The Washington University in St. Louis economics department has benefitted from the school's recent building spree. Siegle hall is a brand new building where most economics classes are held. The school has also hired new economics professors in order to boost the reputation of the department. The major itself requires introductory and intermediate microeconomics and macroeconomics as well as several 300 and 400 level electives. The program has become more math intensive recently, Incoming freshmen have to take Calculus III or a mathematical economics course in order to fulfill the major. This emphasis on math can be seen throughout advanced courses, and seems to be designed to increase the rigor of the major and prestige of the department. Aside from forcing me to use math, economics has given me useful a framework for looking at government policy, business decisions and world events.