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Economics students at Stanford University now have more options in pursuing their degrees. The Department of Economics, part of the School of Humanities and Sciences, has introduced a Bachelor of Science degree alongside a revised Bachelor of Arts program. Students can also pursue certificates in business economics, environmental economics, data science, and finance.

Christopher Makler, an advanced lecturer in economics and associate director of undergraduate studies, explained the motivation behind these changes: “We recognize that economics is a big major. It has a lot of different people who choose it for a lot of different reasons, and we want to serve all of those constituencies in the way that is best for them.”

The Bachelor of Arts degree now requires MATH 20: Calculus or equivalent AP scores instead of MATH 51: Linear Algebra, Multivariable Calculus, and Modern Applications. ECON 50: Economic Analysis I will cover necessary multivariable calculus topics.

B. Douglas Bernheim, chairing the curriculum update committee and serving as director of undergraduate studies in the department, noted that MATH 51 was challenging for some students interested in qualitative aspects. “We don’t need them to get through MATH 51 unless they are going in the direction of the more ‘quant’ jobs – in which case we actually want them to have more math,” he said.

The new BS degree's core requirements include courses like MATH 115: Functions of a Real Variable; STATS 117: Theory of Probability; CS 106B: Programming Abstractions; along with math-intensive economics courses such as econometrics and game theory.

A new version called ECON 50Q: Economic Analysis I (Quantitative) debuted this quarter. This course involves attending separate sections with additional quantitative problem sets and exams compared to ECON 50.

Bernheim stated both BA and BS programs allow exploration through field courses on topics like environmental markets and international trade but emphasized differences between them: “Neither is a better degree; they’re just different degrees.”

Students can earn certificates by completing specific coursework with grades C or better across four areas—business economics being one example involving classes from multiple schools within Stanford University.

These updates respond to growing interest areas within economics. Bernheim highlighted demand for business/finance applications while noting increased focus on data science allowing computer-focused data work related to economic questions along with environmental sustainability issues addressed via collaborations across university departments including Stanford Doerr School Sustainability Faculty offerings fulfilling certificate requirements reflecting broadening student interests towards exploring economically robust ways increasing environmentally sustainable practices amid wider societal concerns globally today!

“Students who are curious about exploring economics will discover that the major now offers greater flexibility for fashioning a program study matching their interests career objectives,” said Bernheim regarding opportunities presented through two-degree paths plus accompanying certifications facilitating specialization conveyance during job/graduate school application processes alike overall enhancing educational experience benefits received ultimately achieved here moving forward accordingly under current ongoing circumstances prevailing contemporarily speaking throughout world around us too similarly simultaneously!

For further details on degree programs' requirements visit department website contact student services officer Allana Karstetter at allanak@stanford.edu.