Drafted with AI assistance (Grok Bot) for Daniel Bryan Boice; pending Daniel's review.
Work through the full sequence from intermediate algebra through differential equations: intermediate algebra, college algebra, matrix algebra, geometry, trigonometry, precalculus, counting & probability, statistics, Calculus 1–3, linear algebra, and differential equations.
The plan integrates data science with the mathematics throughout. Every topic includes Python exercises and data work, so the math is the foundation and the Python and data skills are the marketable outcome. It's designed as one coherent curriculum, not math with a side interest, which makes it valuable to employers and transfer universities alike.
2–3 hours/day, about 15–20 hours/week. Start Mon Nov 2, 2026 (adjustable). Estimates assume ~17.5 hrs/week.
Self-paced: the week counts include buffer time for review, catch-up, and rest weeks. Move on when chapter tests are solid, not when the calendar says so. If a topic finishes early, bank the time; if it runs long, shift later dates.
| # | Topic | Source chapters | Weeks | Dates |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Intermediate Algebra | Intermediate Algebra 2e Ch 1–11 (quick review of Ch 1–2) | 16 | Nov 2, 2026 – Feb 21, 2027 |
| 2 | College Algebra | College Algebra 2e Ch 1–9 (skim overlap; focus functions, polynomial/rational, exponential/log, systems, conics, sequences) | 8 | Feb 22 – Apr 18, 2027 |
| 3 | Matrix algebra (matrices, operations, determinants, solving systems) | College Algebra 2e Ch 7 (7.1–7.8) = Precalculus 2e Ch 9 (9.1–9.8): systems, matrices, Gaussian elimination, inverses, Cramer’s rule. Optional deeper text: Hefferon, Linear Algebra (free) | 4 | Apr 19 – May 16, 2027 |
| 4 | Geometry (Euclidean, proofs, coordinate) | LibreTexts Geometry + Euclid Book I; coordinate review IA2e Ch 3 | 8 | May 17 – Jul 11, 2027 |
| 5 | Trigonometry | Precalculus 2e Ch 5–8 (trig functions, periodic functions, identities & equations, further applications) | 8 | Jul 12 – Sep 5, 2027 |
| 6 | Precalculus (finish) | Precalculus 2e Ch 1–4 review, Ch 10 analytic geometry, 11.1–11.4 sequences & series, Ch 12 intro to calculus | 6 | Sep 6 – Oct 17, 2027 |
| 7 | Counting & probability (counting principle, factorials, permutations, combinations, basic probability) | Precalculus 2e 11.5 Counting Principles, 11.6 Binomial Theorem, 11.7 Probability (same as College Algebra 2e 9.5–9.7) | 4 | Oct 18 – Nov 14, 2027 |
| 8 | Statistics (descriptive, distributions, basic inference) | OpenStax Statistics Ch 1–10 & 12 (sampling, descriptive stats, probability, random variables, normal, CLT, confidence intervals, hypothesis tests, regression); Ch 11 & 13 optional | 8 | Nov 15, 2027 – Jan 9, 2028 |
| 9 | Calculus 1 (limits, derivatives, intro integration) | OpenStax Calculus Volume 1 | 12 | Jan 10 – Apr 2, 2028 |
| 10 | Calculus 2 (integration techniques, applications, series) | OpenStax Calculus Volume 2 | 12 | Apr 3 – Jun 25, 2028 |
| 11 | Calculus 3 (vectors, multivariable, vector calculus) | OpenStax Calculus Volume 3 | 10 | Jun 26 – Sep 3, 2028 |
| 12 | Linear Algebra | Jim Hefferon, Linear Algebra (free; no OpenStax linear algebra book) | 10 | Sep 4 – Nov 12, 2028 |
| 13 | Differential Equations | Jiří Lebl, Notes on Diffy Qs (free; no OpenStax differential equations book) | 10 | Nov 13, 2028 – Jan 21, 2029 |
Total: 116 weeks, including buffer (~1,740–2,320 hours at 15–20 hrs/week). Mon Nov 2, 2026 → Sun Jan 21, 2029.