FRESHMAN REGISTRATION AND FAMILY ORIENTATION 09
What do I need to know about taking Math?
All students, regardless of
major, must take at least one math course at UW-L. An exception could be
a student with AP or transfer credit in math. Some majors of course, may
require more than one math course. The Wisconsin Regional Placement Test
is used to determine your math placement. You won’t know your placement
in math until you arrive at Freshman Registration & Family
Orientation. That’s OK. What you should be thinking about now is
whether you want to take a math course or not in your first semester.
Your advisor will help you figure out which one you need. Students who
have not taken the math placement test must contact the
Students with low test scores in math will be required to enroll in MTH 050 (Basic Algebra) or MTH 051 (Topics in Intermediate Algebra). If your math placement score indicates you need MTH 050, you MUST complete it prior to earning 30 credits. You should take this course in either the fall or spring of your first year.
If you are not confident of
the starting math level indicated by your placement test score, you may always
select from a lower level math class. Some programs of study require a
specific math course. Other programs let you choose your math
course. Your advisor will tell you if a specific math course is required
for your program.
If you have placed into MTH
207 (Calculus I) or higher and earn a B or better, you will earn retroactive
credit for MTH 151 (Pre-calculus) provided the student’s transcript shows no
record of prior or concurrent enrollment in MTH 151, 207, 208, or 309.
The Mathematics Department offers credit by examination
in MTH 150-College Algebra, MTH 151-Precalculus, MTH 207-Calculus I, and MTH
208-Calculus II. The exams are only available for incoming freshmen.
The Credit
by Exam for MTH 150 College Algebra is usually given in the second week of
class in the Fall semester.
The other exams (MTH 151, MTH 207 or MTH 208), are
given on an individual basis. See the Department chair, Dr. Riley (1015 Cowley)
to make arrangements for these exams. Students may only receive credit for one
of MTH 150 or MTH 151.
MATH
This fundamental math course may be needed, depending on ACT and placement test scores.
Basic Algebra
A review of beginning algebra. Topics include an elementary treatment of real numbers, polynomials, linear equations, inequalities, rational expressions, systems of linear equations, radicals, and quadratic equations. Letter grade, but only F calculated in GPA.
This fundamental math course may be needed, depending on ACT and placement test scores.
Topics in Intermediate Algebra
A course to enhance the student’s skills in selected areas of intermediate algebra; areas covered include polynomials, rational expressions, exponents, equations, and inequalities. Prerequisite: MTH 050 or an appropriate placement test score. Letter grade, but only F calculated in GPA.
* Transcript credit does not count toward graduation.
Continued study of the mathematical concepts and
techniques that are fundamental to, and form the basis for, elementary school
mathematics. Topics include use of probability and statistics to
explore real-world problems; representation and analysis of discrete
mathematical problems using counting techniques, sequences, graph theory,
arrays and networks; use of functions, algebra and the basic concepts
underlying the calculus in real-world applications. Prerequisite: MTH 125 (and
MTH 051 or satisfactory placement test score for transfer students)
Elementary Statistics
An introductory course covering fundamentals of modern statistical methods. Topics include descriptive statistics, the binomial and normal distributions, estimation, and hypothesis testing. The z, t, F and chi-square test statistics are introduced. Instruction in computer use is included, and statistics software is used throughout the course for analyzing data files and carrying out statistical procedures. Prerequisite: MTH 050 or an appropriate placement test score.
College Algebra
A college algebra course on the properties, graphs, and applications of elementary functions. Topics include the real and complex numbers, concepts from analytic geometry, solutions to equations and inequalities, the elementary algebraic functions, and the logarithmic and exponential functions. Prerequisite: MTH 051 or two years of high school algebra and an appropriate placement test score. (Successful completion of MTH 151, 175 or 207 precludes taking MTH 150 for credit.)
Precalculus
A precalculus course on properties, graphs, and applications of elementary transcendental functions. Topics include concepts from analytic geometry; theory of equations; the logarithmic, exponential, trigonometric, and inverse trigonometric functions; and analytic trigonometry. Prerequisite: MTH 150 or two years of high school algebra and an appropriate placement test score. (Successful completion of MTH 151 precludes taking MTH 150 for credit. Successful completion of MTH 207 precludes taking MTH 151 for credit.)
Applied Calculus
Basic concepts and methods from differential, integral, and multivariate calculus. Logarithmic and exponential functions are included, but not trigonometric functions. Emphasis of the course is on models and applications in business and the social, life, and physical sciences. Prerequisite: MTH 150 or two years of high school algebra and an appropriate placement test score. (Successful completion of MTH 175 precludes taking MTH 150 for credit. Successful completion of MTH 207 precludes taking MTH 175 for credit.)
Calculus I
A rigorous introduction to calculus. Topics include limits, derivatives of algebraic and trigonometric functions, and integration. Applied problems from related rates, extrema, volumes. Prerequisite: MTH 151 or four years of high school mathematics, including trigonometry. (Successful completion of MTH 207 precludes taking MTH 151 or 175 for credit.)
Calculus II: Calculus with Linear Algebra and Differential Equations
A continuation of Calculus I with an introduction to linear algebra and
differential equations. Topics include: differentiation and integration of
transcendental functions, indeterminate forms, improper integrals, techniques
of integration, applications to the physical sciences, first order linear
differential equations, and an introduction to vectors, matrices, and systems
of linear equations. Prerequisite:
MTH 207.
Mathematical Models in Biology
An introduction to the use of calculus and stochastic
based models to the biological sciences. Mathematical tools such as
discrete and continuous differential equations, linear algebra, phase
portraits, probability theory and descriptive and inferential statistics that
are necessary to analyze and interpret biological models will be covered.
Biological topics may include single species and interacting population
dynamics, modeling infectious diseases, enzyme kinetics, and quantitative
genetics. Prerequisite: MTH 175 or
MTH 207