Who should read this?
This document addresses placement questions for incoming students and
for undergraduates who have not yet taken a math course at Duke.
Note for potential math majors:
If you are considering a major in mathematics, and if you have advance credit for first and second semester calculus (Math 31 and Math 32), then you should read about
Math 105. Potential math majors
should also contact the Director of Undergraduate Studies in Mathematics,
Professor William K. Allard.
Course codes:
The placement information below refers to math courses by number. If you wish
to see a detailed description of a course, then you should refer to the
description of
first-year math courses for introductory courses or to the
Bulletin of Undergraduate Instruction for descriptions of all math courses.
| For students who have had ... | no calculus | one year of calculus | multivariable calculus |
| Frequently Asked Questions |
The entry level for mathematics is Math 25L or Math 31L. The following table provides guidelines for making the choice between these two courses:
| Course | Minimum Math SAT | Minimum Math SAT II |
|---|---|---|
| Math 25L | 520 | 500 |
| Math 31L | 680 | 680 |
If your SAT and SAT-II scores do not indicate consistent placement in this table, or if your scores indicate borderline qualification for Math 31L and you've had no calculus whatsoever, then it would be advisable to start with Math 25L.
In the spring semesters Math 25L will not be offered. Thus, if your correct placement is Math 25L and you choose not to take a math course in the fall of your first year (e.g., if you're in FOCUS, you may make this choice), then you should be aware that you will have to wait until the fall of your sophomore year to take Math 25L
For students who have taken the AP test: If you have earned credit based upon your Advanced Placement score, then generally you should enroll in the next higher course; however, we have found that students may have difficulty in second-semester calculus unless they also meet certain minimum SAT and Achievement score levels.
For Students Who Have Taken an International Entrance Exam: Requests for credit based on an internationally recognized entrance examination, such at the International Baccalaureate, the British A-level, the French Baccalaureate, and the German Arbitur, should be sent to the Registrar. A student can receive up to two credits for one of these tests. In general if Duke grants you credit for a course, then you should enroll in the next higher math course. For example, some international students score high enough on the higher level IB math exam to receive credit for Math 31 and Math 32, and will then be placed into Math 103 (or Math 102 or Math 105). Students who receive credit for Math 31 should enroll in Math 32. If your situation is different from these cases, or if you desire some other placement based upon work out of the country, then you should meet with the Supervisor of First-year Instruction to discuss placement.
For students who have not taken the Advanced Placement Test or an International Entrance Exam: If your SAT score is at least 700 and your SAT-I or SAT-II score is at least 700, and if you feel you have a strong background in calculus, then you may enroll in a second-semester calculus course (see The Choice: Math 32 or Math 32L or Math 41L for descriptions) if you are willing to accept the inherent risk--although the safer academic route would be to enroll in Math 31L. On the other hand, if you are in this situation but wish to place beyond second-semester calculus, then you should write to the Supervisor of First-year Instruction, sfi@math.duke.edu, and describe the contents of the math courses you have had (e.g., textbook and chapters covered), how well you did in those courses, your SAT and Achievement scores, and a statement of the placement you desire. It is especially helpful if you can FAX (919-660-2821) a copy of the syllabus, including the title of the textbook you used and the sections you studied.
First, you should be aware that our multivariable calculus course, Math 103, includes an important chapter on vector calculus, including line integrals, Green's Theorem, surface integrals, and Stokes' Theorem. This material accounts for approximately a fourth of our course; thus, if your multivariable calculus course did not include these topics and if you plan to continue taking math, then you should enroll in Math 103 (You may also want to consider Math 103X, if you're interested in a very challenging version of multivariable calculus, and if you qualify.)
If you have been granted "pre-matriculation" credit for Math 103, and if you want to proceed to a higher level math course in your first semester, then you can simply enroll in the appropriate course when your registration window opens in the summer. For example, if you are an engineering student, then you would normally take Math 107 next. (Unless you plan on getting a double major with math. Please see FAQ #14 below.)
If you do not have credit for Math 103, but you have studied all of the topics in Math 103 and you feel you should take a course numbered above Math 103, then write to the Supervisor of First-year Instruction, sfi@math.duke.edu. In your email message you should describe the contents of the courses you have had (e.g., textbooks and chapters covered), the name of the school where you took the courses, how well you did in the courses, your SAT and Achievement scores, and a statement of the placement you desire. It is especially helpful if you can FAX (919-660-2821) copies of the syllabi, including the titles of the textbooks you used and the sections you studied.
If you have placement questions not covered in the FAQs above, you can send an email message to the Supervisor of First-Year Instruction, Lewis Blake, at sfi@math.duke.edu