<p>in my microecon textbook, which is called MicroEconomics: Principles and Applications by Hall and Lieberman, in case any of you have it and want to look it up or something, it states on the first page of Chapter 1 that an Economist is "an expert in the science of Economics" by definition, but that's pretty vague because we can debate what an expert is...it also states on the same page that an economist generally has "a doctorate, or master's degree in the field of economics" so I guess a Master's is sufficient, not a Bachelor's though. </p>
<p>this made me curious though. I'll ask my Micro professor tomorrow and see what she says. But I'm getting either a BA in International Relations or Economics, and if it does end up being Eco (i'm kind of undecided) then I wouldn't consider myself qualified to be an economist - in my college, and in most colleges I bet, you only need to take 8 classes related to Econ (I might do a double major because there's so much room for electives).</p>
<p>
[Quote]
in my microecon textbook, which is called MicroEconomics: Principles and Applications by Hall and Lieberman, in case any of you have it and want to look it up or something, it states on the first page of Chapter 1 that an Economist is "an expert in the science of Economics" by definition, but that's pretty vague because we can debate what an expert is...it also states on the same page that an economist generally has "a doctorate, or master's degree in the field of economics" so I guess a Master's is sufficient, not a Bachelor's though.
[/Quote]
To be fair, most places I searches said that there where very few job prospects for bachelors but most pointed at masters being ok for roughly everything. (But they also said that bachelors could get work as economists but it was rare)</p>
<p>And really a master in economics do not require a ton of maths, but I have not a good enough understanding of what an PHD in economy constitutes of so I can't really state anything about it but of course it also depends on in what field the PHD is in. Financial maths is of course extremely math heavy but there is also a part of economy which is not much different from social science and then it would still not contain much maths.</p>
<p>And even then in my original post I meant economy majors/masters (Here there are no economy majors I think, just masters since we don't have many 3 year degrees(3 since we skip the electives and go straight for the major/master)), I don't live in the US so I am not super versed in how you label it so when she said I was wrong I looked it up at several places since it differed quite a lot from how we label it over here, and I did find nothing which opposed my views.</p>
<p>Though if I had said that I did not live in the US earlier I would have gotten the "Since you don't live here of course you don't understand!" treatment.</p>
<p>
[quote]
Klockan - economists do not pass my rigor standards in terms of undergraduate mathematical education.</p>
<p>molly - however, in order to stand a chance at making an impact in the field, one would still need highly advanced mathematical training.
[/quote]
Hahah thanks for that pebbles :)
Klockan - if you had mentioned earlier that you're not American, i might've understood where you're coming from more, and I wouldn't have said you don't understand, I would have said, oh, well maybe it's different in your country since education varies so much around the globe. Regardless, it's not your job to teach me how to argue, as this is an online message board full of kids. </p>
<p>Anyway Economics is a Social Science, and yes it does involve math, but at the Undergrad level, not much. I'm taking multivariable and I think I only have 1 more required calc class after this, it really involves a lot more Stats/Econometics. However, at the Grad level, it involves a LOT more math. My prof didn't even get a Bachelor's in Econ, he says that most Economists (which he defines as Ph.D's, and sorry, but I'm going with his definition) first study Math at the undergrad level. He says it's easier for a Math major to later get an Econ Ph.D than an Econ BA to get one, because it involves so much Math. </p>
<p>Also Stargazer, I also have a textbook by Hall/Lieberman but for Macro which I used last semester and it says the same thing - my current Mankiw one doesn't really provide any info though.</p>
<p>I have to pick it up at some point, considering that yes, it is a common ancestor and substratum to many languages. </p>
<p>But majoring in it? Seriously?</p>
<p>Also, you have no idea what "grammar" is. A native speaker acquires the grammar of his or her language by age 6 [and that's a very late age], except maybe the complete phonology, which may take till 8.</p>
<p>Now, applying analytic skills to grammar is something else entirely.</p>
<p>"No offense, but why can't you handle the fact that we disagree? Seems like everyone on this website is so argumentative. You believe that a Bachelors in Econ makes you an Economist, I don't - there's nothing to discuss, it's called disagreeing."</p>
<p>Spoken like a true liberal arts major. It's called being WRONG, something your cute little "opinions" can't hide.</p>
<p>^ What does being a liberal arts major have to do with anything? are we not entitled to opinions? And aren't you a liberal arts major yourself? (sorry if i'm thinking of the wrong person)</p>
<p>I would guess people smirk at particular majors for two reasons
1) The major is considered one of the "easier" majors or one that too many people take
2) The major is one that most people assume makes you a socially inept workaholic</p>
<p>Someone with a BA in econ is not an economist. End of story. Economists publish work, conduct years of research and data collecting, and serve important roles in public policy as well as in the private sector. The jobs that someone with a PhD in Economics(ie. an economist) does is not what someone with a BA in econ, two semesters of calc, and ~40 units of econ classes under his belt does. Some universities don't even require much math(an essential tool for economists) for an econ major. You gonna tell me graduates with an econ degree who can't even conduct the fundamental mathematical applications of modern economics deserve the title of "economist"? </p>
<p>This forum astounds me sometimes. It really does. Yeah, listen to wikipedia instead of actually reasoning for a second.</p>
<p>People who use the word "trivium" - (lol just busting your balls).</p>
<p>Undergrad econ majors who think they're economists? LOL - Okay I don't really smirk I just burst out laughing and rolling on the ground.</p>
<p>Should we start calling undergrad physics and chem majors physicists and chemists? (note to idiots: rhetorical, the answer is an obvious No).</p>
<p>We should call that dumb bimbo in intro to psych a psychologist.</p>
<p>And another thing, the goal is to take the easiest course load, not the most difficult. You might cite knowledge or "looking good on applications" as reasons to take a more difficult course, but both these objectives can be achieved with an easy class as well, if you pick the right one. If you like masochism and stress, good for you. But no one will be impressed by your self-imposed workload which produces random answers and documents of no gain to society, or frankly any individual, whatsoever. Like a hamster spinning a wheel.</p>
<p>i would never major in latin. nor linguistics/cognitive sciences/whatever and go on internet forums trying to correct people on the smallest nitpicky things and trying to look like a smart ass.</p>
<p>I would agree that taking easy classes to fill requirements is a good idea, but not in your major. </p>
<p>Peter_parker</p>
<p>You overlook the fact that in order to make any significant contribution to society you have to know stuff other people don't, and such knowledge is often found in harder classes that other people are afraid to take. Taking the easiest possible road only leads to the least possible impact you can make.</p>
<p>I smirk at:
-those(like my friend who's transferring to a party school next fall) who deliberately choose a light(intellectually speaking) major and whose main aspirations are to get laid and destroy their livers for a few years. This is all done on mommy and daddy's dime, btw.
-pompous kids. You see this with artsy kids, science-y kids, and of course, in business. </p>
<p>Major isn't really relevant here. To be honest, I get annoyed by people my own age more than I should, and they probably don't deserve it. That's another thing that pushes my buttons: lack of introspection...</p>
<p>thanks, Peter Parker and CCC88 - I was wondering how on earth so many people could think that getting a BA makes you an Economist/Psychologist/Mathematician/Biologist/Chemist etc...people are acting like i'm crazy for suggesting it! </p>
<p>I feel sorry for anyone who graduates with their Bachelor's in any of those subjects and proclaims to be a Mathematician/Economist/Psychologist/Scientist...maybe in your own head your considered any of those things. Go ask your Chem/Psych/Econ/Math professor if they'll consider you a psychologist, economist, chemist, mathematician after getting your Bachelors, i'd be interested to hear their response. those of you saying well, they're just professions - of course they are, but you need to be qualified for them.</p>