FAQs
The following page provides answers to Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs).
AP Scores and Transferring Courses Towards the Major
Taking Courses for Pass/No Pass
Enrollment and Getting into Courses
Economics Department Majors
Graduation Requirements
How Do I Connect with The Campus Community?
Events and Job Searching
Assistance in Courses and Other Resources
Education Abroad Program and Other Opportunities
Research and Graduate School Preparation
What's a security passphrase?
Q: How do I know which classes transfer towards my major from a California community college?
A: Lower-division requirements (course numbers under 100) for our majors can be taken at California community colleges and transferred for course and unit credit towards the 180 required for graduation if they are articulated on assist.org.
Q: I want to or have taken classes at another UC, CSU or other four-year institution. Can I use them towards major requirements?
A: Any course taken at another four-year institution has to be reviewed by the department. You have to submit a syllabus of the course together with the substitution petition to a department adviser. No more than two courses from another institution can be applied towards major requirements. Check with the undergraduate advisers.
Q: Do I get course credit for AP exams that I took in high school?
A: The Economics Department awards course credit for AP courses according to this chart.
Q: Do I have to take all requirements for the major for a letter grade or can I take some Pass/No Pass?
A: All classes included for major qualification determination must be taken for a letter grade. However, the Economics Department allows all other major requirements to be taken Pass/No Pass. We highly recommend no more than two in the major be taken as P/NP because graduate schools would want to see letter grades in most major-related coursework. Overall, no more than 25% of all classes can be taken as P/NP. It is not recommended to take ECON 100A, 100B or 113 P/NP.
Q: I received an incomplete grade in a course. Is this considered a passing grade for a pre-requisite?
A: No, an incomplete grade is not considered passing and therefore will not work as a pre-requisite.
Q: What courses are being offered in the future?
A: The course listings for the entire current academic year can be found on the Economics Department website. There is also a listing for the courses being offered each quarter by the Economics Department in the binder at the front desk inside the office. This binder includes the full academic year of class offerings.
Q: I want to take ECON 1 or ECON 2 in my first quarter as a freshman. Is this a good idea?
A: No. The Economics Department has qualification requirements for major declaration. Since students need to meet a 2.8 combined GPA between ECON 1, ECON 2, and the first calculus course to be able to declare our majors, doing poorly in one of the courses may make the difference between being able to major or not. Adjusting to university life in the first quarter often takes a toll on academic performance. We therefore recommend you wait at least one quarter before taking any of the qualification courses. You also do not want to combine ECON 1 and ECON 2 within the same quarter.
Q: Which calculus series should I take?
A: The calculus series you should take if you are pursuing the economics/mathematics combined major is Math 19A, Math 19B, Math 22 or Math 23A and Math 23B.
If you are pursuing a single major in any of our other majors, we recommend you take AM 11A and AM 11B.
If you are considering a double-major or major with a minor, you should verify if and what calculus series is required for the non-economics major first. Economics accepts the following series:
AM 11A + AM 11B
or
Math 11A + Math 11B + Math 22 (or Math 23A)
or
Math 19A + Math 19B + Math 23A (or Math 22)
or
Math 11A + AM 11B
or
Math 19A + AM 11B
Q: Who needs to take Stat 5?
A: If you haven't taken your statistics requirement as of fall 2020, we highly recommend you take STAT 7 + STAT 7L.
Starting in the 2021-22 academic year, we will be amending the economics course catalog to require that students take STAT 7 and the lab STAT 7L as a prerequisite for Economics 113, rather than STAT 5. UC Santa Cruz students with catalog rights 2021-22 or later will be required to take STAT 7/7L, or equivalent, prior to taking Economics 113.
Q: Can students switch between math sequences?
A: It is possible for students to switch between math sequences. Students who took MATH 11A or MATH 19A and can switch into ECON/AMS 11B to complete the math requirement for the major. Students who have already taken MATH 11A and MATH 11B, or MATH 19A and MATH 19B, will not receive duplication of credit if they then take ECON/AMS 11B. It is therefore recommended that these students finish the math series by taking MATH 22 (only offered in winter quarter and summer session) or MATH 23A.
Students who are pursuing the economics/mathematics combined major must take MATH 19A, MATH 19B and MATH 22 or MATH 23A and MATH 23B.
Q: Do I need approval to take upper-division courses that are different from my original approved academic plan?
A: No, the academic plan is simply a guideline for you to understand what is required to complete your major. As long as you maintain within the restrictictions found in the general catalog, you may change your upper-divisions however you like.
Q: Can I “crash” courses”?
A: If a course is closed, make sure you have added yourself to the waitlist. Make sure you have set up a swap with a class if you are currently enrolled in three courses and that you don’t have any time conflicts with classes you are currently enrolled in. Attend the class for the first two weeks of the quarter as the instructor might allow you to enroll if there is attrition or students who are enrolled don’t attend the first few classes.
Refer to the enrollment FAQs if you have trouble with enrollment:
Q: Do I have to enroll in a discussion/secondary section?
A: Most classes don’t require enrollment in the secondary section, but attendance is still highly recommended. Students find it easier to ask questions in the smaller class environment and it is usually also a very good way to connect with fellow students to form study groups.
Q: Why can't I enroll in all of my classes during my first-pass?
A: All students are given two-pass enrollment appointments and the units you are allowed to enroll in are determined by class level.You can enroll in all other units beyond 14-19 in your second pass enrollment appointment. Look at your enrollment appointment in your portal for details.
Q: What are the differences between the three economics majors?
A: The economics major encompasses the core of economic theory and also mathematical and statistical methods. The Economics major is a good major to take on if one is planning to enter law school or any areas focusing on public policy, political economy or any third world issues.
The business management economics major has several elements. This major combines both the analytical approach to economics while also focusing on the technical aspects of management. Students acquire knowledge to use computing as a tool of analysis for financial or statistical data. If a student is considering the accounting path, it is beneficial to become a business management economics major. It is recommended that students take part in an Economics Field Study.
The global economics major incorporates both the study of economics in the context of a particular geographical area while allowing the student to focus on a language study, area study, and also to study abroad.
Q: When can I declare my major?
A: You can declare your major as soon as you meet the qualification requirements. The qualification requirements can be found here.
Q: Is there a certain GPA requirement needed for declaring the major?
A: Yes, there is a GPA, or qualification requirement needed to declare any of the four economics majors. You will need a combined GPA of 2.8 in both ECON 1, ECON 2, and the first calculus course (AMS/ECON 11A, MATH 11A, or MATH 19A).
Q: I don't meet the GPA for major requirement. What do I do?
A: If you don't meet the GPA requirement you can submit a letter of appeal. The directions on how to do that can be found here. An economics minor is also an option if you cannot declare the major.
Q: How do I declare my major?
A: You can declare your major by attending a declaration of major advising workshop or if you are not able to attend one, by meeting with a peer adviser. If all sessions are over for the quarter, you will need to make an appointment to meet with a peer adviser for assistance. To make an appointment email econpeer@ucsc.edu with your availability.
Q: How do I declare the accounting concentration?
A: Re-declare business management economics and add the requirements for the accounting concentration to your academic plan. The required courses can be found here.
Q: Is there a deadline for adding a double-major or a minor?
A: Yes, you will want to add the double-major and/or minor before you apply to graduate through your portal.
Q: What are the combined majors with economics?
A: There are two combined majors that students can pursue. Economics and mathematics and environmental studies and economics. The econ/math combined major is recommended if you are planning to apply to a Ph.D. program in economics. For information on these combined majors please refer to the Economics Undergraduate Handbook, the website, or the general catalog.
Q: What are the most popular minors to take with the economics major?
A: Choosing a minor is completely the students’ choice. However, many students choose to minor in technology and information management, computer science, education, or statistics while majoring in some form of economics.
Q: How many units are needed in order to graduate?
A: As a student, you need 180 credits to graduate, which means that not all classes will be taken towards major requirements. Students should aim to balance their schedules in order to maximize their GPA.
Q: What is the senior comprehensive exam?
A: The comprehensive requirement for all economics majors and the combined economics/mathematics major is satisfied by passing the following intermediate core courses with grades of C or better here at UCSC: Economics 100A (or 100M), and 100B (or 100N), and 113. This is the reason why students should only take one of these courses per quarter.
Q: Econ 197 is full but I need it to satisfy my DC requirement, what do I do?
A: Econ 104 is also offered and we suggest you enroll in that course to fulfill the DC requirement. We do not have enough seats for all seniors to take Econ 197 and that is why we have two options. Econ 197 is typically offered winter, spring and in both summer sessions. Econ 104 is offered every quarter.
Q: How do I extend my enrollment?
A: When extending enrollment at UC Santa Cruz, you will need to see your college adviser to file a petition to stay beyond 12 quarters. You will also be required to provide evidence for your request to extend enrollment. The petition to extend enrollment will need to be verified and signed by the department and then approved by your college adviser.
Q: Can I do a graduation check?
A: All majors within the Economics Department can do a graduation check. Go into the student portal, click on the academic advisement report button, and print a copy. If you still have questions after reviewing your courses and the academic advisement report, you may come and see an undergraduate adviser; please bring the printout of the academic advisement report with you. The Economics Department no longer does graduation checks for students because this process is available for you.
Q: When will I receive my diploma?
A: Check out the Registrar's FAQs
Q: How do I get connected to other people with similar interests and challenges?
A: Connecting with like-minded people makes a huge difference for your educational experience at UC Santa Cruz. There are many resources, but you have to reach out:
Visit the friendly advisers at Services for Transfer and Re-Entry Students (STARS).
Join a student organization. Attend the OPERS Fall Festival where you can meet and talk with many organization representatives.
For a list of student organizations, contact Student Organization Advising and Resources (SOAR).
There are a few associated student groups with the Economics Department. For contact information for individual student groups, contact Student Organization Advising and Resources (SOAR) directly.
Attend Economics Department undergraduate events.
Q: Does the Economics Department offer events for undergraduates?
A: Yes, we sure do! This is a great opportunity to get engaged with fellow student and the faculty in a non-classroom setting. Check out the offerings on our events page here.
Q: How can I reach an adviser for advising assistance?
A: Email econ_ugrad_coor@ucsc.edu with your question.
Q: How can I reach peer advisers for advising assistance?
A: Email econpeer@ucsc.edu with your question and times you are available to meet.
Q: I need a job. How can I find one?
A: Visit the Career Center website and search job openings on the Jobs and Internships website.
Q: How can I get prepared for the working world and to find a job after graduation?
A: Doing a field study is a great way to get work experience, something that is highly valued by employers. Attend one of the field study orientation sessions offered every quarter. You can also see Lisa Morgan, the interim field study coordinator, located in the Economics Department office in Engineering 2, room 401A.
You can also visit the Career Center, attend their workshops and career fairs and use the Career Advice Network (CAN) to contact alumni who have agreed to mentor current students.
Creating a LinkedIn profile and joining the UCSC Economics LinkedIn group to connect with UCSC economics alumni is also highly recommended.
Q: I am struggling in my classes? Where can I get help?
A: It is not unusual to find yourself falling behind in a class. It’s important to seek help as soon as possible and not wait until finals week, when little can be done. Attend all lectures and especially secondary sections; visit professor’s and teaching assistant (TA) office hours;
Learning Support Services (LSS) offers Modified Supplemental Instruction (MSI) and small group tutoring for most of our core classes.
A list of the academic support resources can be found here.
If you experiencing anxiety and need counseling, contact Counseling & Psychological Services (CAPS).
You can also see whether Slug Support can provide resources.
Q: I need help with food. Where can I go?
A: Check out Food Access Resources.
There will also be a food panty at Cowell College starting in fall 2018.
Q: How do I get my Education Abroad Program (EAP) form approved and signed?
A: Often credit is given for economics courses that are taken while studying abroad. Combined majors and economics minor students can use one course towards major requirements; non-combined majors can use two courses towards major requirements. Three courses from abroad can be applied only for the direct exchange between UC Santa Cruz and Autonomous University of Barcelona. An undergraduate adviser may approve your EAP form after you have filled it out completely. Please refer to the “Economics Pre-Approved List of EAP Courses”.
Q: What is the ECON 195 “senior thesis” or ECON 199 “independent study”?
A: A senior thesis is not required for graduation, but highly recommended for students interested in applying to Ph.D. programs in economics. A student must first consult with a faculty adviser, fill out the appropriate required form, and obtain signatures by both the faculty adviser and a department undergraduate adviser. The student will then be able to enroll in ECON 195 or ECON 199. The main difference between the two is the length of the required paper. A senior thesis generally requires 50 pages and an ECON 199, Independent Study, requires around 25 pages. The Economics Department will keep a copy of the senior thesis on file for reference.
Q: I am interested in doing research in economics. Where do I start?
A: Check out the faculty listing page to see what research our professors are doing and contact them directly.
Visit the professor’s office hours to see whether you can work with them. Usually completion of Econ 100A, 100B and 113 is desired.
Check out the LEEPs Lab, which conducts laboratory experiments with paid human subjects.
Express your interest in doing research by filling out the research interest survey (be sure to be signed in to your UC Santa Cruz account when filling it out).
For general information about undergraduate research, please visit here.
Q: Where are the economics faculty offices located?
A: Faculty offices are located in Engineering 2 down the carpeted hallway, which is on the opposite side of where the department office is located. All faculty office locations can be found here.
Q: Am I eligible to apply to the M.S program in applied economics and finance?
A: If you are interested in applying for the one-year M.S program, please contact Sandra Reebie (screebie@ucsc.edu), the graduate programs coordinator for more information. More information can also be found on our graduate student program website here.
Q: I want to attend graduate school. What do I need to do now to prepare?
A: You will need at least two letters of recommendation from a faculty member. Attend office hours so that faculty get a chance to get to know you. Classes are large at UC Santa Cruz, so a faculty member won’t be able to write a good letter of recommendation if you just ask them at the end of the quarter without ever having visited office hours. They are there for you, take advantage of the opportunity. Questions about graduate schools should be addressed to faculty.
Engage in undergraduate research, especially if you are interested in a Ph.D. program in economics. Previous research experience is also essential for a successful application.
Q: What's a security passphrase?
A: If you need to contact the university either in person, over the phone or by way of Zoom, we will ask you to verify your identity by either showing your photo ID or by stating your established security passphrase.
You can set up your passphrase by clicking on the "Set My Security Passphrase" tile on your MyUCSC homepage.
