Mathematics for the CALS Student

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 math course at Cornell University.

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 a placement exam during fall orientation.  (See Advanced Placement for Calculus for details.)

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 (like psychology or sociology) must be reviewed by the corresponding social science department at Cornell.

Approved Cornell Courses

Any course offered by the Mathematics Department except MATH 1000 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, which is oriented toward the interests of life and social science students.

Statistics Courses

MATH 1710 is a popular choice for many CALS students, but there are other introductory statistics courses at Cornell.  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:May 6, 2008