Economics, BPhil
Curriculum
The bachelor's degree requirements are 45 units total and include distribution, writing, and elective courses, and the major requirements.
Economics Major Requirements
| Course | Title |
|---|---|
| ECON 201-CN | Introduction to Macroeconomics |
| ECON 202-CN | Introduction to Economics II: Microeconomics |
| ECON 281-CN | Introduction to Applied Econometrics |
| ECON 310-A | Microeconomics |
| ECON 310-B | Microeconomics II |
| ECON 311-CN | Macroeconomics |
| Six additional 300-level economics courses | |
| MATH 220-A | Single-Variable Differential Calculus 1 |
| STAT 202-CN | Introduction to Statistics and Data Science |
| Three additional courses in the social sciences, mathematics or statistics | |
- 1
As of Fall 2019; was MATH 220-CN
Degree Requirements
SPS programs lead to one of three Northwestern University bachelor’s degrees, the bachelor of philosophy (BPhil), the bachelor of science in general studies (BSGS), and the bachelor of philosophy in communication (BPhilCom), which is conferred by the School of Communication.
The bachelor of philosophy (BPhil) and the bachelor of science in general studies (BSGS) are conferred by the Judd A. and Marjorie Weinberg College of Arts and Sciences. The primary difference between the two degrees is that the BPhil includes a language requirement. Some majors offer a choice of the BPhil or the BSGS degree.
Bachelor of Philosophy
To earn the BPhil degree, students must complete a total of 45 units, including a writing requirement, two years of study in a language other than English (or demonstration of equivalent language proficiency), distribution requirements, a major, and electives. Language proficiency may be demonstrated by completion of a second-year language sequence with a grade of C or better at an accredited college or university. Minors are optional.
| Courses | Units Earned |
|---|---|
| English 111 or 205 and 113 | 2 |
| Language | 6 |
| Humanities | 4 |
| Science | 4 |
| Social Sciences | 4 |
| Major Requirements | 10-22 |
| Electives | Up to 15 |
| Total | 45 |
About the Writing Requirement
The writing requirement ensures that students have the skills necessary to meet the rigorous writing demands of subsequent SPS courses in all majors and disciplines. The expository writing courses provide the tools to meet the demands of advanced academic writing; the courses may not be audited or taken on a pass/no credit basis.
Transfer and performance-based admission students must fulfill the writing requirement through one of two options:
Option 1: Complete an English composition course at SPS.
Demonstrate successful completion of English 111 or 205. A grade of C or higher is required.
Option 2: Successfully appeal the writing requirement via the Student Affairs Petition Form.
Students who believe they have the writing skills necessary for university-level research and analytical papers may appeal the SPS writing requirement.
A successful appeal does not result in credit for the writing course. Students must complete another course in its place according to the needs and guidelines of their program. Writing will be evaluated for standards of good expository writing, including: a fully developed thesis; sound logic and adequate evidence in support of the thesis; effective organization, coherent structure and an overall unity; correct grammar, punctuation, and spelling.
Appeal materials must be submitted by the quarter deadline before entry.
About the Distribution Requirements
Students complete course work in the humanities, sciences, and social sciences to obtain a broad experience in the liberal arts. Courses that satisfy these distribution requirements include the following areas:
Humanities
Art history, classics, comparative literary studies, English literature, languages other than English (up to two units), history, humanities (HUM), music history, philosophy, religion, and some courses in black studies, languages with literature, gender studies, performance studies, radio/television/film, and theatre.
Sciences
Astronomy, biological sciences, chemistry, computer information systems, earth and planetary sciences, engineering, mathematics, physics, and some courses in anthropology, communication sciences and disorders, psychology, radio/television/film, and statistics.
Social Sciences
Anthropology, economics, history, linguistics, political science, psychology, sociology, and some courses in black studies, communication sciences and disorders, gender studies, psychology, and statistics.