Stem without math all you need to know before

So many people are interested and wanted to study stem strands. The stem has the power and potential to put you in stages that you never thought to be there. It opens the doors to go and have a wonderful career, carrying jobs that nobody could achieve or do them.

But most people are afraid of going on this journey. Because they are terrified. They want to prevent at all costs, the confrontation with mathematics and what comes with it. For instance algebra, statistics, probability, etc. Which makes them ask the question of studying STEM without math. It is possible?

In this article, we’re going to answer this question in a detailed model. That is to say, knowing if studying stem without math could be possible or not. Also treating the fear that people have toward mathematics. Also, an extra reasons related to this topic. So keep reading to know what you should do.

Can you study stem without math?

This question is like a disaster for many enemies of maths. But it should not be at that level. Anyway. Math is one of four pillars that stem stand above. The stem strand is based principal on math.

It is combined with science subjects for many different topics even biology which seems not to be oriented for. Therefore every subject has a different mathematical topic that students study. Let me explain…

For example


biology and actuarial science are both stem subjects that need math. But “and with a big But!!!. The amount and math complexity that actuarial science use is way more intense than biology need.

Actuarial scientists study probability and statistics to predict events and solve financial problems which are considered a heavy mathematics topics. On the other side, biology uses mathematical graphs and curves to analyze the behavior of biological systems. In other simple words, the mathematics used in biology is way more simple than the actuarial science one.

stem and math comparison between subjects

The stem could not exist without math. But it could be with simple and light maths. To sum up I covered in this table the most stem topics and their heavy math uses.

 stem subject

study of

math concentration

atmospheric
sciences

basics of vector calculus
fluid dynamics
statistics
numerical mathematics
and stochastic

medium

mathematical
biology

studying integral
differential systems
, algebra, geometry, topology

high

optics &nuclear
physics

quantum mechanics,
linear algebra, integrals

high

information
technology

studying boolean algebra
the number systems,
binary, decimal, hexadecimal

medium

robotics

differential equations
linear algebra.

medium

biochemistry

differential
integral calculus
trigonometry

high

psychology

high focus on statistics
and statistics
Arithmetic & algebra subjects

medium

computer
science

algebra statistics calculus

high

applied
mathematics

linear algebra,
Introductory real analysis,
functional-analysis complex analysis

high

biology

Linear algebra, Probability,
and Statistics,
Computer programming

low

chemistry

trigonometry,geometry, algebra

low

physics

Statistical mechanics,
 Partial differential,
equations quantum theories

high

economics

Calculus, Discrete Mathematics,
Probability & Statistics

low

The math concentration notified in the table is due to a personal study and an old experience in the stem domain. Above all, The specializations that have a low math concentration don’t mean that you will not study mathematics. In the stem domain, math is everywhere. But less intensive you will find in biology and economics compared to physics or computer science. As a result, give an advantage for biology or economics interested peoples.

Why stem could never be without math?

If we unlock the STEM abbreviation word, the stem would be SCIENCE TECHNOLOGY ENGINEERING and finally mathematics. Every topic that got this three-element is considered a stem specialization. So you can’t prevent naming a stem domain without talking about mathematics. We have to forget that.

The stem domain is a math language. It is a tool to engineer and develop new technologies. In addition, math goes hand in hand with stem strands. The absence of the mathematic domain means collapsing all other scientific branches.

You can pick any branch or anything you could think about, your car, watch, phone, etc. Even your body is naturally based on mathematics. 21% of the oxygen is in the air if it is increased or decreased. Therefore, we would not stay on the planet. Thus we can not expect science to be out of maths.

Can you go into certain fields of STEM if you are not good at math?

The response could be yes in some cases and fields like biology or economics that we mentioned above in the last paragraph. It doesn’t mean that you will not be using math. If you think like that you’re absolutely wrong. You will use math But with a low-intensity charge and complexity compared to another specialization.

But what attracts me, is the myth of math is hard, math is not for everyone, and math is a headache. Does it true? do we have to be afraid of math at the level?
How did you know you are bad at math?

maybe you had a bad experience with a math professor.

If that is true!!!!
How do overcome that? it is possible to become good at math?

We will try to respond and dive into this topic. We want to give hope to people who love stem but they afraid of math or not good at it.

How did you know you are bad at math?

A good question before starting treating the subject. Responding to this question could be half part of the solution. Knowing what makes you hate math can possibly push you to rethink again and understand yourself more.

for the most part, students hate math because they don’t find it easy. It seems to them like a group of absurd calculations without any sense and relation with the real world. In fact, mathematics doesn’t have these characteristics at all.

students don’t get good marks in maths because they haven’t been through in a way that they should be. Students want to see math applications in the world. They want to see colorful math not grid math like we traditionally see.

In some cases when you fall with a bad professor. It can make you hate the world not also the math. Personally, I knew people who drop out the school because of their bad instructors. That situation creates non-confidence and confusion.

making mistakes and having a bad score from hate and disrespect. In most cases, you’re not bad at math but most chances are that you don’t accept making mistakes. Also, the list is still long of factors that force people to adopt this belive.

I’m bad at math but I still want to join stem classes

You think you’re bad at math and you still want to go to stem classes. Many students would ask this question.

when we talk about the word “want”. You say I want to join stem classes. The question is different here.

Most people would find it easy to tell you not to go for it because you said it. you’re bad at math.

but let’s try to see it from a different angle. when you say, you want that means you are interested. We can build everything around the interest. if you are interested that means you get passed through a bad experience with math. you’re not bad at it.

in this case, all you need is to try to reinforce yourself in math through the steps that I will list below.

restudying foundations

In many cases, people who suffer in math have problems with the foundations. They have not absorbed the core mathematical law and principles. As a result, accumulate and create gaps within several years.

You have to find and define in which place you have the misunderstanding or confusion and start acting on it. So restudy your first lesson of algebra or calculus, watch a youtube video or take courses, there is plenty of information resources. learn self-formation.

In mathematics, you have to learn how to count on yourself, don’t rely on other people explaining to you, and search alone first. Even if it makes you go back to previous basic formulas. Building a foundation is the first key it will seem difficult in the first time but it is worth it.

practicing

The second part is to practice what you learned. For instance, Let’s say you studied yesterday calculus. Now you think you absorbed well the whole lesson.

Then you need to put it into the work by making a lot of exercises on the calculus topic, I would suggest doing at least 50 exercises covering the whole topic of calculus(as an example) from the simplest ones to the toughest ones.

Don’t rush to look at solutions take your time and try to put your maximum time and effort to solve the issue. If you are still feeling confused don’t be discouraged go back to your lesson and have a look. But do not look at solutions allow yourself to be patient and self-disciplinary.

When you reach the position of being comfortable with almost all exercises in the topic.
you can go to the next topic and do the same thing. Don’t rush, take your time to absorb the topic, mathematics requires time. It is not good to go back again and again. so the equation is so simple it is like this forme

math = understand well lesson + a lot of exercises

challenge

Sometimes you have to challenge yourself and pass some exams. Therefore, to validate yourself and know the level where you are at. Trying to solve some complex themes will not be bad. is going to be the opportunity to raise your confidence in yourself.

conclusion

Sometimes in front of our journey, we find some obstacles that could kill our dreams and put them out of the way. It could be our belive, though, or weaknesses. Don’t let something stand in your way.

If you want to become a stem and you are interested in it, you could. But you have to be prepared to pay the price.

yassin.ajanif

Yassin ajanif is a physics graduate and electromechanical engineer width more than 5 years in the field. My goal and my team are to share our experience to help you succeed in your career as a stem major. we talk about all tips, problems, and struggle STEM students face in their career and how to overcome them.