Data Science Mathematics Background
Data Science is a combination of disciplines: 1/2 programmer, 1/2 mathematician/statistician.To start a study of Data Science, you need to make sure you math background is solid in the following courses:
- Calculus I
- Calculus II
- Multivariable Calculus
- Differential Equations
- Linear Algebra
- Probability Theory (Calculus-Based Statistics)
There are no short-cuts in building up your creds as a mathematician for data science. There are TONS of free courses online (some of which are really excellent), but if you plan to formalize your student of Data Science with a degree or certificate, you will want to have all of the above courses on real, transferable Academic transcripts to prove you have completed these courses, with letter grades.
MOOCs (Massive Open Online Courses) are awesome, but they do not provide real academic course credit for their courses. If you plan to go for a B.A. or M.A. with a Data Science concentration, you will not be able to say "Oh, I took all my calculus courses from a MOOC" - you need these courses in your academic portfolio. We invite you to explore our Distance Calculus courses in more detail via the links above, or perhaps the movies below.
Data Science & Distance Calculus
Academic Credits from Distance Calculus
Data Science can best be described as a "a cross between a programmer and a mathematician/statistician".
This topic has many names, all being equivalent:
If you wish to become a Data Scientist, you will need to develop both strong programming skills, and have a very strong mathematics background.
Distance Calculus @ Roger Williams University can help prepare you for a study of Data Science - either for a degree in Data Science or perhaps a certificate - by helping you complete the core mathematics courses necessary for starting a Data Science degree or certificate.
There are no short-cuts you can do with going into Data Science. You just can't learn Python and then pretend you are a Data Scientist because you watch a few videos on running data sets through Python! You NEED a very strong mathematics background that includes ALL of the following courses:
This topic has many names, all being equivalent:
- Data Science
- Applied Statistics
- Programmer+Mathematician
- Big Data
If you wish to become a Data Scientist, you will need to develop both strong programming skills, and have a very strong mathematics background.
Distance Calculus @ Roger Williams University can help prepare you for a study of Data Science - either for a degree in Data Science or perhaps a certificate - by helping you complete the core mathematics courses necessary for starting a Data Science degree or certificate.
There are no short-cuts you can do with going into Data Science. You just can't learn Python and then pretend you are a Data Scientist because you watch a few videos on running data sets through Python! You NEED a very strong mathematics background that includes ALL of the following courses:
- DMAT 253 - Calculus I - 4 credits
- DMAT 263 - Calculus II - 4 credits
- DMAT 355 - Multivariable Calculus - 4 credits
- DMAT 321 - Differential Equations - 3 credits
- DMAT 335 - Linear Algebra - 3 credits
- DMAT 311 - Probability Theory - 3 credits
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Distance Calculus - Student Reviews
Posted: Nov 20, 2025
Courses Completed: Precalculus, Applied Calculus
Great course. Professor Curtis and the TAs graded quickly and gave really helpful feedback that made the class feel smooth and manageable. Definitely recommend it.
Transferred Credits To: Binghamton University (School of Managment)
Posted: May 19, 2025
Courses Completed: Precalculus, Calculus I
Well organized and well explained content. Professor did a great job. I learned a lot.
Dist Calc saved a ton of hassle and time having to take calc at a local community college, which realistically would have delayed my entrance to BU LEAP by at least a year.
Would strongly recommend it.
Dist Calc saved a ton of hassle and time having to take calc at a local community college, which realistically would have delayed my entrance to BU LEAP by at least a year.
Would strongly recommend it.
Transferred Credits To: Boston University
Posted: Jan 12, 2020
Courses Completed: Calculus I
This course is amazing! I took it as a requirement for admission to an MBA program, and couldn't have been happier with the quality and rigor of the course. I previously took calculus two times (at a public high school and then a large public university commonly cited as a "public ivy"), this course was by far the best and *finally* made the concepts click. Previously I had no idea what was going on because terrible PhD students were teaching the course and saying stuff like "a derivative is the slope of a tangent line" - ??? but what does that mean ???, but the instructors in the Shorter University course explain everything in ways where it FINALLY made sense (e.g., "imagine a roller coaster hitting the top of a hill, there's a moment where it shifts momentum and you're not accelerating or decelerating, that's what a 0 rate of change is - that's when the derivative would be zero"). They explain everything in multiple ways and relate it to other concepts. It all made perfect sense when I finally had a good instructor. Really recommend this class
Transferred Credits To: The Wharton School, UPenn
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
Posted: Dec 18, 2025
Courses Completed: Differential Equations
Transferred Credits To: Saint Joseph High School
Posted: Jun 19, 2025
Courses Completed: Calculus I
POSITIVES:
One of the best math classes I have ever taken. The lessons made the failures of my previous professors very apparent. In a few short minutes, things that I used to struggle with just clicked. This professor is top notch and really wants you to understand how to use the material.
NEGATIVES:
The SOFTWARE is extremely frustrating. Even after taking the time to learn, there are countless glitches. You learn to work around them, and overall, the software makes the math convenient, but its failures are sorely felt throughout the course. Make sure you save often as it crashes regularly, especially with graphs.
The assignments are easy enough but some of them don't line up with the taught material. Be prepared to do some of your own independent research to get a deeper understanding of why things are the way they are.
One of the best math classes I have ever taken. The lessons made the failures of my previous professors very apparent. In a few short minutes, things that I used to struggle with just clicked. This professor is top notch and really wants you to understand how to use the material.
NEGATIVES:
The SOFTWARE is extremely frustrating. Even after taking the time to learn, there are countless glitches. You learn to work around them, and overall, the software makes the math convenient, but its failures are sorely felt throughout the course. Make sure you save often as it crashes regularly, especially with graphs.
The assignments are easy enough but some of them don't line up with the taught material. Be prepared to do some of your own independent research to get a deeper understanding of why things are the way they are.
Transferred Credits To: US Army
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