The Applied Mathematics-Economics concentration is designed to reflect the mathematical and statistical nature of modern economic theory and empirical research. This concentration has two tracks. The first is the advanced economics track, which is intended to prepare students for graduate study in economics. The second is the mathematical finance track, which is intended to prepare students for graduate study in finance, or for careers in finance or financial engineering. Both tracks have A.B. degree versions and Sc.B. degree versions, as well as a Professional track option. If you are interested in declaring a concentration in Applied Mathematics-Economics, please refer to this page for more information regarding the process.
Standard Program for the A.B. degree (Advanced Economics track):
| Prerequisites: | ||
| Single Variable Calculus, Part II | ||
| Linear Algebra | ||
| Course Requirements: | ||
| Applied Mathematics Requirements | ||
| (a) 1 | ||
| APMA 0350 & APMA 0360 | Applied Ordinary Differential Equations and Applied Partial Differential Equations I 2 | 2 |
| Select one of the following: | 1 | |
| Introduction to Scientific Computing (preferred) | ||
| Introduction to Modeling | ||
| Computing Foundations: Data | ||
| Introduction to Object-Oriented Programming and Computer Science | ||
| Computer Science: An Integrated Introduction | ||
| Accelerated Introduction to Computer Science | ||
| Select one of the following: | 1 | |
| Operations Research: Probabilistic Models | ||
or APMA 1210 | Operations Research: Deterministic Models | |
| Select one of the following: | 1 | |
| Statistical Inference I | ||
or APMA 1655 | Honors Statistical Inference I | |
| (b) 1 | ||
| Select one of the following: | 1 | |
| An Introduction to Numerical Optimization | ||
| Introduction to Numerical Solution of Differential Equations | ||
| Operations Research: Probabilistic Models | ||
| Operations Research: Deterministic Models | ||
| Applied Partial Differential Equations II | ||
| Applied Dynamical Systems | ||
| Statistical Inference II | ||
| Computational Probability and Statistics | ||
| Statistical Analysis of Time Series | ||
| Nonparametric Statistics | ||
| Computational Probability and Statistics | ||
| Information Theory | ||
| Monte Carlo Simulation with Applications to Finance | ||
| Recent Applications of Probability and Statistics | ||
| Graphs and Networks | ||
| Analysis: Functions of One Variable | ||
APMA 193X, 194X Senior Seminar series, depending on topic 6 | ||
| Economics Requirements: | 3 | |
| Intermediate Microeconomics (Mathematical) 3 | ||
| Intermediate Macroeconomics | ||
| Mathematical Econometrics I | ||
| Two 1000-level courses from the "mathematical-economics" group: 4 | 2 | |
| Welfare Economics and Social Choice Theory | ||
| Advanced Macroeconomics: Monetary, Fiscal, and Stabilization Policies | ||
| Unemployment: Models and Policies | ||
| Bargaining Theory and Applications | ||
| Theory of Market Design | ||
| Topics in Macroeconomics, Development and International Economics | ||
| Mathematical Econometrics II | ||
| Big Data | ||
| Advanced Topics in Econometrics | ||
| Machine Learning, Text Analysis, and Economics | ||
| Investments II | ||
| Crisis Economics | ||
| Economics in the Laboratory | ||
| Theory of Behavioral Economics | ||
| The Theory of General Equilibrium | ||
| Game Theory and Applications to Economics | ||
| One 1000-level course from the "data methods" group: 4 | 1 | |
| Economics of Education I | ||
| Labor Economics | ||
| Health, Education, and Social Policy | ||
| Economics of Global Warming | ||
| Environmental Issues in Development Economics | ||
| Health Economics | ||
| Inequality of Opportunity in the US | ||
| Intergenerational Poverty in America | ||
| The Economics of Mass Media | ||
| The Economics of Social Policy | ||
| Economic Development | ||
| Culture, History and Comparative Development | ||
| Health, Hunger and the Household in Developing Countries | ||
| Applied Research Methods for Economists | ||
| Mathematical Econometrics II | ||
| Big Data | ||
| Advanced Topics in Econometrics | ||
| Machine Learning, Text Analysis, and Economics | ||
| Behavioral Economics and Public Policy | ||
| Behavioral Finance | ||
| One additional 1000-level economics course. 5 | 1 | |
| Total Credits | 13 | |
| 1 | No course may be used to simultaneously satisfy (a) and (b). |
| 2 | APMA 0330 and APMA 0340 may be substituted with advisor approval, but these are no longer being offered. |
| 3 | Or ECON 1110 with permission. For students matriculating at Brown in Fall 2021 or later, note that if ECON 1110 is used, then one additional course from the mathematical-economics group will be required |
| 4 | No course may be used to simultaneously satisfy the "mathematical economics," and "data methods" requirements. |
| 5 | Note that ECON 1620, ECON 1960, and ECON 1970 (independent study) cannot be used for concentration credit. However, 1620 and 1960 can be used for university credit and up to two 1970s may be used for university credit. |
| 6 | Requires written approval of the Director of Undergraduate Studies in Economics. APMA 1910 is not permitted. |
Standard program for the Sc.B. degree (Advanced Economics track):
| Prerequisites: | ||
| Single Variable Calculus, Part II | ||
| Linear Algebra | ||
| Course Requirements: | ||
| Applied Mathematics Requirements | ||
| (a) 1 | ||
| APMA 0350 & APMA 0360 | Applied Ordinary Differential Equations and Applied Partial Differential Equations I 2 | 2 |
| Select one of the following: | 1 | |
| Introduction to Scientific Computing (preferred) | ||
| Introduction to Modeling | ||
| Computing Foundations: Data | ||
| Accelerated Introduction to Computer Science | ||
| Introduction to Object-Oriented Programming and Computer Science | ||
| Computer Science: An Integrated Introduction | ||
| Select one of the following: | 1 | |
| Operations Research: Probabilistic Models | ||
or APMA 1210 | Operations Research: Deterministic Models | |
| APMA 1650 | Statistical Inference I | 1 |
| or APMA 1655 | Honors Statistical Inference I | |
| (b) 1 | ||
| Select two of the following: | 2 | |
| An Introduction to Numerical Optimization | ||
| Introduction to Numerical Solution of Differential Equations | ||
| Operations Research: Probabilistic Models | ||
| Operations Research: Deterministic Models | ||
| Applied Partial Differential Equations II | ||
| Applied Dynamical Systems | ||
| Statistical Inference II | ||
| Statistical Analysis of Time Series | ||
| Nonparametric Statistics | ||
| Computational Probability and Statistics | ||
| Information Theory | ||
| Monte Carlo Simulation with Applications to Finance | ||
| Recent Applications of Probability and Statistics | ||
| Graphs and Networks | ||
| Analysis: Functions of One Variable | ||
APMA 193X, 194X Senior Seminar series, depending on topic 6 | ||
| Economics Requirements: | ||
| ECON 1130 | Intermediate Microeconomics (Mathematical) 3 | 1 |
| ECON 1210 | Intermediate Macroeconomics | 1 |
| ECON 1630 | Mathematical Econometrics I | 1 |
| Three 1000-level courses from the "mathematical-economics" group: 4 | 3 | |
| Welfare Economics and Social Choice Theory | ||
| Advanced Macroeconomics: Monetary, Fiscal, and Stabilization Policies | ||
| Unemployment: Models and Policies | ||
| Bargaining Theory and Applications | ||
| Theory of Market Design | ||
| Topics in Macroeconomics, Development and International Economics | ||
| Mathematical Econometrics II | ||
| Big Data | ||
| Advanced Topics in Econometrics | ||
| Machine Learning, Text Analysis, and Economics | ||
| Investments II | ||
| Crisis Economics | ||
| Economics in the Laboratory | ||
| Theory of Behavioral Economics | ||
| The Theory of General Equilibrium | ||
| Game Theory and Applications to Economics | ||
| One 1000-level course from the "data methods" group: 4 | 1 | |
| Economics of Education I | ||
| Labor Economics | ||
| Health, Education, and Social Policy | ||
| Economics of Global Warming | ||
| Environmental Issues in Development Economics | ||
| Health Economics | ||
| Inequality of Opportunity in the US | ||
| Intergenerational Poverty in America | ||
| The Economics of Mass Media | ||
| The Economics of Social Policy | ||
| Economic Development | ||
| Culture, History and Comparative Development | ||
| Health, Hunger and the Household in Developing Countries | ||
| Applied Research Methods for Economists | ||
| Mathematical Econometrics II | ||
| Big Data | ||
| Advanced Topics in Econometrics | ||
| Machine Learning, Text Analysis, and Economics | ||
| Behavioral Economics and Public Policy | ||
| Behavioral Finance | ||
| Two additional 1000-level economics courses 5 | 2 | |
| Total Credits | 16 | |
| 1 | No course may be used to simultaneously satisfy (a) and (b). |
| 2 | APMA 0330 and APMA 0340 may be substituted with advisor approval, but these are no longer being offered. |
| 3 | Or ECON 1110 with permission. For students matriculating at Brown in Fall 2021 or later, note that if ECON 1110 is used, then one additional course from the mathematical-economics group will be required |
| 4 | No course may be used to simultaneously satisfy the "mathematical economics" and "data methods" requirements. |
| 5 | Students may apply, at most, one Economics course whose number is in the range of 1000 to 1099 toward the concentration. Note that ECON 1620, ECON 1960, and ECON 1970 (independent study) cannot be used for concentration credit. However, 1620 and 1960 can be used for university credit and up to two 1970s may be used for university credit. |
| 6 | Requires written approval of the Director of Undergraduate Studies in Economics. APMA 1910 is not permitted. |
Standard program for the A.B. degree (Mathematical Finance track):
| Prerequisites: | ||
| Single Variable Calculus, Part II | ||
| Linear Algebra | ||
| Course Requirements: 13 Courses: 6 Applied Math and 7 Economics | ||
| Applied Mathematics Requirements | ||
| (a) | ||
| APMA 0350 & APMA 0360 | Applied Ordinary Differential Equations and Applied Partial Differential Equations I 1 | 2 |
| Select one of the following: | 1 | |
| Introduction to Scientific Computing (preferred) | ||
| Introduction to Modeling | ||
| Computing Foundations: Data | ||
| Introduction to Object-Oriented Programming and Computer Science | ||
| Computer Science: An Integrated Introduction | ||
| Accelerated Introduction to Computer Science | ||
| APMA 1200 | Operations Research: Probabilistic Models | 1 |
| APMA 1650 | Statistical Inference I | 1 |
| or APMA 1655 | Honors Statistical Inference I | |
| (b) | ||
| Select one of the following: | 1 | |
| An Introduction to Numerical Optimization | ||
| Introduction to Numerical Solution of Differential Equations | ||
| Operations Research: Deterministic Models | ||
| Applied Partial Differential Equations II | ||
| Applied Dynamical Systems | ||
| Statistical Inference II | ||
| Statistical Analysis of Time Series | ||
| Nonparametric Statistics | ||
| Computational Probability and Statistics | ||
| Information Theory | ||
| Monte Carlo Simulation with Applications to Finance (preferred) | ||
| Recent Applications of Probability and Statistics | ||
| Graphs and Networks | ||
| Analysis: Functions of One Variable | ||
APMA 193X, 194X Senior Seminar series, depending on topic 5 | ||
| Economics Requirements: | ||
| ECON 1130 | Intermediate Microeconomics (Mathematical) 3 | 1 |
| ECON 1210 | Intermediate Macroeconomics | 1 |
| ECON 1630 | Mathematical Econometrics I | 1 |
| Select two 1000-level courses from the "financial economics" group: 2 | 2 | |
| Investments I | ||
| Corporate Finance | ||
| Venture Capital, Private Equity, and Entrepreneurship | ||
| Investments II | ||
| Financial Institutions | ||
| Crisis Economics | ||
| Advanced Topics in Corporate Finance | ||
| Behavioral Finance | ||
| Select one 1000-level course from the "mathematical economics" group: 2 | 1 | |
| Welfare Economics and Social Choice Theory | ||
| Advanced Macroeconomics: Monetary, Fiscal, and Stabilization Policies | ||
| Unemployment: Models and Policies | ||
| Bargaining Theory and Applications | ||
| Theory of Market Design | ||
| Topics in Macroeconomics, Development and International Economics | ||
| Mathematical Econometrics II | ||
| Big Data | ||
| Advanced Topics in Econometrics | ||
| Machine Learning, Text Analysis, and Economics | ||
| Investments II | ||
| Crisis Economics | ||
| Economics in the Laboratory | ||
| Theory of Behavioral Economics | ||
| The Theory of General Equilibrium | ||
| Game Theory and Applications to Economics | ||
| Select one 1000-level course from the "data methods" group: 2 | 1 | |
| Economics of Education I | ||
| Labor Economics | ||
| Health, Education, and Social Policy | ||
| Economics of Global Warming | ||
| Environmental Issues in Development Economics | ||
| Health Economics | ||
| Inequality of Opportunity in the US | ||
| Intergenerational Poverty in America | ||
| The Economics of Mass Media | ||
| The Economics of Social Policy | ||
| Economic Development | ||
| Culture, History and Comparative Development | ||
| Health, Hunger and the Household in Developing Countries | ||
| Applied Research Methods for Economists | ||
| Mathematical Econometrics II | ||
| Big Data | ||
| Advanced Topics in Econometrics | ||
| Machine Learning, Text Analysis, and Economics | ||
| Behavioral Economics and Public Policy | ||
| Behavioral Finance | ||
| Total Credits | 13 | |
| 1 | APMA 0330 and APMA 0340 may be substituted with advisor approval, but these are no longer being offered. |
| 2 | No course may be used to simultaneously satisfy any two or more of the "financial economics," "mathematical economics," and "data methods" requirements. |
| 3 | Or ECON 1110 with permission. For students matriculating at Brown in Fall 2021 or later, note that if ECON 1110 is used, then one additional course from the mathematical-economics group will be required |
| 4 | Note that ECON 1620, ECON 1960, and ECON 1970 (independent study) cannot be used for concentration credit. However, 1620 and 1960 can be used for university credit and up to two 1970s may be used for university credit. |
| 5 | Requires written approval of the Director of Undergraduate Studies in Economics. APMA 1910 is not permitted. |
Standard program for the Sc.B. degree (Mathematical Finance track):
| Prerequisites: | ||
| Single Variable Calculus, Part II | ||
| Linear Algebra | ||
| Course Requirements: 16 courses: 7 Applied Math and 9 Economics | ||
| Applied Mathematics requirements: | ||
| (a) | ||
| APMA 0350 & APMA 0360 | Applied Ordinary Differential Equations and Applied Partial Differential Equations I 1 | 2 |
| Select one of the following: | 1 | |
| Introduction to Scientific Computing (preferred) | ||
| Introduction to Modeling | ||
| Computing Foundations: Data | ||
| Introduction to Object-Oriented Programming and Computer Science | ||
| Computer Science: An Integrated Introduction | ||
| Accelerated Introduction to Computer Science | ||
| APMA 1200 | Operations Research: Probabilistic Models | 1 |
| APMA 1650 | Statistical Inference I | 1 |
| or APMA 1655 | Honors Statistical Inference I | |
| (b) | ||
| Select two of the following: | 2 | |
| An Introduction to Numerical Optimization | ||
| Introduction to Numerical Solution of Differential Equations | ||
| Operations Research: Deterministic Models | ||
| Applied Partial Differential Equations II | ||
| Applied Dynamical Systems | ||
| Statistical Inference II | ||
| Statistical Analysis of Time Series | ||
| Nonparametric Statistics | ||
| Computational Probability and Statistics | ||
| Information Theory | ||
| Monte Carlo Simulation with Applications to Finance (preferred) | ||
| Recent Applications of Probability and Statistics | ||
| Graphs and Networks | ||
| Analysis: Functions of One Variable | ||
APMA 193X, 194X Senior Seminar series, depending on topic 5 | ||
| Economics Requirements: | ||
| ECON 1130 | Intermediate Microeconomics (Mathematical) 3 | 1 |
| ECON 1210 | Intermediate Macroeconomics | 1 |
| ECON 1630 | Mathematical Econometrics I | 1 |
| Select three 1000-level courses from the "financial economics" group: 2 | 3 | |
| Investments I | ||
| Corporate Finance | ||
| Venture Capital, Private Equity, and Entrepreneurship | ||
| Investments II | ||
| Financial Institutions | ||
| Crisis Economics | ||
| Advanced Topics in Corporate Finance | ||
| Behavioral Finance | ||
| Select two 1000-level courses from the "mathematical economics" group: 2 | 2 | |
| Welfare Economics and Social Choice Theory | ||
| Advanced Macroeconomics: Monetary, Fiscal, and Stabilization Policies | ||
| Unemployment: Models and Policies | ||
| Bargaining Theory and Applications | ||
| Theory of Market Design | ||
| Topics in Macroeconomics, Development and International Economics | ||
| Mathematical Econometrics II | ||
| Big Data | ||
| Advanced Topics in Econometrics | ||
| Machine Learning, Text Analysis, and Economics | ||
| Investments II | ||
| Crisis Economics | ||
| Economics in the Laboratory | ||
| Theory of Behavioral Economics | ||
| The Theory of General Equilibrium | ||
| Game Theory and Applications to Economics | ||
| Select one 1000-level course from the "data methods" group: 2 | 1 | |
| Economics of Education I | ||
| Labor Economics | ||
| Health, Education, and Social Policy | ||
| Economics of Global Warming | ||
| Environmental Issues in Development Economics | ||
| Health Economics | ||
| Inequality of Opportunity in the US | ||
| Intergenerational Poverty in America | ||
| The Economics of Mass Media | ||
| The Economics of Social Policy | ||
| Economic Development | ||
| Culture, History and Comparative Development | ||
| Health, Hunger and the Household in Developing Countries | ||
| Applied Research Methods for Economists | ||
| Mathematical Econometrics II | ||
| Big Data | ||
| Advanced Topics in Econometrics | ||
| Machine Learning, Text Analysis, and Economics | ||
| Behavioral Economics and Public Policy | ||
| Behavioral Finance | ||
| Total Credits | 16 | |
| 1 | APMA 0330 and APMA 0340 may be substituted with advisor approval, but these are no longer being offered. |
| 2 | No course may be used to simultaneously satisfy any two or more of the "financial economics," "mathematical economics," and "data methods" requirements. |
| 3 | Or ECON 1110 with permission. For students matriculating at Brown in Fall 2021 or later, note that if ECON 1110 is used, then one additional course from the mathematical-economics group will be required |
| 4 | Note that ECON 1620, ECON 1960, and ECON 1970 (independent study) cannot be used for concentration credit. However, 1620 and 1960 can be used for university credit and up to two 1970s may be used for university credit. |
| 5 | Requires written approval of the Director of Undergraduate Studies in Economics. APMA 1910 is not permitted. |
Honors
Applied Math-Economics concentrators who wish to pursue honors must find a primary faculty thesis advisor in either Economics or Applied Math. They will be held to the Honors requirements of their advisor’s department. Joint concentrators in Applied Mathematics-Economics with an Economics thesis advisor should follow the requirements published here, while concentrators with an Applied Math thesis advisor should follow the requirements published here.
Professional Track
The requirements for the professional track include all those of the standard track, as well as the following:
Students must complete full-time professional experiences doing work that is related to their concentration programs, totaling 2-6 months, whereby each internship must be at least one month in duration in cases where students choose to do more than one internship experience. Such work is normally done at a company, but may also be at a university under the supervision of a faculty member. Internships that take place between the end of the fall and the start of the spring semesters cannot be used to fulfill this requirement.
On completion of each professional experience, the student must write and upload to ASK a reflective essay about the experience, to be approved by the student's concentration advisor.
- Which courses were put to use in your summer's work? Which topics, in particular, were important?
- In retrospect, which courses should you have taken before embarking on your summer experience? What are the topics from these courses that would have helped you over the summer if you had been more familiar with them?
- Are there topics you should have been familiar with in preparation for your summer experience, but are not taught at Brown? What are these topics?
- What did you learn from the experience that probably could not have been picked up from course work?
- Is the sort of work you did over the summer something you would like to continue doing once you graduate? Explain.
- Would you recommend your summer experience to other Brown students? Explain.