<p>I want to major in Economics (B.S, graduate later) and I was wondering what level of math I need to complete. I have already taken Multivariable and Differential Calculus (legit college textbook) and I am currently enrolled in Linear Algebra (Using MIT book). Math is starting to get really abstract now.. yet still manageable. I am more interested in Economics, how much more math is involved (I know there is econ specific math, but difficulty wise)?</p>
<p>Your math should be enough for a B.S. in econ…I am a freshman right now, but from what I am hearing, if you want to go higher in econ, a math major may actually be more beneficial (think grad school). If not, you should at least continue with math courses. </p>
<p>One more thing to point out is that Linear Algebra is (at UCB at least) one of the real “mathy” math classes (i.e. what most people would think of when they think of math). After that, I hear you won’t be working with any numbers or anything at all haha.</p>
<p>I am actually really good at math, but I dont like it that much… How are econ classes structured? Is it just listen to lectures and then take tests, because I love that. I hate doing busy work… That’s one of the main reasons im so excited to go to college.</p>
<p>That depends on your college, the class itself, and the professor. You usually won’t find the useless busy work we go through in high school (thank god!), but I felt the same way until I had to sit lecture after lecture…you don’t really get a break like in school, where you distract the teacher, or do some random group project for weeks. The plus side is that we get to choose courses haha.</p>
<p>For more applied courses, you can expect problem sets to do though (difficulty, again, will vary). There will also be some more theoretical ones based on reading. Expect a combo of both though. There will also be a huge difference between the lower div general courses, and the upper div ones since there are just so many different types of courses out there (for instance, these are what are offered at UCB…I want to say they will be more or less similar in other colleges [Current</a> Majors](<a href=“http://www.econ.berkeley.edu/econ/ugrad/current_electives.shtml]Current”>http://www.econ.berkeley.edu/econ/ugrad/current_electives.shtml) )</p>
<p>There may be some classes that are just lecture and tests (I’m in one now - but it’s anthropology), some have reading and assignments to go with it (2 of my classes have reading, a few papers due, and then tests), while math classes still have homework (though for me at least, it is due once a week). </p>
<p>Again, I want to point out that I am a freshman, so this is just what I have heard from others.</p>
<p>Some schools’ economics majors are light math (typically a year of freshman calculus and a semester of statistics), while other schools’ economics majors are heavy math (freshman calculus, multivariable calculus, linear algebra, differential equations, statistics). Some schools (e.g. Berkeley) offer both options, where one can choose either a light math or a heavy math version of intermediate microeconomics, intermediate macroeconomics, and econometrics. Of course, in-major electives can be chosen from heavy math courses like mathematical economics and advanced microeconomics, versus light math courses like economic history.</p>
<p>If you intend to go to graduate school in economics or work in a quantitative field (e.g. actuarial jobs), additional math courses like real analysis, intermediate linear algebra, numerical analysis, optimization, intermediate differential equations, intermediate probability and statistics, time series, etc. of the type that math and statistics majors take can be helpful. Or add a second major in math or statistics.</p>