How Much Calculus In Economics?

Transfer Students
1

I am a first year CC student wondering how many math classes I should take before transferring. I used to be a math major so I at least have the required Calc 1 and Calc 2 classes under my belt for econ(Plus AP credit for Statistics). Would any of you recommend going further into the math sequence? The only other classes I need are ECON,40,50 and my general education. I’m mainly pursuing a bachelors, but may consider graduate work. Since I’m considering a possible career in education(teaching), should I start taking classes related to that field now? Thanks

Here is the minimal requirement for CSU’s in California. The UC’s require nearly most if not all of these classes
ECON 040 Principles of Microeconomics
*
ECON 050 Principles of Macroeconomics
*
**Required Courses
SSCI 025 Statistics - Social Sciences *
OR MATH 021 Introduction to Statistics
MATH 065 Calculus 1

Restricted Electives
Select two of the following courses:
ACCT 001 Financial Accounting
ACCT 002 Managerial Accounting
COMP 005 Computer Concepts
Calculus 2

2

If you are considering going on to PhD study in economics, you probably want to take multivariable calculus, linear algebra, and differential equations (same math courses as for a math major). After transferring to a four year school, additional math courses such as real analysis and calculus based probability theory are also recommended.

https://www.econ.berkeley.edu/undergrad/current/preparing-for-grad-school

3

@ucbalumnus Wouldn’t that pose a risk to the total amount of units I have before transferring. Those classes mentioned above would total to 12 Units by themselves. Maybe not for UC’s because they have a cap of 80 units but CSU’s only allow 70. Instead would it be better to take those classes once I transfer I so choose to continue my education? From reading other forums many people seem to agree that the upper division classes aren’t necessary for an econ degree

4

UCs cap transfer credit at 70 semester units for lower division courses (which include all community college courses including multivariable calculus, linear algebra, and differential equations). So those courses would not put you in a “too many units” situation with UCs (the upper division math courses you would not be able to take at a community college). CSUs appear to have a similar policy.

You may want to verify with each campus to be sure.

5

@ucbalumnus oh yes I should have been more clear on what I said. I meant to say that if I do decide to go further into economics after I transfer, I can just take those lower division courses(I made it sound like they were upper division, sorry), at the new school. I know it will come at the cost of taking classes over the summer or potentially an extra semester or two

6

You may still want to take those additional math courses before transfer, to allow you to take the more math intensive intermediate economics courses that can help if you want to go on to PhD study. Such courses are offered at some UCs.

Those additional math courses are also prerequisites to upper division math courses that you may want to take to prepare for PhD study.

7

@ucbalumnus Sorry I think I’m giving you the wrong impression. By going further into economics I was thinking more of obtaining a masters degree. After all most states eventually want you get a masters degree if you plan to become a teacher or professor, which is my initial career choice as of now.

8

What level do you want to teach, high school? community college?

9

If you want to teach high school in California, you would get a teaching credential after your bachelor’s degree in the subject you want to teach. You may want to add back the math major that you were doing before, since there is less need for high school economics teachers than high school math teachers. https://www.ctc.ca.gov/docs/default-source/leaflets/cl560c.pdf

College professor would need a PhD in the subject.

So, either way, it would be good to take those second year math courses before transfer.

10

@nw2this @ucbalumnus I’m going to start off in high school, the quickest route to achieving this would be going to FSU here in California because they have a program letting econ and math students get their credentials by the end of their 4th year. As stated, I will continue my education for a masters degree as I teach. From then on I could move up to at least CC or smaller colleges. I have some pretty abstract ideas of what I want to actually APPLY my degree for but that’s until I save enough money. By that point with my masters I will start to move the clock faster.