Students should consider taking the quantitative track courses if they are interested in pursuing the Economics department’s honors program (see the specific requirements here). These classes are oriented to students who are interested in a more academic perspective on economics that is more closely connected with academic research

Econ 1 vs Econ 2: Introduction to Economics

Compared to Econ 1, Econ 2 is a more challenging course. While it covers a similar set of subjects, students in Econ 2 are also required to read published academic papers as part of the course material. Students who are interested in getting exposure to current economic research and students who are interested in pursuing the Economics department’s honors program should consider this class.

Econ 100/140 vs 101/141

The 101 level classes are more mathematical, but the degree of mathematical difficulty differs across classes. Econ 101B has the same math requirements as the major (Math 52), but assumes that students are comfortable with a more mathematical approach to presenting the material. The most important difference between this class and 100B is that it engages more with academic research in macroeconomics. Econ 101A uses derivatives of functions of multiple variables, so it is somewhat more mathematically intensive (requiring multivariable calculus, Math 53), and Econ 141 is the most mathematically intensive of these classes. It requires statistics (STAT 20 or equivalent) and multivariate calculus, and some familiarity with linear algebra (requiring MATH 53 and 54). Students who are interested in economics graduate school should enroll in these classes.

Taking some of these classes are a requirement to pursue the honors program: the one-semester honors thesis track requires taking 2 out of 101A, 101B or 141, while the one-year honors thesis track requires one of these three classes. See more here.

To summarize, the core differences are that 101A/101B/141 are:

  • More closely connected with economic research
  • Have a more academic focus
  • Assume more comfort with math (though the use of math varies across classes)
  • Smaller classes

Frequently Asked Questions

Most students will take Principles (1 or 2) before Micro (100/101a), Macro (100/101b) and Econometrics (140/141), followed by upper level electives. The intermediate level classes can be taken in any order, but Econ 141 is generally viewed as the intermediate-level class that requires the most mathematical sophistication (see more on math requirements below). 

The Econ Department does not enforce prerequisites so you may enroll. But keep in mind that the course may be more difficult for you if you do not have the prerequisites (for example, the instructor may review a topic that they expect was covered in a prerequisite without covering it in detail). So, it’s a good idea to consult with the instructor about enrolling in a class without the prerequisites, and to understand that some components of the class may be particularly challenging. 

Yes, students intending to pursue graduate school in economics should take the quantitative track. These courses will help prepare students more effectively for the kind of coursework they will encounter in graduate school. These courses will also be helpful in demonstrating to PhD programs students’ interest and aptitude for academic economics. 

These courses are not necessarily “intensive” in math, but they use mathematical tools to model economic phenomena. The advantage is that they provide a more rigorous framework, allowing students to go deeper in their understanding of economic concepts and to see precisely how conclusions follow from assumptions. This is also the type of approach pursued more extensively in graduate school (masters or PhD).

These courses offer additional material related to the kind of skills economists use in academic research. These include: reading academic papers, critically evaluating empirical methods and models, understanding the data sources used in academic research, translating ideas into mathematical models, solving formal models, following and constructing rigorous analytical arguments, and interpreting mathematical results in economic terms.

Often, but not always. Students who prefer a more academic approach to the discipline may find these classes a natural fit. Students who feel comfortable with mathematical modeling (at the level of multivariate calculus) may also find these classes present material in a way that appeals to them. Conceptually, these courses cover similar ground to the “standard” classes, but the approach is more academic and research-oriented. 

The Econ pre-requisites are: Econ 1 or 2 for 101A/B and 141. You do not have to take Econ 2 to enroll in Econ 101A and the same goes for Econ 141. It is not important for students to have taken 100A/B or 101A/B before 141 --- by taking them, you may appreciate a bit more of the examples and applications, but will not have a greater advantage.

The math pre-requisites differ substantially across classes in the quantitative track. In order from least to greatest: Econ 101B has the same math requirements as the major (Math 52), Econ 101A requires multivariate calculus (Math 53) and Econ 141 requires statistics (STAT 20 or equivalent) and multivariate calculus, and some familiarity with linear algebra (requiring MATH 53 and 54).

No. However, these classes may be valuable to students who want to have a deeper understanding of academic research, either through the department’s honors program or in upper-division electives that assign research papers as readings. 

The quantitative track (2/101a/101b/141) will likely prepare you better for a Masters program in economics and will be valued more when you apply. However, many students from the “regular” track have gone on to do masters, and taking the “regular” track certainly does not disqualify you from applying to a Masters program.