Is it better to be a math undergrad major rather than an econ major?

[HighSchoolKid]

For someone wanting to complete a PhD in economics, is math undoubtedly the better undergrad major?

[walt526]

It doesn't really matter what your major in. Take courses that interest you and, if you're interested in PhD Econ, then take the required math along the way (either as a formal minor, or just take the classes that you want/need).

[NB888]

I believe it is, but that "undoubtedly" is probably too strong a term. The answer to this question would vary depending on things like intended subfield, dissertation topic, interests, and skill (including probability of a high GPA in that major). I believe the ideal preparation for the material would be something like a major in math, with some probability/statistics as electives, and a minor in econ that includes microeconomic theory courses.

In addition to asking a message board of undergrads and grad students, maybe ask professors who have decades of experience, especially with teaching Ph.D. level courses, and plenty of research accomplishment, for their opinion on this question.

Based on my quite possibly wrong recollection, I believe I was once told by an economist with multiple articles of his work in the leading economics journals that the most important thing at the undergrad level was a background in mathematics, that some, not necessarily all, undergrad econ courses tend to be low tech and don't give the student a flavor for the economics done at the graduate level, and so his usual advice was to stay away from those undergrad econ courses. This economist seemed to think that courses like analysis and algebra were not a "waste of time", but instead were a fine way to spend one's time.

As a general rule, if a math topic or concept appears in leading economics journals, then it is not necessarily a waste of time for a student of economics to learn it.

[Golden Rule]

What matters is the content of your application, not the name of the field on your degree. No one cares about that.

Whatever degree you choose, be sure you prepare yourself well for doing research in economics. Preferably you've done some kind of thesis that's related to economics, whether or not it's in the math dept or the econ dept. Be careful if the opportunity cost of too many math courses is actual independent research experience in economics though, and preparation for that.

Beyond that, I reference the trillion threads and posts we have on whether math is overemphasized in these forums.

[postgradecon]

Seeing this type of thread makes me sad about the state of economics... lol.

[ariel1987]

To be honest, I think you are narrowing your options way too much from your first undergrad year. Your first goal as an undergrad should be to enjoy your learning.

I was 100% sure that I wanted to do a PolSci phD when I entered my undergrad.... things didn't work out that way and now I am in Econ.

So my word of advice is not to choose your university and path right on from first year. Wait at least until the end of your second year.

So, if you like math for its own merits, go on and take as much math as you want. But if you are only doing so for the sake of economics, you may regret it in the future.

So, wile it's good that you have set goals from now, don't kick options out of the window. With all due respect, you may not have an idea of how economics flows. So wait at least to take intermediate econ courses to make the rght deicsion

[Nanashi]

I whole heartedly agree with ariel, and I think you should keep your option open. Just enjoy your first two years explore and figure out what you really want to do. That being said, I wouldn't do a math degree over an economics degree at UBC. You'll have trouble getting good L.O.R's from economists if you do a math degree. The UBC economics faculty is highly secluded outside of the department. You cannot talk to an advisor without being a major. Its hard to get good L.O.R's if you don't take the right electives or are not in the honors program. In honors they usually have a faculty teach the program, versus permanent instructors teach your most important courses in the majors. If you take the right electives, having an honors degree is very similar to having completed a masters program. Especially if you take econ 420 optimization, 421 level game theory, and 425 econometrics.

Since your a first year I'd strongly suggest just playing your strengths and take what your good at. Personally, if I could do it all over again I'd have taken Math 104, Math 104, Math 200, and then as many courses that involved more essay writing. I'd have put off language requirements, and not take physics, biology and put off linear algebra. My average would have been a lot better and I'd have more flexibility in my third and 4th year. To get into the majors program you have to be above average (not to above) and to get into honours you need to be stellar. I don't think I know anyone who was dumb when I was at UBC. Some people who had poor work ethic, but most people I met were fairly bright and worked hard. Which means it is quite competitive. Especially the first two years. Take stuff that your interested in and keep your options open. All that being said, If you are in economics I would put off taking 200 level math until your 3rd year after your in the program. The math department at UBC does have grade deflation (class averages are kept at a low to mid C usually) , and if your not a really good student (and that doesn't mean good at math), it may hurt your chances more than it helps you. You would have to be at the top 10% of your class to keep a good average and compete against math majors and some cases math honours students.

[Torontonian]

The math department at UBC does have grade deflation (class averages are kept at a low to mid C usually) ,


Looks like a regular grading scheme. If that's deflation, what's the average in econ courses? B,B+ ?


and if your not a really good student (and that doesn't mean good at math)
it may hurt your chances more than it helps you. You would have to be at the top 10% of your class to keep a good average and compete against math majors and some cases math honours students.

And that is so scary to compete with math honours students! hahaha! I was an econ major some time ago and didn't feel inferior competing with these guys (now I'm one of them:-)). I can guarantee that you don't need to be John Nash to be in the top 10 percent of the class (even at UBC) and in many upper devision pure math classes (analysis,algebra, number theory) it's all not about a sheer volume of what you know but rather overall mathematical maturity and the ability to think critically. The performance in these courses might be just a good reality check for someone considering going to the grad school.
To the OP.
In my opinion, math degree (with a concentration in pure math) is the best education someone can get at the undergrad level (especially if you try to dig deeper and is hungry to learn). No other field is more challenging for a human mind. You might suffer at the very beginning, but then you get addicted to these constant challenges and can't think your life without them. And that amazing undescribable feeling of the constant intellectual growth. If I were you I would give it a try. You never know if you're going to do economcs or stats or math or business at the end. But mathematics might be the best intellectual experience in your life. Don't listen just to the advice on this board (even from well respected members like Golden Rule).
Dear Golden Rule, I know that you advocate diversity and well-roundedness and think about undergraduate mathematics as a way to acquire problem solving skills. But there is much more beyond that if you really try to understand and go beyond the course texts and I am sorry that you didn't have the chance to feel the beauty of mathematics. It is something hard to describe even for professional mathematicians. I remember a quote from one of them that the life of a mathematician is similar to that of a psyco, the moments of a delirious joy followed by black dispair (hope it's close to the original).

[^__^]

Very much agree with Torontonian.

I had / am having a similar experience. I dont think UBC's maths is that hard... I had a look at their undergrad maths courses, they are respectable, but not scary. (There are several places one constructs real numbers in 1st year, and sees differential forms, tensors and manifolds in 2nd year, etc) Learn what you like, dont be scared by others' comments. If they can do it, why not us?

[The MAN]

Since I graduated high school I have had the following majors (in chronological order from earliest to now):

-Computer Engineering (1 semester)
-General Engineering (1 semester)
-Criminal Justice (2 semesters)
-Business (2 semesters)
-Economics (4 semesters)

To me hearing someone come out of H.S. saying they are going to go right through into a ph.d. program is kind of crazy, but you're probably just more mature than I was at your age.

You could consider double majoring in math and econ. Definitely take as much math as you feel comfortable with. If it turns out your not that into econ, you can always use the math for other programs. Whereas, if you love econ but don't take the math, you end up having to go back and pick up those classes later on (like I'm doing now).

I do want to note that most colleges have general education requirements specifically designed so you can try out various subjects. Use that opportunity to take some classes that sound interesting to you.