<p>Eh, it would probably help to crack open Rudin and your (abstract) algebra book of choice, as well as pick up a nice probability/stats book. I'll post some if you want.</p>
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<p>What's wrong with a "PH.D" student teaching another student? They know things that we don't.</p>
<p>logos that would be great. malishka check your pm please!</p>
<p>Well, I honestly don't know exactly what textbook UCLA will use, but in math it's better to have a book that you're comfortable with as well that covers the material. For economics, sharper detail to rigor might be necessary because of the varying levels of courses. </p>
<p>For economics, the standard sequences seem to be microeconomics (for sure), macroeconomics, and econometrics (often freely substituted for statistics/probability). </p>
<p>For math, the standard sequences seem to be linear algebra (upper-division), analysis, algebra, and probability/stats. For completeness, I'll probably include calculus/linear algebra/differential equations.</p>
<p>Calculus: Spivak's calculus is good preparation for the analysis sequence, as opposed to the throwaway Stewart or Larson texts. It's also cheaper.
Multivariate Calculus: If you can handle Spivak's Calculus on Manifolds, you're set, and it's good preparation for analysis/linear algebra. Otherwise, Vector Calculus by Marsden is good as well as Div, Curl, and all That.
Probability/Stats: Check out a copy of deGroot, it's a pretty easy read.
Differential Equations:I never thought there was a good course, but VI Arnold's Ordinary Differential Equations is wonderful for linear ordinary differential equations and there are lots of examples and pictures.
Linear Algebra: A lot of people tell me Stang's linear algebra is good, and it is, but only for the lower-division course, probably.
Abstract Algebra: This one has a bit of variety; I like MacLane, some people swear by Hungerford or Serge Lang. It's really a matter of preference. I kind of like Jacobson, but beware, it's kind of verbose. It's comforting to have a mathematician who can actually write, but not easy to find some theorem in a block of text.<br>
Analysis: Rudin's Principles of Mathematical Analysis is universal. </p>
<p>For the economics courses, I'd suggest making sure your math is up to par, since the more you can understand the formulation of the economic models, the less you have to memorize. Regardless of this, I believe Berkeley, UCSD, and maybe UCLA have excellent podcasts. D:</p>
<p>Man, I'm getting discouraged. After breezing through Stewarts Calculus text, I opted for something more intellectually stimulating. Thus I bought Spivak's calculus. It took me 3+ hours just to do one problem(the later ones though, if it matters). I don't even think I'm cut out to do math anymore. I hope the UCs don't give problems this hard.</p>
<p>I would clearly mention again - for those whose primary job is to attend UCLA- any major will be fine. There was a lot of things that didnt work for me that had nothing to do with the actual subject. For example in math/econ you really dont get a lot of sections, in most cases you only get 1 or 2 sections to choose from and they both occur in the morning- I had a lot of scheduling issues that really negated my enjoyment of everything ........... I was not a student that had the time to go to office hours and to seek out additional help. </p>
<p>Above all else, i dont feel that i should spend time in class + in discussion section and then still have to attend office hours. That is not something i ever did or ever plan on doing... to me then it just seems like at some point i am wasting my time. Time is valuable for someone that has to work. I will stress again that because i was an adult student moreso than just a regular student it really changed my perspective of a lot of things about UCLA.</p>
<p>Another question about UCLA. Does doing textbook questions help? I had a ridiculous teacher at the CC that assigns a bunch of problems from a textbook but ending up asking problems that are completely different from the textbook. I had to borrow 2-3 other textsbooks just to compensate. </p>
<p>another question, are the classes curved? Does it help? Or does it merely weed people out?</p>
<p>would math/econ major be good preparation for grad school? such as MFE??
how about comparing to math + econ double major???</p>
<p>nvm about the last post.</p>