Information for First-Year Students

Dear Class of 2012,

Welcome to Carnegie Mellon University.

This is an exciting time in your life. For many of you, it is the first time you are able to choose your own courses. So, how does one create an academic schedule?  First,  reflect on your interests and assess your strengths and deficiencies. Second, become informed about the possible areas of study at Carnegie Mellon. Third, you need to understand that your mental models of academic disciplines that were formed in high school are no longer relevant at Carnegie Mellon. For example, although there are only nine department in the College of Humanities and Social Sciences, there are thirty-one possible primary majors in H&SS. Fourth, talk with faculty, classmates, and staff.

For those of you who have decided to focus on economics, let me explain to you how to structure your first two years of study at Carnegie Mellon. As you know, economics is a social science. Economists bring structure to complex social and technical problems. Economists look at the world around them, and use their "economic toolbox" to provide solutions to today's problems.

Which degree should I pursue?

Two questions that first year students often have are: "What courses should I take as a freshman that will allow me to pursue degree in economics?" and "How do I know which degree best suits my interests, skills, and career aspirations, the B.S. in Economics or the B.A. in Economics?"   First year students are not expected to know which degree option they wish to pursue. For this reason, the first year curricula are identical.   As students become involved in their course work, participate in the extra- and co-curricular activities sponsored by the Undergraduate Economics Program, and talk with an economics advisor, the decision of which degree to pursue becomes quite evident.

How should I sequence my courses?

Below you will find a table listing the courses that students interested in Economics should take during their first two years at Carnegie Mellon.   What you will notice is that it is not until the first term of the sophomore year, that the B.S. and B.A. curricula diverge. During the first two terms, all students interested in pursuing an economics degree take the same courses. What this means is that the decision about which degree to pursue need not happen until after students have taken Principle of Economics and Microeconomics. This allows students the opportunity to explore their strengths before choosing a curricular path.

*: Please read discussion below about math placement.
**: Students who are interested in and enjoy economic theory, mathematics, and computational finance should register for 21-259.

Math Placement

Many students arrive at Carnegie Mellon having taken A.P. calculus or 'college-level' calculus during their high school years. During the summer before the first semester on campus, students take a math placement test which is administered by the Department of Mathematics. The Undergraduate Economics Program prefers for students to remain in 21-120. Should students place out of 21-120, we recommend that these students take 21-131 (Analysis I), an "enriched first course in calculus, which includes a greater concentration on the foundations of the subject." (Carnegie Mellon Undergraduate Catalogue). It is our hope that students place up and not place out -- in other words, we recommend students seek a deeper understanding of the subjects covered in 21-120.