So, some econ-related advice for a sophmore, please

<p>I'm convinced UM Econ hates math majors. That's the only possible explanation for why Econ 401 and 402 have been at the same time as the Math 295-396 track for two years in a row.</p>

<p>Anyway, I'll be a sophomore next year, hoping for a double degree in Econ and Math. Unfortunately, due to the awesome scheduling, I can't take Econ 401 and 402 until my Junior year. </p>

<p>How much of a setback will this be for my plans? Do you guys have any advice to try to reduce the impact of this unfortunate situation? Note: I will be taking 405 and 406 next year though (Statistics and Econometrics).</p>

<p>That really sucks. I have a couple of ideas for you. Econ 401 is offered in spring term. If you can afford the time/money to attend spring term, it may be a good time to satisfy the requirement. 402 is offered in summer term but I doubt you would want to stay for that.</p>

<p>It doesn’t appear that there is conflict with Math 396 so you should be able to take Econ 401 or 402 in Winter term unless they change the times. </p>

<p>Taking 405 and 406 next year is a good idea to reduce the impact. Taking 401 and 402 as a junior should not keep you from getting the Econ major but will definitely make senior year more difficult. If you take Econ 401 fall term junior year you could take Econ class winter term junior year that have Econ 401 has a prereq. You may also explore if they would let you waive the prereq if you are taking classes concurrently.</p>

<p>I would suggest setting up an appointment with an honors advisor to discuss your situation. He or she may have some ideas for you. It may also be helpful for future students if the Econ and Math departments were made aware of the conflict.</p>

<p>Thanks res. Sadly, I’m a New Yorker, so it isn’t practical for me to spend the spring term in Michigan (also, to make things even more awesome, Michigan Econ apparently doesn’t find Columbia a satisfactory place to do intermediate macro/micro). </p>

<p>I’m not in honors either, would it still be a good idea to make an appointment with an honors advisor?</p>

<p>Your math sequence is an honors math sequence so I thought you were in honors. They may have an interest in ensuring that students in the 295/396 sequence can become econ majors so it may help. If you are not in honors, a math and econ advisor may be able to help make sure that you stay on track for both majors.</p>

<p>1) If you’re doing that sequence, you probably should do (or at least consider) honors for math. Might want to consider honors econ as well, but it requires a good amount of thesis work (research + thinking up things no one has thought of before + writing) and I don’t know if you would like that.</p>

<p>2) You are fine. You will take 405 and 406 sophomore year. If you want, you could also take a 300-level elective or two simultaneously, but I do not recommend those classes. Then, junior year, you will take 401 in the fall and 402 in the winter. You could couple 402 with an elective that prerequires 401, or you could wait to take your remaining 3 electives seniors year (assuming you took no 300s). This is very doable (especially because you can opt to take some very easy 400-level electives, if you want to). Don’t worry at all.</p>

<p>Just an FYI for anyone else thinking about 401 and 402…you don’t really need to have 401 done to take 402, especially if you have House as your professor. (Take it with House)</p>

<p>I second that; Dr. House is great and it really doesn’t rely on 401 very much as a prereq.</p>

<p>True, but you might as well do 401 before 402.</p>

<p>I’ll side with UMEE11 and pancakes. I don’t know anything about Dr. House but it doesn’t really matter if you take 401 or 402 first. I took 402 first because of the professor and had no problems. Take the one the fits the schedule.</p>

<p>Sometimes 402 jumps into some economics-calculus applications that are introduced in 401. I recommend doing 401 first.</p>

<p>how come when i hear the name house i picture an insane professor?</p>

<p>True, in certain cases it may be more beneficial to take 401 before 402. I certainly found it helpful to do so for the first unit in 402. However, the difficulty in taking 402 before 401 is (in my opinion) by no means insurmountable and may even be negligible depending on the teacher. That’s all we’re saying.</p>

<p>Dr. House is a good deal nicer than the character in the TV show, haha (although, come to think of it, in certain ways they have similar character).</p>

<p>Sure, that’s valid – it’s by no means a significant handicap.</p>

<p>An update: 405 is closed. Oh joy. Anymore suggestions/advice?</p>

<p>If I decide to drop 405, I’ll tell you so you can add it the second after I drop it :P</p>

<p>It’s a big if, though.</p>

<p>Thanks, but not sure it’s gonna matter pancakes, 16 person waitlist FTW. :P</p>

<p>That’s rough. Just get other requirements out of the way – you’ll just have to load up a little bit more on econ later down the road – not a big deal, econ electives are mostly easy.</p>