Transfer Student Advising Manual

QUANTITATIVE AND ANALYTICAL REASONING COURSES

Formal reasoning and the formality of logic are central tools for decision-making in an uncertain world, and we expect our graduates to be conversant with mathematics and quantitative reasoning and to be able to apply quantitative reasoning to understand and solve everyday problems. Two quantitative courses are required for graduation. At least one of these credits will be intended to expand students' quantitative boundaries by providing the skills necessary to interpret and apply mathematics. Such courses are designated by the symbol (QA*) in the course schedule. The other course may include discipline-based applications of quantitative methodology, such as physics or computer science, or may be a mathematics or statistics course. It will be designated by (QA*) or (QA). A list of fall courses that satisfy the quantitative requirement can be found in the 'Course Types' section of the Course Schedule.

Consult your Degree Audit to determine if you have fulfilled one or both of the quantitative requirements. If you have not already satisfied the quantitative requirement, you may wish to take one of your quantitative courses during your first semester. This is particularly recommended if you think you will go on to major in a field of study which requires a quantitative background.

Mathematics Placement

 

If you have not completed the quantitative requirement and elect to take a quantitative course in your first semester you will need to choose the right course for you. Based on your previous coursework and experience in mathematics, you can determine which of the following initial mathematics/quantitative courses would be most appropriate. Read the description of these courses carefully, mindful of your prior math preparation, and choose the level that matches your interests and abilities. A list of specific quantitative requirements for various majors is given below.

NOTE: Options 1 – 3 (below) have no particular prerequisites beyond algebra 2. Any of these courses would be appropriate for students who are primarily seeking to obtain a broad background and to fulfill the quantitative requirement. Students desiring a more technical quantitative background, particularly for use in mathematics or quantitative science, should plan to take courses in the calculus sequence (Calculus 1, Calculus 2, and Multivariable Calculus, options 3 – 5 below).

If you opt to enter the calculus sequence, where should you begin? A self-graded calculus placement test is available from the Math Department. The placement test will help you choose the best calculus course for you.

    1. Contemporary Mathematics (MATH 130) - A survey of contemporary topics in mathematics such as: voting systems and power, apportionment, fair division of divisible and indivisible assets, efficient distribution, scheduling and routing, growth and decay in nature and economics, symmetry and fractal geometry, probability and statistics.  This is NOT a remedial course. Prerequisite: two years of high school algebra.
    2. Statistics (MATH 138) - An introduction to descriptive and inferential statistics. Emphasizes everyday applications and practical skills. This course is particularly recommended for students who neither need nor desire a calculus background, and is an excellent preparation for dealing with the statistics one encounters every day in our society. Prerequisite: two years of high school algebra.

The Calculus sequence:

    1. Calculus 1 (Math 141) – A first course in calculus which serves two purposes: 1 – a survey of calculus for those who want to know what calculus is "all about," but don’t intend to take any more mathematics, or 2 – the first course in calculus which prepares the student to continue to Calculus 2. Topics include the differential and integral calculus of algebraic and exponential functions, together with their applications. Students who have taken a full year of high school calculus should begin calculus study with MATH 142 or MATH 249.
    2. Calculus 2 (MATH 142) - Further study of differential and integral calculus including applications of integration, polar coordinates, parametric equations, infinite series, and an introduction to differential equations. Prerequisite: a calculus course.
    3. Multivariable Calculus (MATH 249) - Calculus of functions of more than one variable. Prerequisite: MATH 142 or the equivalent (such as: a full year of Advanced Placement Calculus or a year of junior college calculus taken as a high school student). Students entering MATH 249 should be able to differentiate and integrate functions commonly encountered in first-year calculus, including trigonometric and exponential functions, and should be able to use the derivative and the integral in common applications.

Some majors require specific quantitative courses:

Major Required

Biology

CHEM 116

Chemistry

CHEM 116, MATH 141* & 142*, PHYS 221& 222

Computer Science

CS 231* & 241, MATH 142*, others

Economics

ECON 230*, MATH 141*

Exercise Science

MATH 138*

Mathematics

MATH 249* & 253

Physics

PHYS 221& 222, MATH 249*

Psychology

PSYC 252 & 253*, 

Graduate Study - GRE exam

The quantitative portion of the GRE includes some calculus-based questions

Pre-Med

Many medical schools require a course in Calculus. Some require two. Others require Statistics (Math 138*). Check with the pre-med advisor.