Yes it's no less difficult, just different. My degree had a steep maths requirement which I struggled with, this not being a strong area for me. The annoying thing is I never used the advanced maths again after first year and not in my masters as I work in an area that doesn't use advanced maths. I now work with brilliant people who had to take the advanced maths two or three times to just pass and they don't need it either. I remember people who couldn't get it and dropped out, one had high distinctions in all his other subjects, but couldn't pass the maths requirements.
The author is correct, if you don't need to use advanced maths, then you shouldn't have to take them. They were a complete waste of time and money for me and made my life very stressful at the time.It's like requiring advanced French to be a doctor. If it's not necessary for your course/career, then it should be optional. You can make the argument that it's good for people to work through it, but some people are not good at some things and I have chosen not to work in those areas, so I shouldn't be forced to do them. I'm good at languages, that doesn't make me better at my job, I can also run fast and far, that doesn't matter either. I hate advanced maths, that doesn't matter either! I don't need it. It has never helped me.