Mathematics

Mathematics
Academic Bulletin

A Guide to First Year Mathematics Courses:

• All entering students are required to take the math placement exam, with the following exceptions:
  • students who transfer in college credit for a Mathematics course numbered MATH 141 or higher, or who have transfer credit for PRERQ*MAT;
  • students who score 4 or 5 on the Advanced Placement AB calculus exam, and who report their score to Allegheny;
  • students who score 4 or 5 on the Advanced Placement BC calculus exam, and who report their score to Allegheny;
  • students who score 3 on the Advanced Placement BC calculus exam with a 4 or 5 on the AB subscore of this exam, and who report their score to Allegheny.
• All other first-year students and transfer students should take the math placement exam. A student’s math placement score is a measure of their current preparation for calculus courses taught at Allegheny College and is used to determine which calculus course is the most appropriate starting point for the student.

In general, students who will need a mathematics course, or who are interested in mathematics, should be encouraged to take a mathematics course in the fall.

Students who take the math placement exam:

• Students who place in MATH 151 (Calculus I) should take MATH 151.
• Students who do not place in MATH 151 should take MATH 140 (Calculus I with Precalculus, Part 1)

Students who took an AP Calculus exam:

Students with transfer credit:

For students considering a Mathematics Major:

Ideally, a Math Major should begin in Math 151 or above. Students who do not place in Math 151 should begin in Math 140.

• Math 205 is a prerequisite for most upper-level courses and should be taken as soon as possible in the sophomore year.
• Many electives are offered on an alternate year basis.
• FSMAT 201 counts toward the Major but is not required.

Suggested Sequence of Required Courses for the Math Major placing in Math 151:

Suggested Sequence of Required Courses for the Math Major placing in MATH 140:

The Math Department offers a Minor in Math. See Academic Bulletin for specifics.