Mathematics Course Placement

The University of Mary is committed to ensuring its students develop the basic mathematics skills necessary not only for advanced academic work in their university courses, but for successful careers after the completion of their undergraduate degrees. To this end, the university offers a sequence of mathematics skill-building courses to ensure students are able to be successful in the courses required of their major.

MAT 097 - Fundamental Concepts of Algebra

MAT 102 - Intermediate Algebra

Incoming students are placed into the appropriate entry-level math course based on their previous academic experience and/or ACT/SAT performance in the area of mathematics. Students must complete the sequence by working through math courses in order of progression, as defined in the course prerequisites (see Course Descriptions for prereq listings).

The Mathematics core requirement for graduation has been met once the student has successfully completed a mathematics course numbered MAT 103 or higher number (with the exception of MAT 200 - Computing , which is an option in the Technology requirement).

Major programs may require a specific mathematics course. Please defer to the major requirements when selecting a mathematics course.

We strongly urge that students who place below MAT 103+ take a math course in their first semester, as the longer a student waits, the harder it is to recall material.

Starting Placement for Mathematics Courses

Using Standardized Test Scores (ACT/SAT)

ACT Math	SAT Math	Course Number	Deciding Borderline Cases (Math grade[s] B+ or above)
0-14	<380	MAT 097 - Fundamental Concepts of Algebra
15-16	380-420	MAT 097 - Fundamental Concepts of Algebra	Grade in Algebra I or Placement Test
17-18	430-470	MAT 102 - Intermediate Algebra
19-20	480-520	MAT 102 - Intermediate Algebra	Grade in Algebra II or Placement Test
21-23	530-570	College-level entry math: MAT 103 , MAT 180 , MAT 201 , or MAT 215
24-26	580-620	MAT 153 - College Precalculus	Grades in Geometry/Algebra II/Precalc/Calculus or Placement Test
24+	580+	MAT 204 - Applied Statistics
27+	630+	MAT 209 - Calculus I	Note: passing credit for MAT 209 is a non-waivable pre-req for MAT 210 or MAT 312

In the Absence of Standardized Test Scores (ACT/SAT)

No ACT, with Dual Credits: If a student has passed dual credit math course(s), that transfer in as MAT 102, MAT 103, MAT 180, MAT 153, MAT 209, or MAT 209, their placement is determined by this class, with one exception. If a student has dual credits for MAT 103, and has succeeded (Higher than B level work) in a Precalculus course in high school, their math placement would then be MAT 209.

No ACT and No Dual credits: Unfortunately, it is impossible to judge how rigorous and how well retained a student’s math experiences have been based solely on student transcripts. The below table is the “ideal”. It is very possible that an individual student’s math knowledge is either not retained, or not adequately represented by this table. In any dispute, decisions on math placement are at the discretion of the chair of the math program.

Highest HS Math Course Passed	Straight A’s	Mostly A’s, few B’s	Mostly B’s, few C’s	Many C’s and/or D’s
Calculus	MAT 209	MAT 209	MAT 153 or major-appropriate entry Math	MAT 102
Precalculus/Trig/Advanced Math	MAT 209	MAT 153 or major-appropriate entry Math	MAT 153 or major-appropriate entry Math	MAT 102
Algebra II	MAT 153 or major-appropriate entry Math	MAT 153 or major-appropriate entry Math	MAT 102	MAT 097
Algebra I & Geometry	MAT 102	MAT 102	MAT 097	MAT 097

Math Placement Testing:

The Mathematics Department has developed math diagnostics, which are given at the start of each semester to verify course placement in the following courses: MAT 097, MAT 102, MAT 103, MAT 153, MAT 209.

Continuations:

A minimum grade of C in MAT 097 is required for MAT 102.
A minimum grade of C in MAT 102 is required for MAT 103, MAT 180, MAT 153.
A minimum grade of C in MAT 153 is required for MAT 209.

Options:

Undecided students with ACT Math scores of 24+ should be taking courses like MAT 153 - College Precalculus instead of MAT 103 - College Algebra , and MAT 204 - Applied Statistics rather than MAT 180 - Elementary Statistics . As a general rule, if College Algebra is required for a major or course, College Precalculus or Calculus should subsitute in place of College Algebra given that math naturally builds upon itself from elementary school level counting up through at least Calculus II.
A CLEP and/or DSST exam is available for credit in MAT 103 - College Algebra , MAT 180 - Elementary Statistics , MAT 153 - College Precalculus , and MAT 209 - Calculus I .

Notes:

MAT 097 does not fulfill Liberal Arts elective credit or the Mathematics Core degree requirements, but does count toward total credits needed for graduation.
MAT 102 fulfills Liberal Arts elective credit, but not the Mathematics Core degree requirement. It also counts toward total credits needed for graduation.
MAT 204 can be enrolled in with a sufficient mathematics background, but many majors that require MAT 204 also require MAT 103 . While MAT 153 or MAT 209 will substitute for MAT 103 , MAT 204 will not. Thus, some students may opt to take MAT 103 even if they are qualified for MAT 209 .

North Dakota Residents Completing
College Ready English and Math (CREAM) or College Lab for Math and English (CLEM)

CLEM OR CREAM test score	Course	Deciding the Borderline Cases (Math grade[s] should be B+ or above)
≤59%	MAT 097 - Fundamental Concepts of Algebra	Grade in Algebra I and ACT/SAT score
60-69%	MAT 102 - Intermediate Algebra	Grade in Algebra II and ACT/SAT score
70%+	MAT 103 - College Algebra MAT 180 - Elementary Statistics MAT 201 - Elementary Math for Teachers I MAT 215 - Elements of Mathematics	Grades in Geometry/Algebra II/Precalc/Calculus, Placement Test, and/or ACT/SAT score
85%+	MAT 153 - College Precalculus (math chair’s approval required)

An official record of the student’s test score in CREAM/CLEM must be requested by the student and sent to University of Mary Admissions Office by the officiating school or the test vendor-Pearson-to receive consideration. Upon receipt, the Admissions Office shall forward these results to the math department for a recommendation on course placement, which shall be added to the student’s file for registration purposes.

All continuations, options, and notes related to math placements based on ACT/SAT scores apply to students who are placed in a math course based on their CREAM/CLEM results.