Math Placement & Prerequisites

Choosing the Right Math Course

A student's major (and minor) determines both which math course(s) they will take at Saint Mary's College as well as when they should take them. The details may be found in the Catalog descriptions of the various majors. In general:

If Calculus is required, it should be taken as soon as possible. Those with Math Placement C begin in Math 137: Calculus I (formerly numbered Math 27), while those with Math Placement P first complete Math 136: Applied Math for Scientists (formerly Math 26). First-time first-year students and incoming transfer students are normally placed into the correct course. 

All other introductory mathematics courses may be taken any time after the first year, and have Catalog prerequisites for "at least sophomore standing".