Math Camp at Maryland

**wheretogo1** · 07-19-2011, 04:34 PM

Hey guys -

I am looking through the textbooks for the University of Maryland math camp. All I can say is wow - they expect this to be review, but most of the statistics in the syllabus is new to me.

Is this common (i.e. math camp not being a review) or should I be worried? How mathematical is the maryland program relative to the rest of the nation? Does anyone know?

**Team3** · 07-19-2011, 04:59 PM

UMD has a fairly quantitative bent at the graduate level (not so much at UG). It's a well regarded program with an excellent math department to boot.

**whatdoido** · 07-19-2011, 05:09 PM

What are the topics you're being stunned by?

**wheretogo1** · 07-19-2011, 07:26 PM

Mostly the statistics - I have taken real analysis so the micro/macro portion does not seem daunting.

We're using the Hogg-McKean-Craig book "Introduction to Mathematical Statistics", and the first 2.5 chapters I have encountered in my probability theory class, but I have not taken any classes that cover the other chapters.
This looks like it'll be a long summer for me.

buzios · 07-19-2011, 07:55 PM

Originally Posted by wheretogo1

Mostly the statistics - I have taken real analysis so the micro/macro portion does not seem daunting.

We're using the Hogg-McKean-Craig book "Introduction to Mathematical Statistics", and the first 2.5 chapters I have encountered in my probability theory class, but I have not taken any classes that cover the other chapters.
This looks like it'll be a long summer for me.

I think i have an older version of the text, but it seems like chapters 1-4 cover a probability theory class, and chapters 5-9 (with some omissions) looks like a standard math stats course.

So I doubt it's expected to all be review.

**Team3** · 07-19-2011, 09:45 PM

Originally Posted by wheretogo1

We're using the Hogg-McKean-Craig book "Introduction to Mathematical Statistics", and the first 2.5 chapters I have encountered in my probability theory class, but I have not taken any classes that cover the other chapters.

They wouldn't have admitted you if they didn't think you could handle it, but UMD does generally expect relative familiarity with calculus-based statistics prior to program start....not prior to the beginning of math camp. Their upper-level undergrads use Hogg-McKean-Craig in the second half of the year long theory course, which most of the professors believe is pretty good prep for a graduate program.

By it's nature, camp will have to move pretty quickly through the math stats portion, so you may want to spend a little time trying to conceptualize the concepts on your own prior to the barrage of chalk.