Degree Plan – BS Math Major at Excelsior

[irnbru]

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I also have a question about their Math policies:

Mathematics Restriction on page 17 of the Liberal Arts Catalog says in part - “No more than three courses on the semester-hour system . . . of mathematics credit below the level of calculus may be applied to any degree. Representative titles of math courses below the level of calculus include College Math, College Algebra, Elementary Functions, Modern Math, Fundamentals of Algebra, Trigonometry, and Precalculus.”

When they changed the requirements for the math major as of January 2007, they included this sentence “Credits earned below the level of calculus will not be applied toward the major but will count toward the overall degree.” This sentence is not in the recent Liberal Arts catalog.

The way I read these policies I think I could have credits for College Math (6), College Algebra (3), and Precalculus (3) that would count towards a degree but not a Math major. Is that right? I’m also not sure what level Statistics is considered to be.

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Hi NAP,

Your assessment of credits for a bachelors at EC majoring in maths is pretty much spot on.

As the restriction text states, courses/exams below the level of Calculus and above and including the level of College Algebra/Trigonometry will count as elective credits but not satisfy the core requirements of the maths major.

On page 47 of the liberal arts catalogue the maths major requirements are described. These begin with Calculus.

Like you, I have some background in maths so was looking at a way of maximising experience and applying it to credits. Therefore, the College Math CLEP which is worth 6 credits, as you pointed out, is a good exam to hit. Any two other maths exams in the precalculus range would be worth 3 credits each so a total of 12 credits to pick up. The Calculus CLEP or equivalent is worth another 3 credits but the only maths major requirement you can satisfy along the basic exam route. After that you're into GRE and B&M territory.

Statistics courses are treated separately to the precalculus courses and can be taken, at least, for elective credit but not to satisfy core maths major requirements.

I previously would say I'm just starting out along this, but it's funny how taking a break for a couple of days can easily turn into weeks Might as well start picking up those precalculus exams while you can