Transferring to UCSD Econ or Econ-Math major!

Colleges and Universities A-Z University of California - San Diego
1

<p>Hi guys, I currently attend a CC and will be starting at UCSD Fall '09 as a junior. </p>

<p>I will have all prereq's complete, except math 105 (the third calc course)
when I spoke to our head of the transfer department, he said im pretty much guaranteed and i will complete that third calc course at ucsd. that was when i wanted to major in pure economics </p>

<p>But now im thinking about the math-econ joint major. If I transfer with only two of the calc courses completed, will that case my undergrad to extend to 3 years instead of two at UCSD? </p>

<p>-how tough is the workload of that joint major?
-is it the complete coursework of both majors?
-or a little bit of each? If so, will I be missing out on important econ courses?</p>

<p>im worried my position in math courses will lag everything else if i choose to do the math-econ joint major... </p>

<p>any input from anyone else in a similar position would be greatly appreciated. </p>

<p>also, is anyone here in that joint major...?</p>

2

<p>Econ-math is some of each.</p>

3

<p>If you plan on going into Econ for a possible graduate degree, know that you'll be expected to know Real Analysis, which is one of math's most difficult rigors. </p>

<p>Difference from Econ:
Required: MATH20ABC-DF instead of MATH10ABC/MATH20ABC
ECON110AB is elective
Upper-Division Requirements: 7-8 UD Econ + 7-8 UD Math (at least one must have 8 from core)
Not eligible for Economics dept. Honors (but eligible for Math dept)
It's actually respected by non-Economics majors :P</p>

<p>I'm almost done with my math/econ major and the math portion (if being done in preparation for graduate work) is tough. You either do 7 or 8 upper-division math courses, in which one has to be Mathematical Reasoning (proving theorems, axioms, qualifications, etc.), and then an array of linear algebra, applied calculus, and a pretty wide selection of electives (from history of math, to teaching math, to applied math in computer science).</p>

<p>The econ portion is a breeze since econ is essentially applied mathematics and you won't have to know much besides labels, really. For The econ portion, you're required to take the first two parts of the Advanced Microeconomics and all 3 parts of the Econometrics series. Micro involves derivatives, partial derivatives, and a bit into differential analysis if you go into 100C. Econometrics is statistics and basic computer language to navigate through STATA--an economics stats application. The rest of it is easier Macroeconomics or electives if you opt for the math series alternative (I think it was applied linear algebra, but don't quote me on that).</p>

<p>Essentially, go into Math/Econ only if you're serious about your prospective future in academia or into a math-intensive career (Actuary and Systems Analyst come into mind right here), or if you're just confident in your math abilities. It definitely isn't the hardest major, but it's something that maybe 90% of the pure Econ majors in UCSD right now wouldn't be able to touch even if they wanted to.</p>

4

<p>Oyama: I can't thank you enough for your input.</p>

<pre><code> ====Economics: Joint Major in Mathematics and Economics B.A.====
</code></pre>

<hr>

<p>MATH 20A Calculus for Science and (4)|MATH 103 & Calculus and Analytic (5)
Engineering | Geometry
|MATH 104 Calculus and Analytic (5)
| Geometry </p>

<p>MATH 20B Calculus for Science and (4)|MATH 104 Calculus and Analytic (5)
Engineering | Geometry </p>

<p>MATH 20C Calculus and Analytic (4) |MATH 105 Calculus and Analytic (4)
Geometry for Science and | Geometry
Engineering | </p>

<p>MATH 20D Introduction to (4)|MATH 108 Ordinary Differential (4)
Differential Equations | Equations </p>

<p>MATH 20F Linear Algebra (4)|MATH 107 Linear Algebra (4)</p>

<hr>

<p>ECON 1 Principles of (4)|ECON 101 Principles of (3)
Microeconomics | Microeconomics
ECON 2 Market Imperfections and (4)|NO COURSE ARTICULATED
Policy |Course must be taken at UC San Diego.
ECON 3 Principles of (4)|ECON 102 Principles of (3)</p>

<h2> Macroeconomics | Macroeconomics </h2>

<p>END OF MAJOR</p>

<pre><code> ====Economics B.A.====

</code></pre>

<hr>

<p>MATH 20A Calculus for Science and (4)|MATH 103 & Calculus and Analytic (5)
Engineering | Geometry
|MATH 104 Calculus and Analytic (5)
| Geometry
MATH 20B Calculus for Science and (4)|MATH 104 Calculus and Analytic (5)
Engineering | Geometry
MATH 20C Calculus and Analytic (4)|MATH 105 Calculus and Analytic (4)
Geometry for Science and | Geometry
Engineering |<br>
OR | OR<br>
MATH 10A Calculus (4)|NO COURSE ARTICULATED
|College does not offer comparable
|course.
MATH 10B Calculus (4)|NO COURSE ARTICULATED
|College does not offer comparable
|course.
MATH 10C Calculus (4)|NO COURSE ARTICULATED
|College does not offer comparable </p>

<h2> |course. </h2>

<p>ECON 1 Principles of (4)|ECON 101 Principles of (3)
Microeconomics | Microeconomics
ECON 2 Market Imperfections and (4)|NO COURSE ARTICULATED
Policy |Course must be taken at UC San Diego.
ECON 3 Principles of (4)|ECON 102 Principles of (3)</p>

<h2> Macroeconomics | Macroeconomics </h2>

<p>END OF MAJOR</p>

<p>Ok, so for both majors, my econ 101 and 102 cover your econ 1 and econ 3.
When it comes to math, im glad my school only offers your 20 series equivalent, or i might have settled for the easier 10 series. and that would have ended my chances for the joint major right there.</p>

<p>When it comes to math, the difference is the joint major asks for 20d and 20f also, my question is that since ive just finished 103, and plan on taking 104 during spring and transferring with just those two, is that a problem? should i squeeze 104 into this winter session then 105 in the spring semester and try to squeeze 107 or 108 in the summer here or something like that? or should i just play it safe and take 104 in the spring and do the 20cdf at San Diego.</p>

5

<p>The econ-math major requires much more than just 20D and 20F.</p>

<p>Let</a> me google that for you</p>

6

<p>Anytime</p>

<p>And Slorg's right--those are just the lower-div reqs</p>

<p>There's 20DF and 7-8 more uppers</p>

<p>And I'd try to do 20CDF in UCSD... they'll really be your only chances at pulling up your math GPA (those were my only solid A's...)</p>

7

<p>Slorg: Thanks for the link and input, I know there is a lot more, but those are the requirements that they want transfer students to have completed in their freshman and soph. year. What Im saying is if I transfer without those three 20CDF, and complete them during my junior and senior years at sd, will that set me back? I really want to complete my undergrad in two years at sd.</p>

<p>Oyama: Thats a good point I hadn't thought of. But again, if I leave all those for my Junior and Senior years, will that set back the Upper Div. Math courses I was SUPPOSED to be taking during my Jun. and Sen. years? </p>

<p>Also, don't some of the upper div. Econ courses require upper div math courses as prerequisites? Meaning if i take 20CDF that late instead of the upper div math courses, wont that keep me from taking some of the required upper div econ courses?</p>

8

<p>Summer incoming to UCSD, I would take Math20C first summer session and Math20D second summer session. That'll open up 90% of the classes you'll need. 20D can wait for some of your advanced math electives.</p>

9

<p>as a transfer you will not be that competitive for econ/math if you've only finished your second calc course, as you have over half the math prereq's incomplete. GPA and the amount of prereqs complete are the ONLY determining factors for transfer admissions to ucsd. Unless of course, you already applied to pure econ and just plan on switching after you transfer, which is basically what I'm suggesting you if you want the joint major. What your gpa btw? I applied as math/econ as a backup to SE too.</p>

10

<p>Wait '09 Fall transfers can attend the Summer Sessions at UCSD? </p>

<p>sstory: Yes I did apply as a pure Econ major, and Math-Econ as backup, and that was my next question, before I get all hyped up, how easy will it be for me to switch over to the math-econ major if they admit me as an Econ major. And yes, the only reason I put math-econ as backup and not main major was because of the math issue.</p>

<p>GPA is 3.69 when they look at it, i will hopefully raise it with my winter/spring grades but they dont really matter do they? Or will UC's look at it for scholarships and stuff? Or when we apply for honors or something.</p>

11

<p>They shouldn't look at your prospective major unless it's impacted (neither Econ nor Math/Econ are)</p>

<p>As long as you're accepted--yes, you can take classes your incoming summer. Quite a few friends took Chem6a coming into UCSD</p>

<p>If you're applying as a transfer, 3.69 should be sufficient--it'd be guaranteed had you done TAG</p>

12

<p>i am guaranteed. I meet the requirements. I forgot what they were, but now you just have to meet a few requirements (GE stuff) and you just check the box when you're applying. Unlike UCI, there is no paperwork or anything. For pure econ, im like 99% sure ill get it. Now if they'll let me switch to Math-Econ, thats a different story.</p>

<p>Oyama, a question for you. I used to be interested in I-banking, stocks, wallstreet, CEO/CFO... etc.. but lately( past year) ive been leaning towards jobs that are more prestigious than $$$$. Like teaching at a top university or a gov't job , federal reserve or something.. I don't care about millions like I used to... That being said, I think ill be continuing my education(ma and maybe PHD) after my BA. Is the math-econ major a better option for me? Or will a pure econ major be better for me. I just think math is VERRYY important when it comes to banking and etc... i could be wrong. Thanks for all your input man, ive learned more from this thread than some of my counselors.</p>

13

<p>You can change majors nearly freely, so you should have no trouble majoring in econ-math.</p>

<p>If you plan to pursue a PhD, the econ-math degree is recommended.</p>

14

<p>If you plan on getting into top programs, skip the econ and go straight into math (serious)</p>

<p>Econ is the second most theoretical-math intensive doctoral program behind math itself.</p>

<p>Books</a> to Study Before Going to Graduate School in Economics</p>

<p>
[quote]
I've found that the most successful students in the first year of a Ph.D. program tend to be ones with mathematics backgrounds, not economics ones.

[/quote]
</p>

<p>You'll be doing a lot of mathematical reasoning/real analysis (proofs) and differential calculus.</p>

<p>And the best resource of all:</p>

<p>Becoming</a> An Economist - Advice for getting into a well ranked economics PhD program</p>

<p>Just read them and LOOK at the emphasis most of the students have on math. There are lots of students who get into econ programs without even having a bachelor's in econ--and it's for the reason that economic concepts can be learned quickly whereas mastering formal mathematical proofs and derivations cannot.</p>

15

<p>Hmm... Ok, with only my first two calculus classes completed when I transfer (3 if I put my mind to it), is it even possible to major in math when I transfer? Will it take 3-4 years instead of two even if I put my mind to it full-time?</p>

<p>I wonder if I come down there, will counselors talk to me? Are there counselors for transfer students lost like me?</p>

16

<p>You should know you're allowed to take calc IV, diff eq and linear algebra all at the same time, so it would just be one math-heavy quarter when you get there to catch up.</p>

17

<p>You talk to the same counselors as other admits</p>

<p>And yeah, it's definitely possible to finish in 2 years if you really dedicate yourself, though I would probably take my time with 3 and do some research, too, if possible</p>