Likelihood of being able to transfer into economics/law? (1 Viewer)

[bluemonday]

Hi

I am considering beginning an Arts degree at ANU this year. It is the only ANU degree I'll get into with my TER of 85.

I would plan to transfer into law or economics in my second year. I realise the TER for economics is only 75, but I didn't do maths in year 12, so I'd need the first year to complete a maths equivelant to qualify- however- on that note, ANU does not say year 12 maths is a requirement for economics, but that it is assumed knowledge. Would I be able to handle the course without having completed a year 12 maths equivelant? I haven't done maths since year 10.

My main question is- what is the likelihood of being able to transfer into economics or law in my second year, and what sort of grades would be required?

I'm guessing the chances of switching into economics would be all but certain given I've exceeded the TER anyway?

Is it possible to apply for two transfers, so if I don't get one I still have a chance at the other?

Cheers

 

[neo o]

Economics is a very difficult subject. There are maths bridging courses available, but to be perfectly honest, I think you'll struggle with it. I don't know many people who AREN'T struggling with their economics degree.

Regarding law, my gut tells me that your chances at a transfer are unlikely, but possible. All you can do is work hard next year and get the best grades that you can. You have other options though, and you can always finish your first degree then transfer into law as a postgraduate, where your UAI will only count towards 25% of your admissions ranking.

I'm not sure if you can apply for two transfers, but I don't see why you wouldn't be able to. Call the university to make sure.

 

[jas0nt]

you'll need to do emet1001 in your economics degree in your first year. this involves maths equivalent to first year calculus.

so since you've only done year 10 maths, i think you'll struggle a great deal.

 

[bluemonday]

Thanks for your replies.

So it would be possible to do a year 12 maths equivalent during my first year? What exactly would be required for this?

 

[jas0nt]

Thanks for your replies.

So it would be possible to do a year 12 maths equivalent during my first year? What exactly would be required for this?

EMET1001 is little simpler than the calculus you learn in MATH1013/1014, but it has microeconomics 1 and 2 bashed in. these MATH unit requires specialist maths/4 unit maths to get in unfortunately

also 85 can get you into many courses. commerce requires a UAI of 75 and it is (i'm guessing) ANU's most popular degree (either that or B Sci or B Arts). it can also just get you into B Finance which requires close to 0 maths, and is a very popular degree aswell. i'd say B Fin and B Ec are equally as popular degrees, although i don't have figures to back this up.

although B Fin isn't economics per se, it does require you to do Micro 1, Macro 1 and Micro 2. usually anything after (and including) Macro 2 (i.e. Micro 3 and Macro 3) require a lot of calculus. B Ec requires all 6 of these units (they are the "nuts and bolts" of an econ degree). to be honest, economics without calculus is like mcdonalds without beef patties.

usually to transfer units to an equal UAI degree, you should keep an average of about a 60 or more. this is not hard to achieve in first year.

 

[bluemonday]

Sorry I don't understand....what is the name of the course/program I'd do during first year to give myself a year 12 level maths qualification? I mean so I can then apply for a course that requires maths the next year.

On the UAC website it only states that maths is a requirement for ACT and NSW year 12 applicants...all other states are ignored (this is for commerce and finance). Does that mean I wouldn't be expected to have any mathematical knowledge past year 10 level as a Victorian?

Thanks again.

 

[jas0nt]

anu does not have any bridging courses as far as i know.

here are the first year courses for maths:

Department of Mathematics - First Year Courses

the only maths course you can do is

ANU - STUDYAT - Philosophy of the Cosmos

although i would not recommend it tbh.

everything else requires year 11/12 maths. it doesn't matter if you are from VIC, you would have needed to do math methods/specialists.

if you wish to get a more cohesive answer it's best you contact this lady:

ANU - Mathematical Sciences Institute (MSI) - People

with any first year questions you have... especially for science subjects (including maths).

personally i believe you're in a bit of a pickle if you wish to pursue doing economics. not doing maths in year 11/12 really screws you over - economics really needs a solid maths background. you might pass EMET1001 but when you reach second/third year that's when crap will start hitting the fan when they slog you with calculus (which you would have never seen). although it doesn't say in writing, lecturers will assume you'll know up to year 12 specialists maths.

i don't know why ANU doesn't say this on its site.

as i said, i suggest you do law, or law/commerce, or law/finance and do economic units as electives that don't require much maths. or you can do economics but learn the maths in your own time, before your second year, during a holiday (you get 3 months summer holiday every year so you could do this in your 09-10 holiday )

 

[bluemonday]

Thanks Jas0nt

Unfortunately there isn't an Arts/Finance degree I can go straight into, but there is Arts/Commerce.

To be honest, Commerce looks like a load of rubbish....similar to "Business Management" in year 12.

Thanks for your advice, I'm going to have to have a good think before the 21st :\

 

[jas0nt]

Thanks Jas0nt

Unfortunately there isn't an Arts/Finance degree I can go straight into, but there is Arts/Commerce.

To be honest, Commerce looks like a load of rubbish....similar to "Business Management" in year 12.

Thanks for your advice, I'm going to have to have a good think before the 21st :\

commerce you can major in a lot of things. a finance major is quite a respectable major. also you can't get an accounting degree without commerce.

 

[bluemonday]

It appears it's too late to change my preferences anyway

 

[jas0nt]

damn

what did you end up choosing?

 

[bluemonday]

Just a straight Arts degree at ANU is my first preference I will definitely get...!!! WISH I has put down Arts/Commerce!!

 

[humphdogg]

If you haven't done any mathematics since yr10 (not even GMB in yr11, wtf?) then I really wouldn't recommend doing anything economics-related, as especially at ANU the content can be heavily dependent on a very solid understanding of several areas of mathematics.

I do know people who have gone into economics without having done any maths in yr12 but they've generally struggled a lot with EMET1001 (it has a pretty high fail rate iirc).

You'd be better off looking into majors in the commerce/finance areas that require very little mathematics - marketing, management, off the top of my head.


As far as transferring into law - well, you'll need very good marks (probably a 70+ average in arts, I'd imagine). It's certainly reasonably common for people to transfer to law after a year, but bear in mind that despite the required ENTER "only" being 95, it's still an extremely difficult degree (i.e. just as hard, if not harder, as law at monash).

 

[jas0nt]

Just a straight Arts degree at ANU is my first preference I will definitely get...!!! WISH I has put down Arts/Commerce!!

cool. transfer in your second year, it's easy as pie.

you might want to do micro econ 1 in your first year though. so when you transfer it'll be like you did all the units a normal arts/commerce kid did.

 

[jas0nt]

actually, i stand corrected. i have some good news for you!

ANU DOES have a bridging program for maths.

Maths Bridging Course

 

[bluemonday]

Thanks for finding that jas0nt

I hope I get a good accommodation offer even more now

 

[jas0nt]

best you contact stephen roberts if the class will go into fruition. cool guy he is (kickass lecturer too, he teaches MATH1115).