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Originally Posted by sir_ceterus
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I plan on studying Bayesian stochastic processes (plus I have nerd love for quantum mechanics), so I'm assuming I would need to take the full AMS sequence to have access to the fun stuff. If I take 205 B, and pass, can I skip the other intro classes? Can I at least take 2/3 and skip? Is there real protocol here? I am, however, more 'international finance' than 'monetary'. Do you think I'm just wasting my time with inference?
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Are you trying to complete the AMS parenthetical notation?
Statistics and Applied Mathematics | Applied Mathematics and Statistics | UC Santa Cruz
If you are, then you ought to get started in 1st year. But if you are taking the AMS coursework for your own benefit, then it really is up to you. If I were you, I would think about how many hours I would need to spend per week in each course. 4 hours are spent just in one extra class. You're definitely going to put in 10 hours for an extra class. 4 classes is alot of work, but its doable.
Ok, 205 is the easiest, 206 harder, 207 even harder.
AMS 205 = no programming; 206 = introduction to R for Bayesian stats; 207 = lots of programing in R or whatever language the prof likes to use.
I'd say that 205 is useful for all economists because you learn statistical distributions well, notions of sufficient statistics, and you really get into the nitty gritty frequentist statistics.
206, 207... are useful if you are doing monetary economics. I took 206 because i wanted to take Decision Theory in my 2nd year. In the process, i learned some R which is now useful because my econometrics paper supervisor woships R. Otherwise, I don't see myself using much Bayesian techniques.
There's one person in my class who is very focused on monetary economics, and is on leave from a research position at a central bank (former aerospace engineer). He and I took a number of AMS classes together. After taking 206 with me, he didn't take 207 either. He took stochastic differential equations, followed by decision theory and stochastic processes. (stochastic processes turned out to be a helluva course... all the AMS students dropped and he was the only one left). I think that he is going to take time series through the AMS dept in the fall.
Skipping classes in the AMS sequence: well, if you want the notation on your degree, I don't think that'll work. As for just taking courses that interest you... hmm.. i don't know. If the class is not filled, then the professor will usually let you in if you are willing to enroll. Some professors don't mind if you audit. The faculty are very flexible. As i mentioned above, I took 206 so that I could take decision theory. Had i only taken 205, I would not have had a clue how to do Bayesian statistics and would not have been able to do the coursework for Decision Theory. So.. while 205 might be "skip-able", 206 is not.
I recommend taking extra courses in first year simply because I found 2nd year to be much more intensive. you will also have plenty of econ courses that will interest you.. In second year, you will begin working on your field paper and getting down to research. You do not want to be playing catch-up with math.
So in conclusion, if you're interested in the AMS courses, enroll in the fall quarter. When you get to a point where the course is taking up too much time, abandon ship (partially or completely) and focus on economics. See how 205 goes. If you feel that it is manageable, then consider 206.
But remember that in the winter quarter, you may have a TAship... and since it's your first TAship, you will be rightfully scared and work hard at it.
. TAing take up alot of time.