Quantitative Skills
The purpose of the Quantitative Skills Requirement is to enable you to interpret and present numeric, symbolic, tabular and graphical information effectively in communicating with others. These courses are designed to help you analyze data, test hypotheses, solve problems, and appreciate the limitations of mathematical and statistical methods in your own work and the work of others. To complete this requirement, you must pass one of the following applied mathematics or statistics courses:
MAT 121 | Probability and Statistics for the Liberal Arts I (4 Credits) |
MAT 183 | Elements of Modern Mathematics (4 Credits) |
MAT 221 | Elementary Probability and Statistics I (4 Credits) |
There are some differences among these choices which are explained below.
MAT 121 is the most basic mathematics course which fulfills the Quantitative Skills Requirement and provides an introduction to statistics with emphasis on the analysis of real data sets. You will be expected to have a reasonable level of competence in high school algebra to do well in this class. MAT 121 teaches probability and statistics by focusing on data and reasoning. This course includes data display, numerical measures of data, elementary probability, discrete distributions, normal distributions, and confidence intervals. If you have credit for pre-calculus or calculus (including AP credit, transfer credit, or Project Advance credit), you cannot receive credit for MAT 121 or any mathematics course numbered below 180. If you have gotten a “C” or better in any mathematics course numbered 180 or higher, you cannot receive credit for MAT 121 or any course numbered below 180.
MAT 183 differs from the other courses on this list in that it includes some probability, but no statistics. This course introduces linear equations, vectors, matrices, linear programming, discrete probability theory, and basic concepts of calculus. MAT 183 is especially appropriate for students interested in management, finance, economics, or related areas. Students who choose to continue their study of mathematics often follow this course with a calculus class (MAT 284). However, you may also take this course if you have already earned calculus credit. Calculus is not a pre-requisite. This course assumes a mastery of high school algebra.
MAT 221 provides a more rigorous introduction to probability and statistics than MAT 121. MAT 221 is particularly appropriate for those students interested in social sciences such as politics, sociology, and psychology. In MAT 221 students are introduced to probability, the design of experiments, sampling theory, the introduction of computers for data management, the evaluation of models, and estimation of parameters. This course assumes a mastery of high school algebra. MAT 221 may be taken by students who have calculus credits, but calculus is not a prerequisite.
Mathematics Placement Test:
Before you may register for any of the above courses, you must take the Mathematics Placement Test. Placement tests are available on MySlice where you will find a link to take your placement test and to view your placement test results. If you are taking the test after your first semester, you must contact the Math Department (315-443-3849) at least 24 hours before you plan to take the test. A staff member will enter an eligibility code on your record that will activate your access to the test within 24 hours.
Notes:
MAT 121 and MAT 183 are generally offered in the fall semester.
CALCULUS (MAT 284, 285, 286, 295, or AP Calculus) CANNOT BE USED TO COMPLETE THE QUANTITATIVE SKILLS REQUIREMENT. These courses may be used as part of the Divisional Requirements in Natural Sciences and Mathematics.
MAT 121 CANNOT BE TAKEN FOR CREDIT IF A STUDENT HAS COMPLETED A MATH COURSE NUMBERED ABOVE 180 AND HAS RECEIVED A GRADE OF C OR BETTER. This rule also applies to students who received AP credit in Mathematics since they would have successfully completed the equivalent of MAT 194 or MAT 285 and 286 or MAT 295 and 296.
MAT 121 cannot be taken for credit if a student has received a C or better in STT 101.
MAT 221 may be used to fulfill the Quantitative Skills requirement or the Additional Skills requirement, but not both.
Generally, students receive credit for ONE of the following: Advanced Placement in Statistics, MAT 121, MAS 261 (Introductory Statistics for Management, School of Management), MAT 221, or STT 101.