What's the highest math you need for an Econ degree

For a BA, you just need differential calculus, which is the same as what covers your General Ed math, and algebraic stats.

If you want to go further in economics (especially grad school), you're likely better-off majoring in something else- math, physics, or even engineering, with an econ minor (or just make sure you take and ace intermediate micro and the first econometrics class).

For higher-level economics, you need the full calculus sequence (1151, 1152, 2153 or an advanced sequence), linear algebra (2568), probability theory (math 4530 or stat 4201) and intro to proofs (3345) as a minimum, which is one class short of a math minor. PhD students will have real analysis, an extra semester of math stats (stat 4202), and likely more (think topology, measure theory).

But doing all that math- and especially doing well in it- is much easier said than done. The math department is much stingier with A's than the econ department.

For just undergrad, calculus will do unless you want to understand some of the background theory (in office hours), which will need linear algebra in most cases. In my experience, your intermediate micro, macro, and econometrics teachers will tickled to hear you've taken linear algebra before their class- you can do so much more if you desire with the courses.

All in all, you get out what you put in. If you're pursuing the BA path, you likely aren't going to be too interested in the background math, and instead just the concepts (which are great on their own). If you are interested though, the BS degree is much more quantitatively driven. Either way, if you can get a good advisor for econ, he or she can best answer your questions.

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