math class at yale

whitecadillac · 10-25-2009, 10:55 AM

i tried searching this but everyone was talking about how good the actual math department at yale was. but my question is different. on the yale website it says you only have to take 2 credits of math to graduate, right? so that means 1 class of math for your entire four years at yale? and how hard are the math classes? can someone like me--very english/social science-based--take a relatively easy math class to fulfill the requirement?

T26E4 · 10-25-2009, 11:00 AM

You have to take one quantitative class, not necessarily within the Math dept from what I recall.

And yes, there are mathematically phobic yalies who find a way to take a decent class to fulfill this requirement.

whitecadillac · 10-25-2009, 11:05 AM

ok, so it is for sure only one class. yay! and that's good to know that all the QR classes might not necessarily be math. i couldn't find a list of them on the yale website though. am i not looking in the right place? is it on there?

wjb · 10-25-2009, 11:10 AM

You need two course credits in quantitative reasoning. Most courses are one credit, so that’s two classes, not just one:

Quote:

Skills requirement in quantitative reasoning (two course credits). The mental rigor resulting from quantitative study has been celebrated since ancient times, and applications of quantitative methods have proven critical to many different disciplines. Mathematics and statistics are basic tools for the natural and the social sciences, and they have become useful in many of the humanities as well. Information technology and the rigorous dissection of logical arguments in any discipline depend on algorithms and formal logical constructs. An educated person must be able to use quantitative information to make, understand, and evaluate arguments.
Many quantitative reasoning courses are taught through the departments of Mathematics, Statistics, and Computer Science. Such courses may also be found in Astronomy, Biology, Chemistry, Economics, Engineering, Environmental Studies, Geology and Geophysics, Philosophy, Physics, and Psychology.

Distributional Requirements | Yale College | Yale College Programs of Study

whitecadillac · 10-25-2009, 11:12 AM

oh, ok, i saw that...but i wasn't sure if it was like a math-centric class in the department of philosophy, for example, or if it was really a philosophy class. (or geology or science or economics, etc.)

ufohunter · 10-25-2009, 11:51 AM

There are many ways to fulfill your QR (or Sc) requirement without taking a math course. One of my suitemates is taking an astronomy course (that could count as either a QR or a Sc credit) and he says that it involves no more than algebra.

whitecadillac · 10-25-2009, 12:01 PM

ok, cool! thanks!

Yalemom2 · 10-25-2009, 12:40 PM

Go to Yale Online Course Information | Search Courses, select a department, and select QR under skills and you'll be able to see which courses fulfill the quantitative requirement.

whitecadillac · 10-25-2009, 12:44 PM

oh, thanks! that looks like it'll be really helpful.