<p>how hard is the math that goes along with a major in economics from a university such as Uchicago. Would it be less or more math compared to a finance major from Stern. Im just wondering what kind of math curriculum is involved in an investment banking career track</p>
<p>“hard” is relative. If you got 500 on your Math SAT’s, then it will be hard. If you got 800, then it could be a cake walk.</p>
<p>I think Econ majors will probably have to go through multi-variable calculus, linear algebra, and 1 year of statistics.</p>
<p>Finance majors taking advanced option classes may have to go through that, plus another year or so of statistics.</p>
<p>In both cases, some classes may require even more math. In general though, I think apples to apples, finance tends to be more math intensive for the same level of classes.</p>
<p>If you look at the degree requirements for each school, and look at the course descriptions, that will tell you what you need to know.</p>
<p>That is not true at all, Finance is, at most schools, significantly less mathematical than economics. In nearly all Finance programs, the only math required is up to Calc II (sometimes I) and a semester of statistics. </p>
<p>As long as you aren’t talking about economic policy, you generally need Multivariable Calc and Linear Algebra, and sometimes (depending on the program, but it should be taken regardless) econometrics. In general, the mathematics involved in optimization and statistics is much more complicated than what is involved with a normal Finance program. Often, calculus isn’t even used (or used very rarely).</p>
<p>I would agree… if you got an 800 in SATs it COULD be a cake walk, but not necessarily. Multi, Linear Algebra and Metrics are not like algebra and geometry, its a little more involved and in the case of LA in particular takes some conceptual mathematical ability. </p>
<p>I would imagine that at UChicago in particular, the math with the economics program would be more rigorous than most economic programs as long as you weren’t focusing on policy, though I am not positive. </p>
<p>To be honest though, since you mentioned “Investment Banking Career Track”… you don’t need much if any “real” math to do investment banking. Four functions and some basic stat is plenty. If you really get adventurous, approximations can help with bootstrapping but its not like you wouldn’t learn that. Math helps show a quantitative aptitude, but its not necessary to get the job done.</p>
<p>Economics is more involved mathematically than finance is, especially at the undergraduate level. The US seems to be a special case where economics is considered a second choice to business and finance. Elsewhere in the world an econ degree is much more respected than a business degree.</p>
<p>whats the best major to have then? if im going for an investment banking career track? would business administration be enough? Not necisarily the easiest major but what would prepare me the most</p>
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<p>Finance if your school has it; if not, economics</p>
<p>Accounting. It is the most practical degree that applies to I-Banking. Sure, take some finance courses to learn the basics, but you’re going to learn 100x more finance on the job in your first week than you will in the class room. However, banks aren’t going to take the time to teach you the financial statements and accounting.</p>
<p>Accounting? Most Ivies and top tier LACs do not offer accounting as a major.</p>
<p>my plan is to make it to NYU within the next 2 years. What do you think is a substantial gpa for a community college transfer. will a 3.6-3.8 with marketing experience be qualified enough?</p>
<p>If a school has finance, it has accounting.</p>
<p>^ Not true at all.</p>
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<p>I’m not sure if this is really true in the US either. I certainly respected economics more than business and finance when I was in school and still do as an interviewer reviewing resumes now. </p>
<p>I will grant you that UG business seems to be more much popular and respected this decade than last decade. However, far fewer than 50% of my BB IB analyst class were UG business, although I’m not sure how this may have changed more recently.</p>
<p>Which schools have finance, but not accounting? How can you learn basic finance without basic accounting?</p>
<p>I’m sorry, I didn’t read the thread but I assumed you meant schools with a finance major have an accounting major as well which is not true. I go to Carolina and we have finance as a major but no accounting major however we do have basic accounting courses. You’re absolutely right that you can’t learn basic finance without basic accounting but that doesn’t mean you have to have both as majors.</p>
<p>Although our business school does not offer undergraduate accounting major it does offer a master of accountancy(but that won’t help you out as an undergrad)</p>
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<p>You are saying this as an investment banker which is a small percentage of the US population. I agree with you and I respect economics more but to the general public(who does not have the best grip around what economics really is) business is the more desirable major.</p>
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<p>I’m not even sure about that but regardless the general public is mostly ignorant, didn’t graduate from college and certainly isn’t reviewing resumes and interviewing candidates for highly coveted jobs that many on here are aspiring to.</p>
<p>Math is the best major; it makes it so easy to get a job. You can learn all the finance you need as an analyst in <1 week of training.</p>
<p>Econ is similar, a wider skillset, but still obviously quantitative enough so that you’ll be comfortable with any sort of model thrown your way. It offers a nice balance. </p>
<p>Business/Finance is training, not academia. It’ll surely help for interviews, and you won’t run into trouble as an analyst, but it’s hardly as intellectually rigorous as the previous two.</p>
<p>what if u double major in math and business/finance (or take a lot of courses in math). best of both worlds :)</p>
<p>Thats a good double. I would do it but I feel like any math past differential equations or linear algebra would be a waste of time for me. I’m doubling in finance and econ with a minor in chemistry. The chemistry is just an automatic minor from me doing premed, i don’t really think it will help me.</p>
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<p>Finance is no less rigorous than economics, but I agree that “business” is not a good choice.</p>