Economics Research

Faculty-mentored independent research projects

Research is an important part of the intellectual life in the Economics Department. Each year, our students and faculty - working individually and together - produce a number of interesting papers, reports, articles, and books.

Here you have many opportunities to conduct research:

• Research projects as part of course work. Some of our 200-level courses and most of the 300-level seminars require research papers. In econometrics (Econ 220), you will write at least one empirical research paper applying the statistical methods learned in the class.
• Independent study. You can explore a one-semester independent project (Econ 295 or 395) under the supervision of a faculty member. An honors thesis is a year-long independent study often starting with our Senior Thesis Seminar (Econ 394). The class begins their research project together while studying how to do research in more depth. Working with a faculty advisor you would complete your project in the spring.
• Collaboration on faculty research. Sometimes this collaboration results in co-authored publications. There are also a number of outlets for undergraduate student research.
• Summer research. You can get involved in research during a summer internships, whether at the Federal Reserve, an NGO, a company or as your own research project. Just like a research paper for a class, research during the summer often  leads to subsequent independent study.