AY2013/2014, Semester 1
EC3101 Microeconomic Analysis II
Like the module title says, it is an extension of EC2101. On top of recapping Consumer and Producer Theories, new topics that were covered include: Intertemporal choices, uncertainty, simple exchange economy, externalities, basic Game Theory applications, bargaining problems and asymmetrical information. Everything is taught in mathematical terms but clear and concise understanding of mathmatical equations is needed because there will be theoretical questions that requires explanation, that is, you must be able to articulate mathemathical expression in words, vice versa. Otherwise, it is just an extended version of EC2101 with more related theories and applications so it is not a difficult module. Finals was tedious and tricky.
Grading criteria: 10% Tutorial Participation, 20% Assignments, 30% Midterm Test, 40% Final Exam.
Grade: A-
EC3314 Mathematical Economics
Another favourite module of mine. I had an advantage over many of the other economics major as I have taken 6 MA-modules before this semester, so this module is relatively easier for me to grasp. The module begins with applications of linear algebra(financial securities, arbitrage, Walrasian Equilibrium and Theorems of Welfare Economics), so my previous knowledge from Linear Algebra I can be applied directly and hence it was a smooth-sailing topic. Covered next is convexity, concave and convex function. These topics are analysis topics in mathematics and is rather easy once Prof. Goenka explained it graphically. On the side note, applications of quasiconcavity and quasiconvexity may require some self-study as it may not be as easy to visualize it. Then comes the topics on optimization: Determinants and Quadratic Forms, Lagrangian Multiplier Method, Dynamic Programming. Finally there is a final topic on multivariable correspondence, continuity and Fixed Point Theorems(Banach's, Brouwer's and Kakutani's) which can be quite challenging as it is very abstract and requires rigourous understanding in pure mathematics. Thankfully we didn't need to prove the existence of Nash Equilibrium for finals, but Lagrangian was a challenge and I had to use out-of-syllabus analysis results to solve it. Overall I learnt a lot from the module and it benefited my EC3101 simultaneously as well. Good module for elective if you like mathematics. P.S. Tutorials and assignments are VERY HARD/TEDIOUS but exams are a lot easier.
Grading criteria: 10% Tutorial Participation, 20% Assignments, 30% Midterm Test, 40% Final Exam.
Grade: A
EC3333 Financial Economics I
A lot of content. Many of the topics are covered very briefly. Tutorials and assignments are doable, midterm and final paper are easy. Was complacent and left the final paper an hour early only to realize I have not completed the paper entirely. Topics covered include: CAPM, bond portfolios, equity valuation and derivatives hedging(options, swaps, futures and forwards). YOLO-ed for this module, regreted slightly but what's done is done.
Grading criteria: 5% Tutorial Participation, 15% Assignments, 30% Midterm Test, 50% Final Exam.
Grade: B+
EC3361 Labour Economics I
An easy elective with more breadth than depth. First half of the semester focus on demand and supply of labour which uses Consumer and Producer Theories, except that the individuals are now the producers of labour while firms are the consumers of labour. The next half covers mainly elective topics such as job risks, human capital investments, income inequality, labour mobility, discrimination, compensation schemes and unemployment. Overlooked one section in the last topic and it came out in the finals, fml. Overall I think it is still a CAP-pulling elective.
Grading criteria: 10% Tutorial Participation, 20% Assignments, 30% Midterm Test, 40% Final Exam.
Grade: B+
GEK2001/SSA2202 Changing Landscape of Singapore
Decided to take this module because 1. ULR is compulsory, 2. I have no preference for SSM, and 3. If I don't enjoy the module, I will still enjoy the company HAHA. Turns out to be an interesting module with a heritage trail that which we ended up in Tiong Bahru Bakery and a random outing to Sentosa with fellow project mates to analyze Sentosa's day and night landscapes(and watching parents bringing kids to Bikini Bar) that secured our project an A+. Landscapes studied include the green and brown agenda, urbanization, tourism and heritage, economic and geopolitics, public housing and marginalized groups, immigration and emigration landscapes. Recommended to fulfill SSM requirements.
Grading criteria: 12% Tutorial Participation, 13% Midterm Test, 25% Project, 50% Final Exam.
Grade: A-
MA3269 Mathematical Finance I
First level 3000 MA-module. Taking this module together with EC3333 is just plain awesome because the content is 90% overlapping but with different emphasis. This module is highly computational with some proving questions that are obviously meant to be ignored until you finish everything else in the paper. This covers less breadth as compared to EC3333 but more depth and emphasize more on financial product pricing and hedging more than the economic reasoning behind it. Topics covered include: Interest rate theory, bond pricing, expected utility theory, CAPM and basic option theory.
Grading criteria: 5% Tutorial Participation, 10% Assignments, 20% Midterm Test, 65% Final Exam.
Grade: B
Ending Note
SAP 4.25 propelled my CAP up to 3.50 from the previous 3.09, and it shall only go up further from now on. On the whole, this may be one of my most enjoyable semester because I truly enjoyed all the modules that I have taken. Another milestone completed is the 2/3 minor requirement for financial mathematics that is necessary for the application of my second major yay! This is also my second semester taking 6 modules and I find it equally if not more manageable than the previous semester; and thus I shall continue overloading and use the extra modules to further enrich my area of interests in mathematics, finance and economics. What doesn't kill me will only make me stronger, so fight on!
Like the module title says, it is an extension of EC2101. On top of recapping Consumer and Producer Theories, new topics that were covered include: Intertemporal choices, uncertainty, simple exchange economy, externalities, basic Game Theory applications, bargaining problems and asymmetrical information. Everything is taught in mathematical terms but clear and concise understanding of mathmatical equations is needed because there will be theoretical questions that requires explanation, that is, you must be able to articulate mathemathical expression in words, vice versa. Otherwise, it is just an extended version of EC2101 with more related theories and applications so it is not a difficult module. Finals was tedious and tricky.
Grading criteria: 10% Tutorial Participation, 20% Assignments, 30% Midterm Test, 40% Final Exam.
Grade: A-
EC3314 Mathematical Economics
Another favourite module of mine. I had an advantage over many of the other economics major as I have taken 6 MA-modules before this semester, so this module is relatively easier for me to grasp. The module begins with applications of linear algebra(financial securities, arbitrage, Walrasian Equilibrium and Theorems of Welfare Economics), so my previous knowledge from Linear Algebra I can be applied directly and hence it was a smooth-sailing topic. Covered next is convexity, concave and convex function. These topics are analysis topics in mathematics and is rather easy once Prof. Goenka explained it graphically. On the side note, applications of quasiconcavity and quasiconvexity may require some self-study as it may not be as easy to visualize it. Then comes the topics on optimization: Determinants and Quadratic Forms, Lagrangian Multiplier Method, Dynamic Programming. Finally there is a final topic on multivariable correspondence, continuity and Fixed Point Theorems(Banach's, Brouwer's and Kakutani's) which can be quite challenging as it is very abstract and requires rigourous understanding in pure mathematics. Thankfully we didn't need to prove the existence of Nash Equilibrium for finals, but Lagrangian was a challenge and I had to use out-of-syllabus analysis results to solve it. Overall I learnt a lot from the module and it benefited my EC3101 simultaneously as well. Good module for elective if you like mathematics. P.S. Tutorials and assignments are VERY HARD/TEDIOUS but exams are a lot easier.
Grading criteria: 10% Tutorial Participation, 20% Assignments, 30% Midterm Test, 40% Final Exam.
Grade: A
EC3333 Financial Economics I
A lot of content. Many of the topics are covered very briefly. Tutorials and assignments are doable, midterm and final paper are easy. Was complacent and left the final paper an hour early only to realize I have not completed the paper entirely. Topics covered include: CAPM, bond portfolios, equity valuation and derivatives hedging(options, swaps, futures and forwards). YOLO-ed for this module, regreted slightly but what's done is done.
Grading criteria: 5% Tutorial Participation, 15% Assignments, 30% Midterm Test, 50% Final Exam.
Grade: B+
EC3361 Labour Economics I
An easy elective with more breadth than depth. First half of the semester focus on demand and supply of labour which uses Consumer and Producer Theories, except that the individuals are now the producers of labour while firms are the consumers of labour. The next half covers mainly elective topics such as job risks, human capital investments, income inequality, labour mobility, discrimination, compensation schemes and unemployment. Overlooked one section in the last topic and it came out in the finals, fml. Overall I think it is still a CAP-pulling elective.
Grading criteria: 10% Tutorial Participation, 20% Assignments, 30% Midterm Test, 40% Final Exam.
Grade: B+
GEK2001/SSA2202 Changing Landscape of Singapore
Decided to take this module because 1. ULR is compulsory, 2. I have no preference for SSM, and 3. If I don't enjoy the module, I will still enjoy the company HAHA. Turns out to be an interesting module with a heritage trail that which we ended up in Tiong Bahru Bakery and a random outing to Sentosa with fellow project mates to analyze Sentosa's day and night landscapes(and watching parents bringing kids to Bikini Bar) that secured our project an A+. Landscapes studied include the green and brown agenda, urbanization, tourism and heritage, economic and geopolitics, public housing and marginalized groups, immigration and emigration landscapes. Recommended to fulfill SSM requirements.
Grading criteria: 12% Tutorial Participation, 13% Midterm Test, 25% Project, 50% Final Exam.
Grade: A-
MA3269 Mathematical Finance I
First level 3000 MA-module. Taking this module together with EC3333 is just plain awesome because the content is 90% overlapping but with different emphasis. This module is highly computational with some proving questions that are obviously meant to be ignored until you finish everything else in the paper. This covers less breadth as compared to EC3333 but more depth and emphasize more on financial product pricing and hedging more than the economic reasoning behind it. Topics covered include: Interest rate theory, bond pricing, expected utility theory, CAPM and basic option theory.
Grading criteria: 5% Tutorial Participation, 10% Assignments, 20% Midterm Test, 65% Final Exam.
Grade: B
Ending Note
SAP 4.25 propelled my CAP up to 3.50 from the previous 3.09, and it shall only go up further from now on. On the whole, this may be one of my most enjoyable semester because I truly enjoyed all the modules that I have taken. Another milestone completed is the 2/3 minor requirement for financial mathematics that is necessary for the application of my second major yay! This is also my second semester taking 6 modules and I find it equally if not more manageable than the previous semester; and thus I shall continue overloading and use the extra modules to further enrich my area of interests in mathematics, finance and economics. What doesn't kill me will only make me stronger, so fight on!