Probability & Statistics

[highland145]

It's a required class for the nursing department. I never took it so I have no idea how difficult it is. My kid needs it but the only open section is online. The school does have a math lab/tutoring. I'm not thinking a math class online is a good idea. He did just finished his 1st semester calculus class with an A.

Opine, please.


This course includes the following topics: introductory probability and statistics, including organization of data, sample space concepts, random variables, counting problems, binomial and normal distributions, central limit theorem, confidence intervals, and test hypotheses for large and small samples; types I and II errors; linear regression; and correlation. Graphing calculator is required.

 

[NuclearNed]

I was a math major, but I found prob & stats very difficult.

 

[deadlyapp]

Probability and statistics aren't hard and would barely be even considered math in the general sense of the word, however the visualization of it is difficult (similar to geometry/trig for some people).

If they got through Calculus and can get around the internet and excel, you shouldn't have a problem with this as an online class.

 

[Schfifty Five]

I have a B.S EE degree and found stats to be challenging but fun. I also took AP stats in 11th grade.

I also took an accounting/business stats class and that was so easy compared to the engineering stats class.

 

[repoman0]

EE here ... IMO probability and statistics was harder than third semester multivariate calculus.

 

[ctbaars]

I was a math major, but I found prob & stats very difficult.

This is so true. stats is so different than calc. Remember too, stats class is the gateway to fake news generator.

 

[highland145]

I was a math major, but I found prob & stats very difficult.

Really? My wife said it was the worst class she ever took so she's discouraging it. I would rather him take it now. He only has 4 classes (H.S. senior) this spring. 1 is history and another is "life skills." He "should " have plenty of time to devote to it.

Probability and statistics aren't hard and would barely be even considered math in the general sense of the word, however the visualization of it is difficult (similar to geometry/trig for some people).

If they got through Calculus and can get around the internet and excel, you shouldn't have a problem with this as an online class.

It's slated for the 1st year in the nursing major so, in my ignorance, how hard could it be? Not busting on nurses but I would think their skill set lies in a different direction. Again, in my ignorance....

Merry Christmas

 

[repoman0]

Thinking back, multivariable calculus was a 200 level class but our probability class was junior year 300 level (and required multivariate calculus for class material ...). If it's supposed to be first year it's probably not that hard

 

[highland145]

I have a B.S EE degree and found stats to be challenging but fun. I also took AP stats in 11th grade.

I also took an accounting/business stats class and that was so easy compared to the engineering stats class.

Nerd.


Think I'll talk with one of the profs. That's the question, I think, is it "dip your toe in" stats or welcome to "hell on earth" stats?

EE here ... IMO probability and statistics was harder than third semester multivariate calculus.

Diff eq was my bane.

 

[Chromagnus]

I was a math major in college and took a fair number of statistic courses. Some were extremely easy and some were extremely challenging. Like any subject it can be made pretty basic of pretty advanced.

The topics outlined in the description all sound like pretty basic stuff that would be in an introduction class. I think the biggest question for determining the difficulty of the class is which department is it listed as and what type of students are generally taking it. For example if it's being taught through the math department and is mainly being taken by math/science majors it will most likely be more difficult than if it is being taught through the nursing school and is specifically designed for that program.

 

[zinfamous]

I found a regular intro stats class to be not-too-difficult, and I historically hate/hated math (though I really liked Calculus). Linear regression and t-tests and using/understanding data with multiple variables is very important stuff. I also think you could find some good online courses. Have you looked at the Kahn Academy stuff that is available online?

What about local CC for an intro/credit course? I think a solid ~4 week summer course could cover everything needed.

 

[highland145]

Nursing is his 4th major "choice." Finance, business, chemistry and now this so it's quite possible there will be #5 and 6. I'm pushing speech pathology... So long as he figures it out before the real bills come in. With his current scholarships, I'm still looking at $21K/yr...wth? He has been asked to interview for a full ride and should be able to interview for a $10K/yr one so fingers crossed.

 

[IronWing]

IMHO, the hard part about stats is that the tools are so easy to use that it is difficult to force yourself to learn the underlying concepts and that will eventually bite you. I found intro stats to be much more difficult than the more advanced classes.

 

[highland145]

I found a regular intro stats class to be not-too-difficult, and I historically hate/hated math (though I really liked Calculus). Linear regression and t-tests and using/understanding data with multiple variables is very important stuff. I also think you could find some good online courses. Have you looked at the Kahn Academy stuff that is available online?

What about local CC for an intro/credit course? I think a solid ~4 week summer course could cover everything needed.

That is on my list, like deadly suggested.

This will be at the local tech school but he needs to take it this semester. Summer school is out for several reasons, graduation cruise , summer service projects, and Mama bear says he needs a break.

With this class, he'll have 28 college credits when he gets out of H.S. I'm trying to get his degree in 3 years instead of 4 because he's thinking nurse practitioner or anesthetist. That's more school and $$ out of my pocket.

 

[snoopy7548]

I'm gonna go out on a limb and say if your son will have 28 college credits by the time he's out of high school, he'll do just fine with whatever courses he takes in college.

EDIT: Your son is smarter than me. Forget what I said. I'm stupid. He'll be fine.

 

[highland145]

I'm gonna go out on a limb and say if your son will have 28 college credits by the time he's out of high school, he'll do just fine with whatever courses he takes in college.

EDIT: Your son is smarter than me. Forget what I said. I'm stupid. He'll be fine.

Pretty sure my wife was stepping out and I'm just the patsy with the checkbook.


Was talking with his potential college advisor. She said they have home schoolers coming in with 60 hours. Every class that they take in the 11th and 12th grade are dual enrollments.

 

[zinfamous]

EDIT: Your son is smarter than me. Forget what I said. I'm stupid. He'll be fine.

I don't know man--have you considered the genetics that poor kid is saddled with?

 

[highland145]

I don't know man--have you considered the genetics that poor kid is saddled with?

I have considered it. See above.

 

[zinfamous]

I have considered it. See above.

that's pretty good, man.

 

[highland145]

that's pretty good, man.

Regardless of who the donor is, I'm pretty proud of him.


As long as it wasn't you or alky.

 

[deadlyapp]

Pretty sure my wife was stepping out and I'm just the patsy with the checkbook.


Was talking with his potential college advisor. She said they have home schoolers coming in with 60 hours. Every class that they take in the 11th and 12th grade are dual enrollments.

Yep. It was pretty common 10+ years ago when I graduated HS to have anywhere from 20-40 credit hours captured from AP classes alone. If you did what I did and took your last two years at the local community college (my area called it running start) you could graduate with an AA and your HS diploma.

Didn't end up saving me any time in college (still took 4+ years for my engineering degree) but it minimized my course loads so I could work at the same time and also not have to take shitty general classes (thank god I only had one english class in all of my coursework).

 

[sdifox]

My intro stats course was easy enough that they bellcurved hard on it. Basically only the people that got 100% passed

 

[IronWing]

My intro stats course was easy enough that they bellcurved hard on it. Basically only the people that got 100% passed

Yep, that happened to me as well. The class average was 98% going into the final. The final was like, "WTF?" I got a C.

 

[highland145]

My intro stats course was easy enough that they bellcurved hard on it. Basically only the people that got 100% passed

Yep, that happened to me as well. The class average was 98% going into the final. The final was like, "WTF?" I got a C.

WTH? Bell curved the grades down?

 

[sdifox]

WTH? Bell curved the grades down?

Can't have too many As