Can I handle it?

[OutstandingInDivination]

Hey people! Im considering doing a commerce degree (majoring in economics of course) next year, and I was just wondering whether it involves a lot of very difficult maths*? Also I was wondering whether I'd be able to survive it or not. (Im doing methods, and Ill probably get 33-35 in it, if that gives any indication of my maths abilities)

PS: Im considering going to monash by the way. not sure if thats relevant or not haha

*By hard maths i mean specialist level, or the upper range of methods. Anything lower, and Im pretty confidant I can handle it (hopefully haha)

Thanks guys!

[sluu001]

A basic understanding of Differential calculus is all you will need. Economics is all about using calculus to find the optimal turning points on a curve; and that is taught in literally the 1st month of Methods 1-2.

The only time you will require a deeper understanding in the concepts taught in Methods is if you decide to also study Econometrics as part of your Economics Degree/Major. In which case, Probability Theory/Statistics will be taught to you from the very beginning.

Don't worry about the maths involved - if someone like me (who did not touch methods for 4 years before taking up Economics) can get though the course. Then you will have no problem with the content - at least at Undergrad Level. (Post-Grad/Honours is however, a completely different matter).

[sluu001]

If you want to be employed in an actual economics position, then you will most likely need to continue on to Honours. That is where the maths required increases exponentially. In the standard 3 yr degree, the maths remain comparably similar. An econ degree is difficult because of the concepts are hard - get the concepts and the maths is quite simple (it is used simply to prove that the theory works).

Unfortunately, employment within the field is very competitive and anything less than an honours year WITH a a H1 or H2A grade (which essentially means an A+ for the year); will not likely land you a job in the bigger employers of economists (ie. RBA, Treasury).

Also, getting into Honours at the bigger unis (ie. your melbourne or monash) is also getting increasing difficult as well - with last yrs hurdle being a H1 average for Melbourne.

I recommend pairing economics with another discipline (especially Finance) - if you want better employment prospects. Econ is looked upon very highly by employers when paired with a more standardised major which has some sort of professional accreditation attached (ie. finance or accounting) - as it shows you to be a good logical and critical thinker. Econ by itself ha no official professional recognition - so the topic studied at different unis will vary depending on what the lecturer is interested in (especially in later years).