The choice of a first math or statistics course will depend on depend on several factors. We offer a variety of math and stats courses so you can take the courses that meet your career objectives, your intellectual curiosity, and your major/minor or foundation requirements, no matter what major you pursue. Please use the following guidelines, in conversation with your advisor and/or a faculty member from the Math & Stats Department, to help guide your selection.
Selecting an appropriate first calculus course: Students who have any prior experience with calculus should begin with MATH 122+123 or MATH 211 or MATH 214. Students should NOT take MATH 112 if they plan to take only one semester of calculus or if they have already seen derivatives in a previous class (they should consider MATH 115 instead). Students who have taken one year of calculus in high school may not earn credit for MATH 112 without permission from the instructor.
- Students who have received a 4 or 5 on the AP Calculus AB exam will earn credit for MATH 112 + 122. Students who have credit for MATH 122 should begin with MATH 123 and either MATH 223, 201, 209, 211, or 214.
- Students who have received a 4 or 5 on the AP Calculus BC exam will earn credit for MATH 112 + 122 + 123. Students who have credit for MATH 122 + 123 should begin with either MATH 223, 201, 209, 211, 214, or 251.
- Note that MATH 123 is a 2 credit course that can be taken concurrently with MATH 122, and should be taken prior to taking MATH 251 and a selection of 300-level math courses.
Selecting an appropriate first statistics course: Students should be aware that introductory statistics courses are offered in multiple departments, and students can start with MATH 211, PSYC 211, or ECON 290. The selection of the appropriate introductory statistics course may depend on the major you will pursue. There are 10 majors and minors that allow MATH 211 to satisfy a major requirement. However, students should be aware that Economics majors and Math-Econ majors must take ECON 290, and Psychology majors must take PSYC 211.
- Students who have received a 4 or 5 on the AP Statistics exam will earn credit for MATH 211. Students who have credit for MATH 211 should begin with MATH 212, especially if they are interested in pursuing the Statistics minor or Data Analytics major.
- Students who have taken a year of statistics courses in high school, should contact the chair of the Department of Mathematics & Statistics
Students who have received credit for one or both of the AP calculus or statistics exams and are unsure of which math course to take next should contact the chair of the Department of Mathematics & Statistics.
Other options for first math courses: Students may wish to start with a non-calculus course as their first college math course. The Department of Mathematics & Statistics offers some great options with no prerequisites:
- MATH 209 (Voting, Fairness, and Power)
- MATH 214 (Discrete Math Modeling with Biological Applications)
Students interested in a Biomathematics major, an Environmental Sciences major, or an Environmental Studies major are strongly encouraged to consider taking MATH 214 as their first math course.