Epi & calculus?

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Do we need to know calculus for any epi classes?

 

[abcabc1]

Do we need to know calculus for any epi classes?

You probably will at some of the stronger Epi programs, like Hopkins, Emory, etc. In the BIOS world, I've found a basic understanding of Matrix/Linear Algebra to be VERY important. It's the basis for Regression, Longitudinal Data Analysis and other fields. Programs like SAS run on matrix manipulation.

If the Epi program you applied to did not specify Calculus courses as pre requisites, they may not be needed. BIOS programs are VERY clear about requiring 3 semesters of Calculus and 1 semester of Matrix Algebra as the bare-bones minimum. Many people have a lot more than that.

 

[235009]

the answer is NO you do not need to know calculus or linear algebra for epi nor do you need to have a good understanding of linear algebra to use some of the biostats methods based on it. if you are going to be doing biostats and taking more theoretical courses then you would probably need to know advanced math but for epi courses (which are mostly practical) you do not.

 

[Stories]

You probably will at some of the stronger Epi programs, like Hopkins, Emory, etc. In the BIOS world, I've found a basic understanding of Matrix/Linear Algebra to be VERY important. It's the basis for Regression, Longitudinal Data Analysis and other fields. Programs like SAS run on matrix manipulation.

If the Epi program you applied to did not specify Calculus courses as pre requisites, they may not be needed. BIOS programs are VERY clear about requiring 3 semesters of Calculus and 1 semester of Matrix Algebra as the bare-bones minimum. Many people have a lot more than that.

The nature of the program doesn't dictate whether you'll need calculus or not. The methods don't change, especially at the basic level, no matter where you go.

the answer is NO you do not need to know calculus or linear algebra for epi nor do you need to have a good understanding of linear algebra to use some of the biostats methods based on it. if you are going to be doing biostats and taking more theoretical courses then you would probably need to know advanced math but for epi courses (which are mostly practical) you do not.

The field of statistics is grounded in linear algebra. You don't absolutely need a course in linear algebra to be successful, but a crash course is definitely needed. Specifically, understanding how matrices work is essential.

Typically, calculus is a pre-requisite for linear algebra, so in that sense, calculus is necessary for some higher level epidemiology (we're talking the very high level, statistical based epidemiology analysis methods). But if you have no interest in pursuing epidemiology at a high level, it's not necessary.

 

[Wiingy]

the answer is NO you do not need to know calculus or linear algebra for epi nor do you need to have a good understanding of linear algebra to use some of the biostats methods based on it. if you are going to be doing biostats and taking more theoretical courses then you would probably need to know advanced math but for epi courses (which are mostly practical) you do not.

Calculus or linear algebra are very useful if you'd like to get into infectious disease transmission modeling, but other than that the math in epi classes is almost a joke - all we've had to do is multiplication/division and maybe use sigma notation on occasion. Practically speaking, if you can use a calculator you'll be fine for 99% of the math you encounter in epi and the biostat courses offered for epi students.

That having been said, I really wish that more advanced math were required so that we could learn the actual math behind statistics and not just the hand-wavy stuff we get tossed. But if schools were to require actual math, enrollment might go down (that's a whole separate rant..).

 

[Stories]

Calculus or linear algebra are very useful if you'd like to get into infectious disease transmission modeling, but other than that the math in epi classes is almost a joke - all we've had to do is multiplication/division and maybe use sigma notation on occasion. Practically speaking, if you can use a calculator you'll be fine for 99% of the math you encounter in epi and the biostat courses offered for epi students.

That having been said, I really wish that more advanced math were required so that we could learn the actual math behind statistics and not just the hand-wavy stuff we get tossed. But if schools were to require actual math, enrollment might go down (that's a whole separate rant..).

Sounds like you're a perfect candidate for upper level biostats classes 🙂

 

[Wiingy]

Sounds like you're a perfect candidate for upper level biostats classes 🙂

Yeah I'm certainly planning to take a few before I graduate - I was just naive and assumed that all Master's level courses would be upper-level. Oops. 🙄

 

[love2bfit]

I think basic calc skills are necessary. I can only speak for Hopkins, but, the epi department coordinator recommended that we brush up on matrices, differential equations, and other basic calc stuff... pretty much what everyone here has already mentioned.

 

[Stories]

I think basic calc skills are necessary. I can only speak for Hopkins, but, the epi department coordinator recommended that we brush up on matrices, differential equations, and other basic calc stuff... pretty much what everyone here has already mentioned.

Which are necessary for biostats classes (which you'll be taking as an epi major). But for the epi classes themselves, calculus and linear algebra aren't really used (unless the discussion is on biostatistical methods).

 

[235009]

to clarify and be more specific: at columbia you did not need to know calc or linear algebra to get through the epi AND biostats classes required for an epi MPH. the required biostats courses are somewhat of a joke in fact. while there are some aspects of epi that require advanced math skills you will not need them for the basic required classes to earn your epi MPH (at most, if not all, schools).