JWS Sample Curriculum

Below is a sample of a typical JWS course sequence. Follow the links to learn more about particular courses and requirements. Please remember, however, that you should discuss your specific academic schedule with Dr. Utsav Schurmans.

Please note the following:

  • By the end of your first year, you should have taken BEPP 1000, MATH 1400 or higher, Wharton 1010, at least one BFS seminar or JWS Business Fundamentals class, and a writing seminar.¹
  • We recommend that you take four classes, in addition to Wharton 1010, in the fall and four or five in the spring. Taking four classes will allow you to devote more of your time to activities outside the classroom, which we consider critically important to your development as a Joseph Wharton Scholar.

First Year

FALL

Wharton 1010: Business and You

Wharton 1010¹ introduces the School’s various business disciplines and engages students in learning about their personal strengths and leadership potential. This gateway class is the first of four modules that comprise the “Leadership Journey,” which is intended to prepare students for leadership roles by providing experiential learning as well as evidence-based content on leadership, communication, teamwork, and diversity.¹

ECON 0110: Intro to Economics for Business

BEPP 1000² covers introductory microeconomics and macroeconomics for business. Unless waived, students must take this course in the fall of their first year.

Please note the following:

  • BEPP 1000 may be waived only if a student receives AP waivers for both microeconomics (ECON 0100) and macroeconomics (ECON 0200).²
  • Students who are waived from only ECON 0100 may take either ECON 0200 or ECON 0110.
  • Students who are waived from only ECON 0200 may take either ECON 0100 or ECON 0110.
  • Students who are interested in eventually pursuing upper-level coursework in economics (e.g., as part of a dual-degree program or an economics minor) should consult with their advisor about the appropriate economics courses in which to begin.

Math or Statistics Course (e.g., Math 1400/1100 or Math 1400/1510 or STAT 1010/4300 or STAT 1020/4310)

Math: For information on choosing the appropriate math course, you should consult the math requirement page. Students who have fulfilled the math requirement may continue with MATH 1410 (formerly MATH 114), which, while not being a required course for Wharton, is required if you wish to take the higher-level statistics courses (e.g., STAT 4300 and 4310, which JWS counts as scholars courses toward program requirements). MATH 1410 and MATH 2400 (formerly MATH 240) are also recommended for all mathematically inclined students who might wish to take other math electives or leave open the possibility of pursuing a graduate degree in finance, economics, or other quantitative discipline. They are also required for students in the Jerome Fisher Program in Management & Technology.¹

Statistics: Usually taken in the sophomore year, Statistics 1010 and 1020 are also taken by many first-years, particularly if they have satisfied language competency and/or math requirements. The higher-level mathematical statistics courses, STAT 4300 and 4310, can be taken in lieu of STAT 1010/1020 and are counted as scholars courses for JWS purposes. As noted in the previous section, these courses require MATH 1410 (one course beyond Wharton’s general math requirement). JWS also recognizes ESE 3010 and ESE 4020 as scholars courses; primarily taken by M&T students, these courses also satisfy Wharton’s statistics requirement in lieu of STAT 1010/1020.¹

1 BFS Seminar or WH 1508 (WH 150)

Follow this link to learn more about BFS Seminars. Typically, these seminars count toward the Liberal Arts and Sciences requirements.

1-2 Other Courses (Foreign Language, Cross-Cultural Perspectives, or Writing Seminar)

Follow these links to learn more about the Foreign Language, Cross-Cultural Perspectives, or Critical Writing Seminar requirements.

Students are strongly encouraged to take a Critical Writing Seminar their first year.

SPRING

Wharton 1508: Evaluating Evidence

WH 1508: Evaluating Evidence is a BFS Seminar that provides an introduction to all stages of the research process for business topics. (formerly WH 150)

Math or Statistics Course

Math: For information on choosing the appropriate math course, you should consult the math requirement page. Students who have fulfilled the math requirement may continue with MATH 1410 (formerly MATH 114), which, while not being a required course for Wharton, is required if you wish to take the higher-level statistics courses (e.g., STAT 4300 and 4310, which JWS counts as scholars courses toward program requirements). MATH 1410 and MATH 2400 (formerly MATH 240) are also recommended for all mathematically inclined students who might wish to take other math electives or leave open the possibility of pursuing a graduate degree in finance, economics, or other quantitative discipline. They are also required for students in the Jerome Fisher Program in Management & Technology.¹

Statistics: Usually taken in the sophomore year, Statistics 1010 and 1020 are also taken by many first-years, particularly if they have satisfied language competency and/or math requirements. The higher-level mathematical statistics courses, STAT 4300 and 4310, can be taken in lieu of STAT 1010/1020 and are counted as scholars courses for JWS purposes. As noted in the previous section, these courses require MATH 1410 (one course beyond Wharton’s general math requirement). JWS also recognizes ESE 3010 and ESE 4020 as scholars courses; primarily taken by M&T students, these courses also satisfy Wharton’s statistics requirement in lieu of STAT 1010/1020.¹

1-2 Business Fundamentals (include a JWS class/section if possible)

Choose one of the following required business fundamental courses:¹

  • LGST 1000: Ethics and Social Responsibility or LGST 1010: Law and Social Values (JWS sections are LGST 1008 and 1018)
  • MGMT 1010: Introduction to Management
  • MKTG 1010: Introduction to Marketing (JWS section is MKTG 1018)
  • OIDD 1010: Introduction to Operations, Information and Decisions

When selecting a course, consider the balance between quantitative and qualitative courses in your schedule, which areas you’re most excited to explore, and whether you plan on taking 4 or 5 courses.

1-2 Other Courses (Foreign Language, Cross-Cultural Perspectives, or Writing Seminar)

Follow these links to learn more about the Foreign Language, Cross-Cultural Perspectives, or Critical Writing Seminar requirements.

Students are strongly encouraged to take a Critical Writing Seminar their first year.

Sophomore Year

FALL

Wharton 2010: Business Communication for Impact

This 0.5 CU course is the second module of the Leadership Journey. WH 2010¹ prepares students to communicate confidently, effectively, and persuasively in all types of business communication (spoken and written, formal and informal, prepared and spontaneous).

BEPP 2508: Managerial Economics or ECON 2100: Intermediate Microeconomics

You will have a chance to plan spring courses with your advisor in October and November.  BEPP 2508: Managerial Economics focuses on the application of microeconomic theory to management problems. ECON 2100 (formerly ECON 101) covers theories of consumer behavior, demand, production, costs, the firm in various market contexts, factor employment, factor incomes, elementary general equilibrium, and welfare. ¹

1-2 Business Fundamentals (include a JWS class/section if possible)

Note the following Business Fundamental courses have JWS sections:¹

  • LGST 1000: Ethics and Social Responsibility or LGST 1010: Law and Social Values (JWS sections are LGST 1008 and 1018)
  • MKTG 1010: Introduction to Marketing (JWS section is MKTG 1018)
  • FNCE 1000: Corporate Finance (JWS section is FNCE 1008)
  • FNCE 1010: Monetary Economics (JWS section is FNCE 1018)

1-2 Other Courses (Global Economy, Business, and Society and/or Technology, Innovation, and Analytics)

Follow these links to learn more about the Global Economy, Business, and Society and Technology, Innovation, and Analytics requirements.

SPRING

1 BFS Seminar

Follow this link to learn more about BFS Seminars. Typically, these seminars count toward the General Education Distribution requirement.

2-3 Business Fundamentals (include a JWS class/section if possible)

Note the following Business Fundamental courses have JWS sections:¹

  • LGST 1000: Ethics and Social Responsibility or LGST 1010: Law and Social Values (JWS sections are LGST 1008 and 1018)
  • MKTG 1010: Introduction to Marketing (JWS section is MKTG 1018)
  • FNCE 1000: Corporate Finance (JWS section is FNCE 1008)
  • FNCE 1010: Monetary Economics (JWS section is FNCE 1018)

1-2 Other Courses (Global Economy, Business, and Society and/or a potential concentration class)

Follow this link to learn more about the Global Economy, Business, and Society.

Junior Year

During the third year of study, students will be taking MGMT 3010, completing courses for their concentrations, considering possible minors, studying abroad, and fulfilling any remaining curricular requirements. You should take the JWS thesis class (WH3990, honors) either junior or senior year.¹ ³

Senior Year

During the fourth year of study, students will be finalizing their concentration choices and minors (if applicable), completing their Leadership Journey capstone requirement, and fulfilling any other remaining curricular requirements. You should take the JWS thesis class (WH3990, honors) either junior or senior year.¹ ³

¹ Starting with Advance Registration in spring 2022, all course numbers are changing from 3 to 4 numbers/characters. In general, if the old course number was <100, the new course number will be the old number prefaced by a zero. If the old course number was >100, the new course number will be the old number with a zero appended to the end, e.g., FNCE 100 becomes FNCE 1000.
² Note updated course numbers: BEPP 1000 replaces ECON 010 and ECON 0100 and ECON 0200 replace ECON 001 and 002 as of spring 2022.
³ Students in dual-degree programs can elect to fulfill the JWS research requirement through a formal thesis class in their non-Wharton school. See program requirements for more information.