Here's the deal: I have room for eight more economics classes. Three are mandatory:

2035 (Money, Banking, Macroeconomic Activity)
4710 (Aggregate Economic Analysis)
4720 (Intermediate Microeconomic Theory)

I'm seeing other classes like 4110 (Public Finance), 4120 (Federal, State, Local Taxation), 4320 (Environmental Economics) and 4630 (Introduction to Econometrics).

I understand some of those are more useful in more specific fields (if I'm looking at something involved with environmentalism, for instance, Environmental Economics would be paramount), but with only five open spots, no specific area of interest and a need to maximize my practical skills to make myself the best-equipped potential employee I can, I want (at least in undergrad) to emphasize the development of areas that are widely used. I figure, for instance, that econometrics is a good idea because it will hone skills in econometrics, which I presume are fairly widely applicable. I want to be generally technically sound so that I can spend my time in grad school specializing once I figure out an area of interest. Theory is fine, but since I'm already getting a third theory class (and I've taken two so far), and since I do enough individual theorizing on my own, I figure focusing on that in undergrad is probably a mistake.

So, what are some areas which will most help me become technically sound?

Try to learn as much as you can about mathematics.

Definitely Econometrics. For practical skills, you want some crossover to business rather than purely economics classes, something like Financial Management (which also helps if you try out some banking/management team game). I would also take History of Economic Thought and Game Theory, not for their practicality but since they're fun :)

do actuarial studies. insurance companies are rich, might as well get in on that.

How much math have you had, PE?
If you have not already done so, I would take Calculus 1 and 2 and statistics. With Calc, you can better understand some of the more complex models and how things are computed such as the amount of money gained/lost under some approximation functions (area under a curve). With Stat, you learn to interpret data, averages, standard deviations (10+-5 and 15+-1), statistically significant data, random sampling, double blind and so on. So not only are stat and calc basic requirements for some econ classes, they also help you internalize some of the ideas behind economic analysis so that you have more working memory to actually learn/analyze the more intricate and subtle details.

do you really need 2 calculus courses to integrate a linear function?

if your courses require calculus, then take the calculus, otherwise, i think it's overkill.

I cannot really imagine a full-fledged undergrad micro or macro econ course without calculus.

hm... maybe. but then if his courses require calculus, then there is no point in telling him to take it, since he will know to take it. i'm just saying take the minimum required calculus. if they ask for calc1, take calc1, if they require 2 then take 2. but don't go out looking for calc courses on your own.

Of course, bolshoi doesn't believe in the real numbers, so this may motivate his anti-calculus bias.
If you're going to grad school in a modern economics department, there is not going to be a math course that you took that you regret having taken.

Incidentally, congrats on the major decision. Hope it works out well.

If you are good at maths, econometrics is good (as zultar said). Try to take a subject in behavioral economics, it is quite useful and interesting, and more pragmatic as people don't always act 'rationally' when it comes to economics.

Take as much Econometrics as you can. Environmental Econ is also useful and relevant. Like semck said, as much maths as you can, I regret not doing so and not having the math killed my grad school chances.

I recommend reading Freakonomics to perhaps give you some inspiration for your coursework. FB message me if you have any other questions, I got my Econ degree only two years ago and have a pretty good understanding of what is useful and what isn t depending on your goals.

I've taken Environmental economics and found it useful. Also, I will mirror those who have said take lots of math. I've taken through Calc 3 plus linear algebra, and my advisor said I should take differential equations next semester as well. Have yet to take econometrics.

I'm taking econometrics right now, and though its a bitch, its very useful. I have enough other classes propping up my GPA, so I may take advanced econometrics later. I'm also in my school's equivalent of your money and banking course. EXTREMELY USEFUL. Well, at least for me since I aspire to go to the FED and it gives me some more basic understanding on how the banking sector works.

I would suggest something with Game Theory, or perhaps on international economics. Those are the two most practical areas, I think, as well as some crossover courses in business.

Some more clarification:

Regarding math. I joke about being terribad at math on the forums, but truth is I'm not. I was lazy as hell in high school and got behind in pre-calc so I never really emphasized math much. Took Calc I and passed with straight Bs, and I remember basics of it. More importantly, I'm enrolling in business calc (which I assume is Calc II) this fall, and my former roommate (who was in a similar boat to me in terms of math in high school, solid at it but never emphasized) aced the course without having taken Calc I first, so presumably I will be able to succeed. Aside from that I'm enrolling in an experimental statistics course next spring.

I actually hadn't counted on taking much math outside of that, but if not having it killed some folks' grad school chances then I sure as hell don't want to take that risk. I know a couple math teachers showed up in addition to econ folks, so I'll elaborate on my situation schedule-wise and try to figure out how much additional math I should go for, since I know you guys will know how to prioritize the time I have.

My deal is, I've got general education requirements essentially out of the way (I need to grab one more science since econ asks for a little more there, and a language sequence to fill some lit requirements I thought were met but apparently weren't), and I also did quite a bit of work toward my previous major, history (now a minor). I'm required to take a sequence of economic history which locks up the history minor, so that's not taking anything away. With all this factored, I'm left with 48 hours for economics-related things and my political science degree.

Now... I can drop political science down to a minor, but I'm really enjoying it and would rather not if I can avoid it. I'd need to allocate either 21 or 24 hours to it, so that's close to half of the space.

Is it feasible to get a solid base of math and economics with 24-27 hours available? If it's not, the political science minor should only be six more hours, so that would leave me 42. I figure that should at least be sufficient.

So with this information in mind:

(1) Do I need to drop to a minor in political science to get the requisite time for a strong math+econ base?
(2a) If I do not, what should I prioritize with the 24-27 hours I will have? (apparently, econometrics. lol)
(2b) If I do, I can pretty much run wild with math and economics; what would you do with that space?

Oh, and also, I did read Freakonomics (back in summer 2010 - it actually initially sparked my interest in economics). Great book. I'll read again. Any reading recommendations?

Take the tax course. That WILL be useful down the line, guaranteed.

If you can play gunboat well, you can do math well enough.
For math, prioritize Calculus (for math/engineer if you can, not business calc; that's pretty much a joke), Statistics, Linear Algebra, and Applied Statistics (which would involve computer programming, linear algebra, and basic stat)
Am I missing anything important, math folks?

"Take the tax course. That WILL be useful down the line, guaranteed."

Obi is clearly having an affect on the rest of our forum member's writing abilities.

for math: calc 1, 2 and 3, linear algebra, statistics, differential equations, and real analysis if you have space. the more math you do now, the easier grad school will be.
for econ: econometrics is a good one, and as much micro theory as you can. otherwise just take what you're interested in. the key in undergrad is to build a strong toolset.
otherwise: a computer science course might help, although definitely isn't necessary. being able to do simple things like write loops can save a lot of time when you are working with data.
feel free to pm me if you want more advice, i just wrapping up my master's in econ now.

if you are looking to enter the workforce and get a finance job after a ba or ma and not do a phd, i think it is helpful to take courses like financial markets, asset pricing and money and banking.

if you have space outside of econ, i think a financial accounting course is probably a good idea. it comes up a ton in job interviews.

As far as how much schooling I plan to get: I'm definitely looking to pursue an MA right after undergrad, and I'd like to get a PhD. However, I don't know that I'll have the resources (time and money) to get a PhD right after the MA.

From the sounds of it, I'll need entirely too much math to keep the poli sci major. Luckily I put off the major coursework for poli sci so I could get through gen eds, so it's not really a big loss.

Just take some summer courses, PE. It's not a bad way to spend part of your summer. You then open up options for yourself during the year, and if you are diligent and if you take the time to schedule/balance your courses, you can get a minor in math and do a poly sci major.

You should never have to pay for grad school, Eden. Some school will fund you. You won't get rich but a graduate student stipend is easily enough to live on as a single person in their 20s.

You can even buy some unpretentious wine while you are at it.

So do I get a cut of your enormous pay when you strike it rich for starting the thread that gave you the idea, Eden? ;)

How big are these stipends? At risk of sounding irresponsible I've never checked.

I'll have to see about summer classes. I'd probably be funding them, which might be difficult with tight finances, but it seems like a realistic option.

Oh hush obi. :p

For anyone curious, a complete course listing for LSU:

http://www.lsu.edu/catalogs/2011/pdfs/229_324Courses.pdf

Unfortunately it's not very easy to get to specific sections; I'll reference page numbers, just be sure that if you're jumping through pages on a PDF viewer to subtract 229 from any page number listed (since page 1 in this PDF = page 229 in the book). Math courses are on pages 297-298. 2090 (Elementary Differential Equations and Linear Algebra) seems to be the ticket as far as math is concerned, since the prereqs include Calc I and II (1550, 1552). Combined with (found on p267) Experimental Statistics 2201 (Introduction to Statistical Analysis), I'm feeling like I'll have the necessary math foundation. If anything else jumps out at y'all or something is missing, holler.

So that's 17 hours... definitely going to need to go with a political science minor. That's fine. If I do that, then I'll need six hours for my Latin minor, six hours (which are already mandated anyway) for my history minor and six hours for my political science minor. That leaves me 54-58 hours with which to play without going to summer school. I'll probably pick up one more math class (as more can't really hurt) and get a minor in math as well, so there's ~20 hours gone to math.

So I'm looking at 30 hours of economics at this point. If you're still following in the PDF, it's page 255-256. So far I've got these as courses I'd like to take:

* 2035 (Money, Banking, and Macroeconomic Activity)
* 4070 (Economic Growth)
* 4075/76 (American Economic History sequence)
* 4120 (Federal, State, and Local Taxation)
* 4421 (Health Care Economics)
* 4620 (Game Theory and Applications)
* 4630 (Introduction to Econometrics)
* 4710 (Aggregate Economic Analysis)
* 4720 (Intermediate Microeconomic Theory)

That's 30 hours. Solid curriculum? Anything to add/remove?

@PE, I would take calculus II, not Business calculus.

As for grad school stipends, they usually fall between $13k and $25k a year, depending on a hundred different things.

Yeah, I realized that the economics program not only allowed but recommended substitution of the calc cycle (I, II) for business calc if students are looking to go to grad school for economics, so I've got that marked down.

And what. I make that much money working 40 hours a week. Jesus.

Well.... yeah. But usually tuition is also included, and if you don't count studying, the workload is typically only 10-15 hours. So it's not so bad.

Not so bad? That's a fortune for me. Working a third to a fourth of the time I normally do for the same amount of money (or, looking at the range, probably more) *and* tuition? I would take that 11 times out of 10

Even if you had to tutor TC, Putin and bolshoi?

TC would fart too loudly to do anything, so I'd be paid for wearing a gas mask in a classroom for 10 hours a week. Chump change.

Putin would be fun.

bolshoi would give me a chance to refine my corporal punishment skills.

All in all, sounds like a hell of a time!

Okay, throw in krellin, Draugnar, mapleleaf and obiwan as well see how you go

Agreed on what people have generally have been saying. Maximize the number of advanced mathematics courses you take. Do your very best to get a comp. sci. course or two in as well because you will likely need to do a little programming at some point in grad school and having some understanding of how computers speak is very useful. There are occasionally courses that cross-over in these departments. If you want to come up with a new idea at some point, you may want to consider taking a philosophy course that focuses on Utilitarianism, which is the philosophical foundation of economics (also read Adam Smith's The Theory of Moral Sentiments. It was the basis for The Wealth of Nations).

With my economics major, I learned a lot from our equivalent of Money, Banking, and Macroeconomic Activity. I also took courses in labor economics and environmental economics and each substantially changed my perspective of the economy. Personally, I think a broad range of courses gives you theoretical basis to understand how this how "economy" thing works. In grad school, econ goes hard toward the math though (or so I have heard) and you best be prepared for it. Lastly, I fully agree with Frank. Find a fellowship. You may not get into Harvard or whatever, but at least you won't be overburden with debt. I went to law school and the lack of the standard fellowship system kicked my financial ass. Do whatever you can to get a fellowship. You will want to maximize the prestige of the school you attend while keeping costs at 0.