Higher Math via D/L - recommendations?

Discussion in 'General Distance Learning Discussions' started by Tony Schroeder, Mar 28, 2007.

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  1. Tony Schroeder

    Tony Schroeder New Member

    I'm thinking of studying finance or economics at the graduate level. My undergraduate degree is in History and it's completion required little math above basic Algebra. It's been just over 25 years since I first studied Algebra, and I'd like to acquire a solid foundation in higher math; so, I'd like to start over.

    I'm seeking recommendations for distance learning courses (or another self-directed method) that start with basic Algebra and continue in sequence to at least a basic level study of Calculus. I'd like to tackle the work one course at a time, and as inexpensively as possible, as my sons will both be in the college in the Fall. :)

    Any advice?

    Thanks,


    Tony
     
  2. Dave Wagner

    Dave Wagner Active Member

    Tony, have a look at LSU:

    http://www.is.lsu.edu/courselist.asp?cat=Mathematics&nid=102&pg=

    5 Unit Calculus I is $375 plus textbook. That price might be hard to beat. Many other courses are available too.

    Dave
     
  3. wannabeit

    wannabeit New Member

    Check out the local community colleges in your area.
     
  4. Pugman

    Pugman New Member

  5. Shawn Ambrose

    Shawn Ambrose New Member

    I agree - for most people, math is a difficult course to take via DL. TESC advises students to consider taking math in a live courseroom rather than DL. The CC will be inexpensive and you can take through Calculus there.

    Shawn
     
  6. edowave

    edowave Active Member

    An MBA with a specialization in Finance might an option as well. MBA's with a specialization in Economics is rare, but there are a few out there. MBA's in general as not as math intensive. (no need to show proof's, they don't care if you use calculators, etc.) The Heriot-Watt MBA does a great job of taking someone with a little background in math, and bringing them up to speed.

    If you are looking to do a MS in Economics, then you would need at least Calc I before you start the program, preferably Calc II. Most universities and CC's also offer versions of calculus without trigonometry, usually called "Survey of Calculus" or "Calculus for Business/Social Sciences" etc. These would be fine too. A course in Matrix Algebra would help too.

    I consider myself pretty bad at math, but the Heriot-Watt MBA Quantitative Methods course taught me a lot. When I started my MS in Economics at UF, I felt I needed a little more math practice and did the LSU IS course MATH 1431 – Calculus with Business and Economic Applications. Between that, this excellent self-study text on Matrix Algebra I found, and Schaum's Outline of Mathematical Methods for Business and Economics, I was fine. I also watched the Standard Deviant's Calculus DVDs since I had NetFlix anyway. If you really think you need to start-over, take LSU's Math 1021, college algebra.

    Good luck!
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Mar 28, 2007

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