Mathematics

 

Advice to students new to the department

 

Whether you are interested in majoring in mathematics, pursuing a course of study that requires mathematics, or merely interested in taking some college-level mathematics courses, you should start this pursuit in the fall of your first year. It is advisable not to wait a year or even a semester in the continuation of your mathematical studies. 

 

We have a number of different "entry points" to the mathematics curriculum: Introduction to Statistics (MATH 121, which does not count toward the major or minor), Introduction to Calculus (MATH 151), Calculus I (MATH 161), Calculus II (MATH 162), Discrete Mathematics (MATH 211), and Calculus III (MATH 261). MATH 121, 151, 161, 162 and 211 are taught in the fall semester, MATH 121, 162 and 261 are taught in the spring semester.  Your background will determine your placement.  Use the following guidelines to help determine the best course for you to take.

 

  • You have not taken any calculus class
    • You should take the departmental placement exam.  Based on your score on this exam you will be placed in either MATH 151 or MATH 161.
  • You have taken a calculus class, but not an advanced placement exam
    • You should take the departmental placement exam.  Based on your score on this exam you will be placed in either MATH 151 or MATH 161.
  • You have taken the Calculus AB advanced placement exam
    • Your score determines your placement.  The following chart gives you your appropriate placement and information about credits that you earn.

TEST

SCORE

PLACEMENT

CREDIT

NOTES

Calculus AB

1

MATH 161

None

 

 

2

MATH 161

None

 

 

3

MATH 162

None

a

 

4

MATH 162

MATH General Cr

b

 

5

MATH 162

MATH 161

 

NOTES:

a - Credit for MATH 161 obtained upon successful completion of MATH 162.

b - Math General Credit changed to credit for MATH 161 upon successful completion of MATH 162.

  • You have taken the Calculus BC advanced placement exam
    • Your score determines your placement.  The following chart gives you your appropriate placement and information about credits that you earn.

TEST

SCORE

PLACEMENT

CREDIT

NOTES

Calculus BC

1

Use calculus subgrade

None

 

 

2

Use calculus subgrade

None

 

 

3

MATH 211/261*

MATH 161

c

 

4

MATH 211/261*

161, MATH Gen Cr

d

 

5

MATH 211/261*

MATH 161, 162

 

Calculus Subgrade

1

MATH 161

None

 

 

2

MATH 161

None

 

 

3

MATH 162

None

e

 

4

MATH 162

MATH General Cr

f

 

5

MATH 162

MATH 161

 

           

NOTES:

c - Credit for MATH 162 obtained upon successful completion of MATH 261.

d - Math General Credit changed to credit for MATH 162 upon successful completion of MATH 261.

e - Credit for MATH 161 given upon successful completion of MATH 162.

f - Math General Credit changed to credit for MATH 161 upon successful completion of MATH 162.

*- MATH 211 is offered in the fall; MATH 261 is offered in the spring.

  • You have taken both the Calculus AB and BC advanced placement exams

o       Use the chart for the BC exam (shown above) for placement recommendations.

 

Any student can take Introduction to Statistics (MATH 121).  However, it does not count toward the mathematics major or mathematics minor.  The following chart shows advanced placement credit for MATH 121.

TEST

SCORE

CREDIT

Statistics

1

None

 

2

None

 

3

None

 

4

MATH 121

 

5

MATH 121

 

Introductory courses that satisfy the college’s distribution requirements

 

Quantitative reasoning: Every course in the mathematics department satisfies the QR requirement.

Division III: No mathematics course satisfies the Division III requirement

Writing Intensive: MATH 211 and MATH 262 comprise a two-course WR sequence.  Successful completion of both courses is required to obtain the WR credit.

 

Departmental Policy Statements

 

Advising: Any mathematics faculty member in the Department of Mathematics and Computer Science will advise any student on a mathematics related question. If you are not familiar with any of the mathematics faculty, we recommend that you consult department chair, Prof. Lorelei Koss (koss@dickinson.edu).

 

Course Descriptions and Requirements for the Major: www.dickinson.edu/bulletin/mathcomp.html

 

Course Offerings: www.dickinson.edu/departments/reg/

 

Additional information: www.dickinson.edu/departments/mathcs/

 

Back to main Advising Handbook page

Updated April 12, 2004