Math prerequisites

[backtoschoolsoon]

Hi everyone,

I am interested in pursuing a quantitative finance masters. I am very strong in math, but I never took Linear Algebra or Differential Equations in college. I am hoping to start a masters program in the fall of 2013 and I am planning to take Linear Algebra and Differential Equations before the fall program would begin. Would I still be able to apply to high-ranking programs now without being penalized for not having all the math requirements already? Is it unheard of to study Linear Algebra and Differential Equations on your own rather than taking those courses at a local college? (I am trying to save some money.)

Thanks for your help!

 

[Daniel Duffy]

On Linear Algebra from Gil Strang of MIT

http://ocw.mit.edu/courses/mathematics/18-06-linear-algebra-spring-2010/video-lectures/

You could complement it by Schaum books.

And

http://ocw.mit.edu/courses/mathematics/18-03-differential-equations-spring-2010/video-lectures/

 

[backtoschoolsoon]

Thanks Daniel, this looks great!

 

[Daniel Duffy]

You're welcome, BTSS.

remark: GS was the supervisor of my own PhD supervisor.

 

[Felix Kotey]

I have got all the lecture video and lecture notes and just waiting to be done with the C++ course to start revising. I like the way GS teaches.

 

[Shawn Lim]

just wondering - is self study (participation in these online math courses) enough to fulfill MFE admission pre-requisites/improve admission profile? it is difficult to prove to admissions that i have truly completed the course, isnt it?

 

[Uozz]

just wondering - is self study (participation in these online math courses) enough to fulfill MFE admission pre-requisites/improve admission profile? it is difficult to prove to admissions that i have truly completed the course, isnt it?

Correct, it's not possible as they do not grant any certificate or credit once course is completed. So while its there for you to learn and expand your knowledge, it is not there to fulfill your prerequisite requirement as you cannot "Send your official transcripts to ...." to wherever you're applying. I have also spoken to a university about this and they completely rejected the idea. Got this from the website:
Can I get a certificate after completing these courses?

No. MIT OpenCourseWare is a publication of the course materials that support the dynamic classroom interactions of an MIT education; it is not a degree-granting or credit-bearing initiative.

 

[Amit Trivedi]

Hello Friends,
I am Amit Trivedi from India and I have applied for MSMF course in Boston University. I am a commerce graduate and have done my CFA from ICFAI University (India). Boston University has Math pre requisite subjects to be cleared.
So how can I clear these pre-requistes, could any one please help me as in India there are no individual subjects that you can clear.
Also could anyone please help with some of the distance learning programs from USA itself that can be cleared.

Please help.
Thanks.

 

[Andy Nguyen]

So how can I clear these pre-requistes, could any one please help me as in India there are no individual subjects that you can clear.

If you have an engineering undergrad degree from India, it should have most, if not all of these requirements.

 

[Amit Trivedi]

Thanks for replying Andy. Well my background is not related to Engineering. I belong to the Commerce background. I have done my CFA from ICFAI University and have most of the quantitative skills. However, could you please suggest the sources from where I can learn those prerequisite subjects. May be distance learning?