Mathematical economics

Artus

Hi:

I've been interested since long time ago in Economics. Also, I've heard there are science majors working in Economics/Finance firms and I've read some of the threads on physicists turned "quants". I'm actually interested in using Physics & Mathematics to create economical models. I know about places like:

http://www.imw.uni-bielefeld.de/home/home.php

http://www.socialsciences.manchester...uate/phdareas/

http://college.usc.edu/econ/graduate/fields.cfm

Working on that.

I think there are mathematical areas like:

* Discrete math
* Dynamical Systems
* Game Theory

And others, being used to construct models. My questions are:

1. Are there any other schools working on them?
2. How easy would be for a science major get into Economics graduate degree programs?
3. How much useful would be to do research on this area?
4. Do any of you have experiences doing research on this?

Thanks, in advace.

physiker_192

Hello,

I am not sure I can help here, but I think those two might be worth looking at:

1. Financial Engineering ( a subfield of Finance/Economics & Mathematics).
2. Econophysics (a subfield of physics)

doodle_sack

Hi Artus, Mathematical Economics is not a separate branch of Economics like Macroeconomics, Microeconomics, International Trade, etc. It is just a way of economic analysis, where the mathematical proofs and theorems are used heavily to make the economic models, for instance Ct + It = Yt = F(Kt,L), It = Kt+1 - (1-δ)Kt, It = sF(Kt,L) is the most fundamental model in macroeconomics called the Solow's Growth Model, which was build upon using mathematics, thus it can be called as mathematical economics, eventually economic analysis.

If you are interested doing research in this area i would higly recommend you to visit this site http://econ.lse.ac.uk/study/grpr.html that is the best-in-the-world economics graduate program in that specific area which would help you get into an elite PhD program anywhere in the world. But you must know that unlike Physics or other Science fields, in economics you can do research in any area of your fancy if you have a good bachelors degree in economics(with a very good math courses in it) and a graduate program in some cases.

And yes, science students do very well in Economics graduate programs, especially Physicists and Engineers.

Good luck, PM me if you need any help!!

Artus

Thank you. I wasn't aware of Econophysics and looks interesting:

I can see Statistical Physics is important.

Thank you. LSE looks great and from the link you gave us I can see the have a great Mathematics department. And yes, models like Solow's get my interest becaude their mathematical nature and economical application.

Maybe I'm gonna look for a Master in Economics and after that a PhD in Economics, Mathematics or Applied Mathematics.