TestMagic

gredow · 09-20-2006, 09:48 PM

I have only taken college algebra, business calculus and 1 yr of statistics. time is scarce as i am applying for schools for fall 07. i know i need real analysis and to lead into that it seems i need 1 course in linear algebra. but its been a few yrs since my last calculus so i think i need to brush up on that as well.

if i take another calculus and linear algebra, would i be able to take real analysis in the winter quarter, or would i need more prep? if i could get a course in multivariate calculus and differential equations i would like to. at this point its not to impress adcoms but just for my own prep. i guess its my own fault i havent taken any maths in the past 3 yrs since undergrad. i have just been working. any advice?

thanks

OneMoreEcon · 09-20-2006, 10:36 PM

Typically, business calc won't count as a pre-req for later calc courses (though this may not be the case at your institution). The usual sequence is Calc I-III, then real analysis. Not sure how things work with the quarter system (maybe some else has more experience), but Calc III is where you learn multivariable calculus. I don't quite understand why linear algebra is a pre-req for analysis, except possibly as a "mathematical maturity" requirement. You should be able to get that waived, though you should take linear algebra anyway. However, you will probably need multivariable calc prior to taking analysis.

To be completely honest, it doesn't sound like you're ready for a PhD program in econ given your current math background. My math background was pretty similar to yours, and I went back and did two more years of undergrad to complete a math major. It took 3 semesters (fall, spring, summer) before I could take analysis because of the calc pre-reqs.

I don't know what range of schools you're looking at, but your prospects for most decent programs aren't too good at the moment. You may want to focus on math for the next year and apply next fall (when you also have grades for the math courses).

I (and others, I'm sure) can try to give more specific advice if you want to describe your ambitions in more detail (especially what schools you are looking at, but also level of undergrad institution, potential LORs, GRE scores, etc).

shootermcgavin7 · 09-21-2006, 02:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gredow

I have only taken college algebra, business calculus and 1 yr of statistics. time is scarce as i am applying for schools for fall 07. i know i need real analysis and to lead into that it seems i need 1 course in linear algebra. but its been a few yrs since my last calculus so i think i need to brush up on that as well.

if i take another calculus and linear algebra, would i be able to take real analysis in the winter quarter, or would i need more prep? if i could get a course in multivariate calculus and differential equations i would like to. at this point its not to impress adcoms but just for my own prep. i guess its my own fault i havent taken any maths in the past 3 yrs since undergrad. i have just been working. any advice?

thanks

You are EXACTLY in the same situation that I was on this exact day in 2005. Applying this January seems a little unrealistic, assuming your target schools are the same as everyone else on here.

werther · 09-21-2006, 05:50 AM

i am sort of in the same boat as you and i am planning on applying to MA programmes in my country (canada) as well as qualifying year to Master's in Math/Stats. if i get in the former i plan to take some upper div. undergrad math courses when i have the time,, and if i get the latter i'd probably take around 2 years at least to complete my master's which means i still have 2 years or more to go before i apply for PhD Econ. i'm graduating this year with BA econ. good luck.

gredow · 09-21-2006, 07:49 PM

thanks to all 3 who replied. your advice is well taken.

on that note, does anyone have suggestions on good calculus 1-3, linear algebra, mathematical statistics & Analysis books?

also, any suggestions on websites that sell used versions of them?

thanks again

werther · 09-21-2006, 08:30 PM

hi, for calculus i-iii, i think the standard textbook most undergrad schools use is James Stewart's Calculus, 5th ed, that one book is used for all three courses, 1st portion differential, 2nd portion integral, 3rd portion multivariable. i'm sure you can try to find used ones on ebay/half.com, and personally i'd try the school bookstore, they should sell used copies?? if you're still in school that is.

gredow · 09-21-2006, 09:27 PM

thanks a lot for your input. i will definitely check out that book and those sites.

ive been out of school for 3 yrs. im trying to refresh myself. im trying to enroll in math courses at a local community college but at the least i will have the books and have a go at it myself.

are you speaking of this one?<LI class=bookAuthor>AUTHOR: James Stewart
<LI class=bookEdition>EDITION: 5th <LI class=bookPubDate>RELEASE: 2002-12-24
<LI class=bookPub>PUBLISHER: Brooks Cole
<LI class=bookFormat>FORMAT: Hardcover (1320 pages)
ISBN: 0534393217

shootermcgavin7 · 09-22-2006, 01:52 AM

If you can afford it, this program is fantastic:

http://netmath.uiuc.edu/

werther · 09-22-2006, 01:54 AM

yes, that is the one. it's >1,000 pages.

i believe that book is also sold as two separate textbooks, first one covering single variable and second one covering multivariable. if you're thinking of a calc i-iii refresher, you should def. go with the >1000 pg volume.

UMSL_Losh · 09-22-2006, 03:36 AM

Take a little time to cover:
Calc II
Calc III
Advanced Calc / Real Analysis
Math Stats

This should have you ready to cover your first-year courses. You don't want to be in a program if you're learning the math and the econ theory simultaneously, it's just a lot of anguish and distraction from your research.

Stewart is pretty much what everyone uses, although die-hard programs suggest Tom Apostol (go fig, it's been out of print for 15 years).

09-20-2006, 09:48 PM	#1 (permalink)
gredow Trying to make mom and pop proud Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Bay Area, California Posts: 16	Only have Business Calculus & Stats-what to take? I have only taken college algebra, business calculus and 1 yr of statistics. time is scarce as i am applying for schools for fall 07. i know i need real analysis and to lead into that it seems i need 1 course in linear algebra. but its been a few yrs since my last calculus so i think i need to brush up on that as well. if i take another calculus and linear algebra, would i be able to take real analysis in the winter quarter, or would i need more prep? if i could get a course in multivariate calculus and differential equations i would like to. at this point its not to impress adcoms but just for my own prep. i guess its my own fault i havent taken any maths in the past 3 yrs since undergrad. i have just been working. any advice? thanks

09-21-2006, 07:49 PM	#5 (permalink)
gredow Trying to make mom and pop proud Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Bay Area, California Posts: 16	thanks thanks to all 3 who replied. your advice is well taken. on that note, does anyone have suggestions on good calculus 1-3, linear algebra, mathematical statistics & Analysis books? also, any suggestions on websites that sell used versions of them? thanks again

09-21-2006, 09:27 PM	#7 (permalink)
gredow Trying to make mom and pop proud Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Bay Area, California Posts: 16	thanks a lot for your input. i will definitely check out that book and those sites. ive been out of school for 3 yrs. im trying to refresh myself. im trying to enroll in math courses at a local community college but at the least i will have the books and have a go at it myself. are you speaking of this one?<LI class=bookAuthor>AUTHOR: James Stewart <LI class=bookEdition>EDITION: 5th <LI class=bookPubDate>RELEASE: 2002-12-24 <LI class=bookPub>PUBLISHER: Brooks Cole <LI class=bookFormat>FORMAT: Hardcover (1320 pages) ISBN: 0534393217 Last edited by gredow : 09-21-2006 at 09:27 PM. Reason: Automerged post

09-22-2006, 03:36 AM	#10 (permalink)
UMSL_Losh Trying to make mom and pop proud Join Date: Sep 2006 Posts: 13	On that note Take a little time to cover: Calc II Calc III Advanced Calc / Real Analysis Math Stats This should have you ready to cover your first-year courses. You don't want to be in a program if you're learning the math and the econ theory simultaneously, it's just a lot of anguish and distraction from your research. Stewart is pretty much what everyone uses, although die-hard programs suggest Tom Apostol (go fig, it's been out of print for 15 years).

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: Advanced Search
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

09-20-2006, 10:36 PM	#2 (permalink)
OneMoreEcon TestMagic Guru-in-Training Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 538	Typically, business calc won't count as a pre-req for later calc courses (though this may not be the case at your institution). The usual sequence is Calc I-III, then real analysis. Not sure how things work with the quarter system (maybe some else has more experience), but Calc III is where you learn multivariable calculus. I don't quite understand why linear algebra is a pre-req for analysis, except possibly as a "mathematical maturity" requirement. You should be able to get that waived, though you should take linear algebra anyway. However, you will probably need multivariable calc prior to taking analysis. To be completely honest, it doesn't sound like you're ready for a PhD program in econ given your current math background. My math background was pretty similar to yours, and I went back and did two more years of undergrad to complete a math major. It took 3 semesters (fall, spring, summer) before I could take analysis because of the calc pre-reqs. I don't know what range of schools you're looking at, but your prospects for most decent programs aren't too good at the moment. You may want to focus on math for the next year and apply next fall (when you also have grades for the math courses). I (and others, I'm sure) can try to give more specific advice if you want to describe your ambitions in more detail (especially what schools you are looking at, but also level of undergrad institution, potential LORs, GRE scores, etc).

09-21-2006, 05:50 AM	#4 (permalink)
werther a ghost Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 334	i am sort of in the same boat as you and i am planning on applying to MA programmes in my country (canada) as well as qualifying year to Master's in Math/Stats. if i get in the former i plan to take some upper div. undergrad math courses when i have the time,, and if i get the latter i'd probably take around 2 years at least to complete my master's which means i still have 2 years or more to go before i apply for PhD Econ. i'm graduating this year with BA econ. good luck.

09-21-2006, 08:30 PM	#6 (permalink)
werther a ghost Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 334	hi, for calculus i-iii, i think the standard textbook most undergrad schools use is James Stewart's Calculus, 5th ed, that one book is used for all three courses, 1st portion differential, 2nd portion integral, 3rd portion multivariable. i'm sure you can try to find used ones on ebay/half.com, and personally i'd try the school bookstore, they should sell used copies?? if you're still in school that is.

09-22-2006, 01:52 AM	#8 (permalink)
shootermcgavin7 Within my grasp! Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 498	If you can afford it, this program is fantastic: http://netmath.uiuc.edu/

09-22-2006, 01:54 AM	#9 (permalink)
werther a ghost Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 334	yes, that is the one. it's >1,000 pages. i believe that book is also sold as two separate textbooks, first one covering single variable and second one covering multivariable. if you're thinking of a calc i-iii refresher, you should def. go with the >1000 pg volume.

TestMagic

Free GMAT, GRE, SAT Test, TOEFL practice tests