Students may also choose the finance field, which is taught in the School of Business. More limited resources are available for studying history of economic thought, comparative economic systems, and economic development. The University's library combines old-fashioned stack access to books and journals with such modern conveniences as computer catalogs and database searches. Departmental IBMs, Macintoshes, and Sun Workstations supply most of the students' computing and word processing needs. Major statistical software packages are available.
Students also run their own seminar series.
Several interdepartmental groups promote research and training that cross interdisciplinary boundaries. The Center in Political Economy, the School of Business, and the Center for the Study of American Business all sponsor research activities that provide research and dissertation opportunities for students. Financial Aid Washington University in St. Louis offers numerous fellowships and assistantships. Many first-year students receive fellowships that involve no duties. Both these fellowships can be awarded to a student for five years.