Mathematics for Graduate Political Science

Question

I'm preparing to attend graduate school for political science here in Canada and I'm having something of a crisis. Midway through my degree program I chose to drop my first love (English) to focus on what I was more interested in professionally. I'm now completing a honours degree in political science and international relations. Thing is, I've lost much of my quantitative ability (not that I had much to begin with). I was able to do some differential calculus a couple years ago, but I fear I've forgotten much of what I knew how to do.

I've become fascinated with quantitative methodology and want to practice quantitative research in graduate school. I'm currently on track to study theory. So here's my question: If I want to be able to use quantitative methods in grad school (say negative binomial regression, for example) how much math should I know prior to entering? Multivariable calculus? Linear algebra? Differential equations? When it comes to eventual knowledge, the sky's the limit, but I'm immediately concerned with applied maths. Pardon any ignorance inherent in this post.

Answer 1

For quantitative social science, the more math you can learn before you get to grad school, the better. A minimal preparation would be something like:

• Three semesters of calculus, which is usually two of single-variable and one of multi
• One semester of linear algebra
• One semester of probability and statistics

If you have time, the following courses would look good:

• Differential equations
• Advanced probability or mathematical statistics courses
• Real analysis, which might be called advanced calculus

Topology also couldn't hurt, in case you want to learn functional analysis later on. You should certainly take a couple of computer science courses.

Answer 2

The standard list of maths needed are as follows:

1) A "good" calculus class this is at the level of MITOCW calculus or edx.org calc 1A, calc 1B, calc 1C etc. Free or 49 dollars if you want certificate

2) Linear Algebra say MITOCW linear algebra by Gilbert Strang free

3) Econometrics try MITOCW econometrics or coursera.org econometrics free or 49 dollars

4) Bayesian Methods try coursera.org Bayesian Methods UC Santa Cruz free or 49 or more if you take 5 course series

5) Software Learn how to use R and Stata at a minimum

6) Learn how to clean a data set

7) take the survey methodology series on Coursera at least 4 courses 49 each or free

8) Don't take any more than this without doing some serious reading of political science journals. If you can't read the journal with understanding as in being able to replicate the analysis

9) Work for a politician or sit and watch at local senate/house meetings 10) read some partisan mags./radio shows/ etc.

11) Learn the language of political sci don't apply to you know the area break down of all the areas of political science American, Political Economics, Methodology, etc.

12) more important to know the language of political science and to have an imagination of how to write about it than to be have math phd so don't overdo the math.

13) Don't forget to sit in on some classes at your local phd mill.

14) coursera.org Game theory I & 2 stanford and Tokyo Uni Intro game theory

15) Network Theory class coursera.org or edx.org

16) Model Thinking Coursera.org

17) You shouldn't need Grad real analysis, Measure theory, Functional Analysis, Topology, etc.

18) You might need Control theory if dynamic models is an interest. But read the journal first because if you don't like those types of papers or if no one really does them why should you.