Translating Your Math Placement Score
Once an incoming student has completed their math placement test they are presented with a range of classes in which they could be placed. To assist with understanding the results please refer to the charts below. Please understand that each major has different math requirements.
The following majors and/or colleges do not require pre-calculus or higher courses and can refer to Placement Chart 1 shown below.
- College of Arts and Humanities
- College of Education and Communications
- College of Health and Human Services, with the exception of:
- Nuclear Medicine Technology
- Respiratory Care
Chart 1: Majors Not Requiring Calculus or Pre-Calculus
| Score Range | Course Placement |
|---|---|
| 0-13 | MATH 083: Intro to College Mathematics and UGSS 183: Strategies for Learning Mathematics |
| 14-100 | Liberal Studies Math as advised by department |
The following majors and/or colleges do require pre-calculus or higher and can refer to Placement Chart 2 shown below.:
- Eberly College of Business
- Kopchick College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics
- The following majors in Health and Human Services
- Nuclear Medicine Technology
- Respiratory Care
Chart 2: Majors Requiring Pre-Calculus or Higher Courses
| Score Range | Course Placement |
|---|---|
| 0-13 | MATH 083: Intro to College Mathematics and UGSS 183: Strategies for Learning Mathematics |
| 14-29 | MATH 100: Intermediate Algebra and MATH 103: Principles of Intermediate Algebra |
| 30-45 | MATH 100: Intermediate Algebra |
| 41-100 | MATH 107: Business Mathematics and MATH 108: Applications of Business Mathematics (College of Business students only) |
| 46-60 | MATH 105: College Algebra or MATH 110: Elementary Functions as advised by department |
| 61-75 | MATH 110: Elementary Functions or MATH 121: Calculus I for Natural and Social Sciences as advised by department |
| 76-100 | MATH 125: Calculus I/Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics |
Students are encouraged to utilize the tutorials in the Aleks program as a resource to improve your placement score as needed. Students will be eligible to retest online once they complete 10 hours of the prep and learning modules within the Aleks PPL program.
All IUP students are required to take at least three credits of mathematics as part of their liberal studies. Education majors are required to take six credits for certification. Many departments prescribe which course(s) to take as part of their major curriculum. Other departments do not have a preference and allow students to choose from the approved list of courses. Specific department requirements are in the major descriptions in the undergraduate catalog, and the entire list of approved liberal studies mathematics courses can be found in the "Graduation Requirements" section.
MATH 083 covers basic math skills needed before starting any college-level course.
MATH 103 and MATH 100 cover algebra skills. It is the algebra “brush up” course, similar to Algebra I and II. The addition of MATH 103 gives the student more time with the material in the same semester. These courses are taught using ALEKS, the same company that did the placement test. The courses will be taught in a computer classroom, and are self-paced. If a student finishes early, they can continue to work ahead in pre-calculus material with the potential of skipping pre-calculus and moving directly into calculus.
MATH 105 ”College Algebra“ is actually pre-calculus for business and natural sciences. It covers a brief algebra review, functions, graphing, exponentials, and logarithms. It prepares students for MATH 115 or 121. Students needing MATH 125 should not take this.
MATH 110 ”Elementary Functions“ is pre-calc for math and science. It covers functions, graphing, exponentials and logs, and trigonometry. It prepares students for MATH 125.