Mathematics for the CALS Student:
The Quantitative Literacy Requirement

Students in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences have the following options for completing the quantitative literacy requirement:

  • Earn a score of 4 or 5 on the AP Calculus exam.
  • Transfer an approved calculus or statistics course with a C or better.
  • Take an approved 3- or 4-credit math or statistics course at Cornell.

Advanced Placement

Students who have had at least a semester of calculus but did not take a calculus placement exam and students who wish to improve their existing AP score may take one of the following placement exams during fall orientation. Students may use the higher of two placement recommendations.

Calculus Placement Exams Offered at Cornell During Fall 2009 Orientation
Test Date & Time Location Details
Engineering Math Advanced Standing Exam Sunday,
August 23,
10:15 AM		 Announced in July letter to new CALS students. Optional for engineering majors.  Determines placement in the engineering math sequence. For information, email the BEE Department (bls19@cornell.edu).
Mathematics Department
AP Exam 		Sunday,
August 23,
10:15 AM 		228 Malott Hall
(Bache Aud.)		 Optional for non-engineering majors.  Covers essentially the same material as the CEEB Calculus AB and BC curriculums. No sign-up necessary.

Transfer Credit

The Mathematics Department will review all calculus courses and any statistics course taken in a mathematics or statistics department.  (See Transfer Credit for details.)  Statistics courses taken in a social science department (such as psychology or sociology) must be reviewed by the corresponding social science department at Cornell.

Cornell Math Courses

Any course offered by the Mathematics Department except MATH 1000, 1009, or 1890 may be used to satisfy the quantitative literacy requirement.  The following courses are good options for CALS students who need to complete an approved math course at Cornell:

  • MATH 1105:  Finite Mathematics for the Life and Social Sciences
  • MATH 1106:  Calculus for the Life and Social Sciences
  • MATH 1110:  Calculus I
  • MATH 1710:  Statistical Theory and Application in the Real World

MATH 1110 is recommended for students who will take at least two semesters of calculus. Students who need only one semester of calculus may prefer MATH 1106.

Cornell Statistics Courses

Cornell offers several introductory statistics courses. MATH 1710 is a popular choice for many students, but only Arts students may pre-enroll. A list of statistics courses that will satisfy the quantitative literacy requirement can be found on the CALS web site at www.cals.cornell.edu/cals/current/registrar/current-students/cals-graduation/math-requirement.cfm.

Last modified:June 8, 2009