<p>I was browsing the web pages for majors that I might be interested in, and I checked out the econ requirements. There are two options: AB or BS. When I looked at the course requirements, the two appeared the same. </p>
<p>Is anyone familiar with this department and its requirements? I guess my real question is, why would an AB degree require math 103; and what is the difference between the two degrees, since their req's are almost identical.</p>
<p>The economics department used to give an AB as a history of economics degree and a BS as a more mathematical economics degree. They were always very close; the difference was only one economics course (history vs. econometrics) and the BS had a quantitative requirement.</p>
<p>The department wanted to eliminate the AB entirely, but Trinity did not permit them to do this. So they made the two degrees basically identical in requirements (both are now required to take metrics, for example) and let it go at that.</p>
<p>also Econ BS used to require Math 103 which was the most failed class in Duke (or that's what I hear)...so some people went the way of BA</p>
<p>but now they have a new Math 102 option which is easier and so there is no real difference in BS and BA so go with BS cuz it's more prestigious</p>
<p>basically they're trying to phase out BA w/o actually doing it</p>