The Senior Essay

Undergraduate

The senior essay is an opportunity for a student to engage in independent economic research. The essay should not be merely a review of the literature, but must contain original research and/or analysis aimed at examining a hypothesis using the tools of economics. The essay can be theoretical, empirical or computational. The senior essays that receive A’s and are awarded prizes are typically those that use economics tools (and, where appropriate, data) to offer fresh insights on questions. The senior essay is optional, but it is required for consideration for Distinction in the Major (for both Economics and Econ&Math). Students enrolling in this one-term course need to find an advisor. There are no page requirements or formatting requirements. 1 credit for Yale College students Two econometrics courses (or ECON 135 plus one econometrics course). The second econometrics course can be taken Cr/D/F, and can be taken in the fall of senior year. The econometrics courses that qualify are only ECON 117, ECON 123 and ECON 136, in addition to 400-level applied econometrics courses (ECON 419, ECON 438 and ECON 439). HTBA