Calculus vs Statistics vs Discrete Math: which math for your major

Take the one your major names. If it lists Calculus I, take Calculus 1 (Math 165); if it lists statistics, take Principles of Statistics (Statistics 101); if it lists Discrete Mathematics, take Discrete Mathematics (Math 230). See also Discrete Math vs Discrete Structures. Your college decides which course meets each requirement.

They ask for different skills. Calculus 1 works with functions, limits and rates of change; Discrete Mathematics works with logic, proof, counting and graphs. By the syllabi, Calculus 1 has 49 instructional hours across 8 chapters and Discrete Mathematics has 46 across 13. You can try free Discrete Mathematics lessons first.

Principles of Statistics (Statistics 101): ACE recommends 3 semester hours, ACE ID UPIS-0003, and NCCRS recommends 3 as well. Calculus 1 and Discrete Mathematics are NCCRS only, each recommended for 4 semester hours.

Calculus 1 (Math 165) covers functions, limits and continuity, derivatives and their uses, and integration up to the Fundamental Theorem of Calculus. Principles of Statistics (Statistics 101) covers statistics for business: data and graphs, probability, distributions, confidence intervals, hypothesis tests and regression. Discrete Mathematics (Maths 230) covers logic and proof, sets and functions, counting and probability, recurrence relations, graphs and trees, matrices and Boolean algebra.

Calculus 1: NCCRS recommends 4 semester hours, upper division, in Calculus among other subjects. Principles of Statistics: NCCRS recommends 3 semester hours, lower division, in Mathematics among other subjects; ACE recommends 3 (ACE ID UPIS-0003). Discrete Mathematics: NCCRS recommends 4 semester hours, lower or upper division, in Calculus among other subjects.

Calculus 1: Calculus, Mathematics, Computer Science, Economics, or as a general education math elective. Principles of Statistics: Mathematics, Economics, International Business, Finance, Finance and Investment, Accounting, Management, Human Resources, Hospitality Management, Management Information Systems, Marketing, Education, or Health Services. Discrete Mathematics: Calculus or Mathematics. Your college decides which requirement each one fills.

Calculus 1: 8 chapters and 49 instructional hours. Principles of Statistics: 14 chapters and 67 instructional hours. Discrete Mathematics: 13 chapters and 46 instructional hours. All three are self-paced, so you finish as fast or as slow as you want.

None: no syllabus of the three lists one, so you can begin with Principles of Statistics or take them side by side.

Calculus 1: 100 multiple-choice questions, 25% of the grade. Principles of Statistics: 100 multiple-choice questions, 50% of the grade. Discrete Mathematics: 100 multiple-choice questions, 25% of the grade.

Calculus 1: Hoffman, Dale. Contemporary Calculus. Bellevue College, Washington State Colleges, with other references. Principles of Statistics: Illowsky, Barbara, and Susan Dean, editors. Introductory Statistics 2e. OpenStax, 2023, with other references. Discrete Mathematics: Rachel Zax and Harry Lewis. Essential Discrete Mathematics for Computer Science, Princeton University Press, 2019 (optional), with other references.

Quantitative Analysis. In the “Business and data” order on the Math courses page, it follows Principles of Statistics. Your program may set its own order.

No. Open-book is fine for the Calculus 1 quizzes and assignment, but the final is proctored: lightly, with no camera, once you are at 70% or more, and fully otherwise.

Yes. Calculators are allowed in math finals, and most final questions are multiple choice, so nothing needs typing. Calculus 1 assignments can be typed or handwritten and photographed into one PDF.

ACE and NCCRS have over 2,100 cooperating colleges that will consider accepting credits; the final decision is with the universities. Search your school in Find My College and ask your registrar which courses Math 165, Statistics 101 and Math 230 would count as. It helps to name the subject: NCCRS recommends Calculus 1 in Calculus and Principles of Statistics in Mathematics.