4. Selecting Your Math

Below you will find diagrams that illustrate which Math may be right for you depending on your completed level (no calculus in high school, some calculus in high school, and AP credit, except as described in the special notes below). WPI offers a 2-term version of Calculus with Preliminary Topics for students who want to spend more time on basic mathematics skills (MA 1020). If in MA 1020 do not take PH 1110/1120 choose either a BB or CH course.

Special notes:

1. If you have selected IMGD as a Major and choose not to take a math please skip to Step 5 to select your science course.
2. If you have selected Biology or Management as a major please register for MA 101X Calculus 1 for Biology and Management in B term. Do not register for MA 1021 in A term.
3. If you are particularly interested in the "why and how" of Calculus, we suggest that you consider the Analysis Sequence (MA 1031-1034), independent of AP credit.  You should still take the Calc 1 placement test, even if you do not plan to start in the regular Calculus, to make sure that your pre-calculus background is strong enough for this sequence.
4. Linked Math Courses: If you are taking Calculus 1 (MA 1021) in A term and Calculus 2 (MA 1022) in B term, or Calculus 3 (MA 1023) in A term and Calculus 4 (MA 1024) in B term you must register for both courses simultaneously, and select the same corresponding sections for each term. For example, if you select MA 1021 section A01 in A term, then you must select MA 1022 section B01 in B term. If you choose to drop your math course during the registration period, you must drop both courses, and select another linked sequence to add to your course schedule. If you elect to take one math course in A term, please choose section 13 when registering because it is not linked to a Calculus course in B term.

Please note: Once you have completed the math placement test, your scores will be evaluated by the WPI Math department. If a Jump Start online math module is recommended, you will receive an e-mail at your WPI address from the Math department within 48 hours of submitting your scores recommending the appropriate modules.

• Calc I Placement: No calculus class in HS
• Calc II Placement: Calculus in HS but no AP credit
• Calc III Placement: AP Calculus in HS but not sure about Calc II or Calc III

Listen to the tutorial before taking the math placement tests. Click here for the placement tests.

Advanced Placement Credit in Mathematics

• Students who obtain a grade of "4" or "5" on the AB-level Advanced Placement Calculus Exam will obtain credit for MA 1021 and MA 1022 and should start in MA 1023.  
• Students who obtain a grade of "4" or "5" on the BC-level Advanced Placement Calculus Exam will receive credit for MA 1021, MA 1022 and MA 1023 and should consider MA 1024 as their initial math course.  
• The only exceptions are students interested in taking the Analysis Sequence (MA1031-1034). See note 3 above.

Retroactive Credit

Students who do not receive AP credit can still have the opportunity to receive credit for Calculus courses without taking them. Please note that retroactive credit ONLY applies for A and B terms in your first year.

• You can receive credit for MA 1021 if you take MA 1022 in A term of your first year and MA 1023 in B term of your first year, and pass both courses consecutively during these two terms.
• This also applies if you take MA 1023 in A term and MA 1024 in B term. You will receive credit for both MA 1021 and MA 1022.

 

Calculus AB	MA 1021, MA 1022 (4 or 5 on the AP test)
Calculus BC	MA 1021, MA 1022, MA 1023 (4 or 5 on the AP test)

Section Question

Based on your scores which Calculus will you select?	Calc 1 Term Calc 1 Semester Calc 2 Calc 3 Calc 4