<p>hi,
I was wondering: how hard is it to maintain a high GPA as an economics major?</p>
<p>And also, how math-intensive is it? I abhor math, but am not too bad at it...</p>
<p>also, would it be a bad idea to double in political science?</p>
<p>I guess I do share the same question. I do know that Econ 141 (or 141) is pretty math intensive (econmetric <3). Math 100A, 100B doesn’t seem to have any major mathematics. Once in awhile, there might be stranger concepts (ie progressive taxes, that video still baffles me). I am not sure about the upperdivision courses. </p>
<p>Any Cal Econ major want to shed some light? (or correct me)</p>
<p>I have the same question. Also, is there any sort of international/political emphasis with Economics?</p>
<p>There’s the Political Economies of Industrial Societies major if you don’t like math.</p>
<p>Econ is very very math intensive but only if you want it to be. Yes that sounds counter intuitive so let me explain.</p>
<p>The Econ department has set up two tracks and one is math-intensive and one isn’t.</p>
<p>If you take 100A, 100B and 140, you’ll use calculus as a method of communication as opposed to calculation. Course 140 uses some basic statistic concepts which any UC Berkeley student can understand. This series tries to develop intuitive understanding of economics and is better suited for those who like Economics as a social science.</p>
<p>If you take 101A, 101B and 141, you’ll use calculus for communication AND use it to prove models etc. This series prepares you for PhD economics or economic consulting jobs.</p>
<p>Political Economies of Industrial Societies require four years of a foreign language though, right?</p>
<p>So that takes off Economics and Poly Econ right off my list. Now all I have to choose from is Poly Sci or some Humanities.</p>
<p>/sigh</p>
<p>Oh also, is there a list of all the undergrad majors out there somewhere if anyone has a link on hand?</p>
<p>Thanks.</p>
<p>so, whats the level of difficulty?
would it be hard to double major?</p>
<p>The Economics department has one of the lowest GPA’s on the campus but even then, it still gives out 25% A’s in every class so it’s not impossible to do well. If you went to a good high school, have good critical thinking skills and are willing to put in the time to read/do homework, I think it’s impossible to get a bad grade but that’s just my 2 cents.</p>
<p>DougK, where did you get the information that the Econ department has one of the lowest GPA’s on campus? I’m pretty sure that would actually be MCB or Engineering.</p>
<p>Hi Liquidus,</p>
<p>According to Campus Buddy, the lowest GPA’s are:</p>
<p>Mathematics 2.79<br>
Tibetan 2.84<br>
Statistics 2.88<br>
MCB 2.96<br>
Physics 3.00<br>
Legal Studies 3.00<br>
Computer Science 3.01<br>
American Studies 3.04<br>
Chemistry 3.07<br>
Economics 3.07<br>
Electrical Engineering 3.11</p>
<p>Wow, the two fields I am thinking of are both pretty low down there. X_X (Physics 3.00 and Econ 3.07). </p>
<p>@Doug
Thanks for the explaination on the 101 series vs 100, I think I have a better idea regarding Econ in general. I am just wondering, when does the course start using Math 53 concepts (Mulivarible Calculus)…in 101A or 141?</p>
<p>math 53 is a prerequisite for econ 101A, which is a prerequisite for 101B
you are also requried to take math 54 but you can take it concurrently with 101A</p>
<p>Does the calculus-applied route for Economics (101) look better on resumes or help you get an internship better, or is it just the same?</p>
<p>I heard the calculus classes at Berkeley were really hard and I don’t know if i can maintain a good GPA taking them.</p>
<p>The Math department has two calculus pathways: 16A-16B and 1A-1B</p>
<p>The 16A-16B path is focused on the calculation of derivatives, integrals, etc and is really easy if you have taken calculus in high school. If you take these courses, then you will be prepared for the 100 series but cannot take the 101 series. </p>
<p>The 1A-1B path is focused on the theory behind derivatives, integrals, etc and requires you to do proofs (ex. derive the derivative shortcut from the limit formula). If you take this path, you can continue with higher level math such as 53 and can therefore take the 101 series (if you wish).</p>
<p>Demoz, the 101 series won’t look better unless you’re applying for graduate school. If you’re into the quantative aspects of economics such as econometrics and financial economics, then its better to do 101 just so you can understand your field better but if you’re more into behavioral or health economics, the 100 series will be just fine.</p>
<p>the program itself is not hard. it’s getting into that’s hard. econ is a capped major, becaused all haas rejects turn to econ. the avg gpa cutoff is around 3.4</p>
<p>i got into UCB in the spring term (as an econ transfer =/)
is there any place where i can find … like a planned course for economics? (ie. take these classes, with pre-reqs of this etc etc. Some brief explanations of the classes would help too like math 51 = calc AB or something)
im trying to figure out how far behind i would be by missing this semester, of if i should choose to go to UCSD for their econ/management science or something. </p>
<p>i see 2 courses of calc is required, which i have done. are multi variable calc and linear algebra also needed for some of the undergrad economic classes? (i know its needed for graduate work)</p>
<p>the cutoff is not 3.4. the cutoff is about 3.0, the AVG is 3.4. big difference. if you get a 3.1+ you should be fine.</p>
<p>3.0 is the MINIMUM gpa for a student to apply to the econ major. Applications from below-3.0 students will be summarily rejected without a review</p>
<p>bumpbump. </p>
<p>Are there any econ majors around that I could talk to and ask a couple of questionss??</p>
<p>does anyone have any suggestions for easy ECON electives to take? or classes to avoid?</p>