<p>I know that Econ/Math (or Econ/Stats) is a popular combination at UChicago, but I was wondering how well current UChicago students are handling the course load. Were most of them high caliber math/econ students when they entered? </p>
<p>I'd like to think I'm highly interested in economics, fairly competent at elementary mathematics and problem-solving, decent at calculus (taking it now and learning most of it by myself), and very tolerant of statistics. If I do get accepted, I want to pursue a double major, but I don't know if I'm prepared enough... Any perspectives would be appreciated.</p>
<p>Don't worry about not being prepared. Everybody starts econ from the beginning. You'll begin math with wherever the placement test puts you. It doesn't matter much how advanced you are coming in unless you're in pre-calc or Honors Analysis (i.e. any extreme end of the spectrum). Any student who majors in math needs to be an excellent math student, but that shouldn't be very surprising. Econ majors also need to be strong in math. </p>
<p>Anyway, it's not something you have to worry about now. Econ/Math is very popular and very doable. If you want to major in math and econ, and you're good quantitatively, you'll be able to. The thing is, many students change what they want to major in after they come in and take some core courses in different areas. It will all work out one way or another. You'll be fine.</p>
<p>I wouldn't agree entirely with that. Econ+Math isn't 'popular' but its one of the more do-able in terms of amount of courses because of the minor overlap that exists, and there are many students who consider it.</p>
<p>However, generally, its a lot of work, so be prepared. I have a friend who took the 160's his first year, and this quarter was in econ 200, sosc, physics 151, and math 203 and dropped his math class (he was a math major)....saying it was too much work and too hard.</p>
<p>Also, I would say only pursue it if a) You REALLY enjoy it b) Plan to go to grad school for econ or math. Unless you really want to challenge yourself...</p>
<p>We have a special major here called Math with Specialization in Economics. The people I know doing this major aren't too overworked. A math/econ major would be much harder.</p>
<p>Well, I know several students doing econ and math (not the math with specialization in econ), so that's "popular" for me. Could just be chance that I've met them, though. I'm a humanities major.</p>
<p>Actually Math w/specialization in Econ is probably more difficult than Math & Econ, because math w/spec. requires specific high level math classes.</p>
<p>
[quote]
Actually Math w/specialization in Econ is probably more difficult than Math & Econ, because math w/spec. requires specific high level math classes.
[/quote]
</p>
<p>No... Math w/ Econ requires 203-204-205, 254-255, 270, and 272 or 273. The math major requires 203-204-205, 254-255, 2 math courses chosen from an approved list, and 4 courses within the physical sciences dept. but outside of mathematics. So the only required courses you'd have to take as a math w/ econ major opposed to a math + econ major is 270 and 272; but you'd have to take 2 more math courses and 4 courses within physical sciences dept. over the regular physics/chemistry sequences. That means stuff like probability theory.</p>
<p>Plus, if you're a math + econ major instead of math w/ econ, you'd obviously have to take more econ classes, and from what I've heard, the econ classes here are pretty hardcore.</p>
<p>Actually, Math w/spec. also requires probability (stat 251). I guess it matters what you are good at, but it is much easier to take 2 random high math classes than 270 and 272 unless you are very good at analysis, as UChicago is well known for its analysis (unlike its topology for example). Also 4 physical science classes are not that hard (in Stat for example).</p>
<p>Also, the econ classes are not "hardcore." At least not compared to math classes at UChicago. Econ classes consist largely of b.s. models formed without any rigor whatsoever. Econometrics is an exception to this rule, and it is challenging and interesting. This is ,of course, only true of the undergrad econ courses. I am sure the graduate econ classes bring new meaning to the word "hardcore."</p>
<p>Ah, I totally forgot about the Math w/ specialization in econ. Eh, I love the physical sciences but I'm not a big fan of probability (Only been exposed in AP Stats and that class was a joke, or rather the most memorization I've ever had to do for a "math" class). </p>
<p>And yes I do intend to pursue either subject in grad school. So assuming that I have a good grasp on basic calculus (around BC level) do I start taking analysis freshman year. This is all of course assuming I get in.</p>
<p><em>edit</em> I also considered a minor in math (included the small detail in my why chicago essay) with a major in econ. That sounds like the most doable of the math/econ combos.</p>
<p>A 5 on BC Calculus generally puts you in 153, which is the third quarter of the "middle" calculus sequence. If you do well on the placement exam, you will also probably have the option of taking Honors Calculus, which is the highest calculus sequence offered. If you took that option, which a prospective math major should, you would begin Honors Calculus with 161 and go on to 162 and 163. It would be a full year of calculus but at a much higher level than high school calculus; it would be entirely proof-based. A 4 on BC calculus would get you into 152, which is the class before 153 (and after 151). It is also possible that you would get the 160s option with a good performance on the placement exam. The best option for a prospective math major in your position would be to work hard to get into Honors Calculus. If you do very well in that, you may get to go onto the infamous Honors Analysis. Otherwise you go onto the normal Analysis sequence. If you took the 150s instead of the 160s (or took the 130s, but someone who did well in BC shouldn't be in the 130s, which is the most introductory calculus sequence), you would likely go on and take 199 as a bridge before taking regular analysis. Honors Analysis would not be an option coming from the 150s or 130s.</p>
<p>Note also that Honors Calculus is essentially analysis. You'll start with elementary topology, go to delta-epsilon proofs, continuity, differentiation, all done with mathematical rigor. If you pick up a copy of Rudin's "Principles of Mathematical Analysis", you basically follow the course of this book.</p>
<p>Not exactly, I would imagine that the inquiry based sections of the 160s are somewhat like what phuriku describes, but I know that the regular sections of the 160s are not. One of my suitemates is taking 161 right now and they are following Spivak's book very closely.</p>