Frequently Asked Questions
Basic Advising
How can I register as or change an economics major or minor?
Please see the Undergraduate section of our website under Forms and Registration.
Who can I contact for help?
The primary contacts for undergraduate students are:
Undergraduate Secretary, (541) 346-1260, economics@uoregon.edu
Bill Harbaugh, Advisor for students whose last names begin with L-Z. Director of Undergraduate Studies, (541) 346-1244, harbaugh@uoregon.edu
Tim Duy, Advisor for students who last names begin with A-K. Assistant Director of Undergraduate Studies, (541) 346-4660, duy@uoregon.edu
How can I see an advisor?
The Director of Undergraduate Studies has regular office hours, available on the door at the Economics Office in PLC435. If you have a time conflict with those office hours, please email the advisor. Most of the time, your questions can be answered via email. Please include your student ID # in your emails. If the advisor believes an appointment is necessary, they will set a mutually convenient time.
I just registered as an economics major. Do I need to visit an advisor?
You only need to contact an advisor if you have questions about your degree audit or related advising issues.
What classes are necessary for the Economics degree?
The basic requirements are:
Math Block
Math 241/51, Math 242/52 and Math 243
Introductory Economics
EC201 and EC202
Intermediate Core Economics
EC311 and EC313
Econometrics
EC320 and EC421
Electives (28 credits total, of which at least 20 must be at the 400 level)
EC3xx/4xx
EC3xx/4xx
EC4xx, EC4xx, EC4xx, EC4xx, and EC4xx
Example of a typical four year plan:
| Year 1 FALL | Year 1 WINTER | Year 1 SPRING |
| MATH111 | MATH241 | MATH242 |
| AL | EC201 | EC202 |
| SSC | AL | SSC |
| WR121 | WR122/123 | AL |
| Year 2 FALL | Year 2 WINTER | Year 2 SPRING |
| MATH243 | EC313 | EC320 |
| EC311 | MC | MC |
| SC | AL | SC |
| SSC | SC | Elective/Second Major/Minor |
| Year 3 FALL | Year 3 WINTER | Year 3 SPRING |
| EC4xx/3xx | EC421 | EC4xx |
| Elective/Second Major/Minor | EC4xx/3xx | Elective/Second Major/Minor |
| Elective/Second Major/Minor | Elective/Second Major/Minor | Elective/Second Major/Minor |
| Elective/Second Major/Minor | Elective/Second Major/Minor | Elective/Second Major/Minor |
| Year 4 FALL | Year 4 WINTER | Year 4 SPRING |
| EC4xx | EC4xx | EC4xx |
| Elective/Second Major/Minor | EC4xx | Elective/Second Major/Minor |
| Elective/Second Major/Minor | Elective/Second Major/Minor | Elective/Second Major/Minor |
| Elective/Second Major/Minor | Elective/Second Major/Minor | Elective/Second Major/Minor |
AL = Arts and Letters Group
SSC = Social Science Group
SC = Science Group
MC = Multicultural
Please refer to Academic Advising for the most recent University of Oregon graduation requirements. And check your degree audit each term to ensure that you remain on track to graduation.
All classes must be passed with a grade of C- or better. All classes must be taken for a grade. THIS RULE APPLIES EVEN IF YOU WERE NOT AN ECONOMICS MAJOR WHEN YOU TOOK THE CLASS. The only exception is classes offered only p/np, of which nor more than 8 credits can be applied to the economics major. The basic rule is that if you can take the class for a grade, you must take it for a grade.
Progress worksheets are available here.
Majors are encouraged to take only 400 level electives. Alternative, more challenging options are available. Please contact Economics Department Office for further details.
Why do we require that all classes are taken for a grade?
To ensure that our students are putting forth their best effort, and to maintain comparability between students (differentiate between students who earn high gpa’s and those who manage their gpa’s with p/np classes).
I took a required class p/np, and now the class is not showing up on my degree audit. What can I do to fix this?
Please contact the Director of Undergraduate Studies. As a general rule, you will be required to either retake the class or replace the class with an additional, graded class.
What is a shadow grade?
A shadow grade is evidence that a passing grade would have been earned in a class had the student taken it for a grade rather than p/np. The Economics Department does not allow shadow grades to complete graduation requirements. In other words, we do not track shadow grades.
I am about to graduate, but my Degree Audit says that I have not completed graduation requirements. What do I do?
In most cases, you have not completed the appropriate requirements and will need to take additional classes. Please contact the Undergraduate Director for specific, missing requirements. Students are encouraged to frequently check their Degree Audit to prevent unhappy surprises.
Do I need to complete a concentration?
No. Concentrations are only suggestions that some students may find helpful for academic and career planning. We do not track concentrations and concentrations are not identified on your transcript or diploma. You may, however, list concentrations on your resume or curriculum vitae.
I did not pass Math 243. Can I retake Math 243 at the same time I take EC320?
You must satisfactorily complete all prerequisites prior to taking EC 320 or any other class.
I am a transfer student, and my classes did not transfer correctly to the University of Oregon. How can I get the appropriate transfer?
Please email the syllabus or course description of the class in question to the Director of Undergraduate Studies. Please include your student ID#. IT IS YOUR RESPONSIBILTY TO LOCATE THIS INFORMATION BEFORE YOU CONTACT THE DIRECTOR. He or she will not track down this information for you. The Director will determine the appropriate transfer equivalency.
I am planning to attend another school in the US or to study abroad. How can I learn how classes abroad will transfer to the University of Oregon?
First, please see if the school and class already have a transfer equivalency at the following website:
http://registrar.uoregon.edu/tce/
If the class is not listed, then please email the syllabus or course description of the class in question to the Director of Undergraduate Studies. Please include your student ID#. IT IS YOUR RESPONSIBILTY TO LOCATE THIS INFORMATION BEFORE YOU CONTACT THE DIRECTOR. He or she will not track down this information for you. The Director will determine the appropriate transfer equivalency.
Remember, it is your responsibility to make sure that classes from other institutions transfer to the University of Oregon in a timely manner.
I am a transfer student, and I have taken all the prerequisites for a class, but cannot register because my grades have not yet transferred to the University of Oregon. How can I register?
Please contact your advisor with evidence – such as a transcript – that you have completed the prerequisite courses. They will then clear you to register.
I need to have a form completed by the Director of Undergraduate Studies. How can I contact the Director?
The Director of Undergraduate Studies has regular office hours, available at the Economics Office in PLC435. If you have a time conflict with those office hours, please email the Director of Undergraduate Studies. Please include your student ID # in your emails. If the Director believes an appointment is necessary, they will set a mutually convenient time.
Remember, while we attempt to respond in a timely fashion, your emergency is not our emergency. Please plan appropriately.
