Preparing for Data Science

Data Science is a very hot area of employment right now. Being a Data Scientist basically means you are a programmer and a statistician/mathematician, and you can apply the knowledge of both worlds to tasks involving large amounts of data.

Mathematics Major Courses

Semester
Credit
Hours

In order to start on a career path towards Data Science, you need all of the courses in the first two years of university calculus.

Yeah, you need all of them! Calculus I, Calculus II, Multivariable Calculus, Differential Equations, Linear Algebra, and Probability Theory (Calculus-Based Statistics). There are no short-cuts available if you really want to be a data scientist. You need to be both a serious mathematician and a master programmer.

There are many websites around that suggest you can get all of this mathematics knowledge just from the free MOOC courses available around the internet. This recommendation seems unrealistic - there are also lots of mathematics books available at the library and at used book stores, but trying to make your way through those math books by yourself .... that is a tall order.

Plus, if you do take the MOOC route and then you wish to actually complete a Data Science certificate or academic degree, proving that you have the requisite mathematics knowledge is ... not as convincing as having these academic courses completed and showing on a university transcript!

Here is a video on Data Science and our Distance Calculus courses course:

Preparing for Data Science with Distance Calculus

MOOCs, Academic Credits, and Distance Calculus

Distance Calculus - Student Reviews

Date Posted: Jan 12, 2020
Review by: Mark Neiberg
Courses Completed: Calculus I, Calculus II, Multivariable Calculus
Review: Curriculum was high quality and allowed student to experiment with concepts which resulted in an enjoyable experience. Assignment Feedback was timely and meaningful.

Date Posted: Jan 13, 2020
Review by: Daniel Marasco
Courses Completed: Multivariable Calculus
Review: This course was more affordable than many, and the flexible format was terrific for me, as I am inclined to work very diligently on tasks on my own. It could be dangerous for a person who requires external discipline more, but it works well for self-starters, allowing you to prioritize when you have other pressing work. I was a full time teacher adding a math certification, and this course allowed me to master the math while working around my teaching schedule and fitting work into moments here and there when I had time. I was able to transfer the credits to Montana State University, Bozeman for my teaching internship program without a hitch. The instructors were all very helpful and patient, even when I failed to see a ridiculously simple solution on one problem after 20 emails back and forth. Overall, I was more pleased with my experience in this class than I was with any of my other 9 courses.
Transferred Credits to: Montana State University, Bozeman

Date Posted: Mar 17, 2020
Review by: Rebecca M.
Courses Completed: Calculus II, Multivariable Calculus
Review: Fantastic courses! I barely made it through Cal 1, and halfway through Cal 2 I found this program. I took Cal 2 and then Multivariable and I just loved it! SOOOOOOO much better than a classroom+textbook class. I highly recommend!
Transferred Credits to: Tulane University