Mathematics Advising Information

Whether you are interested in majoring in mathematics, pursuing a course of study that requires mathematics, or merely interested in taking a 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.

Below you will find advising information on the following topics:

The Mathematics Major and Minor

The Mathematics Major

MATH 161 (or 151, 152), 162, 211, 261, 262, 351, 361. One math course having 351 or 361 as a prerequisite. One additional math course numbered 301 or higher. Two mathematics electives numbered 201 or higher. One elective may be replaced by COMP 131-132 or by the professional semester for students pursuing certification in mathematics, or, upon prior approval by the department, a mathematics-intensive course from another department.

Graphical layout of the major (pdf - jpg).

Suggested Four Year Program
Model 1 - Math 151 as entry point (for students who place into 151)
First Year: 151, 152
Second Year: 162, 211, 261, 262
Third and Fourth Years: 351, 361, Mathematics Electives

Model 2 - Math 161 as entry point (for students with suitable pre-calculus preparation)
First Year: 161, 162
Second Year: 211, 261, 262
Third and Fourth Years: 351, 361, Mathematics Electives

Students who are interested in applied mathematics should consider the electives 225, 231, 325, and 341 during their third and fourth years.

The Mathematics Minor

MATH 162 and 211, one of the three courses MATH 325, 351 or 361 and two other courses numbered 201 or higher.

Possible tracks include:
Track 1: 161, 162, 211, 261, 262, 361
Track 2: 161, 162, 211, 262, 351, elective
Track 3: 161, 162, 211, 225, 261, 325.
Tracks 1 and 2 focus on theoretical mathematics. Track 3 focuses on statistics.

Placement and credit

Placement: your first mathematics class

There are a number of different entry points into the mathematics curriculum (MATH 121, 151, 161, 162, 211, 261).   The following guidelines will help determine the appropriate placement.

For a student who wants to take a statistics course

The student has not taken MATH 162 - Any student can take MATH 121, Introduction to Statistics.   This course does not count toward the mathematics major or mathematics minor.  

The student has taken MATH 162 - The student can take MATH 121, Introduction to Statistics (which does not count toward the mathematics major or minor) or MATH 225, Probability and Statistics I

For a student who wants to take calculus or a higher level mathematics course

The student has never taken a calculus class - The student must take the department placement exam. Based on the score on this exam, the student will be placed in either MATH 151, Introduction to Calculus or MATH 161, Calculus I.

The student has taken a calculus class, but not an Advanced Placement exam - The student should take the department placement exam. Based on the score on this exam, the student will be placed in either MATH 151, Introduction to Calculus or MATH 161, Calculus I.

The student took the Calculus AB Advanced Placement exam - A student scoring a 1 or a 2 must take the mathematics placement exam. Based on the score on this exam, the student will be placed in either MATH 151, Introduction to Calculus or MATH 161, Calculus I.   A student scoring 3, 4, or 5 must begin in MATH 162 or 211.   (For information on college credit for these AP scores, see the chart below.)

The student took the Calculus BC Advanced Placement exam - A student scoring a 1 or a 2 must take the mathematics placement exam. Based on the score on this exam, the student will be placed in either MATH 151, Introduction to Calculus or MATH 161, Calculus I. A student scoring 3, 4, or 5 place into MATH 261 or 211. (For information on college credit for these AP scores, see the chart below.)

The student passed the SL International Baccalaureate Mathematics Exam - The student should take MATH 161.

The student passed the HL International Baccalaureate Mathematics Exam - The student should take MATH 162. (For information on college credit for IB exams, see the chart below.)

The student passed the HL International Baccalaureate Mathematics Exam (and studied Topic 10: series and differential equations) - The student should speak with speak with the chair of the Department of Mathematics and Computer Science about their placement. (For information on college credit for IB exams, see the chart below.)

The student passed the Mathematics A Level Exam - The student should take MATH 161.

Advanced Placement Exams

Exam Score Credit Placement Notes
Calculus AB exam:
1
 None MATH 151 or 161 Student must take the Mathematics Placement Exam.
 
2
 None MATH 151 or 161 Student must take the Mathematics Placement Exam.
 
3
 None MATH 162 or 211 Credit for 161 given upon successful completion of 162.
 
4
 1 Math GC MATH 162 or 211 General Credit changed to credit for 161 upon successful completion of 162.
 
5
 MATH 161 MATH 162 or 211  
Calculus BC exam:
1
 None MATH 151 or 161 Student must take the Mathematics Placement Exam.
 
2
 None MATH 151 or 161 Student must take the Mathematics Placement Exam.
 
3
 MATH 161 MATH 261 or 211* Credit for 162 given upon successful completion of 261.
 
4
 MATH 161, Math GC MATH 261 or 211* General Credit changed to credit for 162 upon successful completion of 261.
 
5
 MATH 161, MATH 162 MATH 261 or 211*  
Statistics exam:
1
 None MATH 121  
 
2
 None MATH 121  
 
3
 None MATH 121  
 
4
 MATH 121 None  
 
5
 MATH 121 None  

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

AP exams on your transcript

Note: if you get credit for MATH 161 (similarly MATH 162) due to your Advanced Placement exam, the information will appear on your official Dickinson transcript as follows:

Transfer Classes Taken
        
AP 2008
Advanced Placement
    
Subject
Course
Title
Credit Hours
Grade
MATH
161
Calculus I w/lab
1.000
TT

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.

International Baccalaureate Exam in Mathematics

Use the following chart to determine placement for a student who has passed an International Baccalaureate Exam in mathematics.   The student does not have to take the Mathematics Placement Exam.

Exam Credit Placement
SL International Baccalaureate Mathematics exam None MATH 161
HL International Baccalaureate Mathematics exam MATH 161 MATH 162 or 211
HL International Baccalaureate Mathematics exam (including Topic 10: series and differential equations) Contact department chair Contact department chair

Mathematics A Level Exam

A student who has earned an A or B on the Mathematics A Level Exam should begin in MATH 161. The student does not have to take the Mathematics Placement Exam. The student will also receive a general mathematics credit.

Mathematics Placement Exam

Every Dickinson College student must take the Mathematics Placement Exam.   The only exceptions are the following:

  • Students who scored 3, 4, or 5 on the AB Advanced Placement Calculus exam
  • Students who scored 3, 4, or 5 on the BC Advanced Placement Calculus exam
  • Students who passed the Mathematics A Level Exam
  • Students who passed the one of the International Baccalaureate exam in mathematics

It is strongly recommended that the student take this exam before matriculation at the college (while the material is still fresh), even if he or she is not taking a mathematics class in the fall of the first year.   A matriculated student who needs to take the exam should contact the Department of Mathematics and Computer Science. We especially encourage any student who is interested in pursuing a science or social science degree, or a student pursuing a pre-health certificate to take this placement exam.

Placement is determined as follows:

Score
Placement
0-15
MATH 151
16-25
MATH 161

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

There are many books and websites devoted to precalculus review (for example: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4).

Distribution requirements

Quantitative Reasoning

Every mathematics course satisfies the QR requirement.

Writing Intensive

The two-course sequence of MATH 211, Discrete Mathematics and MATH 262, Linear Algebra satisfies the WR requirement.