Math 1110 + 1120
Math 1800 after Math 1500
Mathematics Proficiency Requirement
Mathematics Qualifying Exam/Placement
Medicine, Dentistry, Optometry, Oestopathic Medicine, Veterinary Medicine
Minors
Monteith College
Must Elect Major Hold/Status

Math 1110 + 1120

Math 1110 + 1120 were created to prepare students to teach mathematics in elementary school, and as such do not count for credit toward a degree in the College of Liberal Arts and Science or Fine, Performing & Communication Arts.  The courses carry degree credit in the College of Education only if the student earns a degree in Elementary or Special Education. 

Math 1800 after Math 1500

Students who complete Math 1800 after already having received credit for Math 1500 or its equivalent may count only 2 of the 4 credit hours earned for Math 1800 towards the degree. Please make a notation to this effect on any degree audit completed for the student and adjust the credit hours required for graduation.

Mathematics Proficiency Requirement

Proficiency in mathematics became a university requirement, as did English Proficiency, for all students who were fully admitted to WSU in Fall 1983 or later. But unlike English Proficiency, it was a new requirement. The Task Force on Basic Skills recommended that students be able:

1. To perform addition, subtraction, multiplication and division, using fractions, decimals and integers.
2. To use ratios, percentages, proportions, roots and powers.
3. To apply the concepts of introductory algebra and geometry.
4. To make estimates and approximations and judge the reasonableness of the results.
5. To formulate and solve a problem in mathematical terms.
6. To read and interpret graphs, charts and tables.
7. To apply elementary concepts of probability and statistics.
8. To deal with different units of measurement.

For students who were admitted and registered beginning with the Fall Term of 1983 through the Spring/Summer Term of 1990, Mathematics Proficiency could be established in any of the following ways by:

1. Completing four years of high school mathematics, including at least one year each of algebra and geometry, with a "C" average.
2. Passing the Qualifying Examination for MAT 150, 180, or 201.
3. Completing MAT 095 with an "S+" or better. Because the "plus" notation is not part of the university grading system, the student must contact the instructor to determine eligibility.
4. Passing MAT 150 or 180 or 201.
5. Scoring 450 or higher on the Mathematics section of the SAT.
6. Scoring 16 or higher on the Mathematics section of the ACT.
7. Scoring 487 or higher on the General Examination in Mathematics on CLEP, or the 50th percentile or higher on the Subject Exams.
8. Scoring 2 or higher on the Advanced Placement Mathematics exam.
9. Transfering the equivalent of MAT 150, 180, or 201.
10. Passing the Mathematics Proficiency Examination (MPE).
11. Passing MAT 091 (prerequisite is failing the MPE).

Students who were fully admitted to WSU prior to the Fall of 1990 and who came from a school at which the equivalent of MAT 1800 is taught in two semesters or two quarters are considered to have met the Mathematics Proficiency Requirement if they transfer at least the Algebra course in that two-course sequence. It is helpful, however, to maintain the distinction between that Algebra course and MAT 1500 at WSU: the courses are not equivalent to each other even though Business Administration, for example, will consider its mathematics requirement fulfilled by the Algebra course.

Students who were fully admitted beginning the Fall Term of 1990 must fulfill Mathematics Proficiency in one of the following ways:

1. Place beyond MAT 0993 on the Math Qualifying Exam or complete MAT 0993 with a satisfactory grade. Credit associated with MAT 0993, as with any course numbered below "1000," does not count toward graduation.
   (For students fulfilling pre-Fall 2005 Mathematics Competency)
       Over the years, differences between the University’s grades on its transcript and those in the Department of Mathematics, the introduction of MAT 093 (0993), and refinements in the University’s grading system have created confusion for students, their advisors, and others who attempt to determine whether a student has fulfilled the Mathematics Competency Requirement.
       The University will use the following guidelines to determine whether a student who has taken MAT 095 (0995) or MAT 093 (0993) prior to Fall 2002 has fulfilled the Requirement.
   
   Fall 1983 through Spring/Summer 1992
       MAT 095 was the entry level mathematics course (MAT 093 did not exist).  A student who is now completing an undergraduate degree, who completed only MAT 095 (grade recorded as S or SNC) in this time period with a grade of S+150 or S+180 has met Mathematics Competency.
       The +150 or +180 does not appear on the University transcript and must be verified through the Department of Mathematics. Fall 1992 through Spring/Summer 1996
       In Fall 1992 MAT 093 became the entry level mathematics course. A student who completed only MAT 093 (grade recorded as S or SNC) in this time period, with a grade of S+,  has met Mathematics Competency.  Again, the “+” portion of the grade must be verified through the Department of Mathematics.
       If the Department’s records show only an “S,” the student has not met MC.
   
   Fall 1996 through Spring/Summer 2002
       Beginning in Fall 1996, mathematics grading became standardized on the University transcript as S, M, or U (with only the S grade allowing the student to proceed to the next course level).  At this time, the Mathematics Department discontinued its practice of recording the S+ grade. A student who completed only MAT 093 (0993) with a grade of S (or SNC) will be considered to have satisfied the Mathematics Competency Requirement.
   
   Fall 2002 and beyond
       The S (SNC) in MAT 0993 became an official option for fulfillment of Mathematics Competency in Fall 2002.  (Grades are now ANC, BNC, CNC denoting passing (or placement to next level) or UNC unsatisfactory).  
    If the Department’s records show only an “S,”  the student has not met MC.
2. Transfer credit for the equivalent of MAT 1800 or 2010.
3. Score "2" or higher on the AP examination in Mathematics (neither degree credit nor placement is granted for a score below 3).
4. Score "25"  or higher on the Math ACT exam.
5. Score "487" (prior to July 1, 1993) on the CLEP general examination in Mathematics. The minimum CLEP score for the same examination taken after July 1, 1993 is "490".

Mathematics Qualifying Exam  

Students who wish to enroll in a Math course at WSU must first take a Math Qualifying Exam or have completed the prerequisite course at WSU with a grade of at least C- or S (NCB grade for MAT 0993) within the previous two semesters, including spring/summer.

Beginning Fall 2008: Placement by ACT into MAT 1000 permitted with a required Math ACT score of 21-24, score of 20 or below places student into MAT 0993. ACT score of 21-24 supercedes Math Placement by exam into MAT 0993 and is good for one year. Students whose score is more than a year old or whose curriculum requires math above MAT 1000 must take the placement exam.

Students who earn a score of "3" on the Advanced Placement Exam, and receive credit for Math 2010 are encouraged by the Math Department to register for Math 2010 in order to progress in the Math sequence.  These students should be directed to see Mary Klamo in the Math Department.

Transferring in the Math 1110 equivalent doesn't place a student into Math 1120.  The student must take the qualifying exam and place into Math 1800 to take the course.

Transferring in the Math 1800 equivalent doesn't place a student into Math 2010.  The student must take the qualifying exam and place into Math 2010.

A score of "25" on the ACT, while meeting the Math Proficiency requirement, may not be used for placement purposes. These students must take the Math Qualifying exam to register for any Math course above Math 0993.

Placement exam results are good for two terms. Overrides of the placement exam requirement may be obtained by any advisor in the Math department if a student's placement has lapsed by one term.  This is a one-time permission per student.  Students need to make an appointment to speak with a Math advisor for this override.

Effective Winter 2010:

All students, including transfer and guest students, who plan to take MAT 0995, 1000, 1050, 1110, 1120, 1500, 1800 or 2010 as their first mathematics course at Wayne State University (WSU) must place into the course according to the policies of the WSU Department of Mathematics.  Effective Winter Semester 2010, there are two approved methods for MAT course placement. 

2.  Placement using an ACT Math score will only be valid for three semesters (including Spring/Summer term) from the date of your first semester of admission to WSU.

Any student who does not place into an MAT course using an ACT Math score as described above must take the WSU Mathematics Placement Examination to determine MAT course placement.  The examination consists of 55 questions.  All students are given questions 1-40 but only those students who wish to place in MAT 2010 receive questions 41-55.  The exam has three levels of placement.  Passing at the first level allows entry into MAT 0995, 1000, or 1050.  Passing at the second level allows entry into MAT 1110, 1120, 1500, or 1800.  Passing at the third level allows entry into MAT 2010.  Students whose score is below that required for placement at the first level qualify only for MAT 0993, Beginning Algebra.  If you place into a course below the level that you had expected, you may either take the lower level course or study independently and retake the examination during the next testing period.

If you took the ACT it is possible that your ACT Mathematics score, in combination with your placement examination score, may qualify you for a WSU mathematics course for which your placement examination score alone would be insufficient.  If you designated WSU as a recipient of your ACT scores, your ACT Mathematics score will automatically be considered when your placement examination is graded.  To be considered, your ACT score must be no more than two years old from the date of your intended enrollment in the course.  If you have taken the ACT more than once, only the most recent ACT Math score will be considered.

The Mathematics Placement Examination must be taken before classes begin for the semester in which you plan to take the course.  Placement is valid for a limited time only.  Scores will be honored only for three semesters:  the semester for which the examination was taken and the two semesters immediately following.  For the purposes of counting, there are three semesters:  Fall, Winter, and Spring/Summer. 

Note:  If there is a discrepancy between placement based on a valid ACT Math score and the results of the Mathematics Placement Examination, the higher placement will be used.
 

Medicine, Dentistry, Optometry, Oestopathic Medicine, Veterinary Medicine

Although there are variations, the usual minimum course requirements for admission to schools of medicine, dentistry, optometry, osteopathic medicine, podiatric medicine, and veterinary medicine include one year of English, one year of biology, one year each of inorganic and organic chemistry, and one year of physics. These basic sciences must be accompanied by whatever laboratory is offered with them and they should be completed by the end of the student's third or junior year.

Admssion requirements for WSU School of Medicine can be found on its Web site.

Veterinary, podiatric and optometry schools may admit competitive applicants who have completed three years of undergraduate work.

Dental schools may admit competitive applicants who have completed a minimum of two years of undergraduate coursework, including all required courses and competitive Dental Admission Test results. Pre-Dentistry applicants who have completed only two years may be considered for admission if they have a minimum GPA of 3.50 and competitive Dental Admission Test scores of 18 or higher in each category.

Applicants to medical school must complete a baccalaureate degree. Competitive applicants should present an overall GPA of 3.50, a similar average for science courses, and an average on the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) of at least 8.5 of a possible 15. The mean score for students accepted at the WSU School of Medicine is 9.0.

Students pursuing any of these goals should take mathematics and English as soon as possible. A few medical schools may require a year of college mathematics including a semester of calculus.

The MCAT is required by medical (allopathic and osteopathic), veterinary and podiatric schools. It assesses mastery of basic knowledge of biology, chemistry and physics; facility with scientific problem-solving; and skill in critical thinking and writing. The MCAT Student Manual is an excellent guide for reviewing material, as is James Flowers' book, A Complete Preparation for the New MCAT. The exam is offered each spring and fall, usually in April and August. All serious candidates should make heroic efforts to take the exam in the spring: doing well at that point simplifies the application process and not doing well allows one another chance to take it in the fall. Applications for the MCAT are available by late February from the Testing & Evaluation Office, 698 SCB, or in the University Advising Center.

Some veterinary schools, Michigan State being one of them, prefer the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) to the MCAT but will accept either test.

The Dental Admission Test (DAT) is also offered each spring and fall, as is the Optometry Admission Test (OAT).

Applicants to schools of medicine, osteopathic medicine, dentistry and podiatric medicine initiate the application process by using a standardized application provided by either:

Applicants to schools of optometry and veterinary medicine apply directly to the school.

Students who are interested in allopathic schools of medicine may wish to order Medical School Admission Requirements for $15 from the Association of American Medical Colleges at the following address: Membership and Publication Orders, 2450 N Street, NW, Washington, D.C. 20037.

Minors

With the exception of the minor in Business Administration, there is no formal application process to begin coursework in the minor. Students may officially declare a minor by obtaining a college and Program Approval form from the University Advising Center. The form must be endorsed by the departmental advisor and submitted to the College in which the minor is located. This procedure may be completed as part of the Declaration of Major procedure or after a student has declared a major/been accepted to a professional program. A minor may not be officially declared without a major or professional program. The notation indicating that a student has completed the requirements for a minor appears on the student's transcript but not on the diploma.

Please note that only 16 of the 23 credits required for the Business minor may count toward the LA or SC degree.

Students who have completed the requirements for a minor indicate the department on the Degree Application. Students who are considering developing a minor should contact the department early in their undergraduate career.

Beginning with the Fall 1994 commencement, a minor is available to any undergraduate in the university. Again, students must inform themselves of the requirements for a minor by contacting the academic department.

Monteith College

Monteith College, modeled on the College of the University of Chicago, was created in 1959 to offer to students some of the advantages of a small college within a large university. The general education component of the Monteith program consisted of interdisciplinary courses in areas titled Natural Science, Science of Society, Socio-Humanistic Studies and Humanistic Studies. Courses in these areas were taught by teams of faculty, each individual bringing a different approach and background to bear upon a general topic or period.

Due largely to financial considerations, Monteith College began in 1976 to be phased out. Several memoranda written in February of 1976 by either the Monteith Student Transfer Advisory Committee or by Cornelius L. Golightly, Associate Dean of Liberal Arts, detail the manner in which Monteith courses and credit hours are to apply toward the old Group Requirements for a degree now in either CFPCA or Liberal Arts & Sciences.

Students who were enrolled in Monteith College may count the following Natural Science courses toward either the Biological Science or the Physical Science requirement of CFPCA or Liberal Arts & Sciences. None of the courses below included laboratory. If a student completed four of the courses listed below and met the Biological and Physical course requirements, the laboratory requirement was waived.

Must Elect Major Status/Hold

Students in the Colleges of Liberal Arts & Science, and Urban, Labor, and Metropolitan Affairs are required to declare a major or pre-professional program by 60 credit hours (see Declaration of Major). Students who transfer with more than 60 credits or who obtain more than 60 credits will receive a hold on their ability to register. The "Must Elect Major" status must be released by an advisor in order for the student to register. The status will recur until the student declares a major or is properly coded as intending to apply to a professional school.

At 90 credits, the student may also receive a "Dean's Hold" from his/her respective college in addition to the "must elect major" status. Both the hold and status require the student to meet with an advisor to complete a degree audit or change to a pre-professional program. The student must show proof of an appointment with his/her major department to declare his/her major in order for an advisor to release the status. The student may be sent to the dean's office or the advisor may call the dean's office to request that the advisor be allowed to release the dean's office hold. Phone the appropriate dean's office before releasing this hold if the student is at 90 credits or more.