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 or AP Statistics 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.

Cornell Placement Exams

Recommended for:  (1) students who have had at least a semester of calculus but did not take a placement exam; (2) students who believe their placement is incorrect; (3) students who are uncertain of their grasp of the material.  Students may use the higher of two placement recommendations.  A failing score is not recorded on the student’s record.

Calculus Placement Exams Offered at Cornell During Fall 2013 Orientation
TestDate & TimeLocationDetails
Engineering Math Advanced Standing ExamSunday,
August 25,
10:15 AM		Announced during academic briefings.Optional for engineering majors.  A passing score may be used to place out of MATH 1910 and/or 1920.  No placement exam for linear algebra or differential equations.
Mathematics Department
AP Exam		Sunday,
August 25,
10:15 AM		228 Malott Hall
(Bache Aud.)		Optional for non-engineering majors.  Covers essentially the same material as the CEEB Calculus curriculum.  A passing score may be used to place out of MATH 1110 and/or 1120.  No placement exam for linear algebra or multivariable calculus.

Transfer Credit

The Mathematics Department will award transfer credit for an introductory statistics course only if it is a satisfactory equivalent to MATH 1710 offered by a mathematics or statistics department.  (See Transfer Credit for instructions.)  If the course is offered by a social science department (such as psychology or sociology), it must be approved 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 are particularly 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 Summer Session

Students who find mathematics to be especially challenging may benefit from taking a course during summer session, when attention can be focused on a single course.  Options include MATH 1110 and 1910 during the 6-week session and MATH 1920 during the 8-week session.