Brandeis University’s Economics Department has announced the creation of a new Quantitative Economics major, designed to give students a deeper grounding in mathematical and empirical methods. 

According to the department’s Undergraduate Program Director, Prof. Scott Redenius (ECON), the QE major requires the same six core classes as the existing Economics major, plus MATH10A, 10B, 20A and linear algebra. 

While both majors share the same foundational courses — Introduction to Microeconomics (ECON 10A), Microeconomic Theory (ECON 80A), Macroeconomic Theory (ECON 82B), Statistics for Economic Analysis (ECON 83A) and Econometrics (ECON 184B) — the QE track places a stronger emphasis on higher-level math and quantitative analysis. 

In addition, QE students must take all upper-level electives, of which at least two must be designated quantitative courses. In contrast, the standard Economics major requires four electives, two of which must be upper-level. “Approved MA and Ph.D. classes can also count as upper-level electives and quantitative upper-level electives,” said Redenius in an Oct. 21 email to The Justice. 

“All Economics faculty will support the new major. Obviously, the faculty who teach the quantitative upper-level electives will support that critical requirement of the new major,” he added. 

The Department has circulated the idea for a quantitative track for several years. “A QE major has been suggested by faculty and students from time to time,” Redenius wrote. “At a faculty meeting in the spring it was raised again. Given the number of quantitative classes that have been added to the major in recent years, it was clear that everything was in place to offer a QE major.  We just needed to write up the proposal and get it approved.” The previous chair Prof. Nidhiya Menon (ECON) and Redenius wrote the formal proposal and submitted it to the general faculty for approval. “In terms of designing the major, there was support and input from the entire Economics faculty,” he added. “Students have also asked about it in advising conversations and suggested it in exit surveys and focus groups.”

Redenius emphasized that the new major will help students interested in advanced study or data-driven careers. “We hope the new QE major will help students who are interested in Ph.D. programs, more quantitative/theoretical MA programs, and quantitative careers signal their qualifications,” he said. The University also hopes that the QE major will attract prospective students.

“The timing was right since we now had the necessary classes in place,” Redenius explained.

Despite its rigorous coursework, the department intentionally kept the number of economic classes the same as in the existing major. “We did not want to limit the ability of QE majors to complete other majors or minors as well,” Redenius said. 

Student interest has already been strong: “We receive inquiries every week from students with questions about the new major and wanting to declare it.” However, the Department expects the QE major will remain smaller than the existing major.

The QE major joins Brandeis’ growing range of interdisciplinary and specialized programs, including the new Philosophy, Politics, and Economics (PPE) major, which caters to students with a strong interest in economic policy.

Students will be able to formally declare the QE major soon.

— Editors Note: 

Justice News Editor Lucia Thomas ’26 completed the reporting of this article