UCLA math requirement

[DoctorWannaBe]

I want to apply to UCLA medical school and have a question about their math requirement. They ask for one semester of calculus and one of statistics. Does anyone know if it has to be taken in the math department? I've taken a business statistics course and am wondering if that might count.

---

Members don't see this ad.

 

[javanomad]

Business Statistics is really a variable subject.

Could be Algebra or Calculus based or even GASP diagram based.
Without a good understanding of the course no Adcom would take Biz Stats as a regular Math Stats course.

That being said you have the option of taking an Algebra based stats couse from the 2yr or 4yr college of your choice and it would count. MAKE SURE IT'S IN THE MATH DEPT AND THE COURSE TITLE SAYS "STATISTICS" IN IT. Oh and another thing take a Calc 1 NOT Business Calc or "Calc for non science majors and other dumb people". This will not be taken for the Calc requirement. They want the 5 hour Calc and Analytic 1 that everyone knows and loves ( with all of those nice trig derivatives ).

If you don't want to take the Math requirement you can always apply to schools that don't require it. But you will have to take a Bio-Statistics class in Med School so if you have problems in Math. I would STRONGLY recommend you take some kind of stats course before you take Bio-Stats if Math is not your strong suit.

JavaNomad
Medial Mathematician

 

[ramz]

no it doesnt. my stats course was for psychology.

 

[LoneCoyote]

Originally posted by ramz
no it doesnt. my stats course was for psychology.

I agree. I called the UCLA admissions office about this as I was signing up for my classes for next semester. It can be any stats course, including ones in social sciences, and it is also okay to take the math at a community college.

 

[LoneCoyote]

DoctorWannaBe,

I just realized we're both at U of A. You might want to call UCLA about the business stats course. They were really nice on the phone when I called. If it is not okay and you want an easy stats take PSYC 230 Statistics and Psych Measurement or SOC 274 Social Statistics. UCLA told me both of these were fine over the phone. I am going to take MATH 160 Intro to Stats because I need another math class in the math department for requirements at other schools. If you want a more rigorous class try MATH 263 Intro to Stats and Biostats which I have heard is a lot more work than any of the other 3 classes. Those four are all fine as far as I know. Good luck. 🙂

 

[DoctorWannaBe]

Thanks a lot everyone! There seems to be no consensus on the answer, so maybe I should just talk to UCLA personally. As for the calculus, I did take the intro Calculus for science majors, but I took an advanced class that was only 3 credit hours and was therefore accelerated. I hope this won't be a problem as it was the same class as the 5 credit hour but was for students who are better at math. I have no problem with math, so I'm not worried about that in medical school or for the prerequisites.