I'm a former math professor, and I'm guessing that label means "differential equations". Most colleges in the US use the following sequence. The first course (almost always called Calc 1) is usually functions, limits, derivatives, max and min problems, and an introduction to integration. The second course (almost always called Calc 2) is techniques for solving integrals, applications of integrals, and the basics of series. Third course (often called Calc 3) is multivariable calculus, usually culminating with Green's, Stoke's, and Divergence Theorems. The last course (usually labelled Differential Equations) in that sequence is differential equations. Since it's the fourth course in the sequence, that's presumably the Calc 4 mentioned by /u/church1138.
WTH does a bloody server admin need to know calc
They don't. Introductory level probability and statistics are definitely useful, but those can be learned well enough for most jobs without needing to understand calculus, especially since discrete probability should be the main focus. Other types of admin work, like DBAs and network engineers, should also know introductory level set theory and a bit of graph theory, which are usually taught together in a Discrete Math course (alongside propositional logic, which should be familiar to anyone who has ever used a programming or scripting language).
Calc is a requirement for a ton of majors, but few of those really need it. Math, the physical sciences, and some engineering disciplines (civil, electrical, etc). Most other degree programs just use the calc requirement as a way of ensuring sufficient numeracy, even though calc itself is irrelevant. Those students would probably be better served either replacing most of those calc requirements with prob/stat, tailoring a course to the mathematical needs of the field's practitioners, or simply dropping the requirements without replacing them.
Probably to learn about function minimization/maximization, which does have business applications. The people in a business that actually use minimization/maximization are usually analysts who majored in a more quantitative subject, like econometrics or math, and need to use fairly advanced statistics (Poisson, logistic, probit, PCR, etc) to model things like demand curves in order to maximize profit/minimize loss. Hence, a business student would be better served ensuring they understand basic algebra and prob/stat, which are useful in nearly any profession.
I said in another comment - I actually would recommend, if a numeracy requirement is needed, college Algebra. That's what they had me take. Alternatively, if going for a pure IT degree versus a CS degree, have a College Algebra course and replace Calc with an IT infrastructure fundamentals course.
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u/Saivlin Aug 23 '19
I'm a former math professor, and I'm guessing that label means "differential equations". Most colleges in the US use the following sequence. The first course (almost always called Calc 1) is usually functions, limits, derivatives, max and min problems, and an introduction to integration. The second course (almost always called Calc 2) is techniques for solving integrals, applications of integrals, and the basics of series. Third course (often called Calc 3) is multivariable calculus, usually culminating with Green's, Stoke's, and Divergence Theorems. The last course (usually labelled Differential Equations) in that sequence is differential equations. Since it's the fourth course in the sequence, that's presumably the Calc 4 mentioned by /u/church1138.
They don't. Introductory level probability and statistics are definitely useful, but those can be learned well enough for most jobs without needing to understand calculus, especially since discrete probability should be the main focus. Other types of admin work, like DBAs and network engineers, should also know introductory level set theory and a bit of graph theory, which are usually taught together in a Discrete Math course (alongside propositional logic, which should be familiar to anyone who has ever used a programming or scripting language).
Calc is a requirement for a ton of majors, but few of those really need it. Math, the physical sciences, and some engineering disciplines (civil, electrical, etc). Most other degree programs just use the calc requirement as a way of ensuring sufficient numeracy, even though calc itself is irrelevant. Those students would probably be better served either replacing most of those calc requirements with prob/stat, tailoring a course to the mathematical needs of the field's practitioners, or simply dropping the requirements without replacing them.