Calculus class or an Econ elective?

[philecon]

Hi,

The schedules for the coming semester just came out, and I found out that the schedule for the third class in the Calculus series is at the same time as the public economics class offered by one of our profs. He finished his PhD at Northwestern, and has written good LORs. Also, since he teaches public economics well, and has published on the subject, and it's one of my interests, I want to take the subject under him.

Should I take the calculus class, or the public economics class? The prof will be leaving for a sabbatical next year, and since he was sort of "instrumental" in getting one student from our school in to Northwestern (but he went to another school instead). I could also take the calculus class during the summer, but I worry that it might disrupt my current plan of study.

[Canuckonomist]

Tough situation. It's nice to know you could take Calc III in the summer, which might make it an easier decision.

It's the Math Vs. LOR argument, and some will argue for LORs (italos, I'm looking at you,) and some will argue for math. In this situation, I'll speak from results that I know of, where LOR trumps math, with someone getting into Princeton on Calc I&II alone, with the help of a couple Princeton LORs. So if you're CERTAIN you can get a good LOR from this prof, and that he'll be around when you apply to be able to make a phone call or two for you, then you'll do better to do Public. That Calc III is pretty important though, so you'll want to take it sometime, and soon.

[philecon]

Thanks for the advice. I realize that I wasn't able to explain things thoroughly, however. If I don't take Calc III next semester, I might not be able to audit a grad math econ class next year (because I have to give up taking a math stat class during the summer, and take it at the same time as advanced calculus).

The other option I have though, is to take grad math econ, and the first of the two analysis classes (the second one, as other TMers said in a previous thread of mine, isn't that useful.)

[Harry Lime]

So the choice is really: public economics, then advanced calc, with possibly a good LOR. or advanced calc then grad stats.

I'd go with the public economics and try to make a good impression. Although if he's going on sabbatical next year, will he even be around to write you a letter when you're applying?

[sonicskat]

I wouldn't take the grad math econ in most cases. Look at the class description for that class. If it is "Mathematics for Economists" then it is a waste of time since you will have to take it in almost any program you get into. However, if it is "Mathematical Economics" I would lean moreso to taking it. The difference is the former is just covering applications of constrained optimization and such, while the later tackles the mathematical properties of Competitive equilibriums, dynamic programming, and others. So if the class requires something like stokey and lucas, it si a rigourous course.

I'm assuming Calc III is multivariate calc. If so, I would make sure you have it taken by the time you enter into the phd program. I don't think its necessary to have a grade in it before you apply (as long as you have good grades in other math classes), but make sure adcoms know that you are going to take it before you get there...because it is considered a basic requirement by many programs (not implyng you must have it to get a phd).

[philecon]

I wouldn't take the grad math econ in most cases. Look at the class description for that class. If it is "Mathematics for Economists" then it is a waste of time since you will have to take it in almost any program you get into.

You're quite right. More than anything, it's sort of a "mathematics for economists" type of class. The class covers topics in linear algebra, and unconstrained and constrained optimization, according to my program advisor.

I'm assuming Calc III is multivariate calc. If so, I would make sure you have it taken by the time you enter into the phd program. I don't think its necessary to have a grade in it before you apply (as long as you have good grades in other math classes), but make sure adcoms know that you are going to take it before you get there...because it is considered a basic requirement by many programs (not implyng you must have it to get a phd).

Yup, the class covers multivariable calc, and the Fourier series, or so the course description says. Anyway, I'm getting more inclined into taking public econ, which means that I have to take Calc III during the summer in order that I could take the first class in the analysis during the 1st term of my senior year.

In that regard, I'm considering taking another math course that'll take the place of the calculus class that I was supposed to take. My two options are linear algebra, and an abstract algebra class which is a prerequisite to the more elegant linear algebra class. What class should I take?

[YoungEconomist]

Originally Posted by philecon

If I don't take Calc III next semester, I might not be able to audit a grad math econ class next year (because I have to give up taking a math stat class during the summer, and take it at the same time as advanced calculus).

Why take grad math econ? If your school offers this course then they surely offer grad level micro and macro, and I think these courses will be more important on your transcript.

[philecon]

Originally Posted by YoungEconomist

Why take grad math econ? If your school offers this course then they surely offer grad level micro and macro, and I think these courses will be more important on your transcript.

Hi, sorry to have bumped this thread again. I also considered taking grad micro, but my advisor told me to consider grad math econ instead, so I'm going that route.

Anyway, I just finished fixing my schedule for next semester, and I chose to enroll in linear algebra and public econ instead, and decided to take calc III during the summer. Would that be okay?