MSc in Economics?

Ekancone

Hi, i am applying for various taught masters programmes and the MSc in TCD is one of them. I am trying to get peoples opinions as to what going to their respective college/uni is like and, if possible, what the actual programme itself is like. So fill me in, whats going to college in TCD like? Is the level of quants really high in the MSc Economics degree, or about on a par with your usual masters in Economics?

Thanks in advance

Time Magazine

I'm sure the thread you made on the topic in August will be a good starting point.

Ekancone

Oh right, so i should just revive that one or stick to this?

n.catenthusiast

I'm currently doing the M.Sc. It's pretty heavy-extremely mathsy. I can't compare it to any other economics masters, as I think one will be more than enough for me, assuming I pass!
Course consists of 2 ten week terms, followed by 3-5 months on the dissertation, depending on whether they'll accept your work in June or send you back to re do it. There's also a four week maths and stats course preceeding it in September, which is examined.
You're given a problem sheet to complete after each lecture, as well as 3 2000ish word essays and a 6000 (supposedly) word econometrics project each term. We've got two weeks till X mas break and we're all dashing frantically to get the project done.

A lot of it depends on your background really. There's a fwe engineering graduates, and they seem to be doing fine, as they're comfortable with the maths. I did economics in UCD as part of Arts, and I'm struggling, but keeping up so far. ( I think I am anyway-exams in January may rob me of my illusions.....)
It's very research orientated and not very intuitive at all, but it's a small class and eeryone's keen to help out.
Not trying to scare anyone off, but it is a tough course, and you would be working a lot more than most other masters. In the postgrad room it's reached the stage where our class have our own table, and your weekends are one of the first things to suffer.

Still, its a very well regarded course, and cause they work you like a dog, the time flies by. We've been at it for three months, and it feels like only the other day we started out. Once the disertation starts things ought to be a little less intense also.
Hope this is of some help!

Ekancone

n.catenthusiast wrote: »

I'm currently doing the M.Sc. It's pretty heavy-extremely mathsy. I can't compare it to any other economics masters, as I think one will be more than enough for me, assuming I pass!
Course consists of 2 ten week terms, followed by 3-5 months on the dissertation, depending on whether they'll accept your work in June or send you back to re do it. There's also a four week maths and stats course preceeding it in September, which is examined.
You're given a problem sheet to complete after each lecture, as well as 3 2000ish word essays and a 6000 (supposedly) word econometrics project each term. We've got two weeks till X mas break and we're all dashing frantically to get the project done.

A lot of it depends on your background really. There's a fwe engineering graduates, and they seem to be doing fine, as they're comfortable with the maths. I did economics in UCD as part of Arts, and I'm struggling, but keeping up so far. ( I think I am anyway-exams in January may rob me of my illusions.....)
It's very research orientated and not very intuitive at all, but it's a small class and eeryone's keen to help out.
Not trying to scare anyone off, but it is a tough course, and you would be working a lot more than most other masters. In the postgrad room it's reached the stage where our class have our own table, and your weekends are one of the first things to suffer.

Still, its a very well regarded course, and cause they work you like a dog, the time flies by. We've been at it for three months, and it feels like only the other day we started out. Once the disertation starts things ought to be a little less intense also.
Hope this is of some help!

Thats of great help, kind of puts me off actually! Food for thought.

n.catenthusiast

Well think about it more. Just cause it's hard doesn't mean it's not worth doing, as I said it flies by. Also I reckon once Christmas exams are over things will ease into a rough but manageable pace.

Most importantly of all, don't be too influenced by strangers on the internet. I was once, and there are graphic and intimate photos of me for sale on a dark corner of the internet. You can even subscribe to have them sent to your mobile, in a 'Crazy Frog' type of thing, only far more violating.
Anyways, the point is maybe you should ask around a bit more. I'd feel like a bit of a monster if I inadvertently affected your whole career/life type thing

Ekancone

n.catenthusiast wrote: »

Well think about it more. Just cause it's hard doesn't mean it's not worth doing, as I said it flies by. Also I reckon once Christmas exams are over things will ease into a rough but manageable pace.

Most importantly of all, don't be too influenced by strangers on the internet. I was once, and there are graphic and intimate photos of me for sale on a dark corner of the internet. You can even subscribe to have them sent to your mobile, in a 'Crazy Frog' type of thing, only far more violating.
Anyways, the point is maybe you should ask around a bit more. I'd feel like a bit of a monster if I inadvertently affected your whole career/life type thing

Well, is there any chance you could email me some of the maths you guys are doing? Maybe then i could get an idea of what i would be up against. I will PM you my email.

From what I heard, the course is based on the LSE MSc, so that will imply a strong level of quants.

However from friends who have done it, while difficult, the quants are managable.

Ekancone

Deleted User wrote: »

From what I heard, the course is based on the LSE MSc, so that will imply a strong level of quants.

However from friends who have done it, while difficult, the quants are managable.

Thats good, thanks for the info.

Time Magazine

daithifleming wrote: »

Well, is there any chance you could email me some of the maths you guys are doing?

Get 'em while they're hot, kids.

Some micro.
Some macro and some more macro.

Although I can't find any quants, here is a copy of last year's fourth year Quantitative Methods exam, which I think is a reasonable estimate of the level expected.

blucey

FYI there is also a new MSc in Finance being run from the Business School.

Ekancone

Ibid wrote: »

Get 'em while they're hot, kids.

Some micro.
Some macro and some more macro.

Although I can't find any quants, here is a copy of last year's fourth year Quantitative Methods exam, which I think is a reasonable estimate of the level expected.

Hmmm, that is quite quantitative. Not sure could i make that big a step up from what we are doing now. Seems simple by comparison!

europerson

blucey wrote: »

FYI there is also a new MSc in Finance being run from the Business School.

Linky.

n.catenthusiast

daithifleming wrote: »

Hmmm, that is quite quantitative. Not sure could i make that big a step up from what we are doing now. Seems simple by comparison!

Yup it's pretty heavy not not impossible. The micro stuff that was posted up is a nightmare, but not indicative of the whole course. Everyone's strugglin with it, and I think it's just because of the lecturer's Nazi-esque approach towards learning. The macro stuff looks tricky, but it's not as bad as you'd think, as the lectures are of some help there.

europerson

n.catenthusiast wrote: »

I think it's just because of the lecturer's Nazi-esque approach towards learning

The lecturer in question is a legend in the Department. I don't know about his postgrad lectures, but his undergrad ones kick serious ass.

Tricity Bendix

You talking about Somerville?

Ekancone

n.catenthusiast wrote: »

Yup it's pretty heavy not not impossible. The micro stuff that was posted up is a nightmare, but not indicative of the whole course. Everyone's strugglin with it, and I think it's just because of the lecturer's Nazi-esque approach towards learning. The macro stuff looks tricky, but it's not as bad as you'd think, as the lectures are of some help there.

How did the xmas exams go anyway?

Ekancone

Ibid wrote: »

Get 'em while they're hot, kids.

Some micro.
Some macro and some more macro.

Although I can't find any quants, here is a copy of last year's fourth year Quantitative Methods exam, which I think is a reasonable estimate of the level expected.

You know, the further i progress in my quants course, the less difficult this stuff (above) seems. I'd say i could manage it alright, thats if i get in of course!

Flamed Diving

I got the course anyway, for those who are interested. (probably no one)


This is daithi, btw!

Économiste Monétaire

Flamed Diving wrote: »

I got the course anyway, for those who are interested. (probably no one)


This is daithi, btw!

Congratulations!

Now you just have four sickening weeks of a catch up on stats and maths

Flamed Diving

Flamed Diving wrote: »

I got the course anyway, for those who are interested. (probably no one)


This is daithi, btw!

Excellent! Well done!

Have fun on maths and stats course!

Flamed Diving

How hard is that meant to be anyway? Is there any way I could get hold of what is coming up so I can start revising now?

Économiste Monétaire

Flamed Diving wrote: »

How hard is that meant to be anyway? Is there any way I could get hold of what is coming up so I can start revising now?

Well, you could email the course director and ask for a syllabus. Otherwise you could just blast through Chiang and any decent econometrics book that takes your fancy.

Flamed Diving

I did email her, but she has yet to get back to me and I don't to annoy her. I will give her a week...

Yeah, I think I will start revising all the Econometrics I have been through so far and then try take it up a notch. Thanks.

Flamed Diving

I got a mail back, so I have a textbook to buy if I need it. I have to put a little work in alright, but none of it seems beyond my comprehension at least.

Économiste Monétaire

Flamed Diving wrote: »

I got a mail back, so I have a textbook to buy if I need it. I have to put a little work in alright, but none of it seems beyond my comprehension at least.

Mind if I ask which Stats book you were told to get? Curiosity killed the cat I know... :rolleyes: