Program Requirements
- Total Units Required: 54
- Grade Requirement: All courses in the major (including MATH and SDS courses) must be completed with the letter grade option, and a grade of at least C– must be earned in each.
The College of Arts & Sciences and the McKelvey School of Engineering have developed a major that allows students interested in both economics and computer science to combine these two complementary disciplines efficiently, without having to pursue them as two separate majors.
Engineering students who declare this major must fulfill the distribution requirements and all other requirements for the BS in Applied Science degree in the McKelvey School of Engineering. Arts & Sciences students who declare this major must fulfill the distribution requirements and all other requirements for a BA degree in addition to the specific requirements listed below. Students pursuing this major through Arts & Sciences (i.e., BA major or second major) may earn the Financial Economics Specialization in conjunction with the major.
Required Courses
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| CSE 1301 | Introduction to Computer Science | 3 |
| CSE 2400 | Logic and Discrete Mathematics | 3 |
| or MATH 3010 | Foundations for Higher Mathematics | |
| or MATH 3015 | Foundations for Higher Mathematics With Writing | |
| CSE 2407 | Data Structures and Algorithms | 3 |
| CSE 3407 | Analysis of Algorithms | 3 |
| ECON 1501 | Introduction to Microeconomics | 3 |
| or MEC 2900 | Microeconomics | |
| ECON 1502 | Introduction to Macroeconomics | 3 |
| or MEC 2920 | Global Economics | |
| ECON 3150 | Introduction to Econometrics | 3 |
| or ECON 4150 | Introduction to Econometrics With Writing | |
| ECON 4001 | Intermediate Microeconomic Theory | 3 |
| MATH 1510 | Calculus I (AP credit may satisfy this requirement) | 3-4 |
| or MATH 1515 | Calculus I With Foundations | |
| MATH 1520 | Calculus II (AP credit may satisfy this requirement) | 3 |
| MATH 2130 | Calculus III | 3 |
| SDS 3020 | Elementary to Intermediate Statistics and Data Analysis * | 3 |
| or SDS 3030 | Statistics for Data Science I | |
| or ESE 3260 | Probability and Statistics for Engineering | |
- *
Of these options, SDS 3020 is the preferred course.
Elective Courses
- Three 3-unit economics electives drawn from any ECON 4001 prerequisite course, including ECON 4002.
- Three 3-unit computer science electives drawn from the list below:
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| CSE 2107 | Introduction to Data Science | 3 |
| CSE 3101 | Introduction to Intelligent Agents Using Science Fiction | 3 |
| CSE 3104 | Data Manipulation and Management | 3 |
| CSE 3300 | Rapid Prototype Development and Creative Programming | 3 |
| CSE 3302 | Object-Oriented Software Development Laboratory | 3 |
| CSE 3401 | Parallel and Sequential Algorithms | 3 |
| CSE 4001 | Independent Study | varies; max 3 |
| CSE 4061 | Text Mining | 3 |
| CSE 4101 | AI and Society | 3 |
| CSE 4102 | Introduction to Artificial Intelligence | 3 |
| CSE 4106 | Data Science for Complex Networks | 3 |
| CSE 4107 | Introduction to Machine Learning | 3 |
| or ESE 4170 | Introduction to Machine Learning and Pattern Classification | |
| CSE 4205 | Programming Systems and Languages | 3 |
| CSE 4207 | Cloud Computing With Big Data Applications | 3 |
| CSE 4305 | Database Management Systems | 3 |
| CSE 4507 | Introduction to Visualization | 3 |
| CSE 5104 | Data Mining | 3 |
| CSE 5107 | Machine Learning | 3 |
| CSE 5108 | Human-In-The-Loop Computation | 3 |
| CSE 5403 | Algorithms for Nonlinear Optimization | 3 |
| CSE 5507 | Advanced Visualization | 3 |
Additional Information
- In rare cases, and with preapproval from both Economics and Computer Science, majors may receive 3 units of major credit for an elective outside of those listed above. Students must receive preapproval for such a course before enrollment, and approval will only be granted for courses that are in the spirit of the joint major.
- No credit is awarded in the major from the AP Microeconomics exam or the AP Macroeconomics exam. Students who have a score of 5 on the corresponding AP exam may elect to bypass ECON 1501 and/or ECON 1502, but any bypassed units must be made up with preapproved elective credit in Computer Science or Economics. In Economics, this preapproved elective credit may be at the 3000 or 4000 level.
- AP credit (and back credit) for MATH 1510 and/or MATH 1520 is accepted in the major.
- Please refer to McKelvey's Policies & Procedures for more information about credit for test scores and college credit prior to matriculation to Washington University.
Study Abroad
- Majors selecting an approved study abroad program (for one semester) may receive transfer credit for ECON 3150 Introduction to Econometrics. Note: Many study abroad programs in Europe do not offer the equivalent of ECON 3150 Introduction to Econometrics in the spring semester. A grade of C (or higher) is required in study abroad coursework. Preapproval from the Economics department's study abroad advisor is required.
- Majors selecting an approved study abroad program (for one semester) may receive transfer credit for one economics elective. A grade of C (or higher) is required in study abroad coursework. Preapproval from the Economics department's study abroad advisor is required.
- Majors selecting an approved study abroad program (for one semester) may receive transfer credit for up to two Computer Science electives. A grade of C (or higher) is required in study abroad coursework. Preapproval from a McKelvey School of Engineering's study abroad advisor is required. Majors should review the McKelvey School of Engineering's transfer course approval process and refer to the Transfer Course Equivalency Database.
- Majors selecting an approved study abroad program for a full year of study will be handled on a case-by-case basis in terms of meeting major degree requirements.
Transfer Credit
- Majors may receive a maximum of 6 units of transfer credit from other colleges/universities to replace ECON 1501 Introduction to Microeconomics and/or ECON 1502 Introduction to Macroeconomics. A minimum grade of C– must be earned. This policy is distinct from studying in an approved study abroad/study away program. Consult with the Department of Economics' academic coordinator, as needed.
- Transfer credit for computer science, mathematics, and probability/statistics courses is approved by the respective departments and is accepted by the Department of Economics for major credit.
Additional Departmental Requirements
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| CWP 150X - College Writing | 3 | |
| Natural Sciences electives | 8 | |
| Humanities and Social Sciences electives | 18 | |
The College Writing Program, humanities, and social sciences requirements are those required of all students in the McKelvey School of Engineering.
The natural sciences requirement is for 8 units designated NSM (Natural Sciences and Mathematics) from any of the following departments: Anthropology; Biology; Chemistry; Earth, Environmental, and Planetary Sciences; Environmental Studies; or Physics. The College Writing Program and natural sciences courses must be completed with a grade of C– or better.
All courses taken to meet any of the above requirements (with the exception of the humanities and social sciences electives) cannot be taken on a Pass/No Pass basis.