Comp Sci / Econ Combined Major?

Hey guys, I’m an incoming freshman with some questions. I know cs/business exists, but what about cs/econ? I’ve heard that you can create your own major, but do people actually do that? I love economics and feel like this combination suits me better because it leaves open the option of getting an econ PhD. My thought process is that in undergrad you should delve into your interests, and if I don’t take the PhD route, I can always go back and learn business skills through an MBA. Appreciate any help/advice!

It really is possible, but the level of difficulty usually depends on the colleges you are combining with - CS and Business are both very picky about the classes needed, for good reason. It is certainly worth trying - I wouldn’t be surprised if this is already in the works behind the scenes. It’s also possible it was tried and found incompatible.

Talk to Dean Rasala - he will be able to tell you if it’s possible and help make the major if it is.

You could easily do an econ minor with your CS major - see page 8 of this PDF - http://www.northeastern.edu/cssh/economics/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2014/08/Undergraduate-Handbook-2015-16.pdf

However, I would strongly recommend if you want to go to graduate school to study econ that you take econometrics as one of your electives. I suggest speaking with Prof Simon of the econ department - listed in the document - he is in charge of econ minors etc.

I have been told that the econ department majors will be redesigned for the 2016-17 year and so you will need to get the latest information in the fall. They are trying to make the econ degrees more math heavy so that majors are better prepared for the math required in Econ grad programs.

Or you would do it the other way around - econ major with CS minor -

check out that information here -
http://www.ccis.northeastern.edu/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/CCIS_Meaningful_Minors_Integrative.pdf
and here
http://www.ccis.northeastern.edu/current-students/undergraduate/ccis-meaningful-minors/

sounds like this could be pretty tailored to your needs

I have en even better idea - regardless of what your official major is - freshman year (over fall and spring) take CS Fundies 1 and 2, take Econ intro to micro and macro, calc for engineers (1&2 or 2&3 depending upon your AP) and then fill in the other two slots with either english or other electives.

Then after freshman year you will have good idea of whether you like CS and/or Econ and can plan the rest of your college accordingly.