Math Placement

All three computing degrees have a math requirement.  Placing the student in the correct math course will ensure that they do not take unnecessary courses while also meeting the requirements of the degree.

Students may enter APSU with an ACT Math score.  Some students will not have an ACT score, but they will have a Developmental Studies Math score.  Both the ACT Math score, if it exists, and the Developmental Studies Math score can be found on the student's OneStop advising page. In general, if the student has an ACT Math score, use that to choose the appropriate Math course for the student. The Math department provides maps of ACT Math scores to classes on their advising page.

If the student does not have an ACT Math score, use the Developmental Studies Math score instead.  A Developmental Studies Math score of 4 means the student can take MATH 1710.  A Developmental Studies Math score of less than 4 means the student needs an enhanced math class, either enhanced MATH 1530 or enhanced MATH 1710 depending on the student's major.  In general, if a student needs an enhanced math class, this will be indicated on the OneStop Advising page under the Deficiency section.

A student may feel that they are able to start in a higher-level math course than what their scores indicate. In that case, the student should contact the math department for a placement test.  

Computer Information Systems

The CIS degree has two math requirements

• MATH 1530 Elements of Statistics
• Choose 1
  • MATH 1810 Elements of Calculus
  • MATH 1910 Calculus I
  • CSCI 2500 Discrete Structures

All CIS students are required to take MATH 1530 Elements of Statistics. In general,

• If the student has transferred in an appropriate equivalent of MATH 1530, they can move on to one of the other required math courses.
• When the student does not have MATH 1530 on their transcript
  • If the student's ACT Math score or Developmental Studies Math does not indicate that the student needs an enhanced math class, the student should be placed in MATH 1530
  • If the student's ACT Math score or Developmental Studies Math indicates the student is required to take an enhanced math class, the student should be placed in an enhanced section of MATH 1530.

The CIS students have a choice for the second math class.  When advising students, it may be useful to consider the prerequisites for each class.

• CSCI 2500 Discrete Structures (3 credits).  The prerequisites are

  • A C or better in both CSCI 1010 and CSCI 1011, or a  C or better in CSCI 2000
         AND
    A C or better in MATH 1010, or C or better in MATH 1530, or ACT score of 19 or higher

• MATH 1810 Elements of Calculus (3 credits). The prerequisites are ACT-M 25 or higher or MATH 1710 or MATH 1110 or MATH 1730.  
• MATH 1910 Calculus I (4 credits). The prerequisites are ACT-M score of at least 27 and HS trigonometry or MATH 1730 with a grade of "C" or higher. 

In general, most CIS students will take either CSCI 2500 or MATH 1810.  

Computer Information Technology

The CIT degree has one required math class: MATH 1530 Elements of Statistics

• If the student has transferred in an appropriate equivalent of MATH 1530, they are not required to take another math class.
• When the student does not have MATH 1530 on their transcript
  • If the student's ACT Math score or Developmental Studies Math does not indicate that the student needs an enhanced math class, the student should be placed in MATH 1530
  • If the student's ACT Math score or Developmental Studies Math indicates the student is required to take an enhanced math class, the student should be placed in an enhanced section of MATH 1530.

Computer Science

The CS degree has the most required math.  The required courses are

• MATH 1910 Calculus I
• MATH 1920 Calculus II
• MATH 3000 Discrete Mathematics
• MATH 3450 Linear Algebra
• Select 1 of
  • MATH 4670 Numerical Analysis
  • STAT 3250 Statistical Methods
  • STAT 4240 Probability

Many, but not all, students will not arrive at APSU for their first semester ready to start in MATH 1910.  In general,

• If the student has a math deficiency indicated by their test scores, they should begin the math progression by taking an enhanced section of MATH 1710.
• If the student does not have a math deficiency, most students will begin the math progression by starting in either MATH 1710 or MATH 1730, depending on their test scores, the results of their math placement exam, or any transfer credits.
• If the student has the appropriate background, they can begin their math progression in MATH 1910 or above.