Calculus-Based Statistics with Calculus 2 Prerequisite

What are the course prerequisites for Calculus-Based Statistics = Probability Theory?

The only prerequisite for Calculus-Based Statistics is: Calculus II (Calculus 2) (and recommended Multivariable Calculus!)

As the name suggests, this is not the lower "baby statistics" course without Calculus. You need a very firm understanding of differential and integral Calculus to be able to engage Probability Theory.

Most of the topics in Probability Theory course are also found in the lower Statistics course, but the higher Probability Theory course uses derivatives and integrals to analyze the probability and statistics concepts and computations.

Multivariable Calculus is a good idea before Probability Theory, because some topics in Probability Theory use partial derivatives and multiple integrals - topics in Multivariable Calculus. While Multivariable Calculus is recommended, it is not required - learning these two differential and integral calculus constructions is not that difficult in the context of Probability Theory topics. So we keep Multivariable Calculus as a recommended course only.

So, for those students wishing to get ahead and get Probability Theory in their completed column in their academic plan, you do need to complete Calculus II first, which means also completing Calculus I first.

Here is a video about our Probability Theory course via Distance Calculus @ Roger Williams University:

Probability Theory Course

Multivariable Calculus & High School

After AP Calculus for High School Students

Calculus-Based Statistics course can best be described as a "first course in the study of Statistics and Probablity Theory using Calculus".

This course has many names, all being equivalent:

Probablity Theory
Calculus-Based Statistics
Second Course in Statistics for STEM

Our Probability Theory course differs from a classroom/textbook-based course in that we employ Mastery Learning so that you complete all assignments at 100% to assure competancy, as well as our curriculum shifting the course to a laboratory-style course, where theorem/lemma/proof type exposition is replaced by running experiments in Mathematica as you would in a science laboratory to empirically deduce the concepts and behaviors of Probability Theory, both solvable (classically) via hand-based techiques, as well as studying Probability Theory that can only be solved and investigated graphically and numerically using a computer. The Probability Theory curriculum is highly visual and based upon observations of experiments run in Mathematica or LiveMath.

At Distance Calculus, we call our "Calculus-Based Statistics" course as Probability Theory - DMAT 311 - 3 credits.

Below are some links for further information about the Calculus-Based Statistics course via Distance Calculus @ Roger Williams University.

Distance Calculus - Student Reviews

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Posted: Dec 20, 2019

Courses Completed: Calculus I, Calculus II, Multivariable Calculus, Linear Algebra

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The course materials are fantastic. If you are a student sitting on the fence, trying to decide between a normal classroom class or Distance Calculus classes with Livemath and Mathematica, my choice would be the Distance Calculus classes every time. The Distance Calculus classes are more engaging. The visual aspects of the class notebooks are awesome. You get the hand calculation skills you need.

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Transferred Credits To: None

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Posted: May 3, 2018

Courses Completed: Calculus I, Calculus II

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Transferred Credits To: Wharton School of Business, University of Pennsylvania

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Posted: May 19, 2025

Courses Completed: Precalculus, Calculus I

Well organized and well explained content. Professor did a great job. I learned a lot.

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Transferred Credits To: Boston University

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Posted: Feb 8, 2026

Courses Completed: Precalculus, Calculus I

The courses were excellent. Very flexible and engaging and the platform offers a lot of upper-level courses. Dr. Curtis is an outstanding professor and very responsive. I would take again.

Transferred Credits To: None yet

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Posted: Jan 28, 2026

Courses Completed: Calculus I

After two failed attempts at my university, this course helped me understand Calculus. The live maths tool along with Dr. Curtis were especially helpful, allowing me to visualize concepts and expand my understanding. The explanations were clear, the examples practical, and I could learn at my own pace, which built my confidence. Thank you.

Transferred Credits To: University of Namibia

Henry F.★★★★★

Posted: Dec 18, 2025

Courses Completed: Differential Equations

Transferred Credits To: Saint Joseph High School