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Math is important but take math in econ department.

(170 posts)
  • Started 1 month ago by Anonymous
  • Latest reply from anonymous
  1. Anonymous
    Unregistered

    there are only 5 courses that a student should take in math department.

    calculus, linear algebra, real analysis, optimization science, grad real analysis

    Other math knowledge can be learnt in econ department.

    It doesn't pay much to go take math courses in math dep. except the above-mentioned 5 courses.

    The opportunity cost is greater than the benefits, especially those stat and probability courses.

    Why do some of us ask students to go take stat and prob courses in math department when we already teach that in econ dep. e.g. a heavy load of econometrics?

    Posted 1 month ago #
  2. Anonymous
    Unregistered

    Fail

    Posted 1 month ago #
  3. Anonymous
    Unregistered

    Some students take both econometrics and then courses from stat department which teaches the same stuff when in fact they've got little new knowledge from taking additional stat course.

    It is almost like retaking the same course. I don't think that is productive.

    Posted 1 month ago #
  4. Anonymous
    Unregistered

    you are right, and even grad real analysis isn't necessary even for theory

    Posted 1 month ago #
  5. Anonymous
    Unregistered

    ^ true

    Posted 1 month ago #
  6. Anonymous
    Unregistered

    ... except for some sub-fieds

    Posted 1 month ago #
  7. Anonymous
    Unregistered

    There might be colleges where the teaching is better in stats or math departments. At the undergrad level, the rigor might be higher in the stats department, and more appropriate for people who will be taking graduate level econometrics later. I think your classmates could be smarter in the math and stats departments, making it easier for the teacher to be more rigorous.

    'Transition to Higher Math' or 'Intro to Writing Proofs' courses might be added to the list.

    Some econ grad students said they had to use point-set topology. Some colleges have a little of this in an undergrad real analysis course, but some might not.

    Some researchers are using numerical methods, which is rarely taught in econ, and even when it is, the rigor and teaching might be better in math.

    Stochastic processes or stochastic calculus courses are sometimes recommended.

    The OP's view might be correct, for all I know, for someone trying to start an academic career inside the econ departments. However, I doubt it is always correct for other related career paths. I have seen comments here saying that at least some Quantitative Finance employers can prefer hiring people from math, stats, computer science or even physics or engineering, over somebody with a PhD in economics. If that is true, then taking more math department courses than what is in the OP's list could be a worthwhile investment toward a type of finance/econ career.

    Posted 1 month ago #
  8. Anonymous
    Unregistered

    Is this an undergrad thread? GTFO!!!

    Posted 1 month ago #
  9. Anonymous
    Unregistered

    "Is this an undergrad thread? GTFO!!!"

    Your contribution to this thread is rather bizarre. The original post was about which math courses, most of which are undergrad courses, are worth taking. Of all the threads on this website, this is one of the few that is about undergraduate study.

    Posted 1 month ago #
  10. Anonymous
    Unregistered

    you're better off taking as much math as possible - audit if grades matter. anyone who thinks this is a waste of time is an applied low tier monkey. even in such cases, math would be helpful as it effects the ways in which you think about applied work. it makes you a better person.

    Posted 1 month ago #

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