<p>Hello
i'm in my first year of an BA in econommics. i really like 'neoclassical economics' and studying the differences between free market and monopoly and such. however i dont like the math part of my eco classes and i hate the math class that is required to take in my first year, is this a prelude to the next 3 years? is there certain classes i should avoid, or should i just change major's altogether?</p>
<p>I’d suggest changing majors. Math is a vital part of economics, and it will only get harder. Just about any job that economics could lead you to (except maybe law) will also involve math.</p>
<p>Take game theory and econometrics. They have almost no math.</p>
<p>I would also suggest taking game theory. Also consider psychology. Read Freakonomics and Superfreakonomics if you haven’t already.</p>
<p>If you really liked economics, you wouldn’t mind the mathematics involved. Now hating the classes’ structure and messy math problems is OK, but if you really see the big picture as to why the difficult mathematics is necessary to introduce, you won’t hate it much. That is, if the economics is appealing to you.</p>
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<p>Huh? Have you taken a game theory or econometrics course? Jeez…</p>
<p>^ What? Econometrics is the quintessential mathematical economics class. If you don’t like math, I’d switch majors.</p>
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<p>sar·casm [sahr-kaz-uhm] Show IPA
–noun
1.harsh or bitter derision or irony.
2.a sharply ironical taunt; sneering or cutting remark: a review full of sarcasms.</p>
<p>You basically said that you like the most basic aspects of the discipline, i.e. definitions. I’d recommend looking at the complex aspects of disciplines to get a true sense of them (e.g. the topics of academic publications).</p>
<p>As an economics major there is alot of math involved but Economics is such a vast umbrella with lots of seperate fields under it, your bound to find a field that suits you. Plus no matter what major you choose, other then literature, math is going to be required.</p>
<p>I agree with AshR11. Economics does have math involved, however that really shouldn’t discourage you or anyone from being an econ major. There is certain level of math involved with many disciplines and we all have to complete a certain level of general education math related courses.</p>
<p>If you really like economics as a subject and believe that you can see yourself working in the field of economics, then I suggest that you simply do the best that you can with the math required. With that in mind, you may also want to consider where in the field of economics that you wish to work in. Based on your post, you seem to enjoy mostly the social sciences aspect of economics (which is just fine).</p>
<p>Do you want to one day work for the Federal Reserve or Treasury Department, or do you see yourself working with a think tank? Do you see yourself teaching economics or possibly working in some sort of financial firm like Goldman Sachs, Citibank, doing economic analysis?</p>
<p>With that in mind, you should discuss this with your advisor and ask him/her if you are in the right economics major. So for example if you want to pursue mostly the social science aspect of economics, then you may want to stick with the general economics degree. </p>
<p>Note that depending on your school, the general economics degree may be less math intensive than business economics; however your school will most likely require you to complete statistics and calculus regardless.</p>
<p>I’m not a fan of math either and I am also majoring in economics (Business Economics). However, I think that like many students, once we make the mental decision that we are going to accomplish a challenge, and accomplish it well, we can and will certainly surprise ourselves. Just keep up your hard work and it will pay off!</p>
<p>How much math can they be asking you to take? I would think the MAXIMUM a basic Econ major would have to take would be Integral Calculus (second semester calculus for most campuses). There are even campuses that have Calc classes for business and econ majors that is tailor made for their program. No linear algebra, no differential equations, and no vector calculus - seems like a pretty sweet setup to me.</p>
<p>In all respectable economics programs, you should have to take up to multivariable calculus and differential equations. Understanding calculus is key to understand the more advanced topics in economics. </p>
<p>Additionally, you should be taking more math classes on your own accord, as a quantitative background can never be seen as a bad thing.</p>
<p>I think the bigger problem here, is how campuses tailor their mathematics programs for non-math majors. In the classes I had, the ones who did the worst were the Engineering and sciences majors - not because they were “dumb”, but because the material was strictly “math” - the application was done in their other classes. As such, they didn’t invest as rigorously (or thought they had to) in the material as those for whom lower division math was the precursor to the analysis side of upper divison mathematics. I have hear non-math majors who are required to take three semesters of calculus essentially say “I just need to PASS” (read: get a C- or better), and they wont ever again think on this course.</p>
<p>In my second semester calc class, I had a guy who was getting his masters in economics and I was only a freshman in engineering. I don’t think you have to take any really hard math classes.</p>
<p>I’ve been considering economics and yeah, I definitely prefer the theory/social sciences side of it. I don’t see myself working in a financial firm at all, but you never know what can happen. I probably won’t major in it, but if I do, I’d double major. I like history a lot more than I do economics.</p>
<p>at my school economics majors don’t even have to take calculus just basic algebra though you probably don’t want to follow the path of the eco majors at my college.</p>
<p>^ You can’t be serious. I think even the most lowly-ranked colleges and universities at least require that their economics students take a semester of introductory calculus. Who can’t learn to take derivative???</p>
<p>Economics at UT Austin requires Calculus I & II (used to be Calc I-III) along with your theory classes. Calc is really tough at UT so I’m changing majors, and if you’re weak at math or hate it I consider something else instead.</p>
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<p>That is very surprising.</p>