Math skills?

[annapanna]

I have been reading though this blog for a while now. And something I noticed is the mentioning of math. Now, at my undergraduate, we some easy math, and I will really stress the “some” and “easy” part. Im getting a bit nervous now that my math skills may not be up to par with other entering grad students. Should I spend the summer hitting the books and brushing up on my math? If so what should I focus on? Can someone tell me how high they went in math in their poli sci undergraduate program?

ThanksJ

[maicondouglas]

I have been reading though this blog for a while now. And something I noticed is the mentioning of math. Now, at my undergraduate, we some easy math, and I will really stress the “some” and “easy” part. Im getting a bit nervous now that my math skills may not be up to par with other entering grad students. Should I spend the summer hitting the books and brushing up on my math? If so what should I focus on? Can someone tell me how high they went in math in their poli sci undergraduate program?

ThanksJ

I think it depends on your program, but at the very least, you will be expected to complete a stats/formal theory course series. I have heard that at a lot of schools these courses are designed to start from scratch, but move pretty quickly. I think that you would certainly not harm yourself by brushing up on a little bit of calc and linear algebra before you get the ball rolling. I think the guy over at www.khanacademy.org is a brilliant instructor and explains things very clearly.

As for myself, I took 3 semesters of calculus, a semester of differential equations, two semesters of linear algebra, a proofs course and a semester of mathematical modeling. At my campus visits, I got the feeling that people's math backgrounds were kind of all over the place. There were guys who did a lot of undergrad math, a few kids who did relatively little, and then there were those who got their backgrounds at MA programs.

[annapanna]

I think it depends on your program, but at the very least, you will be expected to complete a stats/formal theory course series. I have heard that at a lot of schools these courses are designed to start from scratch, but move pretty quickly. I think that you would certainly not harm yourself by brushing up on a little bit of calc and linear algebra before you get the ball rolling. I think the guy over at www.khanacademy.org is a brilliant instructor and explains things very clearly.

As for myself, I took 3 semesters of calculus, a semester of differential equations, two semesters of linear algebra, a proofs course and a semester of mathematical modeling. At my campus visits, I got the feeling that people's math backgrounds were kind of all over the place. There were guys who did a lot of undergrad math, a few kids who did relatively little, and then there were those who got their backgrounds at MA programs.

Thank you. At least I know what I will be doing this summer

I know im weak in the calc department. Any books you would reccommend?

[maicondouglas]

Thank you. At least I know what I will be doing this summer

I know im weak in the calc department. Any books you would reccommend?

I'll tell you what, there was a three year gap between calc 1 and calc 2 for me and the way that I prepared was by reviewing an AP Calc BC test prep book. Everything was taught using clear step-by-step examples and I think it really got me up to speed. Otherwise, stewart 5th edition is what they use in most ug calc 1-3 classes. It's a pretty solid textbook with an outrageous amount of questions. If you do this, do the odd problems and you can go to www.cramster.com and see step by step solutions. you'll need to set up an account but it's free.

When you get stuck and don't understand the problems go to khanacademy and watch his video lectures. They're short and extremely clear.

I think you could really teach yourself a lot this way and get a solid background in calc. Do a bunch a bunch of problems and stick with it.

[annapanna]

I'll tell you what, there was a three year gap between calc 1 and calc 2 for me and the way that I prepared was by reviewing an AP Calc BC test prep book. Everything was taught using clear step-by-step examples and I think it really got me up to speed. Otherwise, stewart 5th edition is what they use in most ug calc 1-3 classes. It's a pretty solid textbook with an outrageous amount of questions. If you do this, do the odd problems and you can go to www.cramster.com and see step by step solutions. you'll need to set up an account but it's free.

When you get stuck and don't understand the problems go to khanacademy and watch his video lectures. They're short and extremely clear.

I think you could really teach yourself a lot this way and get a solid background in calc. Do a bunch a bunch of problems and stick with it.

Thank you, I went on the website (khanacademy) yesterday and its great!

Ill have to see if any of my engineering friends have some old calc books I can use:)