EC2008 Topics in Finance VS. MT1008 Mathematical IT

What's the marginal benefit of taking EC2008 in order to complement the required EC200α, α={1,2,3,4}, modules? Is the module too basic for somebody who is somewhat serious about economics? The description and book recommendations suggest that it offers almost no additional real theory. Instead, it appears to be the source of a lot of hollow stuff like this: http://www.scribd.com/doc/23942013/Econ-Essay.

Found on facebook.com:
[INDENT]"So there's a million different professors...a million different books (each with just one copy on short loan) and NO tutorials! The tests are too long..the lecture notes are irrelevant...and APPARENTLY...500 words determine 40% of our FINAL GRADE! I can't believe we're actually supposed to take this seriously!"[/INDENT]

I worry the opportunity cost of taking the module, i.e. not taking an MT module, might outweigh its benefit. Unfortunately, I haven't taken any MT100β module in year 1, so the only alternative would be MT1008 (other MT100β modules are not taught in first semester). I can imagine that taking MT1008 could have some positive externalities on MT1002 and MT2005 which I definitely intend to choose.

I'm glad for all types of responses to this query.

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EC2008 - Topics in Finance

This module aims to provide an introduction to the economics of money, banking and financial markets. It presents a general overview of key monetary and financial market phenomena, of how key financial and money market institutions operate and the basic workings of financial and money markets. The module is designed to provide students with a general understanding of how financial markets work and the impact of financial markets on the domestic and international economic system.

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MT1008 MATHEMATICAL INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

This module provides an introduction to the use of Information Technology in Mathematical Science. The topics covered include basic IT skills, data handling and analysis, and the use of a computational algebra package such as MAPLE. Students will undertake small projects and present short written reports. No previous knowledge of computing is required.

Reply 1

Meteorshower

I know a reasonably number of people who have done MT1008, and only 1 of them said it was worthwhile.

University of St Andrews

Reply 2

yodude888

Is EC2008 a requirement to pursue Bsc. Financial Economics? If so, and that is an option you'd like to keep open, then I would go for that. However, it does seem pretty basic, you are right.

Reply 3

Homo economicus

yodude888

Is EC2008 a requirement to pursue Bsc. Financial Economics? If so, and that is an option you'd like to keep open, then I would go for that. However, it does seem pretty basic, you are right.

It is a so-called "outreach module", not required for anything.

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The set of modules provided at this level is divided into two. The first are those intended to form part of an integrated training in economics (the core modules). The second are modules that have a dual purpose (the outreach modules).

The aim of the Level 2000 outreach modules1 is two-fold. Their principal function is to enable students with a non-specialist interest in economics to study special topics that are relevant to an appreciation of the broader economic environment. A secondary function is to provide an opportunity for students who intend to proceed to Honours in Economics to broaden their knowledge base and to give an idea of the sort of material they are likely to face in the Honours programme in Financial Economics. Their principal learning outcomes are that students will be aware of the nature and operation of the major financial institutions and their impact on the economy, the basic fundamentals of finance and have some knowledge of techniques for the pricing of assets.