Information About Math 231-232

What is Math 231-232?
Math 231-232 is a two-semester calculus sequence that covers first-semester calculus along with precalculus and algebra material. The calculus covered in Math 231-232 is equivalent to the material in Math 235, and Math 231-232 can be substituted for Math 235 for any requirement or prerequisite.

What requirements are satistied by Math 231-232?
Because Math 231-232 is a relatively new course sequence, it is not yet listed in the course catalog, nor in many of the major requirements lists. The following list describes the requirements satisfied by Math 231 or by Math 231-232.

  • Gened Requirements, Cluster Three: Math 231 can be chosen instead of Math 205 or Math 235 in Packages A, D, and F.

  • Biology Major Requirement: Biology majors may elect to take either Math 235 or Math 231-232.

  • Chemistry Major Requirement: Chemistry majors can take Math 235-236, or Math 231-232-236.

  • Geology Major Requirement: For the B.S. degree, students may take either Math 231-232 or Math 235-236.

  • Mathematics Major Requirement: The current catalog listing specifies that Math 235 must be part of the General Eduation course selections; Math 231 is also acceptible (and for the math major, would have to be followed by Math 232). Please note that although a student earns 8 credits for completing Math 231-232, only four of those credits count towards the mathematics major requirement for math credits.

  • Physics Major Requirement: Physics majors can choose to take either Math 235-236-237 or Math 231-232-236-237.

  • Statistics Major Requirement: In any of the three "tracks," Math 231-232 can be taken instead of Math 235.

  • Other Major Requirements: For information about other majors, please see your academic advisor or a faculty member from that department. The following general rules of thumb should apply to almost every situation: (1) Math 231-232 can always replace Math 235. (2) Math 231-232 can usually (if not always) replace Math 205-206. (3) Sometimes, Math 231 alone can be subsituted for Math 205 or Math 235 (for example, in the Gened Cluster Three requirements).


Which class is right for me?
Should you take Math 235 or Math 231-232? Contrary to what many people think, you should NOT necessarily make the choice between Math 235 and Math 231-232 based on the amount of calculus you have already taken. The difference between these courses is that Math 231-232 covers algebra and precalculus topics, and Math 235 does not. The level of difficulty in both classes is the same. The calculus part of Math 231-232 goes at almost the same speed as the material in Math 235, but in Math 231-232, the calculus material is broken up and mixed with precalculus and algebra material. Your confidence in algebra and precalculus material, as well as your Mathematics Placement Score (which is based only on precalculus and algebra material) can help you determine which course is right for you.

"Dropping Down" from Math 235 to Math 231
Students that start the semester in Math 235, and then discover that they would be better served by Math 231-232, may sometimes "drop down" from 235 to 231, even after the university drop/add period. Whether or not you can "drop down" depends on the enrollment numbers in Math 231 as well as your particular situation and the instructors involved. To "drop down," you will need permission from your 235 instructor as well as permission from your future 231 instructor. You will probably need to fill out some documents. Your future Math 231 instructor may require you to make up work that you have missed, or give you a quiz or exam so you can prove your mastery of that material. If you think you need to "drop down," please notify your instructor as soon as possible.

Questions?
If you are a student with questions about Math 231-232, please see your academic advisor. If you are an academic advisor or faculty member with questions about Math 231-232 (or a student who is having trouble reaching or getting information from their advisor), please contact Laura Taalman at taal@math.jmu.edu or 8-3355.

Disclaimer:
The Department of Mathematics and Statistics is not liable for any errors on this website. Please confirm your academic plans with your advisor or department head.