Math Placement Advising Guide

In order to graduate, students must take ONE course from the following list, according to their math placement level, OR be given AP credit, IB credit, or transfer/dual enrollment credit by the Registrar:

MATH 104 (C placement) Algebra and its Applications
MATH 135 (B placement) Calculus with Precalculus, Part 1 (before 2025)
MATH 150 (A, B placements) Topics in Modern Mathematics
MATH 170 Precalculus with Trigonometry (beginning Fall 2025)
MATH 171 (A placement) Calculus I
MATH 172 (H placement) Calculus II
MATH 210 (A, B, or H placements) Introductory Statistics
CS 100 (C placement) Computer Concepts and Applications
CS 107 (A, B, or H placement) Introduction to Python Programming
CS 110 (A, B, or H placements) Introduction to Programming with Visual BASIC
CS 112 (A, B, or H placements) Programming I
PHYS 221 (Prereq: Math 171) University Physics I

• AP credit is available for Calculus AB, Calculus  BC, Precalculus, and Statistics.  AP credit satisfies the graduation requirement.
• IB credit is available for Mathematics (Math 171, Math 172). This IB credit satisfies the graduation requirement.
• Similarly, transfer and dual enrollment credits may apply.
• Students who want or need Precalculus (Math 170) or Calculus (Math 171 or 172) should take the course as soon as it is offered.
• Math 210 Introductory Statistics is not open to first-year students.
• To challenge your mathematics placement, please contact Dr. Lydia Kennedy at lkennedy@vwu.edu

Placement Levels

H placement level indicates the student has taken AP Calculus in high school.  Students with H placements should speak to a member of the Mathematics department regarding a course recommendation.  If the student has taken the AP exam,  course credit is awarded for and may be used to satisfy the mathematical sciences breadth requirement.  Credit is also awarded for the IB exam.

A placement level indicates that the student appears to have sufficient academic preparation for Calculus I.
Not all students who have an A placement will need or want to take calculus.  There are other options:

• CS 107 Introduction to Python Programming
• CS 112 Programming I
• CS 110 Introduction to Programming with Visual Basic
• Math 150 Topics in Modern Mathematics
• Math 210 Introductory Statistics (after the first year)

B placement level is a broad category and indicates that the student has had success in Algebra 2 in high school (B or better) but does not have the advanced algebra and/or trigonometry needed to be ready for Math 171 Calculus 1.  B placement students who are interested in or need to take a calculus course should take Math 170 Precalculus with Trigonometry.

Not all students who have a B placement will need or want to take calculus.  There are other options:

• CS 107 Introduction to Python Programming
• CS 110 Introduction to Programming with Visual Basic
• CS 112 Programming I
• Math 150 Topics in Modern Mathematics
• Math 210 Introductory Statistics (after the first year)

C placement level indicates a lack of success (B or better) in Algebra 2 in high school.  All C placement students need to take Math 104 Algebra and Its Applications

D placement level indicates a lack of success in math in high school.  All D placement students need to complete the Algebra Readiness Program.  Support is available through the Learning Center.  The Algebra Readiness Assessment is offered every semester during Advising Weeks.

Recommended courses

Students who want to major in Business and have an H, A or B placement should wait until sophomore year or later and take Math 210 Introductory Statistics.

Students who are math phobic or otherwise do not like math and have an A or B placement are  encouraged to take Math 150 Topics in Modern Mathematics

Students with A or B placement who do not like math should be discouraged from taking CS 110 to satisfy the breadth requirement in mathematical sciences.

Students who are interested in the pre-engineering program should take Math 171 Calculus 1 and Chem 120 Introductory Chemistry in their first semester.

For further information, please contact Dr. Margaret Reese at mreese@vwu.edu