Mathematics Placement at SLU

Students entering the University are often puzzled by mathematics placement.  Placement in mathematics courses is probably more complicated than in any other discipline. This fall we are offering fifteen different mathematics courses that would reasonably have a majority of first time freshmen.  The various degree programs at the University have more than 20 distinct sets of mathematics requirements.

Rather than go through the requirements for each program, it makes more sense to break programs into groups with similar math requirements.
Our goal is to place the student in an appropriate mathematics course that offers the student a good chance of success. Students placed in too easy a course may be bored or develop poor study skills and thus be handicapped in future mathematics courses. Students is too easy a course may also correctly feel that they are wasting time and tuition by retaking material they learned in high school. On the other hand, students placed in too difficult a mathematics course may be hopelessly lost and become discouraged.

Some helpful strategies in finding the math course best suited for you:
In spite of our best efforts, the mathematics course selected may not be the most appropriate one. If after attending class during the first week of the semester, you feel incorrectly placed, you should consult with your math instructor and then meet with your adviser.  Problems get harder to fix after the first week of class.

Mathematics courses that are routinely taken by freshmen:

For more information on the courses go to the math course catalog listing.

General math placement advice 

Group 1:    Students in Science/Pre-Med/Mathematics/Computer Science/Engineering
Strong students will have had a year of calculus in high school and should start in Calculus II (MATH 143); typical students either take MATH 142; or MATH 141, then MATH 142. Students having credit for Calculus I upon entering SLU but in need of an additional math course to fill the core requirement may elect to take MATH 165 or MATH 167.

Group 2: Students in Engineering Technology

Students normally take MATH 141, then MATH 142 during their first year. However, a student who is strong in mathematics should take the COMPASS placement test to see if they can begin in MATH 142.

Group 3: Students in Business

Students would be expected to take MATH 132; or MATH 120, then MATH 132. Students in this group taking MATH 120 should take the COMPASS placement test. In addition, students planning to do graduate work in business will need more math and should discuss taking MATH 141 and MATH 142, which satisfies B&A requirements, with someone from B&A.

Group 4: Students in Parks Flight Science

Students would be expected to take MATH 142; or MATH 141 and MATH 142; or MATH 120, then MATH 141 and MATH 142. Students in this group taking MATH 120 should take the COMPASS placement test.

Group 5: Students in Groups 1 through 4 Needing Serious Remedial Work

Students in Groups 1 and 2 who are not ready for MATH 141 or in Groups 3 and 4 who are not ready for MATH 120 are at least a semester behind in a key field. This issue should be explicitly discussed. The student should take the COMPASS placement test. For these students the possible paths to MATH 141 are
The possible paths to MATH 120 are
Group 6: Students Satisfying General Requirements

The subgroups listed below are in order of increasing math preparation. They are filling the requirement that they take an appropriate mathematics course with MATH 120, College Algebra, being the lowest course that counts.

Group 6A: Students for whom MATH 120 would be challenging (Remedial math placement) Students in this group should take the COMPASS placement test. Possible paths are:
Group 6B: Students not needing remediation - Choose one depending on interests of student
Group 6C: Strong/honors students

Comments on Evaluating Mathematics Courses in a High School Transcript

COMPASS MATHEMATICS PLACEMENT EXAM

The COMPASS mathematics placement test is an adaptive multiple-choice test administered by computer. The software consists of several domains ("Pre-algebra", "Algebra", "College Algebra", and "Trigonometry"). COMPASS directs students through these domains and decides when to terminate testing based on the responses given during the test.

The student can take as much time as s/he likes. Taking the test too quickly may result in a math placement below where s/he really belongs. The student will be supplied with pencil and paper, and may use either their own scientific or graphing calculator, a TI-36X Solar Calculator available at their computer or the on-screen calculator. Unacceptable calculators at the current time are

HP 38G, 39G, 39G+, 48G, 48G+, 48GX unless the infrared port is covered with opaque tape
HP 40G, HP 48G2 and HP 49G
TI 89 and TI 92
Casio CFX-9970G, Classpad 300 and Algebra FX2.0.

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Last updated by Mike May, S.J. 5/25/2006