Route 1: The Standard Route
A total of 12 Economics courses that include:
-- 2 Introductory Economics Courses
Econ 1110: Introductory Microeconomics
Econ 1120: Introductory Macroeconomics
Note: Placement credit for Introductory courses (via AP, IB, etc) counts toward the total of 12
Economics courses (placement credit must appear on your Cornell transcript).
-- 2 Intermediate Economics Courses
Econ 3030: Intermediate Microeconomic Theory
Econ 3040: Intermediate Macroeconomic Theory
-- 2 Courses on Statistics and Econometrics
Econ 3110: Probability Models and Inference for the Social Sciences
Econ 3120: Applied Econometrics
or Econ 3130: Statistics and Probability
Econ 3140: Econometrics
-- 6 Advanced Economics Electives, at least 3 at the 4000-level or above, and at least 1 numbered 4900-4989.
Route 2: The Accelerated-Core Route
Note: You should pursue this route only if you have a very strong mathematical background and a
readiness to move more quickly through the material covered in the Introductory and Intermediate
Courses.
A total of 12 Economics courses that include:
-- 2 Accelerated Core Courses (cover Introductory and Intermediate in one semester)
Econ 3010: Accelerated Microeconomics
Econ 3020: Accelerated Macroeconomics
-- 2 Courses on Statistics and Econometrics
Econ 3110: Probability Models and Inference for the Social Sciences
Econ 3120: Applied Econometrics
or Econ 3130: Statistics and Probability
Econ 3140: Econometrics
-- 8 Advanced Economics Electives, at least 3 at the 4000-level or above, and at least 1 numbered 4900-4989.
Route 3: The NOT-Recommended Route
Note: Some students decide to skip the Introductory courses and jump straight into the Intermediate
courses. We strongly encourage you NOT to do this. However, we list this route to clarify its
implications.
A total of 12 Economics courses that include:
-- 2 Intermediate Economics Courses
Econ 3030: Intermediate Microeconomic Theory
Econ 3040: Intermediate Macroeconomic Theory
-- 2 Courses on Statistics and Econometrics
Econ 3110: Probability Models and Inference for the Social Sciences
Econ 3120: Applied Econometrics
or Econ 3130: Statistics and Probability
Econ 3140: Econometrics
-- 8 Advanced Economics Electives, at least 3 at the 4000-level or above, and at least 1 numbered 4900-4989.
Statistics & Econometrics
You have two options for your Statistics and Econometrics sequence:
Econ 3110: Probability Models and Inference for the Social Sciences (Fall & Spring)
Econ 3120: Applied Econometrics (Fall & Spring)
or Econ 3130: Statistics and Probability (Fall only)
Econ 3140: Econometrics (Spring only)
The two sequences cover roughly the same set of topics, and they use the same statistical computing packages.
However, Econ 3110-3120 provides a more applied treatment, while Econ 3130-3140 provides a more
advanced/theoretical treatment. (Note that Econ 3130-3140 requires Math 1120.) Many students should choose
the more applied treatment (Econ 3110-3120). However, students with stronger mathematical backgrounds, and
especially students who plan to pursue graduate study in economics, should take the more advanced/theoretical
treatment (Econ 3130-3140).
We recommend that you take these courses relatively early in your time at Cornell, pursuing one of the
following options:
-- Freshman Spring & Sophomore Fall (Econ 3110-3120 only)
-- Sophomore Fall & Sophomore Spring (either Econ 3110-3120 or Econ 3130-3140)
-- Sophomore Spring & Junior Fall (Econ 3110-3120 only)
-- Junior Fall & Junior Spring (either Econ 3110-3120 or Econ 3130-3140)
What to take Freshman year?
If you arrive at Cornell without any Economics placement credit:
(1) Take Introductory Economics, Econ 1110-1120.
(2) Possibly take the Accelerated-Core Courses, Econ 3010-3020, but only if you have a very strong
mathematical background and a readiness to move more quickly through the material covered in the
Introductory and Intermediate Courses.
If you arrive at Cornell with placement credit for Econ 1110-1120:
(1) Take a Math course --- it’s a good way to make the transition to college courses.
Math 1110 is required for the Economics Major.
Math 1120 or higher level courses can be useful for the Economics Major.
(2) Possibly take the Intermediate Courses, Econ 3030-3040, but be prepared for an intensive course that is
populated primarily by sophomores and juniors --- it might be worth delaying these courses until at least
your freshman spring to give yourself a chance to acclimate to college courses.
(3) Possibly forgo your Economics placement credit and take Introductory Economics at Cornell.