Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to take the mathematics placement exam?

Yes, you are required to take the placement exam before you matriculate at the college, even if you do not plan to take a mathematics class at Dickinson. The only exceptions are the listed below. (Note: use the online placement guide for more detailed information on mathematics placement.)

Students who scored 3, 4, or 5 on the AB Advanced Placement Calculus exam
Students who scored 4, or 5 on the BC Advanced Placement Calculus exam
Students who scored a 1, 2 or 3 on the BC Advanced Placement Calculus exam, but received an AB subscore of 3, 4, or 5
Students who scored an A or B on the Britsh Mathematics A Level Exam
Students who scored a 5 or higher on one of the International Baccalaureate exams in mathematics

If you are not an incoming student and have not taken the exam, contact the Department of Mathematics and Computer Science for information on how to take the exam.

What topics are covered by the mathematics placement exam?

The mathematics placement exam is a 25-question, 30-minute exam written by the Mathematical Association of America. It is a calculus readiness exam. As such, the exam is used to evaluate your proficiency in precalculus. There is no calculus on this placement exam. The topics on the exam include:

Geometry and Measurement
Graphs of Functions
Word Problems, Modeling
Concept Formulation
Numerical Awareness
Exponential Functions
Exponents and Logarithms
Equations and Factoring
Functional Notation
Inequalities, Absolute Value
Trigonometry

Is there a mathematics graduation requirement?

No, there is no mathematics requirement. There is a Quantitative Reasoning (QR) requirement. Every mathematics course fulfills the QR requirement, but the QR requirement can be fulfilled by courses in many other departments.

The College describes the QR requirement as follows.

Quantitative Reasoning A Quantitative Reasoning Course is a regular academic course designed to provide a solid foundation for the interpretation and critical understanding of the world through numbers, logic, or deductive and analytical reasoning. Both words are carefully chosen: "quantitative" suggests having to do with numbers and relations and logic, while "reasoning" refers to the creation and interpretation of arguments. Courses that focus on the analysis of and drawing of inductive inferences from quantitative data as well as courses that concentrate on the formulation of deductive and analytical arguments can satisfy this requirement. "QR" courses can be offered from any department at the college. A single course that fulfills this requirement and other requirements may be used for each requirement (unless the other requirement is Division III, Lab Science), but counts as only one of the 32 required for graduation.

Each semester courses meeting the Quantitative Reasoning requirement are noted with an attribute when viewing the course offerings on the Registrar's Office web page.

Will I receive college credit for my AP or IB exams?

Dickinson does give college credit for Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate exams. Please consult the following page on the Registrar's website or use our online placement guide for more details.

How will AP and IB Credits Appear on My Transcript?

If you get credit for Math 170 (or Math 270) due to your AP or IB exam, the information will appear on your official Dickinson transcript as follows:

Transfer Classes Taken
AP 2010
Subject
MATH

Advanced Placement
Course
170

Title
Single Variable Calculus

Credit Hours
1.000

Grade
TTT

According to our career center this should be sufficient for professional programs (such as medical schools) that require applicants to have studied the course. Of course, some schools require that you take two calculus courses.

I would like to take a mathematics class at another institution in the US. How do I get approval for the tranfer credit?

For approval of transfer credits from domestic institutions contact Prof. Lorelei Koss. It is best to obtain approval prior to taking the course. Please gather as much of the following information as possible.

Course title and description (a link to the appropriate course/program is very helpful)
The name of the institution that is offering the course
A syllabus for the course (if a current syllabus is unavailable, a past syllabus for the same course or a link to the course web page may suffice)
The name of the textbook and the sections to be covered
The name of the corresponding course at Dickinson College (if appropriate)
The Enrollment in Another Institution form (here is some more information about transfer credits on the registrar's web page)

Students looking for Calculus transfer credits: There are many varieties of calculus, all with different content and levels of rigor. Because of the linear nature of the calculus sequence it is important that the course matches up well with our calculus course.

Mathematics majors who wish to take courses that count toward the major are strongly encouraged to take mathematics electives, not required courses.

I would like to take a mathematics class when I study abroad. How do I get approval for the tranfer credit?

For approval of transfer credits from international programs contact Prof. Lorelei Koss. It is best to obtain approval prior to taking the course. Please gather as much of the following information as possible.

Course title and description (a link to the appropriate course/program is very helpful)
The name of the institution that is offering the course
A syllabus, past syllabus, or a course web page (if possible)
The name of the textbook and the sections to be covered (if possible)
The name of the corresponding course at Dickinson College (if appropriate)
The Enrollment in Another Institution form (here is some more information about transfer credits on the registrar's web page)

Mathematics majors who wish to take courses that count toward the major are strongly encouraged to take mathematics electives, not required courses.