Freshmen Orientation

UP School of Economicsthe school of choice A Freshman Orientationby the SE Undergraduate Committee 9 May 2012112OutlineThe UPSE Why an economics major? Overview of the BS Economics and BS Business Economics curriculaThe UP Grading SystemRules on scholastic delinquencyRules on graduation and graduating with honorsOther important notes

2University of the Philippines School of Economics (UPSE)The UPSE provides instruction leading to undergraduate and graduate degrees in economics.Its Ph.D. program has an international reputation and its faculty has the countrys largest concentration of economics Ph.D.s, including two National Scientist and two Academicians. Nobel laureates, such as Simon Kuznets, Paul Krugman, and Douglass North, and other world-renowned economists, have lectured at the School. After 43 years of dedicated pursuit of excellence in the fields of teaching, research and public service, the UPSE has produced some of the countrys prime movers in government, business, civil society and academia.

33Economics: the Just Right Liberal-Arts Major[Employers] want students who can think, communicate orally, write, and solve problems, and who are comfortable with quantitative analysis. They do not expect colleges to provide students with specific training in business skills. The economics major provides the appropriate middle ground of skill preparation, analytic rigor, and intellectual excitement that students look for in a major, and that employers look for when hiring students.

Colander, David, March 2009 (http://middlebury.edi/~econ)44Undergraduate ProgramsThe SE baccalaureate programs are designed to provide students with the basic tools of economic analysis, including quantitative methods, enabling students to think and communicate clearly about problems and issues, and preparing them for a wide range of jobs and graduate school options.

BS Economics: A flexible liberal arts curriculum, which allows for an informal minor (30 units of free electives)BS Business Economics: Suitable for students who have, in effect, already chosen to minor in business management/administration. Focus on decision science. 55Undergraduate ProgramsBS Economics: 135 unitsBS Bus Economics: 135 unitsRGEP (8 required, including Econ 11, Math 17, and 7 free choices): 47 unitsMath 100, Math 102, Stat 101, PI 100, Accounting 1: 16 units Economics: 42 units (8 required; 5 electives)Free electives: 30 units (10 subjects)

RGEP (8 required, including Econ 11, Math 17, and 7 free choices): 47 units Math 100, Math 102, Stat 101, PI 100, Accounting 1: 16 unitsEconomics: 39 units (10 required; 2 electives)Business (M/F/B) subjects: 18 units (2 M; 1 F; 3 B)Free electives: 15 units (5 subjects)66The RGEP (Revitalized Generalized Education Program)Students must take 15 units in each of 3 domains for a total of 45 units (47 in our case), 6 units of which must be in Philippine Studies

The 3 domains:Arts and Humanities (reqd: Eng 10, Com3, Fil40)Social Sciences and Philosophy (reqd: Kas 1, Philo 1, Econ 11) Mathematics, Science, and Technology (reqd: STS, Math 17)[See http://www.upd.edu.ph/~ovcaa/rgep ]

77NotesKas 1 and Fil 40 satisfy Philippine Studies requirement

Do not take English 1, Math 2 unless you are identified for the Bridge Program.

You may take Math 1 (which is not listed in primer) 88Other requirements 8 units of (or 4 courses in) Physical Education

2 semesters of any one of the following National Service Training Program (NSTP) components:Reserve Officers Training Corps (ROTC)Civil Welfare Training Service (CWTS) for UPSE

99CWTSSemester 1: lectures by various resource persons; showing of socially relevant movies

Semester 2: 40 hours of public service; students are deployed to partner agencies (e.g., Gawad Kalinga, PGH); activities include tutorials for school children, development of library facilities in public schools1010For BSE: How about the 10 free electives? (of which 7 must have course code > 100)Option 1: Variety! Play the fieldOption 2: Anticipate a profession, e.g. Professional teacher? Environmental planner?Lawyer? Foreign Service Officer?Multilateral organization (UN)?Business sector?

NOTE: For BSBE, 3 electives must have course code > 100

1111Academic LoadTypically, subjects have 3 units each (3 hours per week)UP students are required to take a minimum of 15 units per semester Otherwise no honors. Please see UPD General Catalogue 2004-2010 p. 31 Overloading > curriculum units + 2. So, limits are Freshmen max of 19 unitsSophomores/Juniorsmax of 20 unitsSeniorsmax of 18 unitsGraduatingmax of 21 unitsTo overload, students need their advisers consent1212The UP Grading System1.0Excellent1.251.5Very Good1.752.0Good2.252.5Satisfactory2.753.0Pass

4.0Conditional5.0FailDRPDroppedINCIncomplete

1313Kwatro (4.0) means conditionalmay be removed by (i) successful repetition of the course or (ii) passing a re-examination within 1 academic year

if the student passes the re-examination, the student gets a grade of 3.0; otherwise, a 5.0

if the student does not remove the grade within 1 academic year, the grade of 4.0 becomes a 5.01414Inc Given to a student whose class standing is passing but fails to take the final examination or fails to complete other requirements of the subject due to valid reasons (e.g., illness)

The student has 1 academic year to complete the course requirements1515Important grade averagesWAG Weighted Average gradeWeighted average of all subjects taken that are credited in your curriculum.

EWA - Economics Weighted AverageWeighted average of all Economics subjects taken (excluding Economics 11).

1616University (General) Rule on Scholastic StandingA student is in good scholastic standing if at the end of the semester s/he obtains a final grade of 3 or higher in at least 75% of the total number of academic units in which s/he is registered. However, colleges/units may impose additional rules on good scholastic standing such as a minimum grade average or required number of units passed per semester/year.

Source: UPD General Catalogue 2004-2010 page 29-30 and 31

17In other words, Colleges may have stricter rules than those of the University in general.

For determining scholastic standing, SE rules are stricter. For determining eligibility for graduation, SE rules are stricter18SE Rules on Scholastic Delinquency1. By the end of the junior year or summer term of it, student must have cumulative WAG and EWA of no lower than 2.5, otherwise dismissed from the school.

1919Rules on Scholastic Delinquency2. At the end of every semester, a student must have:(i)a cumulative EWA of no lower than 2.5 , (ii)a cumulative WAG of no lower than 2.5, AND(iii) must obtain regular grades (i.e., not INCs nor DRPs) in at least 60% of the total number of units registeredOtherwise, he/she will be placed on PROBATION the following term

Probation may be removed by satisfying requirements (i), (ii), and (iii) at the end of the semester that the student was on probationNote: no summer courses offered at UPSE

20Rules on Scholastic Delinquency 3. Any student who fails to satisfy (i),(ii), and (iii) at the end of the semester or summer he/she was on probation will be DISMISSED from the School

4. A student must pass Econ 106 and 131 within 4 semesters of first enrolling in Econ 101 or 102, including the semester first enrolled. Otherwise, he/she is dismissed from the School

2121Rules on Scholastic Delinquency In exceptional cases the above rules on admission and scholastic delinquency may be waived by the Dean upon recommendation of the Committee on Undergraduate Admissions and Performance2222SE rules for computing EWA/WAG for purposes of scholastic delinquencyIf a 4.0 is successfully removed by re-examination, only the final grade of 3.0 is included in the average

If a 4.0 is successfully removed by re-enrollment, the average of 4.0 and the new grade is included in the average, without doubling the number of units

If a subject with grade of 5.0 is re-enrolled and passed, the average of 5.0 and the new grade is included in the average, without doubling the number of units

2323Example for scholastic delinquencyWAGEWAYou receive a grade of 4.0 in Math 17 which has 5 units. You retake Math 17 and receive a grade of 2.0. For purposes of determining scholastic delinquency, the grade/units that will enter into your WAG will be 3.0 weighted by 5 units (and not 10 units). You receive a grade of 4.0 in Econ 101 which has 4 units. You retake Econ 101 and receive a grade of 2.0. For purposes of determining scholastic delinquency, the grade/units that will enter into your EWA will be 3.0 weighted by 4 units (and not 8 units).

2424Rules for graduating and graduating with honorsTo be eligible for graduation from the SE, a student must have a cumulative WAG of 2.5 and EWA of 2.5. These averages are computed in the regular manner (using University Rules)

For purposes of determining University awards, Latin Honors and School Awards, the WAG and EWA, computed using University Rules, will be used.

2525Using the same exampleWAGEWAYou receive a grade of 4.0 in Math 17 which has 5 units. You retake Math 17 and receive a grade of 2.0. For purposes of graduating, the grade/units that will enter into your WAG will be 3.0 weighted by 10 units. You receive a grade of 4.0 in Econ 101 which has 4 units. You retake Econ 101 and receive a grade of 2.0. For purposes of graduating, the grade/units that will enter into your EWA will be 3.0 weighted by 8 units.

2626University awards and Latin HonorsAt the end of every semester, you may be a:University Scholar: semestral WAG of 1.0-1.45College Scholar: semestral WAG lower than 1.45 to 1.750

Upon graduation:Summa cum laude: WAG of 1.0-1.20Magna cum laude: WAG lower than of 1.20 to 1.45Cum laude: WAG lower than of 1.45 to 1.7502727UPSE awards (upon graduation)Deans List: WAG lower than 1.75 to 2.00Jos Encarnacio Jr. Award for Excellence in Economics: highest weighted average for all Economics courses taken (including Econ 11)Gerardo P. Sicat Awards for Best Undergraduate Theses (top 3)Best Undergraduate Thesis in the area of finance or financial economics2828Computing your WAG and EWA 29

29Cont30

30Other relevant rules on graduating with honorsStudents must have completed in the University at least 75% of the total number of academic units and must have been in residence for at least 2 years prior to graduationStudents guilty of cheating/dishonesty shall be barred from graduating with honorsStudents who have been suspended for 1 year or more due to misconduct as defined in various rules and regulations on student conduct are also barred from graduating with honorsStudents must have taken during each semester NOT LESS THAN 15 units of credit or normal load prescribed in the curriculum (with some exceptions, p31)3131The odds of making/not making the gradeIn 2005,168 Freshmen29 (17%) were on probation after the first semesterOf these 29:6 were dismissed13 graduated on time (3 Cum laudes, 7 in the Deans List)10 shifted/still enrolled3232Some final remarksUnless you are under probation, our rule is SELF ADVISING

Rules apply automatically. Students need not be advise or informed. Ignorance of the rules is not an excuse.

Important sources of information: General Catalogue, SE 101, SE website

If you have any problems or questions, please do not hesitate to consult the Undergraduate Committee3333For today: You will be advised if: You have (inadvertently) enlisted in Math 2 or English 1You are not enlisted in the prescribed courses/number of units = 17 + (2)

GE SSP (Econ 11 lecture + disc)2 + 1GE Math (Math 17)5GE A& H Fil 403GE SSP free choice3GE MST free choice3PE (2)

Otherwise, your form 5A has been signed. 343435Welcome and good luck!35Sheet1BS EconomicsYear 1 - First SemesterNumber of UnitsGradeNo. of Units X GradeEcon 1131.54.5Math 1751.57.5GE Subject31.54.5GE Subject31.755.25GE Subject339Physical Education(2)1Total17Year 1 - Second SemesterNumber of UnitsGradeNo. of Units X GradeMath 10041.757GE Subject326GE Subject32.256.75GE Subject32.57.5GE Subject326Physical Education(2)1Total16Year 2 - First SemesterNumber of UnitsGradeNo. of Units X GradeEcon 101428Econ 10242.510Stat 10131.755.25Accounting 1326GE Subject32.256.75GE Subject31.253.75NSTP(1.5)1Physical Education(2)1Total20

Sum of products (all courses)103.75Total number of units53Cumulative GWA, end of Year 2, Sem 11.9575Sum of products (all Econ courses)18Total number of Econ units (exc. Econ 11)8Cumulative EWA, end of Year 2, Sem 12.25

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Sheet1BS EconomicsYear 1 - First SemesterNumber of UnitsGradeNo. of Units X GradeEcon 1131.54.5Math 1751.57.5GE Subject31.54.5GE Subject31.755.25GE Subject339Physical Education(2)1Total17Year 1 - Second SemesterNumber of UnitsGradeNo. of Units X GradeMath 10041.757GE Subject326GE Subject32.256.75GE Subject32.57.5GE Subject326Physical Education(2)1Total16Year 2 - First SemesterNumber of UnitsGradeNo. of Units X GradeEcon 101428Econ 10242.510Stat 10131.755.25Accounting 1326Econ 198 (Diff & Int Calculus)32.256.75GE Subject31.253.75NSTP(1.5)1Physical Education(2)1Total20Sum of products (all courses)103.75Total number of units53Cumulative WAG, end of Year 2, Sem 11.9575Sum of products (all Econ courses, except Econ 11)24.75Total number of Econ units (exc. Econ 11)11Cumulative EWA, end of Year 2, Sem 12.25

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