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

A placement exam during fall orientation is recommended for students who have had at least a semester of calculus but did not take a calculus placement exam, student who feel their grasp of the material is uncertain, and students who wish to improve their existing AP score.  Students may use the higher of two placement recommendations.  A passing score may be used to place out of Calculus I and/or Calculus II, while a failing score has no impact on the student’s record.

Calculus Placement Exams Offered at Cornell During Fall 2011 Orientation
Test Date & Time Location Details
Engineering Math Advanced Standing Exam Sunday,
August 21,
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 21,
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. A passing score may be used to place out of Calculus I and/or Calculus II.  No placement exam for linear algebra or multivariable calculus.

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 3- or 4-credit course offered by the Mathematics Department except MATH 1009 or 1890 may be used. The following courses, in particular, are good options for CALS students. Students who plan to take more than one semester of calculus should take MATH 1110 rather than MATH 1106.

Cornell Statistics Courses

MATH 1710 is a popular choice for many students, but Cornell offers several introductory statistics courses. For a list of eligible statistics courses for the quantitative literacy requirement, visit the CALS web site at www.cals.cornell.edu/cals/current/registrar/current-students/cals-graduation/math-requirement.cfm.

Last modified:May 19, 2011