Placement and Credit for Math Courses - Fall 2023
Many students arrive at Reed prepared to take Math 111 (Calculus), 112 (Introduction to Analysis), 113 (Discrete Structures), or 141 (Introduction to Probability and Statistics). Refer to requirements for the major for the role of these courses within mathematics and mathematics-interdisciplinary majors. Math 111, 113, and 141 have no prerequisites other than three years of high school mathematics, so most incoming students may enroll in them. Math 112 has 111 as a prerequisite but students can place into it, as we explain in the following list of possible scenarios.
Calculus
- AP credit: students who score a 5 on the AP Calculus AB exam, or a 4 or 5 on the BC exam are offered credit for Math 111, and hence placement into Math 112.
- IB credit: students who score a 5 or above on the IB Mathematics: Analysis and Approaches (HL) and Mathematics: Applications and Interpretations (HL) are offered credit for Math 111, and hence placement into Math 112.
- A-levels: students who receive a grade of B or better on the math A-levels may place into Math 112 by having a placement conversation (see below). (For information on how to receive credit for A-levels, check this page.)
- College credit: students who have taken a single-variable calculus course in college should submit their transcript to the Registrar's office (more information here). In general, the student will be offered credit for Math 111, and hence placement into Math 112 if the course covers differential and integral calculus, including the Fundamental Theorem of Calculus (courses that only cover differential calculus will not receive credit for Math 111).
- Calculus coursework in high school: students who have taken single-variable calculus in high school, covering differential and integral calculus, and including the Fundamental Theorem of Calculus might place into Math 112 and are encouraged to have a placement conversation (see below).
Students may self-report scores/transfer credit in order to place into Math 112, but credit for Math 111 will not be granted until the official scores/transcripts are received by the College. If a student does not have an exam score but believes they have demonstrated ability with calculus, then they should have a placement conversation (see below).
Coursework beyond single-variable calculus
Students who have completed coursework beyond single-variable calculus should consult with mathematics faculty (see below) to determine which mathematics courses are appropriate for them. Math 112 is a proof-based course that establishes the analytic properties of the real number system that are the foundation of calculus. Reed’s linear algebra (Math 201) and vector calculus (Math 202) courses have Math 112 as a prerequisite and assume that students are familiar with reading, constructing, and writing proofs. In certain cases, students with significant preparation may be placed into Math 201 with the expectation that they will continue in 112, 202, or both based on their work in 201.
Placement conversations
To schedule placement conversations, go to moodle.
Transfer credit
Learn more about transfer credit in Math & Stats.