Courses and Requirements
To see the schedule of classes, go to Schedule of Classes (within Ask Banner), select “MATH Mathematics” in the “Department Menu,” and choose the semester you are interested in for a complete listing of courses offered.
Placement into Calculus Courses
There are two advanced placement exams for calculus, called AB and BC. The following table summarizes the department’s recommendations for proper placement into introductory courses based on these exams and the student’s prior experience with calculus.
- Students who have taken little or no calculus should preregister for Math 121 (Single Variable Calculus), which begins with first principles. Students planning to major in the sciences or mathematics/statistics should take Math 121 followed by Math 125 during their first year.
- Students who received a score of 1 or 2 on an AP Calculus exam might also select Math 121 but should consult with the department.
- Students who received a score of 3 on the AP Calculus AB exam should preregister for Math 125 (Topics in Single Variable Calculus), which is the second semester in our calculus sequence.
- Students who received a score of 4 on the AP Calculus AB exam should preregister for Math 127 (Calculus IIB: Sequences and Series), a 6-week course that is offered in the second half of the semester.
- Students who received a score of 5 on the AP Calculus AB exam or 3 on the AP Calculus BC exam might preregister for Math 127 to shore up their knowledge of sequences and series before moving on to the 200-level. They might also preregister for Math 220 (Multivariable Calculus) but should consult with the department before making this choice.
- Students who received a score of 4 or 5 on the AP Calculus BC exam should preregister for Math 220.
- Students who took an AP Calculus course in high school but did not take the exam and students who took a non-AP calculus course should consult with the department. Depending on their situation, they might preregister for Math 125, Math 127, or Math 220.
- Students with an unusual background, are unsure of their placement, or have any other concerns should confer with the department.
Ready to Declare a Math Major or Correlate?
Please complete the Intention of Major or Correlate Form first.
If you have questions, contact Professor Calta or Professor Lowrance.
Courses and Requirements
Academic requirements and courses are available in the Vassar College Catalogue.
Major
Correlate Sequence in Mathematics
The requirements for the major and the correlate sequence have changed as of the 2023/24 academic year. Students who declared a major or correlate sequence before 2023/24 are subject to the old requirements, which can be viewed in previous catalogues.