Mathematics for Statistics

Catalog description

This course provides the mathematical foundation necessary for social science research and to progress in the study of statistics. Designed for students who wish to take a Statistics Course in Social Sciences or Psychology and need to strengthen their quantitative skills, the course emphasizes modeling, data interpretation, and real-world applications over abstract theory. Key topics include algebraic functions, the mathematics of finance, systems of linear equations (matrices), probability theory, and an introduction to data analysis. Emphasis will be placed on the understanding of important concepts and on developing analytical and visual skills rather than just computational skills, the use of algorithms, and the manipulation of formulae. This course will prepare students for Statistics for the Social and Behavioral Sciences and Statistics for Psychology by making them proficient in Detailed manipulations of algebraic expressions, linear, quadratic, and polynomial, including finding roots, factorization, and dividing polynomials. Performing standard manipulations of mathematical functions, including linear, square root, absolute value, polynomial, rational, and exponential functions, mainly with the purpose of graphing them. Solving simple systems of linear equations, recognizing matrices and applying their basic properties. Understanding basic probabilistic tools. Understanding areas under functions, in particular the normal distribution.