Current Majors

DEPARTMENTAL HONORS

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I get honors?

In addition to completing the major requirements, an honors student must, by the time they graduate:

The level of honors (honors, high honors, highest honors) is determined by the GPA in your upper division major courses.

What’s the difference between H195A and H195B?
Econ H195A is a class designed to prepare students for writing a thesis, and developing a topic. It is the “how to write a thesis” class. It is not required in order to earn honors in the major. It is highly recommended. H195A is only offered in the Fall Semester. It must be taken on a pass/no pass basis. It does not count towards the major requirements.

Econ H195B is the writing of the thesis. It is independent study with a faculty supervisor. It can be taken either Pass/no pass or for a letter grade. If taken for three units and a letter grade, it can be used as an elective towards the major requirements. Students must receive a passing grade in this course in order to be eligible for honors.

How do I enroll in Econ H195A or H195B?
The enrollment forms are available in 543 Evans Hall. For H195A, you can turn in your form at any time; enrollment codes (CECs) will be given out in mid/late August. For H195B, you need to get the signature of your faculty supervisor, and turn the completed form in to 543 Evans Hall no later than the end of the third week of classes in the semester in which you wish to enroll.

Who can supervise my honors thesis? Can they set additional coursework requirements?
Any Economics Department faculty member can supervise honors theses. Additionally, faculty from Business or Agricultural and Resource Economics/Environmental Economics and Policy are eligible to supervise a thesis. It is at the faculty member’s discretion if they wish to set additional coursework requirements (for example, completion of Econometrics prior to the undertaking of the thesis writing).

What is the Departmental Citation? What is the Earl Rolph Memorial Prize?
The department awards the Earl Rolph Memorial Prize and the Departmental Citation to the top honors student during the yearly Commencement Ceremony held in May. The recipient of these awards is also asked to be the undergraduate speaker. The prize is based on both the honors thesis and student's overall academic performance.

Will “honors” be notated on my transcript or at graduation?
All honors students who have written a thesis by the time of the commencement ceremony are listed in the Commencement program, with the title of their thesis shown. The honors designation also appears on all transcripts and the UC diploma. Please note: if you are walking prior to writing your honors thesis, you will not be listed with the honors candidates in the commencement program.

What do I have to turn in? When is the deadline?
Honors students are required to turn in two copies of their theses: one bound copy to the Undergraduate Office for the departmental files and one copy to their thesis advisor(s). Fall semester theses are typically due by the first day of finals. Spring semester theses are usually due in late April. Students will also be asked to turn in an electronic copy to post on the departmental website.

Who should I talk to if I have questions?
You can talk to any economics faculty member, or stop by 543 Evans Hall for more information. Additionally, there are copies of prior semesters’ theses available online at http://emlab.berkeley.edu/econ/ugrad/theses/index.shtml