Preapproval from the Economics department's study abroad advisor is required.
• Majors selecting an approved study abroad program (for one semester) may receive transfer credit for up to two Computer Science electives. A grade of C (or higher) is required in study abroad coursework. Preapproval from a McKelvey School of Engineering's study abroad advisor is required. Majors should review the McKelvey School of Engineering’s transfer course approval process and refer to the Transfer Course Equivalency Database.
• Majors selecting an approved study abroad program for a full year of study will be handled on a case-by-case basis in terms of meeting major degree requirements.

Transfer Credit

• Majors may receive a maximum of 6 units of transfer credit from other colleges/universities to replace ECON 1501 Introduction to Microeconomics and/or ECON 1502 Introduction to Macroeconomics. A minimum grade of C– must be earned. This policy is distinct from studying in an approved study abroad/study away program. Consult with the Economics department Academic Coordinator, as needed.
• Transfer credit for computer science, mathematics, and probability/statistics courses is approved by the respective departments and is accepted by the Department of Economics for major credit.

• For further details on policies and procedures, please refer to the Economics Undergraduate Guide and the Department of Economics website, or schedule a meeting with the Economics department Academic Coordinator.

Graduating with Honors

There are two types of academic recognition that an Arts & Sciences student may receive upon graduation:

• College Honors: This designation is automatically awarded to all Arts & Sciences students who graduate with an eighth-semester, overall GPA of 3.60 or higher and who have not participated in a department's Latin Honors program. In other words, it is not possible for a student to receive both the College Honors designation and a (level of) Latin Honors.
• Latin Honors: Cum laude, magna cum laude, and summa cum laude are phrases that Washington University grants for undergraduate work that deserves special recognition. The College of Arts & Sciences requires a recommendation from the student's major department as part of the decision to award Latin Honors, and each department sets its own requirements for making such a recommendation. Further details are below and on the Undergraduate Honors & Prizes page of the Department of Economics website.

Latin Honors Program Requirements

The College of Arts & Sciences awards Latin Honors based on GPA (which must be at least 3.65) and the recommendation of the Department of Economics. Majors must complete 9 units (three courses) of additional coursework over and above the major requirements. 

In addition to the major requirements, majors working toward Latin Honors must successfully complete the following: 

1. One 3-unit computer science elective from the pre-approved list above
2. One 3-unit economics elective at the 4000 level
   1. One of the four economics electives (for the major plus Latin Honors) must be ECON 4151 Applied Econometrics, ECON 4160 Topics in Econometrics: Microeconometrics, ECON 4210 Topics in Financial Economics: Asset Pricing, ECON 4211 Topics in Financial Economics: Investments, ECON 4320 Auction Theory and Practice, ECON 4335 Industrial Organization, ECON 4710 Game Theory, or ECON 4770 Decision Under Risk and Time. 
3. One 3-unit computer science elective from the pre-approved list or one 3-unit economics elective at the 4000 level

Visit the Economics page
for additional information about this program.