Math Placement

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Math Placement

Under the Magis Core Curriculum, all students take at least one mathematics course and may opt to take an additional mathematics course for Magis core credit. There are a wide variety of courses to choose from, although many majors and programs require specific mathematics courses.

Beginning mathematics classes and sequences of classes are described below, followed by the beginning mathematics requirements or recommendations by major. Students are expected to enroll in the highest numbered course for which his or her high school preparation allows.

 

Descriptions of First-Year Mathematics Courses (See the course catalog for more specific course descriptions)

MATH 1011 Precalculus
Primary emphasis is on techniques and concepts needed for calculus. This course does not count toward the Magis core mathematics requirement, and is meant to be taken only by students who are required to take MATH 1121, MATH 1141 or MATH 1171 for their majors, but who do not have a strong enough mathematical background. Three credits.

MATH 1015 Mathematics: An Exploration
This course introduces a variety of interesting ideas in mathematics at an elementary level. It is meant for the student who would like to fulfill a math core requirement and does not need to take mathematics for the major. Three credits.

MATH 1016 Concepts of Calculus
A brief, low-level, conceptual introduction to calculus that introduces the ideas of differentiation and integration and shows how they are related. It is meant for the student who would like to fulfill a math core requirement and does not need to take a particular mathematics course for the major. Three credits.

MATH 1017 Introduction to Probability and Statistics
An introduction to key ideas of elementary statistics. It is meant for the student who would like to fulfill a math core requirement and does not need to take a particular mathematics course for the major. Three credits.

MATH 1121 – MATH 1122 Applied Calculus I & II
A standard applied calculus sequence, with applications to business and the life and social sciences. This course is preparation for additional courses in mathematics, and satisfies requirements for the math minor. This sequence does not assume any previous knowledge of calculus. Students should be comfortable with high school algebra and precalculus. Each course is three credits.

MATH 1141 - 1142 Calculus I & II for Chemistry, Engineering and Physics Majors
These courses provide the necessary preparation for the additional courses in mathematics required for a student majoring in Biochemistry, Chemistry, Physics or Engineering. This sequence does not assume any previous knowledge of calculus. Students should be comfortable with high school algebra and precalculus. Each course is four credits.

MATH 1171-1172 Calculus I & II
An excellent and rigorous calculus sequence for those who have had at least a strong precalculus background from high school and an interest in and aptitude for mathematics; similar to an AP calculus course; preparation for additional courses in mathematics, including the major and the minor in mathematics. This sequence does not assume any previous knowledge of calculus. Students who have done well in a high school calculus course and, in particular, an AP course, may consider MATH 1172, instead of MATH 1171. By doing so, the student will be able to earn a mathematics major with 13, instead of 14, mathematics courses, and a minor with four instead of five courses. Each course is four credits.

MATH 2217 Statistics I
This course is a faster-paced introduction to statistics than MATH 1017. It includes additional topics, and students learn to analyze data with the use of standard software packages. Calculus (at least MATH 1121, MATH 1441 or MATH 1171) is a prerequisite. Students typically take MATH 2217 during their sophomore or junior year. MATH 2217 is required for all students in the Dolan School of Business, and suggested for many science majors. This core math course is often taken by students minoring in math.

MATH 2223 Applied Calculus III
For a student who has placed out of the first year of Calculus due to AP credits or course work. This is a course in multivariable calculus with applications to business, life sciences and social sciences. This course satisfies requirements for the math minor. Three credits.

MATH 2243 Calculus III for Chemistry, Engineering and Physics Majors
For a student who has placed out of first year Calculus due to AP credits or course work. This is a course in multivariable calculus designed for students majoring in Biochemistry, Chemistry, Physics or Engineering. Four credits.

MATH 2273 Multivariable Calculus
For a student who has placed out of first year Calculus due to AP credits or course work. This is an excellent and rigorous course in several variable calculus for students with strong aptitude and interest in mathematics. Four credits.

MATH 2231 Discrete Mathematics
For students with a very strong aptitude and interest in mathematics. This course introduces fundamental mathematical concepts at a high level including sets, functions, equivalence relations and partitions, the principle of mathematical induction, and countability. Three credits.

 

Suggested Courses By Major and Program

Majors in the Humanities and BA Degrees:

MATH 1015, MATH 1016, MATH 1017, MATH 1121, MATH 1122, MATH 1171, MATH 1172, MATH 2223, MATH 2273

Majors in Biology and BS Degrees in Economics and Psychology:

MATH 1121, MATH 1122, MATH 1171, MATH 1172, MATH 2217

Majors in Mathematics:

MATH 1171, MATH 1172, MATH 2273, MATH 2231

School of Engineering and Majors in Biochemistry, Chemistry:

MATH 1141, MATH 1171

Dolan School of Business, Including BS in Economics and Business undeclared:

MATH 1121, MATH 1171, MATH 2217; MATH 1011, only if needed

Egan School of Nursing:

MATH 1016, MATH 1017, MATH 1121, MATH 2217

 

Still Have Questions?

Students who are unsure about which mathematics course to select should contact Dr. Irene Mulvey, Chair of the Mathematics Department at mulvey@fairfield.edu.

 

Advanced Placement Credit

Students who earn a score of 4 or 5 on the AP Calculus AB exam or a score of 4 or 5 for the AB sub-score on the AP Calculus BC exam earn 4 credits for MATH 1171 Calculus I. Students who earn a score of 4 or 5 on the AP Calculus BC exam earn 8 credits for MATH 1171 Calculus I and MATH 1172 Calculus II.

After AP scores are received in the summer, if a student earns a score of 4 or 5, they will be contacted about adjusting their schedules as needed.

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