Senior Requirement

There are three ways to satisfy the senior requirement. (In order get into the section of the seminar or thesis you want, here is the description of the registration procedure.)

1. Seminar Option, comprising BC3063 plus an additional upper level elective.

The Senior Seminar is a small (limited to 15) seminar-style course on a specific theme that meets once a week for two hours. Seminars emphasize student presentation and discussion of classic and current articles in economics. The required work will be a major research paper of 20-25 pages, written with revisions over the semester. Your grade will be based on the quality of the research paper and your participation in seminar discussions. More information here. Students taking this option should enroll in ECON BC3063.

2. Thesis Option, comprising BC3061-3062.

The Senior Thesis is the final report of a two semester economics research project, planned and carried out by a senior student with the guidance of a faculty adviser. It is an opportunity to apply the skills and knowledge you have acquired in the major to investigate a topic of special interest to you. Many students use their Senior Theses as a bridge to later study and careers. The required work will be a first semester paper as well as the final thesis, plus two oral presentations of your work. More information here. Students taking this option should enroll in ECON BC3061 for the first semester and ECON BC3062 for the second semester.

3. Seminar/Thesis Option, comprising BC3063 followed by BC3062.

This option is for students who initially elect the seminar option but wish to expand or extend their seminar research paper into a thesis during an additional semester of work. It is expected that the professor offering the seminar will also advise the thesis. More information here.