Mathematical Economics Major

This information is part of the Colgate University catalog, 2026-27.

The major is designed to encourage a student with strong interests in the two areas to develop a deeper understanding of economics by viewing it, in part, as an area of applied mathematics. This major should be considered seriously by all those intending to pursue graduate studies in economics, business, or quantitative social science, and also by those desiring a more flexible commitment to the major programs in these two departments. As its name suggests, the Mathematical Economics major is mathematically intense. Students declaring this major should possess a high level of aptitude in both mathematics and economics, and they should be prepared to apply advanced mathematical skills toward problems in economics.

Similar to the economics major, the mathematical economics major meets the classification as a STEM discipline according to the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) so that international students are eligible for a 24-month Optional Practical Training (OPT) extension.

Students who are considering graduate school in economics are strongly encouraged to take additional mathematics courses, including .

Major Requirements

The major consists of three mathematics courses and ten economics courses, consisting of the following:

All of the Following

  • ECON 151 - Introduction to Economics (prerequisite to all advanced ECON courses at the 200-400 level)
  • ECON 251 - Intermediate Microeconomics (must earn a grade of C or better)
  • ECON 252 - Intermediate Macroeconomics (must earn a grade of C or better)
  • ECON 375 - Applied Econometrics (must earn a grade of C or better)
    ECON 375 has two mathematics prerequisites, each of which can be satisfied in multiple ways:, , or ; or the equivalent international exam transfer credit (e.g., A-Levels, International Baccalaureate) or other transfer credit may be eligible for an exemption for MATH 161, per approval by the department chair. Students who have taken an equivalent course may petition the department chair for an exemption. or . Students who have taken an equivalent course (such as  or ) may petition the department chair for an exemption. Students with an equivalent international exam transfer credit (e.g., A-Levels, International Baccalaureate) or other transfer credit may be eligible for an exemption for MATH 105, per approval by the department chair.
  • MATH 163 - Calculus III (must earn a grade of C or better)
  • Two additional MATH courses ( or higher) chosen in consultation with the student's adviser
  • Two additional economics electives (excluding ), beyond the courses listed below. At least one of these electives must be numbered above 300.

Three of the Following

At least three of the following mathematically-oriented economics courses, in addition to those listed above:

Senior Seminar in Economics

  • A senior-level ECON seminar (at the 410 level or above). 
    • ECON 490 cannot be used to satisfy the seminar requirement except in unusual circumstances and with the permission of the department chair. 
    • If a student takes a seminar that is also a mathematically-oriented economics course then they need to take an additional 300-level elective to satisfy the requirement of ten economics classes.

Stipulations

  • Prospective majors should aim to complete ECON 151, ECON 251, ECON 252, statistics, and MATH 163 by the end of sophomore year, especially if they plan to study abroad during their junior year.
  • At least one of the ten economics courses must be a senior-level seminar (at the 410 level or above).
  • ECON 490 cannot be used to satisfy the seminar requirement except in unusual circumstances and with the permission of the department chair.

GPA Requirement

A minimum grade of C is required for , , , and  for the major. Satisfactory completion of the major requires a minimum GPA of 2.00 in the 13 courses in the major.

Honors and High Honors

Special rules apply to honors in mathematical economics.

Since the major also includes the requirements for an , special rules apply for honors. A mathematical economics major has two mutually exclusive options:

qualifying for honors or high honors in economics by satisfying the honors criteria for the economics major. Under the first option the student will receive the honors certification in economics as a mathematical economics major, or

qualifying for these honors in mathematical economics by satisfying the same criteria except that the departmental GPA is calculated for all 13 of the required courses.

Major Declaration

In order to declare the major, students must have first earned a grade of C or better in either  or . Students who declare a major while enrolled in one of these courses may file "provisional" major declarations.

Economics Department

For more information about the department, including Faculty, transfer credit, awards, etc., please visit the  catalog page.