<p>*I don't know where this thread should belong, so I'll just post it here...</p>
<p>I'm mainly interested in knowing how true this first myth is:</p>
<p>Myth 1: Economics is all mathematics and statistics. Some students choose not to major in economics because they think economics is all mathematics and statistics. Math and statistics are used in economics, but at the undergraduate degree level, the math and statistics are certainly not overwhelming. Economics majors are usually required to take one statistics course and one math course (usually an introductory calculus course). Even students who say, Math isnt my subject are sometimes happy with the amount of math they need in economics. Fact is, at the undergraduate level at many colleges and universities, economics is not a very math-intensive course of study. There are many diagrams in economics, but there is not a large amount of math. </p>
<p>A proviso: The amount of math in the economics curriculum varies across colleges and universities. Some economics departments do not require their students to learn much math or statistics, but others do. Speaking for the majority of departments, we still hold to our original point that there isnt really that much math or statistics in economics at the undergraduate level. The graduate level is a different story. </p>
<p>Anyway, the thing is, I find econ interesting but am only OK at math, so I was just wondering how hardcore does the math get at undergrad. level...? Is econ more of a mathematical major? And is it mostly calc and stats (or perhaps one more than the other)?</p>
<p>yeah, you go to cal-state san marcos and they won't give you a lot of math in the econ classes. Then again, they aren't exactly working with tier 1 students either. And future employers know the difference. More demanding programs (ucla, for instance) have a year of calculus required.</p>
<p>It really depends on the school. There are schools that require no calculus at all. Most require at least one semester. If you go to MIT, even at the undergraduate level econ is very, very heavily mathematical. At other schools there's less emphasis on math and much more on real-world applications, policy-making, etc. Still, it's generally true that people who do well in math do well in econ--economics just requires the kind of analytical thinking that comes easy to people who like (or at least do well) in math. Since you say that you're OK in math, you'll probably do fine at most schools as an econ major.</p>
<p>Yes there is very little math in undergrad econ. At my school students in the managerial econ major or econ major can take an upper division mulitivariate calculus (Calc 3) and Linear Algebra based econ class, but it isn't required and most student do not take that class.</p>
<p>It really depends upon where you go. At the college where I matriculated, to major in economics you were required to take calc I, calc II, linear algebra, and statistics (though you have a choice between taking stats through the mathematics department or taking stats through the psychology department). Though I absolutely loved statistics, in my mind, the math requirements were a heavy enough burden to persuade me not the major in economics. More honestly, it was my calc I grade that persuaded me not to pursue an econ major (I passed by the skin of my teeth). </p>
<p>The econ major at my school was geared toward students who were planning to get graduate degrees in economics. My guess is that this is the reason for the heavy mathematical burden. On the other hand, I have heard that there are other schools where the math requirements are minimal for an econ major. So, my advice is to check out the requirements before you attend.</p>
<p>Everyone here is correct. It depends on the school. Generally though, econ is among the more "mathy" subjects at a school. Of course, it is not like math or engineering but it is still way up there. Honestly, if you dont like math I would suggest going to a school where math is not heavily emphasized or not studying economics. Definately do not go to grad school for economics!</p>
<p>However even Graduate studies in econ uses no more than linear algebra, and doesn't require knowlege of things like Advance Calculus, or Modern Algebra.</p>
<p>VTBoy, I have a masters degree in economics and have taken PhD level classes. Graduate economics is NOTHING like undergraduate economics. The textbooks are written in math and classes are almost nothing but mathematical proofs with a little bit of economic analysis in at the end. The lectures are spoken in math. Advanced Calculus, Simultaneous and Partial Differential Equations, Stochastic Calculus, Real Analysis, Advanced Probability and Statistics, Advanced Econometrics, Differential Geometry, and Linear Programming are some of the mathematics I have repeatedly encountered in my studies. Keep in mind that economics at the graduate level requires computer programming and applications of statistical software so that if you dont understand math your basically skrewed. If you read some modern economic papers you will see this.</p>
<p>What is your experience with graduate economics?</p>
<p>From reading the course outline and syllabus of all of the graduate econ courses offered at my school for the masters and PH.D level. None required any significant amount of advance calclulus, advance probability and statistics, Stochastic Calculus, and PD Equation. In fact I am confident that I my self as an undergrad stat major will have more knowlege of advance math than a typical person witha Ph.D in Economics.</p>
<p>However there are some Ph.D economics concenrations that one can do at my school that do require a significant amount of advance math such as Advance Economic Theory, or Econometrics however one isn't required to do these concentration and a doubt most Ph.D students at my school pick one of these two.</p>
<p>VTBoy, I dont want to argue with you because I know what I am talking about and I really dont care what someone assumes to be true because I already have my degrees. There is a good representation of statistics, math, and computer science majors at the economics graduate level. In fact, that is what is recommended by virtually everyone (myself included) for graduate level economics. Students will likely be better off having studied a more quantitative subject as an undergrad than having studied economics. You can be confident in your mathematical ability all you want, and that is a good trait to have, but talk to any of those PhD economics students at your school and you will be surprised to find out how much math is involved. </p>
<p>Lets put it this way. A student who has only had up to advanced statistics, differential equations, advanced econometrics, calculus 3, and linear algebra should not have a problem with graduate economics. What many people do not understand is that these people will find themselves doing a lot of reading outside of normal class work. They will be reading advanced math books for the rest of their lives because graduate economics is much much much more advanced than those classes. Many graduate economics students audit math classes all the time and hang around the math department. Graduate school is much different than undergrad. No one wants to hear that you dont understand something. You are expected to go find the answer yourself. If you dont understand, for example partial differential equations, your assignment/research/project is still expected to be completed. You must find a way to understand partial differential equations on your own. </p>
<p>Again, if you dont believe me thats fine. It neither hurts nor helps me if you dont understand what goes on at the graduate level of economics.</p>
<p>Shyboy I do understand what goes, on but you don't understand that clearly at the schools I looked at it must be very different than your school. I have a clear understanding of the requirement for a PhD at my school in econ. I have also look at various other econ programs such at that at UCA, and it still seems to be less math than I have to take for my UNDERGRAD major. Perhaps what I am thinking of as being a significant amount differs from yours. Yes graduate studies in econ includes things like Real Analysis, Probability theory, Linear Algebra however it is not as much as I have to take for my degree and that what I am basing significant off of. I am talking about how many new math concepts one learns, not just how much one uses math.</p>
<p>I would like to point out that I have spoken graduate Economics Students, infact there are some in my Prob Theory course. They even tell me, the math I will have to take is more advance than the math that is required of them. I have looked at many schools graduate economics programs. All of the ones I looked at do not require as much advance math as you make it seem, so I know it is not just my school. I am talking about tier 1 econ programs. I am not saying the math in graduate economics is basic, I am saying there isn't a signifant amount of math someone has to learn.</p>
<p>Within the same school, undergrad course in stats typically requires tougher maths than grad course in economy. I.e, Stanford's undergrad stat major requires more math than its grad econ major. However, for different schools, it may not be true. For example, grad econ major at Caltech or MIT requires more math than USC or UCLA's undergrad stat major.</p>