<p>I'm planning on majoring in economics, and I've looked at the undergraduate announcement from last year, but I'm still unsure as to which courses I should take. I've heard that most start out with Macroeconomics 101 (or Micro?), but what about math? I'm thinking about 201 Multivariable Calc or 203 Advanced - what is the difference? Also, according to Princeton's AP credit chart <a href="http://www.princeton.edu/pr/pub/ap/table.htm%5B/url%5D">http://www.princeton.edu/pr/pub/ap/table.htm</a> i can place into 211, 215, or 214. Finally, should I take the macro or micro econ AP test this year to skip into 200 level classes? Or should I take them anyway? My main concern is the difficulty of the higher classes. I want to be challenged but not overwhelmed.</p>
<p>That was a mouthful. I'm stressing out a bit right now. Can someone please clear this up? Thanks in advance.</p>
<p>MAT 201 is normal multivariable calculus, while MAT 203 is advanced. Don't let the high school take-the-hardest-classes-possible mentality fool you here--MAT 203 really is very hard. It's much more theoretical and delves into the proofs of theorems much more than 201. If you're very mathematically inclined, take 203--you might enjoy it more than 201.
I'd advise against taking 214 or 215--I have absolutely no clue what MAT 211 is (it's not even listed in the undergrad announcement. maybe a typo?)--unless you're a math major. 214 is number theory, 215 single-variable analysis, and typically prospective math majors take the two courses. They're not very applicable to other situations and don't fulfill engineering or econ requirements, so I'd shy away unless you're seriously interested in the subject. </p>
<p>I'm not quite as well-versed in the econ, since I'm not an econ major myself, and don't have many close friends who are, but I'm sure someone friendly will answer soon enough for you :)</p>
<p>thanks jason, anyone else? i have to decide whether or not to take ap macro/micro. is it worth skipping these two intro classes? or would it be better to recover the material?</p>
<p>Hello, I'm Mike, (<a href="mailto:mps@princeton.edu">mps@princeton.edu</a>) I'm a sophomore who has completed 5 courses in the Economics department and had extensive discussions with the department about which courses to take. There are two tracks in the Economics department, one more mathematical and one less so. There are three core courses (Microeconomics, Macroeconomics, and Econometrics) that ever Econ major must take, the mathematical track (ECO 310, 311, and 312) requires multivariable calculus and linear algebra for 312. In terms of which math courses to take, the department constantly recommends that students take as much advanced math as possible, especially for those interested in graduate school in economics. I myself took multivariable calculus (the equivalent of 201) in High School, and Linear Algebra (202) at Princeton, and was well prepared for the math track in the economics department. Quirkily is right about 214 and 215, they are courses for math majors; I would say to take them if you plan on graduate school in Economics, but you will be able to complete all undergraduate economics courses (even the math track) without them. If you can handle the advanced math, by all means try it (the econ department loves math people), if not, you'll still be fine for economics if you take normal calculus. In terms of the AP, a score of 5 on both combined with multivariable calculus would place you into 310 (math track microeconomics) which is a challenging course but doable by a freshman; it would give you a great head start to complete it your first year as most do it sophomore year. Otherwise, taking ECO 100 and 101 as a freshman and then the core 300 level courses is a perfectly good path. Hope this helps, and feel free to e-mail me. Also, you could contact Helen Burr, the department manager, who is very helpful with this stuff.</p>
<p>If you're planning on Business School, there's a good chance you'd be interested in the Finance certificate; it's a well reknowned certificate offered in the Economics Department, and includes classes (ECO 362) with some of the top Wall Street experts, like Burton Malkiel. Most, if not all, of the courses for the certificate are Economics courses with a finance focus, so they count towards your courses required for an Economics major. However, to get into ECO 362, the core course required for the Finance certificate, you are required to take ECO 310, which is math track microeconomics. While this is a formal requirment, none of the concepts from 310 (which is economic theory) are used in the Finance course, and I'm not sure if actually check to see if you've taken it. I would start out on the Math Track, and drop down if you don't like it.</p>
<p>Plims, is it better to place out of the econ101 classes as a freshmen or it is better to take them (and thus acquire a better foundation for the more advanced courses)? Right now, I'm deciding whether to selfstudy macro/microecon and take the AP test. I would like to know whether it is a. worth it, and b. advisable? I have also heard of people who are eligible for placing out of the classes but taking them away...</p>
<p>I would say it's worthwhile to self-study because you'll learn a good deal of the subject matter so whether or not you get a 5 on both (which you would need to place out of 100 and 101) you will be well prepared to take both courses. If you feel like you can get 5's on both exams, and have taken multivariable calculus, I would definitely go for it and then place into 310 your freshman year to get a head start in Economics courses. If you can get a 5 on the exam, I have no doubt you know enough to not have to retake 100 and 101; if not, I would retake them at Princeton. My advice in every situation that involves choosing between higher level courses and lower level courses is to take the higher level course for two reasons: First, more challenging courses are looked upon favorably in terms of getting into graduate school, and getting permission to take advanced courses as an undergraduate. The second reason is the grade deflation policy -- departments have been told to give on average about 35% A-range grades. Having spoken to the chair of the Economics Department (Bo Honore) on this subject, the department gives fewer than that number (on average) A's is introductory courses than in more advanced ones (something around 30% in 100/101). Because it attracts the best students, around 40% of students in 310/311 get A-range grades, because if more A's weren't awarded on the math track it would punish the students for challenging themselves; they could drop to 300/301 and easily get A's. This trend of "saving" A's for higher level courses is true throughout Princeton, so if you're willing to do the work I would always recommend taking the most challenging course.</p>