Qualification for an Economics Major

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The Economics Department administers four undergraduate majors: economics, business management economics, global economics, and economics/mathematics. The qualification requirements for major declaration are the same for all four.

Students must complete three courses, with a combined GPA of 2.8 or higher, to qualify for entry to the economics, business management economics, global economics and economics/mathemtics majors:
     *Economics 1 (Introductory Microeconomics)
     *Economics 2 (Introductory Macroeconomics)
and one of the following calculus courses:
     *Applied Mathematics/Economics 11A, Mathematical Methods for Economists
     *Mathematics 11A, Calculus with Applications
     *Mathematics 19A, Calculus for Science, Engineering, and Mathematics.

All classes included for major qualification determination must be taken for a letter grade. If students have not taken a letter grade, they must appeal by submitting a letter to the Economics Department.

Students should submit a petition to declare as soon as they complete the major qualification (MQ) requirements or reach their declaration deadline quarter (whichever comes first). Students who have a combined grade-point average (GPA) of 2.8 or better in Economics 1, 2, and the first calculus course will qualify upon applying. Students receiving a grade of NP, C-, D+, D, D-, or F in one of the courses required for qualification to the major may only declare once they have passed the same or equivalent course with a grade of C or better. Students who receive two grades of NP, C-, D+, D, D-, or F in the qualification courses are not eligible to declare the major.

Equivalent courses may be taken at other universities or community colleges. Students should check on assist.org to determine whether a transfer course is designated as equivalent to Economics 1, 2 or the first required calculus course. Transfer students are strongly encouraged to ask the department to review such courses prior to matriculation at UCSC, since an offer of admission to UCSC does not automatically imply admission to the economics major.

Students can receive course credit for Advanced Placement examinations in Micro (ECON 1), Macro (ECON 2) and the first calculus class toward major qualification criteria according to the AP chart: http://admissions.ucsc.edu/publications/ap-ib-chart.pdf

The Economics Department uses the AP score internally to determine whether studens meet the 2.8 required GPA to qualify for the major. A score of 5 on the AP exam counts as an "A", a score of 4 counts as a "B" and a score of 3 on the BC calculus counts as a "C".

Please consult with an adviser if you have questions.

Students should submit a petition to declare as soon as they complete the major qualification (MQ) requirements or reach their declaration deadline quarter (whichever comes first).

Students who have a GPA lower than 2.8 in Economics 1, 2, and the calculus course are not eligible to declare an economics major. Students who are not eligible for the economics majors may appeal by submitting a letter to the Economics Department. The appeal letter must be filed no later than the first quarter of their junior year. Please check the the department web site (http://economics.ucsc.edu) for further information on declaring a major or appealing ineligibility and deadlines.

Appeals

Students who have a GPA lower than 2.8 in Economics 1, 2, and the calculus course are not eligible for admission to the major. Students not eligible for the economics majors may appeal by submitting a letter to the Economics Department. The appeal letter must be filed no later than the first quarter of their junior year. 

All classes included for major qualification determination must be taken for a letter grade. If students have not taken a letter grade, they must appeal by submitting a letter to the Economics Department.

The Economics Department offers a minor in economics. The minor does not have a GPA requirement.

If you choose to appeal, your letter must include:

Your name
Email address
College affiliation
Contact information; full address and phone number
What your combined GPA is in Economics 1, 2, 11A (or equivalent) and why it is lower than 2.8.
Include your entire unofficial transcripts, including the current quarter.

Transcripts and appeal letters should be submitted to the department by way of email to econ_ugrad_coor@ucsc.edu

2023-24 Economics GPA Appeal Deadlines

See Also