<p>I am an admitted transfer who is leaning towards Berkeley, but I am trying to plan out a schedule. I was accepted for Economics, and am considering a double major with either Statistics or Math. I was considering doing some CS + Econ but I don't feel its really possible at this point (I haven't taken any CS equivalents that would transfer), but if anyone has done this please let me know. </p>
<p>I have completed the calc series, linear algebra, but not differential equations or discrete math (I would need to take math 49?). Here is what I planned out for Applied Math/ Econ:</p>
<p>Semester 1:
Econ 101A
Stat 134
Math 110
Math 55</p>
<p>Semester 2:
Econ 101B
Math 104
Econ 141
Math 128A</p>
<p>Semester 3:
Econ 103
Econ 104
Math 128A
Math 113
American Cultures</p>
<p>Semester 4:
Math 185
3 Econ Electives (thinking UGBA classes)
Math 170 (for cluster)</p>
<p>Would there be a better way to do this? I need to fit in my math 49 class as well, and I'd be willing to take a summer session (probably not possible for this summer), or use my guaranteed 5th semester to do this, or pursue the CS + Econ instead. Am I taking on too much? Do I really need to double major in Math? I want to get into finance and want to possibly consider graduate school, and it seems these classes are what I need to take. </p>
<p>Math 54 (or H54) covers linear algebra and differential equations. Since you have linear algebra but not differential equations, you can take Math 54 or H54, or arrange with the math department to take part of Math 54 as Math 49 (if they will do that). Contact the math department for specifics.</p>
<p>Well with those classes it pretty much makes it into a math major. Do you think the schedule is doable? I am thinking of really cutting off the math part and maybe doing a CS minor or Stats double instead because it requires less classes. </p>
<p>The schedule certainly looks doable if you can handle proof-based math courses. Five courses in some semesters is more than the normal workload, but economics and math courses are not normally high workload (although math courses with proofs can be intellectually difficult for some). Also, you have Math 128A listed twice. Economics 141 should be moved to after both 101A and 101B, which it lists as prerequisites.</p>
<p>However, consider that if you just have a single major in economics, you can choose math, statistics, and CS courses as they are most applicable to economics and interesting to you, without having to take less applicable courses that are needed for the second major (e.g. Math 55, 113, 185).</p>
<p>Thank you, I just realized I double counted Math 128A as well. I think a good option would be Econ + Math 104, 110, and 128 with some Stats classes or maybe Econ + CS61A-C and some applicable upper division classes. I don’t think the distinction of having a double major is that important, so mixing and matching might be the best idea. </p>
<p>That seems like quite a bit for a first semester in my opinion considering you are just going to be starting Cal. I think you should be better without one of those Math classes for the first semester till you get used to things. Keep math 55 for a back up to Applied Math if Econ doesn’t work out.
And don’t worry about fulfilling a second major, just take the classes you’d like.
As far as the schedules you have planned for the consecutive semesters be prepared to make lots of revisions as not all courses are offered every semester, or expect timing conflicts.
How much do you like Math? Because its quite theoretical at Cal</p>
<p>@audisky Thanks for your input! I think the same, but I will definitely take Econ 101A and Stat 134, although Econ 101A is already full (I don’t know if I would be given an add code by a counselor when I go up for orientation).</p>
<p>I do like math but not sure if I’ll either love/hate the proofing involved. I want to take CS61A but I think those two classes with 101A and Stats might be too much as well. </p>
<p>I’m too lazy to cross-reference the course numbers vs. the catalog but re Math: you definitely want to take Real Analysis. if you’re at all contemplating graduate work in Econ, Complex Analysis even better. Other proof-based Math courses like Topology helpful too. A Math major is a good pre-req for an Econ PhD.</p>
<p>Doubling in econ and math is hard for a transfer student because of the amount of classes you need to fit in. I tried but I ended up stopping after math 110 and math 104. I will have to disagree with the above post that suggest complex analysis is important of PhD programs. If you look at the Berkeley Econ website there is a list of suggested math classes you should take to prepare for grad school. If you want to prepare for grad school then math 104, stat 134, and math 110 are the most important classes. </p>
<p>I’m sure many people who got in did have complex analysis and topology as many of them were math majors as undergrads, but speaking to professors who are on the admission committee I know that they are not looking for complex analysis as a way to weed out applicants. Real analysis is on the other hand a very important class to have under your belt. As far as I know there is no complex analysis material cover in first year PhD coursework, so there would be no reason for someone to go out of their way to take it.</p>
<p>@JavyUCB Thanks for the info. I need 19 classes for Applied Math + Econ. Honestly, I am a bit iffy about wanting to do a full math major anyways, I’m not sure about my ability or complete interest in it. Is there anything you recommend, whether it be a different double major or some additional classes because I’ll have a good amount of room to take some classes. I really want to get a Masters in Finance or Financial Engineering. Also, do they look at CC grades or would they just be looking at my Berkeley grades? My math grades at CC are okay but I just coasted through them. </p>
<p>The most common double major at Cal is Stat and Econ. There are much less required classes to major in stats than math. If you are interested in the MFE program at Haas they want you to have math 110, math 128a, any CS class such as CS61a and an upper division differential equations class. When you’re in campus you should go talk to the admissions department of whatever program you are interested in. I sat down with the admissions people at the MFE, econ PhD, and ARE PhD to find out more about the requirements for each one.</p>
<p>Javy, they aren’t looking for Complex Analysis to weed people out. I agree that Real Analysis is almost a requirement. But the OP’s question is what was helpful. The quote cited by UCBalumnus is interesting: there’s a difference between what’s “applicable” and what’s “useful in admission.” I took the OP’s question as oriented to the latter. </p>
<p>As an exercise, try making correlations between departmental admissions criteria and the skill set for becoming a good PhD-level researcher. A lot of it is tenuous at best, falling into the “perhaps necessary but not sufficient” realm.</p>