Program FAQs
Major Requirements
Can I take ECON classes (or Math classes) Pass/No Pass for my major?
All classes taken to meet major requirements must be taken for a letter grade. This applies to both upper and lower division requirements; both required Math classes and required ECON classes.
The only exception to this rule is ECON 195, 198, and 199 which are only offered with the pass/no pass grading option. No more than 12 units total of these classes may be applied towards your major; no more than eight units of ECON 195 may be applied.
Can I get a D in a course and use it for my major
Classes must be passed with a C-(C minus) or better to be applied towards major requirements. If you received a D in a course you would not be able to use the course towards your major.
I took all or part of the Math 10A-B-C sequence and now I want to be a Management Science major. What can I do?
Transfers between the Math 10 and Math 20 sequences are possible, but such transfers should be carefully discussed with a Math advisor. Students who begin the Math 10 sequence and who wish to transfer to the Math 20 sequence may follow one of three paths:
- Follow Math 10A with Math 20A, with two units of credit given for Math 20A. This option is not available if the student has credit for Math 10B or Math 10C.
- Follow Math 10B with Math 20B, receiving two units of credit for Math 20B.
- Follow Math 10C with Math 20B, receiving two units of credit for Math 20B and two units of credit for Math 20C.
Credit is not given for courses taken simultaneously from the Math 10 and the Math 20 sequence. If you have any questions about these paths, please contact the Math Advising Office.
How do I declare or change my major to Economics?
The Department of Economics does not require department approval to declare any of the three majors we offer, Economics (EN25), Management Science (EN26) and Joint Mathematics-Economics (EN28).If you want to declare or change your major, see Triton Link.
If I already have a B.A. or B.S. can I earn a second bachelor's degree at UC San Diego?
Students with a bachelor's degree should consider applying to graduate programs. Please contact the Office of Graduate Studies for information on graduate programs offered at UC San Diego.
Can I take classes after receiving my undergraduate degree?
No. Once you have received your degree, your undergraduate record is officially closed. You can take UC San Diego Summer Sessions courses, but these appear on a separate record and are not included with your undergraduate work. You can also take UC San Diego Extension courses because they maintain their own student records.
If I still have requirements that I'll be taking in summer, can I participate in commencement?
You will need to speak with your college academic advisor.
Minors Requirements
How do I declare a minor in Economics or Management Science?
If you want to declare a minor, see Triton Link .
Can I be both a major and minor within the Department?
No. You would not be able to major and minor within the Department.
Can I overlap classes to fulfill both my major and minor requirements?
Lower-division classes can apply to both your major and your minor. Upper-division courses cannot apply to both your major and your minor.
Can I take ECON classes Pass/No Pass for my minor? If I take classes for a letter grade, can I get a D in a course?
You are able to take classes for our two minors pass/no pass. There are some things to be aware of when choosing your grading option:
- If there is any chance (however slim) that you would eventually declare one of the majors within the Department of Economics, then you should take the classes for a letter grade as all classes taken to meet major requirements must be taken for a letter grade and passed with a C- or better.
- No more than 25% of your total UC San Diego courses may be taken pass/no pass.
- For minors declared Fall 2009 and later: if courses are taken for a letter grade, passing is considered a C- (C minus) or better.
- For minors declared prior to Fall 2009: Grades of D are accepted to fulfill our minor requirements. A grade of pass is awarded for work which otherwise would receive a grade of C- or better. Therefore, if you took a class pass/no pass and received a D for the course, you would be given a "no pass" and the class would not be accepted for your minor requirements.
- If you are looking at using the class to fulfill some other requirement, graduate school, job requirements, etc. pass/no pass grades may not be accepted.
- If your college requires that you complete a minor (program of concentration, etc.) or you are using these classes to also complete college requirements, you will need to check with your college academic advising office to ensure that they do not have rules about the grading options for those classes.
Economics Courses
I have questions about the grade that was assigned in my course, what can I do?
Begin by consulting with your professor and Teaching Assistant(s). If you need further assistance, consult with the Vice Chair of Undergraduate Studies, Professor Melissa Famulari.
I haven't completed the prerequisites for a class. Can I still enroll in it? Can I take the prerequisite class at the same time?
All prerequisites for Economics classes must be complete before you will be allowed to take the class. Unless the current year's catalog states that you can take a prerequisite course concurrently with another course, you can't do it. The most recent version of the UCSD General Catalog contains a list of all our courses and their prerequisites.
I'm having problems registering for an ECON class because of prerequisites, but I know I have completed them. What can I do?
If you've been with the Department for a quarter or two, you may recognize the infamous "transfer credit"; problem. For example, there may be problems with the system recognizing Math AP exams. If you are having problems with prerequisites when registering for classes we may be able to help. You can come in and meet with an advisor during our advising hours or send an email to econugadvisor@ucsd.edu. If you choose to send an e-mail please include your name, PID#, and the class(es) for which you are having problems registering.
When and where can I pick up my final exam?
Finals with signed Buckley waivers are located in filing cabinets on the second floor of the Economics Building outside of Rm. 204. We try to have these finals available no later than one week after the end of finals week.
Finals without signed Buckley waivers are available in our office Sequoyah Hall, Rm. 245, during our office hours, and can be picked up with a photo ID. Due to the large number of students in our office seeking advising, these finals are not available for pickup until the second week of the quarter.
Finals are available for one quarter after you took the class. For example, Fall finals will be available until the Friday of the tenth week of classes of the Winter quarter.
If your final is not located in the file cabinets, or in our office, you will need to contact your instructor or Teaching Assistant.
Exceptions/Petitions
How do I get transfer credits from another school for my major or minor?
- Send an official transcript for the transfer course sent to UCSD Admissions.
- Complete an Undergraduate Student Petition once the class is posted to your Academic History on Triton Link.Petitons can also be picked up in our office or at your college academic advising office.
- Submit a separate petition for each course if you are petitioning more than one class.
- Include supporting documents such as syllabi, exams, class notes, papers, etc.
- Submit it to one of your Economics advisors during advising hours.
- Wait for e-mail confirmation that the petition has been processed and is ready for pick up (approximately one to two weeks).
View a sample filled out petition (PDF).
How do I request exceptions to University deadlines (late add, late/retroactive withdrawal with or without a ‘W’, change of grading option, etc) to adjust my schedule after the deadline?
Complete an Undergraduate Student Petition and submit it to our office. Please note that exceptions to the published University deadlines are usually granted only in circumstances beyond your control (computer error, hospitalization, etc). Documentation is strongly recommended.
