Upper-Division Economics Courses @ UC Berkeley

Colleges and Universities A-Z University of California - Berkeley
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<p>Hi CCers!</p>

<p>I'm hoping that some of the other economics majors will see this thread, and perhaps enlighten me with some of your responses. I'd like to create a list of Economics classes at Berkeley, as an easy-to-find reference.</p>

<p>I'll get started with some of the classes I've had experience with:</p>

<p>ECON100A Microeconomics (Kamala): math/calculus intensive, five problem sets (one dropped), 2 midterms-1 final, iClicker counts for participation, no curve.
TIP(s): Do lots of practice problems and buy the Mason study guide (ISBN10: 0321559355)!</p>

<p>ECON100B Macroeconomics (Wood): theory/graph-drawing intensive, six problem sets (one dropped), 2 midterms-1 final, iClicker counts for points, curve based on section performance.
TIP(s): Work in groups, and bring color pencils!</p>

<p>ECON121 Industrial Organization (Edlin): math/calculus intensive, 9 problem sets (counted for credit), 1 midterm-1 final, no iClicker curve based on class performance.
TIP(s): Go to every lecture! Tests are 100% based on lecture!</p>

<p>ECON162 Chinese Economy (Roland-Holst): theory/reading intensive, no problem sets, 1 midterm-1 final, no iClicker, curve based on class performance.
TIP(s): Memorization is the key! This class is like a history class.</p>

<p>I'm specifically hoping people will chip in here for ECON105, ECON140, ECON181, and whatever other classes that are possible! Don't forget to post your own experiences, and if you agree or disagree!</p>

<p>Thanks CC!</p>

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<p>I thought Kamala’s class (Econ 100A) was curved?</p>

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<p>What about:</p>

<p><a href=“Courses | Department of Economics”>Courses | Department of Economics;
<a href=“Courses | Department of Economics”>Archived Course Homepages | Department of Economics;

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<p>I took Econ 100A with Kamala and it was generously curved. There was a curve for each midterm and she said that she would also curve the class at the end of the semester. I can’t guarantee this because we weren’t told anything about the final grades.</p>

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<p>@Calicious and lottaquestions: If I’m not mistaken, you guys are right in saying the tests were curved. However, I don’t think the class itself was curved, because there wasn’t an extra boost for stuff like the problem sets. That is what I meant by “not curved”. </p>

<p>@ucbalumnus: I’m looking for CCer’s experiences with these classes: IMO, the Berkeley sites aren’t updated a lot (for example, the first link you posted only shows "280c - International Economics).</p>

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<p>Not the classes you need, OP, but still Econ classes…</p>

<p>ECON 101A(Card): Prepare your anus… Trust me. More info about the class here <a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/15116120-post4.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/15116120-post4.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>ECON 101B(Arnold): Have yet to take this class (going to this semester) but friends say it’s pretty horrid. Still better than 100B with Wood, I’ve also heard. </p>

<p>ECON 110(Powell): Waste of a class. It’s pretty decent tbh, but it’s not worth your time since you would probably be better off taking 101A + 104 (Advanced MicroEcon if I’m not mistaken). Those two provide a much better foundation for game theory. Stat 155 (also Game Theory if I’m not mistaken) is also better. Econ 110 compares to Econ104/Stat155 is just like what Econ 100A/100B/140 compare to to 101A/101B/141. Not worth one’s time if one considers going to grad school in economics, or is an engineer/mathematician who is pretty good/comfortable at the Math53/54 level. Otherwise, a decent course.</p>

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<p>For Kamala, she had given us a plug and chug formula to figure out what we needed to get on the final to get an A/B/C/etc. The formula was based on the weighted percentages given in the syllabus and the overall guideline was: averages on midterms + 100% problem sets/quizzes + 5% extra credit + 85% on final = A-. My GSI had told me that he did expect some curve with the grading, but as stated before - no hard evidence to know.</p>

<p>Curves for each test:
M1: 5 points added (math heavy)
M2: 10 points added (some math)
Final: 10 points added (almost no math)</p>

<p>Also, for the tips, I would add to go to the review sessions! Pay attention to what they say will be on the test. I found reviewing my lecture notes and practicing graphs were the best way to study. I never read or did the problems in the book, so I don’t think buying the study guide is needed.</p>

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<p>Thanks for all these posts. They are very helpful for people who are paranoid like me (lol). I’m going to go over my micro stuff this weekend since it’s been awhile since I have touched econ.</p>

<p>How did you end up grading the iClicker quizzes? I stayed for the first quiz and she seemed a bit confused by the iClicker program lol. She opened the answer stats before the question was even closed. Did she end up just giving full credit to people who participated?</p>

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<p>Also, if you’re taking Econ 100A and want to form a study group, send me a message :)!</p>

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<p>@Calicious: I believe Kamala’s quizzes were based on participation. I got some questions wrong on some of the quizzes, but still got full credit for them. Either way though, they’re only worth 5% total of your grade, so…</p>