Here, current and prospective undergraduate Economics students will find information about:

• Current advising schedule
• Tutoring
• The senior thesis
• Internship credit
• Terry certificate programs
• Pre-law program
• Study abroad
• Frequently Asked Questions

This page is updated before the beginning of each semester. We rely on our listserv and facebook to communicate news, events and opportunities throughout the year. Majors are automatically subscribed to the listserv and all posts are archived.

Current Advising Schedule

Spring 2010

Advising is now available through walk-in hours only.

Monday - Thursday, 9:00 to 11:30 am and 1:30 to 4:30 pm

Exceptions:

• November 25 - No walk-in hours
• November 26 - No walk-in hours
• December 8 - 9:00 to 11:30 am and 1:30 to 3:00 pm

If these walk-in hours are inconvenient, please email Joanna Warren.

Making Appointments

All AB economics majors with 55 or more hours earned and BBA economics majors are advised by the Economics undergraduate advisor. Double majors and Honors students should always check with each departmental advisor before classes start each semester. Intended BBA Economics majors are advised in 114 Memorial Hall.

You may sign up online for advising appointments, but only after the current drop-add period and before registration begins for seniors. Please note that drop-add is during the first week of classes and senior registration typically begins in late-March and mid-October. If you have problems making an appointment, call the department office (706-542-1311). After senior registration begins, come by 539 Brooks Hall during posted office hours.

AB graduation e-appointments should be made with Schala Bolton at the Franklin advising web site up to one year before graduation. BBA graduation appointments should be made online after signing up for the final semester of classes. If appointments are unavailable, students may stop by during walk-in hours to see the Economics undergraduate advisor or send an email to the Economics undergraduate advisor.

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Special Topics Courses

ECON 4710 (Special Topics in History)

"The First Industrial Revolution" will be taught by George Selgin in Spring 2010. The prerequisite for this course is ECON 4010. Students may take two ECON 4710 courses for academic credit.

Course Description: This class examines Great Britain's "Industrial Revolution" – the rapid changes to Great Britain's economy starting in the mid-18th century that led to its becoming the world's first industrialized nation. Topics to be explored will include the role played by population growth and the enclosure movement; technological developments in agriculture, transportation, and industry; monetary conditions and the role of banks; the influence of government policies; and the effects of the industrial revolution on labor conditions as well as on general living standards.

ECON 4850 (Special Topics)

Health Economics will be taught by Katherine Cloud as a Special Topics class in Spring 2010. Students may take two ECON 4710 courses for academic credit.

Course Description: This class examines how to apply microeconomic tools to the study of health and medical care issues. Topics include the special features of medical care as a commodity, the demand for health and medical care services, the economic explanations for the behavior of medical care providers (i.e., physicians and hospitals), and the functioning of insurance markets.

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Tutoring

Tutoring (PDF | 15 KB) is available from the Milledge Academic Center and Economics PhD students.

The Senior Thesis

All Economics majors must complete a senior thesis. The thesis process formally begins with enrollment in ECON 5900, which is taught by Dr. David Robinson.

The purpose of the thesis is to give you an opportunity to demonstrate your mastery of economic concepts and proficiency in writing. It should be an original synthesis of material, primarily in your own words, and cannot have been submitted in another course. Your paper will be supervised by an Economics faculty member of your choice. Unless it is an honors thesis, the body of the paper should be no more than 20 pages (about 5000 words). The Outstanding Senior Paper award winners provide some excellent examples. Recent titles show the range of possible topics. The course syllabus lists the faculty with their areas of specialization and includes the permission sheet that your faculty advisor must sign before you submit any course work.

Honors students may take ECON 5900H to fulfill both their honors and senior thesis requirements. Students are not limited to 20 pages when writing an honors thesis and are often expected to conduct more sophisticated research and data analyses. To enroll in ECON 5900H, students must first complete at least one research course (ECON 5960H or 5970H), which may be counted as a major required course. An Honors Undergraduate Research Course Application (PDF | 112 KB) must be completed for both the research course and 5900H.

Some tips for getting off to a good start on your paper:

• Do not miss your first 5900 class.
• Develop several potential topics before approaching a professor about advising your thesis.
• Complete two to three economics courses above the 4100 level before enrolling in 5900.
• Avoid starting 5900 in the summer. It is not recommended. If summer enrollment is necessary, it is imperative that you secure a faculty advisor who will be available and attend the spring classes if at all possible.

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Internship credit

You may receive elective credit toward your Economics major for certain types of employment. To receive credit, you must register for the internship course ECON 4800. However, registration for 4800 requires an internship course proposal that has been approved by an Economics faculty member. You are responsible for providing a written proposal to the professor that explains the nature of the internship, its relationship to the major, and the expected learning outcomes. You are strongly advised to submit your proposal to the professor at least five weeks prior to employment. Consult the information sheet (PDF | 16 KB) for 4800 or contact Joanna Warren for more information.

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Terry certificate programs

The Terry College offers certificate programs in leadership and music business. The leadership certificate can be earned through the Institute for Leadership Advancement, which operates the two-year Leonard Leadership Scholars Program as well as the certificate program. The music business certificate is earned through the interdisciplinary Music Business Program.

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Pre-law program

Economics is an excellent preparation for law school. Students interested in law school should visit the Vice President for Instruction's Pre-law Advising Office, which provides information and advice about how to prepare. Students should also attend a pre-law orientation session and speak with a pre-law advisor.

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Study abroad

Both the University and Terry College offer study-abroad programs for Economics majors. For information about university-sponsored programs, consult the Office of International Education. For information about Terry-sponsored programs, see Study Abroad at Terry.

If you are considering a study-abroad program that is not sponsored by UGA or the Terry College, you should provide a list enrolled courses when contacting the advisor. For fall (spring) semester advising, you should email your advisor in February (September).

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Frequently Asked Questions

1. What jobs are available for Economics majors?
2. Can I minor in Economics?
3. As an Honors student, can I receive Honors credit for upper-level ECON courses?
4. What if I receive a C- in a major-required or major-related class?
5. What happens if I take the same class twice?
6. Is there a web site where I can find out more about the plus/minus grading system?
7. How do I know if a course will be offered next semester if it isn't listed on OASIS?
8. When is the last day to register without incurring a late fee?
9. What if I have a hardship during the semester and need to withdraw from classes?
10. Can I finish my senior thesis if I no longer live in Athens?
11. What if I have not been enrolled in over a year?

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1. What jobs are available for Economics majors?
   Any job in which critical-thinking and problem-solving skills are important. Popular examples include consulting and financial services. Studying economics is also great preparation for graduate study in business and law. Check out the UGA Career Center for relevant job postings and watch the listserv for job announcements that come directly to the Economics Department.
2. Can I minor in Economics?
   No, but double majors are welcome.
3. As an Honors student, can I receive Honors credit for upper-level ECON courses?
   Yes. You may receive Honors option credit for ECON 4010 and ECON 4020. When taking ECON 4100 or higher, you may choose to take the 6000-level equivalent if offered or Honors option credit. If a 6000-level equivalent is not listed on OASIS, the academic advisor can enter the class on OASIS with permission of the instructor. The Graduate School approval form for 6000-level course enrollment is available at the Honors Office in Moore College.
4. What if I receive a C- in a major-required or major-related class?
   If you receive a C-, the course cannot count as a major class. If a C- is received in 4010, 4020 or 5900, you must retake the course and earn a C or better. If the C- is received in a 4100-level or higher course, or a major related course, you may take a different course as long as it's approved for the area on your degree audit report.
5. What happens if I take the same class twice?
   Repeating a class does not replace the original grade; both grades appear on your transcript. If you receive a grade of C or better, repeating exposes you to the risk of receiving a lower grade, in which case you must take the course a third time, because all grade requirements can be satisfied only by the last grade earned.
6. Is there a web site where I can find out more about the plus/minus grading system?
   Yes.
7. How do I know if a course will be offered next semester if it isn't listed on OASIS?
   You can see all of our offerings for a given semester on the Schedule of Classes, which is updated every night.
8. When is the last day to register without incurring a late fee?
   For registration dates and payment information, consult the Bursar's Office.
9. What if I have a hardship during the semester and need to withdraw from classes?
   Consult Student Support Services. The support services staff can assist you in weighing your options and taking the appropriate action.
10. Can I finish my senior thesis if I no longer live in Athens?
    Yes. Contact the academic advisor to be cleared to register for ECON 5900. If you learn before the withdrawal deadline that you cannot complete the course, be sure to withdraw to avoid receiving a WF.
11. What should I do if I haven't been enrolled in over a year?
    You must apply for re-admission as a former undergraduate. Talk with someone in the Admissions Office in Terrell Hall, or check its application information page. for more information. Your academic advisor can advise you before you apply if you'd like. Once you receive your acceptance notification, you should contact your academic advisor to be cleared to register for classes. If you are unable to take classes in the semester that you are re-admitted, you should contact the Admissions Office to move your start date to the next semester to avoid the application process again.

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