<p>Hello all, I'm a rising senior who will be taking classes at U-M in the fall, and was wondering if anyone has had experience with STAT 425. I took Calc 3 and Basic Stats at a community college this year (5 on AP Calc BC last year; 5 on AP Stats this year), so on paper I should be fine for the class, but I'm slightly worried that my foundation of knowledge might not be enough. If anyone has an input about what to expect for this class, I'd appreciate it!</p>
<p>@clarinetkid, I think you’ll do just fine with STAT 425.</p>
<p>My S took Math 425 (supposed to be equivalent to Stat 425 at UMich) after taking his AP Calc BC, and found it to be a very easy class. He scored 5 on his AP Stat easily afterwards. It seemed like there were quite a lot of overlaps in Math 425 and AP Stat materials; the former also covered the topics much more deeply.</p>
<p>@parentOf2018, that sounds great - thanks!</p>
<p>Math/Stat 425 (Math 425 and Stat 425 are literally the same class) are intended to be very easy. If you want a more intensive version you should look at Math 525. Though if you’re worried your foundation isn’t very good, just stick with 425. </p>
<p>@Vladenschlutte, I can’t take Math 525 because it has the prerequisite of Math 451. I will be taking Math 214 and 216 (not sure which one I’m taking first/second semester yet), so I don’t think I’m quite at that level of mathematical ability. If Stat 425 is actually very (too) easy, do you have any suggestions for alternatives that don’t have extra prereqs? </p>
<p>@clarinetkid, if this is the first time you’re taking Math courses at UMich, I would not suggest that you take more than 1 per semester. Take 1 first the 1st semester, and see how it goes. If it’s too light, take more the 2nd semester. </p>
<p>Another option, if Math is really your strong forte, and if you can commit to a HUGE chunk of time on your Math assignments:
take Math 295 in Fall & 296 in Winter, and forget about Math 214, 216 and/or Math/Stat 425.</p>
<p>See this course guide for list of Math courses & its pre-reqs if you want to find other alternatives:
<a href=“http://www.lsa.umich.edu/UMICH/math/Home/Undergrad/Course%20Resources/Ugrad_Courses2013.pdf”>http://www.lsa.umich.edu/UMICH/math/Home/Undergrad/Course%20Resources/Ugrad_Courses2013.pdf</a></p>
<p>(E.g.: Math 175 doesn’t have any pre-req, but I don’t know anything about that class, hence, unable to comment.)</p>
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<p>Math prerequisites are just advisory. Basically means “We think it’s a good idea but feel free to ignore them if you know better.” You can sign up for Math 525 if you want. For instance, I think Math 451 has some prerequisites (probably 412?) but I didn’t take them and no one gave me any issues trying to sign up for it, you just sign up for it the same way as you would any other class. If 425 is too easy you can switch up to 525. </p>
<p>That said, you probably should take 451 first if you’re unsure of your background. If you’re going to take a few math classes 451 is a good one to do early, as it’s a “gateway” to most of the other classes. 525 is supposed to be pretty hard. </p>
<p>According to the course guide above, Math 295 and 296 may be substituted for any Math 451 requirement. In fact, once one completes 296 successfully, there are a lot more upperUndergrad-level (and some grad-level) courses that one can take. More options for grad-level math courses will be available for those done with 395-396.</p>
<p>@Vladenschlutte, many classes that require 451 are usually proof-based courses. I’m just curious if you had had any proof-base Math background before taking 525? Do you think 525 is too much for those without any prior experience in proof-base?</p>
<p>In any case, if OP is not sure about 425 vs 525, it’s probably best to start with 525 first. If that proves to be too much, it will be easier to fall back onto 425 since he already had some prior AP Stats background. It may be a lot more difficult to catch up with 525 materials if switching from 425, especially if one never has any proof-based Math before.</p>
<p>@parentOf2018, I was under the impression that Math/Stats 425 was more of a stats class? I haven’t done a whole lot of research, but I was planning on taking 214/216 as a continuation of my math (calculus) track, and 425 as a continuation of stats. If there’s a better way to achieve this, I’d be glad to know. Unfortunately I don’t think I could handle 295; I’m busy with high school stuff and not really THAT good at math (I do well in classes but not at competitions).</p>
<p>@Vladenschlutte, would you recommend 451 over 214/216? Reading the course description it seems like that would be “skipping a level,” and given that I haven’t taken any proof-based math, it might be tough. If anything, people have usually recommended 217/286, but I’m not planning on majoring in math or anything, so I figured I wouldn’t need as theoretical of a background.</p>
<p>@clarinetkid, I wouldn’t doubt that Math/Stats 425 covers much more than what’s in AP Stats. Truth be told, I don’t know what’s in AP Stats since my S never took any AP classes while in HS (he just took the AP exams after taking dual-enrolled classes of similar subjects.) I just recall that he said the materials in AP Stats review book was similar to the Math 425 materials, but so much, much, much easier than 425. </p>
<p>Check this link out for recent sample syllabus/lectures, to see if this is something that’s suitable for you:
<a href=“http://www.math.lsa.umich.edu/~mityab/teaching/m425w14/”>http://www.math.lsa.umich.edu/~mityab/teaching/m425w14/</a></p>
<p>Also, check out the textbook from your library (not sure which edition will be used this Fall) to browse through if you’re still uncertain:
<a href=“http://www.amazon.com/First-Course-Probability-Sheldon-Ross-ebook/dp/B005H8D88G/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1405227564&sr=8-1&keywords=A+First+Course+in+Probability+(8th+edition)+by+Ross”>http://www.amazon.com/First-Course-Probability-Sheldon-Ross-ebook/dp/B005H8D88G/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1405227564&sr=8-1&keywords=A+First+Course+in+Probability+(8th+edition)+by+Ross</a> </p>
<p>I don’t know anything about 214/216, hence I don’t know how easy they are. But I have heard that 217/286 are very time-consuming (286 is proof-based). Given that you’ll be busy with HS stuff (plus all the stresses related to college-apps), it may be best to stick with the easy courses such as 425 (should be an easy A unless things go awfully wrong) and perhaps one other. </p>
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<p>I never took 525 but I looked into it once because I was considering taking it, but never actually did. I knew a lot of people who did take it. General consensus is “it’s pretty hard, but not crazy.” It should be mostly proof-based. Conversely, I sat in a few lectures of 425 and did one of the problem sets before I just got bored and stopped. It was completely trivial. </p>
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<p>It depends. Are you thinking IOE or CS (guessing from your 214)? If so I think some proof experience would be helpful for some classes. Like IOE 51X or 61X or EECS 477, maybe EECS 475 a little bit. 451 is fine without proof experience, the class doesn’t assume any. It may be a bit easier with some experience, but it’s definitely not necessary. But if you’re not planning on taking any proof-based classes and aren’t interested in it then don’t take it and just stick with 214 and 216. </p>
<p>I’ll just say that I think 451 is a good class to take though, and if you’re going to take it you should take it early (Freshman or Sophomore year - it’s also offered in spring). </p>
<p>295/296 is the extreme math option. Since you’re not really looking to get into math I’d avoid those. </p>
<p>@parentOf2018 and @Vladenschlutte, thank you for your help! I think I have enough info now to choose classes for at least the first semester.</p>