Finance/Economics Major UoM (Commerce)

[ashleylalala]

I'm currently in my first year in university of Melbourne and planning on taking double major in economics and finance. I have a few questions:


1) I have 3 subjects left for my commerce electives and i'm not sure what to take. Would anyone please suggest me any useful (favoured by employers) or interesting finance and economics subjects (level 2 or 3)? And how difficult it is?

Other than the ones that I know I must take:

FNCE30001 Investments
FNCE30002 Corporate Finance
FNCE30007 Derivative securities

ECON30009 Macroeconomics
ECON30010 Microeconomics
ECOM Basic econometrics / Econometrics

2) How different is basic econometrics (ECOM30001) with econometrics? I figured if econometrics is not significantly harder than basic econometrics, I'd rather just take econometrics (ECOM30002).


Please help! thank you

[notveryasian]

Hi there. I'm also hoping to major in Econ and Finance, just completed my first year. Regarding commerce electives, unfortunately individual subjects themselves won't be favoured by employers, but I'm choosing the subject "Competition and Strategy", a 2nd year Economics elective. The subject matter is game theory and supposedly the subject is quite useful, as it has applications in a lot of areas.

The Finance electives don't sound particularly interesting to me but you might find it different. If you're more mathematical inclined, I heard that "Mathematical Economics" and "Time Series Analysis and Forecasting" are also quite interesting(heard this from a lecturer, so take this with a grain of salt.)

Since I haven't done any of the subjects you mentioned, I can't help with the difficulty or whether or not to do ECOM30001 or ECOM30002. I think I might do ECOM30002 since I'll have the prerequisites through the "mathematical path" of Commerce degree.

[ashleylalala]

Thanks for the suggestions!
Well my maths is pretty good, but not that great. so yeah still not sure about the ecom30002 or 30001

[sluu001]

I recommend econometrics. Vance teached the subject very well; and the fail rate is very low as a result. My mate did basic metrics, and the subject wad so horrendously taught (been a high turnover of subject coordinators); the fail rate was quite high.

If simon lorchester is still the coordinator for 3rd yr micro; i highly recommend taking competition and strategy. Simon's a game theory guy, and a large chunk of his syllabus is devoted to the subject. Having prior knowledge (by taking c&s) will give you a significant advantage over the other kids.

In regards to mathematical econ and time series; unless you're good at maths or looking to pursue econ honours; id be wary. My mates took both; and they found them ridiculously challenging (although, he knew several actuary kids taking these subjects as "grade boosters")

[jtvg]

The new FNCE30008 Street Finance subject seems really cool.

Also, ECOM30001 is basically the same as ECOM20001. Since you're planning on majoring Economics & Finance, just do ECOM20001, and then do ECOM30002.

[ashleylalala]

Thanks guys, that was helpful!
I'd love to hear more subjects recommendation

[jtvg]

ECON30019 Behavioural Economics seems quite awesome. It's quite similar to a subject I did (Financial Accounting Theory).