ECON 4010

This is a math course in disguise as an econ course. The level of mathematics used approaches graduate level econ; do not take this course if you are bad at math or don't like lots of very in-depth and complex math. You need to be very comfortable with calculus (multi not strictly necessary but highly recommended) and familiar with probability (pdf, cdf, etc). Having taken real analysis could also be very helpful.

This is likely one of the hardest undergrad classes at UVA. Certainly it is the hardest class in the Econ department. HOWEVER, the grade curve is fairly generous. Since it is so difficult, Engers curves the class generously so that most people end up in the As/Bs range. This will not save you if you are bad at math, since the class is not required for the major and so only fairly smart people self-select into the class. Problem sets every two weeks, a midterm, and a final. You can work together on the problem sets, but they are still very very difficult (ex. 3 problems took me multiple hours over two weeks to do).

That being said, this is intensely interesting and intellectually challenging material. Engers is very smart and a good lecturer, although he moves at blistering pace. He's a capable teacher for what is a very difficult but deep area of mathematics, and I would recommend this class to anyone interested in economic theory, game theory, or mathematical economics. Also gives a taste of what econ grad students deal with. Would recommend to anyone good at math and interested in upper level "real" economics.

Only take this class if you have plenty of time to put in each week. This class is hard and the class is not set up to receive good feedback. You have to put in the time. Def advisable to take this class with a friend to bounce concepts off of each other (although you cant work together on homework)

Make sure you love math and game theory before taking this class. I enjoyed this class a lot, and it is the hardest class for sure. Highly recommend taking all Calculus classes, Probability, and ECON 3110 first. Professor Engers is truly smart and is one of my favorite professors at UVa.

This class was the hardest class that I’ve ever taken. The material is at first not terribly difficult, but later in the semester things become much more difficult when extensive mathematical proofs are introduced. Overall I’m happy that I took this class, it was very challenging and intellectually stimulating. Professor Engers is very smart, but comes off as very serious. He is very strict about his classroom rules, which means being extremely punctual, no laptops in class, and no distractions in general. This is not an easy class by any mean and will require a LARGE time commitment (5+ hours a week) even for students who are well versed in math and econ. The TA was very helpful and grading is lenient. If you are not willing to spend hours contemplating something like the intricacies of rational bidding behavior then this class really isn’t for you. If you took 3110 it will be like that but harder.

Hardest class in the Econ department, Econ 4010 is not for those who can't handle some serious math. Prof. Engers uses more or less the same course as his grad level class and the problem sets are extremely difficult. 1st part of the course is interesting but the 2nd part of the course invariably no one understands. That is partly because the material is very dense, and partly because it isn't taught well. The professor is very moody, and gets extremely unhappy if you miss classes, or worse still, come a few minutes late. He may even take points off of your grade for coming late. But if you are very interested in math and have an otherwise easy semester, you can take this course.

Along with Economics 4720, this was the hardest Economics class I have ever taken. Unless you are really interested in Game Theory, I would advise not taking it. On the other hand, if you are really into Game Theory, it would be a hell of a class.

Realllllly tough class, but the grading ends up being lenient thanks to a kind curve. He will give you an exam the first week to weed out people who shouldn't be in the class, but spoiler alert it's not really graded.

The class is unbelievably difficult. The tests and problem sets are extremely hard. The subject matter is only interesting for the first few weeks, then it becomes tedious and obscure. HOWEVER, Professor Engers practically guarantees an A. He assumes that the students in the class are already the top of the curve, and he grades as such. Guaranteed A.

This a very rigorous, mathematical introduction to Game Theory. Prof. Engers is brilliant and a great teacher but he doesn't dumb down things. When I took it, he spent quite a lot of time on auction theory -- a particularly elegant application of game theory, but a lot of this went over our heads just because it's so difficult. Take it, but make sure you're prepared.

It's a hard class, but he gives half the class A's and no one does worse than a B or so. The material is kind of dense, and if you don't like math you'll be lost, but it is fairly interesting.

Professor Engers is great, and once you pass his test at the beginning of the course, the grade distribution is very generous. It is not easy by any means, but very worthwhile.

Easy class if you're good at logic and did well in microeconomics (econ 301?), but the lectures are kinda a pain sometimes because all we did was write out all the notes he put up on the overhead all class when he coulda just posted them on toolkit. He might eventually do that, but I dunno. The book's not too useful. I opened it maybe twice the whole semester. Some of the problem sets are hard (there are around 4-6 of them), but they prepare you really well for the tests.