Specific Math Requirements

[JFine]

Hello All, I am preparing for my entrance into a Yacht Design Program and would like to know what specific areas of math I will REALLY need. I have an evaluation test, sent from my school, and it appears to be relatively broad in content. Any and all advice is eagerly anticipated.

Calculus, vector calculus, differential equations, linear algebra, statistics, various topics in advanced math such as Fourier analysis, complex variables, some understanding of tensors, and numerical analysis is a good start.

Unfortunately, in the past, it was too difficult to actually do the calculations, but now, with computers, you can do the calculations, and you have to be able to to be competitive.

[pjwalsh]

I think it depends on what school you are talking about. 12 years ago I got just such a test in the mail from the Landing School design program. Armed with my meagre high school algebra I trudged through it with about a 50% score. Subsequently I had no problems with the mathematics required for that program - mostly algebra and sums, but I certainly could have gained deeper understanding by a better knowledge of math.

The previous post has outlined many of the mathematics I use in the polymer science and engineering phd program I presently attend so I think for an introductory yacht design course you could get by with somewhat less.

I would say a good grasp of differential and integral calculus would be plenty. get a calculus based introductory college physics book too. Linear differential equations would be icing on the cake. If you want to learn more as your skills build, linear algebra and vector calculus is the gateway to understanding tensor concepts as applied to solid mechanics and fluid mechanics.