summer courses?

Question

I want to take some summer courses. I am going to take college algebra and I want to take one more class. My choices are an online intro to political science or (in a class not online) principles af macroeconomics. Have you taken any of these? How were they? Is there alot of math involved in economics? any info or suggestions will help. Thanks

im a bio major

Answer 1

I am just about to receive my bachelor's in political science, so naturally I'm a fan of these courses. I would say if you're into history, culture and politics at all this choice might be more fun interesting and fun for you. I've taken macro and found it to be useful, but it can be a little more dry (unless of course you' re an economics major..). An intro macro course is usually not too heavy on the math, though there a number of formulas you will have to practice and probably be tested on. The best course would also probably be the one that is most relevant to your major. But at the same time, sometimes a course in a different field can open your eyes in new ways. Good luck choosing.

Answer 2

First, you have to understand that summer courses are two weeks shorter than the other quarters which are 10 weeks.

So, with this in mind the materials covered for the course are the same, but more intense. I talked to a math professor and she said that usually she spends more time getting the class to certain points to make sure her students understand the basics. During the summer quarter she does not have that option, and gets into the meat of the algebra quicker. My advice is if math is a hard subject for you, you should re-consider this and take math in the fall where there is more time spent going over the materials.

I have taken Micro-and Macro economics 200 level courses. What could be challenging taking them on-line rather than in the class-room would be the use of graphs explaning supply and demand. I would not take a 300 economics course on line. It is difficult at best in person.

Not too much math in the 200 level courses, there could be interest problems, but not too tough. Pretty basic, but the 300 courses are harder.

Get a good foundation in algebra...understand the basics. You will use the quadratic formula in the 300 courses, and some calculas. Will not have to know the "chain-rule".

Our professor spent some review time about a week reviewing the math you need to know. Remember that economics is based on "marginal costs" the value of what one more dollar spent...so you will be doing a lot of calculations finding out marginal values.

Do not let math keep you from a business degree, or social work. Usually economics is requried for a social degree. My advice when taking math courses is to make sure you understand the lessons. Do extra homework, study in groups and tutor others. By tutoring others you will understand the materials better.

I had to get a tutor to help me through the economics 300 course, but it had been a long time since I had taken math. So my final advice is to take your math and then after take the economics courses. That way it will be fresh in your mind.

I took a Humanities 105 on-line. It was tough because there was too much material that would have been great to cover in a classroom instead of cyber-space.

Good luck.

Dave

Answer 3

I've taken and enjoyed both. Macroeconomics usually is less quantitative than is microeconomics (and as a bio major, you can certainly handle the math in economics).