Below you will find class specific information for each year in the Economics program at Harvard University.
Below you will find class specific information for each year in the Economics program at Harvard University.
Here are some things to think about in your first year if you are considering concentrating in Economics.
We're really excited that you are considering concentrating in economics. Economics is an enormously rich field that gives you the tools to study a very broad set of topics. Although Economics is clearly a good fit for those of you interested in finance and consulting, it is also a field that lets you study such varied issues as inequality, crime, obesity, the environment...the list goes on and on. For more detail, the Economics Concentrator Guide provides an introduction to the subfields within economics (see p20), and you'll see from the faculty pages the enormous breadth of topics that economists study.
Here are some items to consider in your sophomore year if you are interested in concentrating in economics.
Planning your concentration is not simply a matter of making a wish list of classes. Timing is everything. Bear in mind the progression of courses. For example, math before intermediate theory before many electives; statistics before econometrics; statistics and intermediate micro before sophomore tutorial. Some courses also may conflict, or have limited enrollment, and some are not offered every year. So although having a plan is important, don't get too wedded to a specific set of classes, since course offerings may change.
Here are some questions you should consider as you think through your plan of study:
Timing is especially important if you are considering writing a thesis or studying abroad. If you are interested in honors, start taking electives early to begin thinking about possible topics and advisors, and if you are considering studying abroad, be aware that the department will grant at most ONE Economics concentration credit per term abroad.
For some example plans of study, see Section VII of the Economics Concentrator Guide.
Here are some items to consider in your junior year as an economics concentrator.
Congratulations! It's your senior year! While you're an experienced economics concentrator at this point, we still have a few bits of wisdom to offer.
You're probably thinking a lot about life after graduation. Some of you already have plans, but many of you are still thinking about your options. We encourage you to talk with your professors, concentration advisors, and the Office of Career Services about the wide world of possibilities that awaits you. While it all might seem overwhelming at times, try to remember it's also exciting... and all of us are available to help you through it.