The Mathematics major requires all students to complete Calculus I (MATH 110 or MATH 114) and Calculus II (MATH 120 or MATH 128). Students who have already completed Calculus 1 or Calculus 2 (see Placement Information below) should proceed to courses in the fundamental sequence: MATH 210: Discrete Mathematics, MATH 212: Multivariable Calculus, and MATH 214: Linear Algebra.
Placement Information
Most students who are interested in majoring in Mathematics should take the Calculus Placement Assessment (ALEKS) during the summer prior to their first year. You do not need to take the Calculus Placement Assessment if any of the following are true:
- You received a score of 4 or 5 on either the AP Calculus AB or BC exam;
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You received an IB Calculus HL score of 5 or above;
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You have already taken a Calculus 1 course at another accredited college or university.
An AP Calculus AB score of 4 or 5, or an IB Calculus HL score of 5 or above, fulfills the major’s Calculus 1 requirement. An AP Calculus BC score of 4 or 5 fulfills the Calculus 2 requirement. Students should make sure that their official score reports are sent to the Registrar’s Office for processing.
Sample 4-Year Plan
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Mathematics Transfer Student Advice
Transfer Course Limit for Transfer Students: No Limit
Expected preparation for transfer students wanting to major in Mathematics:
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Junior transfer students
- Should have completed Calculus 1, Calculus 2, Discrete Math, Linear Algebra, and Multivariable Calculus prior to transferring.
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Should have completed most of their Core requirements prior to transferring. It will be possible to get at most one or two more core requirements while at Occidental.
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Transfer students starting mid way through their sophomore year:
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Should have completed 4 of the 5 courses: Calculus 1, Calculus 2, Discrete Math, Linear Algebra, Multivariable Calculus.
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Should have completed at least four Core requirements from among the Culture, Arts, Language requirements
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Sophomore transfer students
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Should have completed 3 of the 5 courses: Calculus 1, Calculus 2, Discrete Math, Linear Algebra, Multivariable Calculus.
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Should have completed at least two Core requirements prior to transferring
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General advice for transfer students wanting to major Mathematics:
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The following courses must be taken at Occidental: MATH 300, MATH 310 or MATH 320, 4 units of some combination of MATH 395, MATH 397, MATH 400, MATH 497.
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Those interested in minoring in mathematics must take a minimum of 8 units at Occidental.
What courses should a transfer student take during their first semester at Occidental?
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Junior transfer students must enroll in MATH 300, and MATH 310 or MATH 320. Students starting in the spring must enroll in MATH 300 during their second semester if it is not offered in their first semester.
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Transfer students starting mid way through their sophomore year must take whichever course they have not yet completed from Calculus 1, Calculus 2, Discrete Math, Linear Algebra, and Multivariable Calculus.
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Sophomore students must take whichever two courses they have not yet completed from Calculus 1, Calculus 2, Discrete Math, Linear Algebra, and Multivariable Calculus.
Mathematics Placement
Calculus
Placement in calculus courses (MATH 108, MATH 110, MATH 114, or MATH 128) is determined based on previous mathematical experience, advising, and the results of the Calculus Placement Exam. The Calculus Placement Exam is administered online prior to the beginning of Fall Semester.
Students with qualifying scores on the Advanced Placement or IB Examination in Calculus are most often placed in calculus courses as follows:
| Calculus AP Exam Score | Which Math course to take |
| BC 4 or 5 | MATH 150, MATH 210, MATH 212, or MATH 214. |
| AB 4 or 5 |
MATH 120 or MATH 128 (after consultation with Math Dept) |
| AB or BC 3 or less |
Take Calculus Placement Exam |
| IB Exam Score |
Which Math course to take* |
| IB HL 6 or 7 | MATH 150, MATH 210, MATH 212, or MATH 214 |
| IB HL 5 | MATH 114 or MATH 120 or MATH 128 |
| IB HL 4 | MATH 110 or MATH 114 |
| IB HL 3 or less | Take Calculus Placement Exam |
| IB SL (any score) |
Take Calculus Placement Exam |
In addition to the calculus courses, MATH 105, MATH 150, MATH 160, MATH 210, MATH 212, MATH 214, COMP 131, and COMP 146 may be taken by first-year students meeting the prerequisites.
Students with transfer credits should confer with the Department for advice on placement in an appropriate mathematics course.
*Students with IB Exam scores will be required to contact the instructor of the course for prerequisite override in order to register.
Mathematics Courses
Calculus is a prerequisite for all mathematics courses with the exceptions of MATH 105 and most Computer Science courses. All students planning to take Calculus must take the online Calculus Placement Exam prior to the beginning of the Fall Semester unless they are exempt due to having received an Advanced Placement exam score. (See Calculus Placement above or contact the Mathematics Department for further details.) Prerequisites for any course may be waived with permission of the instructor.