Choosing A Calculus Course

  • Advanced Placement

    MATH 109Q: Pre-Calculus
    Description: This course is for students intending to take calculus but who find their pre-calculus skills deficient. The course includes a review of algebra and covers functions and their applications: polynomials, rational functions, exponentials, logarithms and trigonometric functions. (Note: Math 107 is not designed to prepare students for calculus.)

    Prerequisites: Recommended preparation: MATH 101 or the equivalent.

    Credits: 3

    MATH 112Q: Introductory Calculus 1
    Description: This is the first semester of a regular calculus sequence combined with algebra and pre-calculus review. The course is intended for students with the background to take calculus but who find their algebraic and/or pre-calculus skills not up to par. Because of the extra time spent on algebra and pre-calculus topics, the sequence Math 112-113-114 takes three semesters to cover the same topics covered in Math 115-116, which is the traditional calculus sequence. For more information, see the Math 112 course web page.

    Prerequisites: Recommended preparation: MATH 101 or the equivalent and some experience with pre-calculus algebra. The Calculus Readiness Test is designed to help students determine whether they should take this course rather than MATH 115.

    Credits: 4

    MATH 115Q: Calculus I
    Description: This is the first semester of the standard single-variable calculus sequence at UConn. This is the typical calculus course for entering mathematics, science or engineering students, as well as others needing calculus and having the appropriate pre-calculus background. No prior calculus experience is needed or assumed. There is also emphasis on mastering the fundamental concepts of calculus, learning to work collaboratively and improving logical reasoning skills, problem solving skills and language skills related to mathematics (reading mathematics, writing mathematics, explaining mathematics). For more information, see the Math 115 course web page.

    Prerequisites: Passing score on the Calculus Readiness Test.

    Credits: 4

    MATH 116Q: Calculus II
    Description: This is the second semester of the standard single-variable calculus at UConn. Many students who have received advanced placement credit for Math 115 will start their calculus with this course.

    Prerequisites: MATH 113 or 115 or 120, or advanced placement credit for calculus (a score of 4 or 5 on the Calculus AB exam or a score of 3 on the Calculus BC exam). Recommended preparation: A grade of C- or better in MATH 113 and 115.

    Credits: 4

    MATH 120Q: Enhanced Calculus I
    Description: This course is intended to provide superior preparation for prospective mathematics, science and engineering majors. It covers the subject matter of MATH 115 in greater depth, with emphasis on the underlying mathematical concepts. Students in the Honors Program will receive honors credit for this course. However, this course is not limited to honors students and is a good choice for students with an aptitude for mathematics who are looking for a more challenging (hence interesting) calculus sequence.

    Prerequisites: Passing score on the Calculus Readiness Test. A semester of calculus in high school is recommended.

    Credits: 4

    MATH 121Q: Enhanced Calculus II
    Description: As with Math 120, this course is intended to provide superior preparation for prospective mathematics, science and engineering majors. It covers the subject matter of MATH 116 in greater depth, with emphasis on the underlying mathematical concepts. It is a popular starting point for students with an aptitude for mathematics and who have received advanced placement credit for Math 115. Students in the Honors Program receive honors credit for this course but it is not limited to honors students.

    Prerequisites: MATH 120 or advanced placement credit for calculus (a score of 4 or 5 on the calculus AB examination or a score of 3 on the Calculus BC examination) or consent of instructor.

    Credits: 4

    MATH 210Q: Multivariable Calculus
    Description: This is the standard multivariable calculus course that follows Math 116. It covers Two- and three-dimensional vector algebra, calculus of functions of several variables, vector differential calculus, line and surface integrals.

    Prerequisites: MATH 116, or 121 or a score of 4 or 5 on the Advanced Placement Calculus BC exam. Recommended preparation: A grade of C- or better in MATH116.

    Credits: 4

    MATH 220Q: Enhanced Multivariable Calculus
    Description: As with Math 120 and 121, this course is intended to provide superior preparation for prospective mathematics, science and engineering majors. It covers the subject matter of MATH 210 in greater depth, with emphasis on the underlying mathematical concepts. For a few students with an aptitude for mathematics and advanced placement credit for both Math 115 and 116, this is an excellent entering point into mathematics courses at UConn. Students in the Honors Program receive honors credit for this course, however, this course is not limited to honors students.

    Prerequisites: MATH 121 or instructor consent.

    Credits: 4

    Advanced Standing

    It is possible for students entering the University to satisfy the prerequisites for courses beyond elementary calculus. Students awarded advanced standing may receive University credit for mathematics courses in several ways.

    Advanced Placement Test

    The College Entrance Examination Board (CEEB) Advanced Placement exam may be used as a basis for determining the appropriate level of a student's mathematical ability. Any student who has passed the CEEB Advanced Placement Mathematics-Calculus AB examination with a score of 4 or 5 or a 3 on the BC examination may enroll in Calculus II (Math 116Q or 116V) and claim 4 credits in mathematics upon entry into the University. Students who have received scores of 4 or 5 on the BC examination may enroll in Multivariable Calculus (Math 210) and claim 8 credits.

    Connecticut High School Cooperative Program

    Certain high schools in Connecticut have been designated as participants in the cooperative program and have been authorized to give university-level mathematics courses. These cover the same material as the corresponding courses at the University of Connecticut. Students who successfully complete mathematics courses given under the High School Cooperative Program will receive credit at the university. The credit will be the same as that given by the University for the same course.

    For more detailed information, see the Math Dept. UConn COOP page and the UConn COOP Administration page.

    Course Credit by Examination

    Another way to obtain advanced standing is to take an examination on a given course, administered by the Mathematics Department at a time specified by the University. A student receives a course grade based on the results of the examination. See the undergraduate coordinator, David Gross (dgross@math.uconn.edu) for further details.

    Transfer Credit

    Students transferring from another institution of higher learning may transfer certain credits earned in mathematics. The guideline used is the degree to which the material studied covers the content of mathematics courses at the University of Connecticut. The Office of Transfer Admissions determines transfer credits in mathematics in consultation with David Gross (dgross@math.uconn.edu), the undergraduate coordinator of the Mathematics Department.