Mathematics placement codes and their interpretation

After students take the mathematics placement test, whether online or on paper, a code is generated and stored on the student's electronic record.  Advisers with SIS (Student Information System) access can look at the MATH PLT field on the TEST screen for the two-digit SIS code.  The basic correspondence between SIS codes and courses is this:
 
SIS CODE COURSE
71 MATH 131H
61 MATH 131 or 134
51 MATH 130
42 MATH 126 (or 128, see below)
41 MATH 128
32 MATH 122
27 MATH 112
24 MATH 112
20 MATH 095
11 MATH 090

Students may take any course at or below their SIS code on this list.  For example, a student with a SIS code of 42 may take MATH 126, but could also elect to take MATH 122.  Note that MATH 126 is a higher placement than MATH 128:  a student with a SIS code of 41 can take MATH 128, but not MATH 126.

Please note that students who need to take Math 131 or 134, Calculus I, (this includes Integrated Mathematics majors, Middle Childhood Mathematics majors, and Biology, Psychology, and other BS science majors) should not take Math 126, Basic Calculus, even if their placement code is 42. The courses that lead to 131/134 are 112, 122, 128/130, then 131/134. Students may start wherever they place on this list. Students with a placement code of 42 would start with Math 128.

Mathematics placements for the courses listed above will be strictly enforced by the registration system.  Students who believe their mathematics placement is lower than it should be are allowed to re-take the placement exam one time.  They may do so by calling the Department of Mathematics and Statistics at 419 372 2636 to make an appointment to take the exam.  Note that the SIS code from the re-take will replace the original SIS code, even if it is lower.

Be aware that, depending on the program the student is following, the math course they should take may not be the highest course on the list that they may take.  For instance, students in gerontology or nursing are recommended to take MATH 115 if their SIS code is 20 or higher.

A new placement test has been developed for MATH 213

MATH 115,  215, and 216 have been operating essentially without placement requirements or prerequisites and will continue to do so for the time being.  Instructors of these courses have helped to design the following table of recommendations:
 

In order to take: Students should have at least:
MATH 115 placement code of 20 or C or higher in MATH 090
MATH 215 placement code of 32 or C or higher in MATH 112 or 120
MATH 216 placement code of 32 or C or higher in MATH 112 or 120

Students who took the placement exam between the Summer of 2002 and June 1, 2003 have had their placement exams rescored and will have the new placement codes for Math 112 or Math 122, if appropriate.  Students who took the placement exam before the Summer of 2002 may have one of the older SIS codes that are no longer being used.  Here is a list of some of them and what course(s) would be recommended based on their code:
 

SIS CODE COURSE
31 MATH 112 or MATH 115 or MATH 215
22 MATH 112 or MATH 115
21 MATH 095 or MATH 115

Students with a SIS code of 31 or 21 might want to re-take the placement exam in order to try to improve their placement to MATH 122 or MATH 112, respectively.

If you have questions, please contact Dr. Craig Zirbel at 372-7466 or the email address below.

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