If I work on a master's degree in applied statistics, I need to probably take 2 undergraduate calculus classes too. Why do you need to take calculus classes for an applied statistics program - do you really need to use calculus in the program? What's the relationship of calculus to applied statistics?
2006-12-07 07:51:40 · 11 answers · asked by KatGuy 7 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Mathematics
Actually, you really will need to know calc. In calculating confidence intervals and in hypothesis testing you will need to know how to integrate a formula, which you will learn in calculus 2. I imagine calc comes into play more than just those 2 examples, but that's all I can come up with off the top of my head.
2006-12-07 08:05:18 · answer #1 · answered by Gary K 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you wanted to get a second bachelors degree, I would advise you to get it in something practical like engineering or accounting. Economics undergrad work gives you a broad analytical framework, but it doesn't really qualify you for jobs that you would otherwise not be qualified for. Sure, it sounded much better in interviews than the (I would agree in saying worthless) Political Science, but I didn't get some secret modeling knowledge or whatever that I have used on the job. That said, I am doing a Masters program in the fall (I do have a bachelors with double major in economics and political science) and the prerequisites were fairly basic: Calculus I, Statistics I, Introductory Macroeconomics, Introductory Microeconomics, and Introductory Econometrics. All of these are courses that you could take at any community college, so you could definitely complete the prerequisites for Fall 2010. If you were looking at a Economics PhD, then yes, you would be incredibly disadvantaged in not having the higher level math. Let me just note that this is based on my observations of my own department. Each one is different in its focus, with some looking at practical economics and only requiring Calculus I, while others are very theoretical, and won't consider you without seeing Linear Algebra on your transcript. Talk to the departments you are interested in to see what their requirements are.
2016-03-28 22:16:44 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
In a masters degree you need to know theory. This means you must able to apply principles to unknown situations and get correct answers.
Calculus is used extensively to prove useful results (e.g. probability generating functions) , and is the main language used to talk about continuous distributions.
You will need more than basic calculus to be able to do a masters degree, that is why you need to do two courses. If you don't like maths you should look at a different course.
2006-12-07 08:42:16 · answer #3 · answered by crazy_tentacle 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Statistics is all about distributions. Lets say you have a Gaussian distribution (a bell curve) and you want to figure out what fraction of a sample is with in one standard deviation of the mean. In order to find that you have to integrate the curve.
Now I realize that the Gaussian is well tabulated but it is important to understand where those numbers a coming from. Also if I'm going to hire a statistician then I expect him to be able to do more complicated distributions, some of which won't be tabulated. If all I expect you to do is read numbers from a table, then I would just hire a secretary and pay him a fraction of what I would pay you.
2006-12-07 08:06:13 · answer #4 · answered by sparrowhawk 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Many of the continuous density functions are quite tricky and require calculus to understand.
Consider:
You're undoubtedly familiar with the normal density function. Do you realize that it takes a transformation and and 2 dimensional integration in polar coordinates to get the cumulative probability? I thought so.
Calculus is required for even upper division stat, it's certainly needed for an MS.
2006-12-07 08:54:34 · answer #5 · answered by modulo_function 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You cannot possibly understand the derivations of the expressions describing all the different distributions that you will be using in statistics if you don't know some calculus.
2006-12-07 07:58:17 · answer #6 · answered by Stewart H 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Everyone knows statistics are all about numbers, and calculus as far back as I can remember is just that, numbers and you have to know if you made an error punching the numbers into the calculator so this is why you need to know your math.
percentages, and ratios etc. Good luck in your studies.
2006-12-07 07:56:20 · answer #7 · answered by Neptune2bsure 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
That's like I'm taking music appreciation in school, but I want to become a psychiatrist. It's just the stupid rules. But calculus deals with math and so does statistics.
2006-12-07 07:55:19 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Look at the equation for the normal distribution. You need calculus.
2006-12-07 08:03:41 · answer #9 · answered by novangelis 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Think of it this way, calculus is to math what poetry is to English. You don't have to understand poetry to speak well but it sure does help.
2006-12-07 07:59:53 · answer #10 · answered by smartygirl 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋