Boal's ECON 199
Frequently Asked Questions

What is ECON 199?

ECON 199 is independent study with an economics professor, and carries a maximum of 3 hours' credit. In most cases, students write a 10 to 20-page paper for 1 hour credit. ECON 199 is graded on the usual undergraduate scale (A, B, C, D, F).

Completing an "independent study" requires initiative and effort, but most students enjoy the opportunity to pursue their own particular interests and to do original research. Examples of excellent ECON 199 papers are posted at www.drake.edu/cbpa/econ/capstone.html.

Who must take ECON 199?

ECON 199 is the Drake Curriculum Capstone for the BA in Economics or Quantitative Economics. Students earning a BA degree in Economics must take ECON 199, normally in their senior year. Students earning a BA degee in Quantitative Economics must take either ECON 199 or MATH 195.

The Capstone for the BSBA degree is BUS 195, so students earning a BSBA do not need to take ECON 199. However, BSBA students (and other students who have taken at least ECON 1 or 2) may also take ECON 199 if they can find an economics professor who has time to supervise them.

How does one register for ECON 199?

ECON 199 may be taken in any term. Registration for ECON 199 need not be done at the same time as registration for other classes, but should be completed before the first week of classes. Here are the steps.

1. Find a professor who is willing and able to supervise you. Choose a professor who teaches a course related to your topic.
2. Discuss your topic with the professor. Agree on a schedule of one-on-one meetings and on a timeline for completion of your paper.
3. Obtain an "Independent Study" form in the CBPA Undergraduate Office, 208 Aliber Hall.
4. Complete the form. The title of your project should be "Economics Capstone Paper."
5. Get the professor's signature, and submit the completed form in 208 Aliber Hall.

What are Professor Boal's policies regarding ECON 199?

Professor Boal normally supervises only students who are writing empirical papers (that is, papers involving regression analysis). Students must have completed STAT 72 or STAT 142 or ECON 107.

Professor Boal supervises students completing a BA in Economics or a BA in Quantitative Economics in any term. He supervises other students only in the summer term.

Professor Boal prefers to meet with students at least once a month. By the second month, descriptive statistics and initial regression estimates should be ready. By the third month, a proof-read draft paper should be submitted. For one hour credit, the paper should be approximately 10 pages in length, but quality is more important than quantity. For ease of discussion, pages, sections, equations, figures, and tables must all be numbered.