Economics-Engineering Major

Option I: Claremont McKenna College and Harvey Mudd College

Students in this 5-year program, three at CMC and two at HMC, complete all CMC requirements for a full major in economics, as well as the requirements for a full major in engineering at HMC. Upon completion of all courses, students receive a Bachelor of Arts degree in economics and engineering from CMC, and a Bachelor of Science degree in engineering from HMC.

Students in the program spend the first three years (at least 24 courses) at Claremont McKenna College, where they complete all of CMC’s general education requirements, except for the senior thesis, all but three of the courses required for a major in economics, and several science and engineering courses. The science courses may be taken at Joint Science or at HMC; the engineering courses are taken at HMC. During the two years at HMC, students complete HMC’s general education requirements, the requirements for the major in engineering, and the remaining three elective courses in economics, including at least two level II elective courses. Some courses may be used for more than one requirement.

Under a joint admissions agreement, CMC students with a grade point average of 9.50 or higher, who have completed all required courses for the program during their years at CMC, are guaranteed admission to HMC. For admission to HMC, applicants may not have any grades below B- in mathematics and science courses, and no grade lower than C in other subjects. Interested students are expected to meet with the chair of the HMC Engineering Department and a HMC admission counselor before the end of the sophomore year. Deadline for application is February 1 of the junior year.

Students who plan to major in Economics and Engineering are expected to complete five (or more) courses per semester. New students may enroll in five courses during their first semester. Professor Higdon is the program advisor.

CMC Major Requirements

Majors complete the following courses while enrolled at CMC:

Option II: Claremont McKenna College and Certified Engineering Schools

Option II offers CMC students the option to obtain a bachelor of arts degree with a major in economics and engineering from CMC and a bachelor’s degree with a major in engineering from another engineering program. During the three years at CMC, students must complete all general education requirements, except for the senior thesis, and all requirements for the economics major. At the end of the junior year students transfer to an engineering school of their choice where they complete requirements for graduation with a major in engineering. Upon receipt of the degree from the engineering institution CMC students received their BA from CMC with a major in economics.

CMC Major Requirements

Majors complete the following courses while enrolled at CMC:

General Education Requirement Information for Economics and Engineering Majors

For the general education requirement in the social sciences and the humanities, Economics and Engineering majors must complete courses in three fields of the social sciences, including economics, together with courses in two of the four fields of the humanities (literature, philosophy, religious studies, and literature in a foreign language). For further information, see General Education Requirements in the Social Sciences and the Humanities for Science Majors .

Student Learning Outcomes of the Program in Economics-Engineering

When confronted with an unfamiliar physical system, our students should be able to:
1. Develop a framework for understanding the system by identifying the key physical principles underlying the system.
2. Translate the conceptual framework into an appropriate mathematical format.
a. If the equations are analytically tractable, carry out the analysis of the problem to completion or
b. If equations are not tractable, develop a computer code and/or use standard software to numerically simulate the model system.
3. Analyze and assess the reasonableness of the answers obtained.
4. Communicate their findings either verbally and/or via written expression.

In a laboratory setting, students should be able to:
5. Demonstrate a working familiarity with standard laboratory equipment.
6. Identify and appropriately address the sources of error in their experiment.
7. Have proficiency with standard methods of data analysis.