Changes to econ major in the works

Current freshmen considering a major in economics may be subject to a different set of requirements from current declared majors. The economics department is undergoing discussions regarding three potential changes to the economics major requirements.

"We just feel that it has been a long time since we reviewed the major in a comprehensive way," department chair Gilbert Metcalf said. "We think it is worth taking a look to see if there are ways to improve what we do."

One change that has been discussed is the proposal to combine Economics 1 and 2 into a one-course survey. "Among other things, this will make it easier for students to sample the discipline," Metcalf said.

A second proposed change is to require seniors to either take a seminar course or conduct research. While a half-credit course for seniors who are writing an honors thesis has already been instituted, the development of a seminar course as part of the curriculum is still under discussion.

The third possible change is the addition of the current elective course econometrics to the core major requirements. Economics Professor Henry Kim predicted that students may have the greatest problem with this alteration. "I mentioned the idea to a few of my students," he said. "Some responded that despite not wanting to take the course, they wouldn't change their major because of the new requirements. Others, however, were more wary."

Econometrics is currently a requirement for quantitative economics majors only, and it is known by economics students as a difficult course. "It's one of the more challenging classes I've taken in the econ department," senior quantitative economics major Andrea Burrell said. "I can see why a non-quantitative econ major might be apprehensive about taking it."

However, Metcalf believes the added challenge is worthwhile. "Quantitative skills are highly prized when employers look at econ majors," Metcalf said. "Improved econometrics skills will enhance quantitative skills more generally."

Kim said that nearly half of the economics departments in the country require econometrics as a core course for economics majors, and that the addition would boost the reputation of the department. "The average quality of econ majors is actually decreasing," he said. "It's not up to the level that we expect."

Kim attributed the lower quality to the increased number of economics majors over the past few years. "The number of Econ majors over the past five or six years has doubled," Kim said. "We have too many econ majors." With the proposed requirements, Kim feels the department is moving in a better direction.

The changes will not go into effect until proposals are finalized and taken to the appropriate committees of faculty and administration members for approval. The entire process could take up to two years.

Students who have already declared a major in economics before the changes are instituted will not be subject to the new requirements.

"Whenever we make changes, we generally grandfather existing majors," Metcalf said. "In other words, current majors are subject to the rules in effect when they declared their majors."

Regardless of the department's decision, both Metcalf and Kim are confident that the process of re-examining the economics major is beneficial. "We feel that it is important to ask ourselves continually whether the majors we offer are designed to be as effective as they can be in the teaching of economics to Tufts undergraduates," Metcalf said.