Math Prerequisites

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PLACEMENT IN ENTRY-LEVEL MATHEMATICS COURSES

Policies Effective for the Academic Year 2007-2008

SAT Subject Test in Math Level 1 or Level 2: Scores on the College Board SAT Subject Test In Math Level 1 or Level 2 are used both to advise students as to which courses they should take and to determine which courses they are allowed to take. The advice and rules are based on a comparison of SAT Subject Test in Math Level 1 or Level 2 scores of a sample of students with their subsequent course grades. Although other factors--such as mathematics learned or forgotten since taking the test--affect course performance, you should follow the advice below because it is important to be well prepared for any mathematics course you take.

LOW SCORES: Most students with scores below 430 are unprepared for all Mathematics Department courses. Students who score 430-479 are unprepared for some Mathematics Department courses. See "For Students Underprepared in Mathematics" on the next page for details and advice on strengthening mathematics skills.

COURSES: Detailed information on the purposes and prerequisites of each Mathematics Department course is located at the start of the Mathematics section in the Course Schedule. Most courses have as a prerequisite either a minimum satisfactory score on the SAT Subject Test in Math Level 1 or credit for a specific mathematics course with a minimum satisfactory grade. These prerequisites are strictly enforced and can be modified only by the Mathematics Department undergraduate adviser. Most students who enroll in Mathematics Department courses intend to take the standard calculus (M 408C and M 408D) sequence. An alternate, slower paced, three semester sequence (M 408K, L, and M) is also available. Detailed advice concerning these courses is presented below. Other courses requiring a minimum score on the SAT Subject Test in Math Level 1 test as a prerequisite are also listed.

STANDARD CALCULUS (M 408) SEQUENCE

Prerequisite for M 408C: An SAT Subject Test in Math Level 1 score of at least 560 or a grade of at least a C in M 304E⁺ or M 305G⁺.

Prerequisite for M 408K: An SAT Subject Test in Math Level 1 score of at least 520 or a grade of at least a C in M 304E⁺ or M 305G⁺.

NON-ENGINEERING STUDENTS
You are advised to follow this placement plan based on your SAT Subject Test in Math Level 1^** score:

200-429	See the paragraph Low Scores above and consult your adviser on how to improve your preparation before beginning the standard calculus sequence.
430-479	You must take M 301⁺ and, later, either a M 304E⁺ equivalent or M 305G⁺ before taking M 408C.
480-519	If you have not studied trigonometry, you must take a M 304E⁺equivalent or M 305G⁺ before taking M 408K or M 408C.
480-519	If you have studied trigonometry, you must take M 305G⁺ before taking M 408K or M 408C.
520-559	You may take M 408K.
560-800	You may take M 408C, but data show that, with scores of 560-600, taking the slower paced M 408K may be preferable. Students who have not been introduced to calculus in high school may also wish to take M 408K rather than M 408C.

⁺M 301 is College Algebra; M 304E is Trigonometry (no longer taught at UT Austin); M 305G is Elementary Functions and Coordinate Geometry, covering sufficient algebra and trigonometry for calculus.

^**Although SAT Subject Test in Mathematics Level 1 is the preferred test, students may instead present an SAT Subject Test in Mathematics Level 1 or Level 2 score.

ENGINEERING STUDENTS
Applied mathematics is a strong component of many of the engineering curricula, and engineering students are advised to begin their study of mathematics as early as they can.

Engineering students should follow the above placement advice if their score is at least 480, and engineering students whose scores are below 480 should consult an engineering academic advisor in ECJ 2.200 about improving their mathematics preparation before beginning the standard calculus sequence.

OTHER COURSES REQUIRING A SPECIFIC MINIMUM TEST SCORE

M 303D	Applicable Mathematics: SAT Subject Test in Math Level 1 score of at least 430 or a grade of at least a C in M 301.
M 316	Elementary Statistical Methods: SAT Subject Test in Math Level 1 score of at least 430 or a grade of at least a C in M 301 or 304E.
M 305G	Elementary Functions and Coordinate Geometry: SAT Subject Test in Math Level 1 score of at least 480 or a grade of at least a C in M 301 or M 304E.

COURSES THAT DO NOT REQUIRE THE TEST

M 301	College Algebra (usually offered only in the summer). Data show that students with scores below 430 have less than a 50-50 chance of getting a C or above.
M 302	Introduction to Mathematics.
M 316K	Foundations of Arithmetic. Analysis from an advanced perspective of the foundations of arithmetic; required for some prospective teachers. The prerequisite is M 302, 303D, 305G, or 316 with a grade of at least a C.

See the Course Schedule for further information. Students selecting these courses, however, may elect to take the test to get an indication of their level of preparation. Those who score below 430 are probably not prepared for any UT Austin Mathematics Department course and should read the advice given below.

FOR STUDENTS UNDERPREPARED IN MATHEMATICS

Students with weak backgrounds in mathematics need to improve their basic mathematics skills before enrolling in a UT Austin Mathematics Department course. In particular:

Students who score below 430 on the SAT Subject test in Mathematics Level 1 probably are not prepared for ANY such course, and probably should take a solid course in intermediate algebra (high school level) before taking the SAT Subject Test Math Level 1 again.
Students who score 430-479 on the SAT Subject Test in Math Level 1, although prepared for some courses, are not prepared for--nor will they be allowed to take--certain courses such as pre-calculus (M 305G) and calculus (M 408C). They must improve their SAT Subject Test in Math Level 1 score or perform well in a college algebra course (M 301) before taking any of those courses.

Such courses as intermediate algebra (high school level) and college algebra are offered in many community colleges, junior colleges, and other educational institutions; students needing improvement in algebra or other basic mathematics skills are strongly advised to enroll in such a course at an institution of their choosing. For students seeking to do so while in Austin, there are some appropriate courses available from institutions in the city:

UT Austin's Continuing and Extended Education Distance Education Center offers college algebra and other college courses throughout the year. The center also offers high school level courses.
UT Austin's Learning Center provides comprehensive review materials for the SAT Subject Test in Math Level 1, including diagnostic tests to assess students' current skill levels as well as self-help instructional materials in algebra, geometry, and trigonometry. The UTLC is located in Jester Center A332. Call 471-3614 or visit their website for current information.
Austin Community College (ACC) offers special sections of college algebra for UT Austin students on Monday and Wednesday nights on the UT Austin campus during the fall and spring semesters. For more information, you may visit www2.austin.cc.tx.us/mthdept2/notes/ut/ or www2.austin.cc.tx.us/math/ or contact Dr. David Fonken, Dean Mathematics and Science, Austin Community College, Northridge Campus, (512)223-4606 or email Dr. Fonken. On its own campus locations, ACC regularly offers intermediate algebra as well as college algebra and trigonometry.
Huston-Tillotson College also regularly offers college algebra, pre-calculus II (trigonometry is included in pre-calculus II). For information, contact Dr. Muchere Russ in the Mathematics Department at Huston-Tillotson, (512) 505-3110.

Mathematical literacy is important for all educated persons whether or not they intend to pursue a technical plan of study or career. Students wanting advice on what Mathematics Department courses to take are encouraged to study the placement information given above and to consult with a Mathematics Department adviser after receiving an SAT Subject Test in Math Level 1 score. Note that, with few exceptions (see the Course Schedule for details), students must have a score on this test BEFORE they can register for a Mathematics Department course. And those with weak backgrounds should strengthen that background before taking Mathematics Department or other technical courses at UT Austin.

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