FIRST YEAR MATHEMATICS AT STONY BROOK

Information here updates the 1999-2001 Undergraduate Bulletin; consult the Bulletin for complete course information.

PLACEMENT LEVEL

Mathematics courses are demanding and it is very important for your success that you be correctly placed. Since there is a strong correllation between students' grades in a class and Mathematics Placement levels, you are VERY strongly advised to follow the guidelines below. (Note: although a D is a passing grade, a C in the prerequisite course is required for the next course in a calculus sequence or for most other courses requiring mathematics as a prerequisite.)

BASIC MATHEMATICS COMPETENCE. This is attained by fulfilling ONE of the following conditions: 75 or more on the Regents Sequential III exam; 525 or more in Math SAT II; 560 or more in Math SAT I; 56 or more in the Math part of PSAT; 23 or more in ACT Math test; Math Placement Level 3, or C or better in MAP 103 or an equivalent course.

SATISFACTION OF DEC CATEGORY `C'. DEC category  C  is satisfied by a grade of C or better in any mathematics course of at least 3 credits and with a prerequisite of at least Basic Mathematics Competence. In particular, all courses below except MAP 101, MAP 103, MAT 130 and MAT 160 satisfy DEC category C.

FUNDAMENTALS, STATISTICS, AND MATHEMATICAL THINKING

PLACEMENT LEVEL 1

• MAP 101: Fundamentals of Arithmetic and Algebra. Does not count towards graduation but counts toward semester credit load. Does not satisfy Basic Mathematics competence.

PLACEMENT LEVEL 2

• MAP 103: Proficiency Algebra. Essential preparation for students who need an introduction to or review of high school algebra, in preparation for other mathematics. Completion of this course satisfies the Basic Mathematics Competence requirement. Does not count towards graduation but counts toward semester credit load. Students obtaining C or better can continue into any class in mathematics or statistics that requires Placement Level 3.

PLACEMENT LEVEL 2+ AND SATISFACTION OF SKILL 1, BASIC MATH COMPETENCE

• AMS 101-C: Applied Precalculus (3 credits) An applied course on precalculus topics that is intended as a terminal mathematics course for most students. Can also serve as a preparation for MAT 122. Students with an A or A- can continue into MAT 125 by taking MAT 130 (1 credit) at the same time as MAT 125.

• AMS 102-C: Elements of Statistics (3 credits) An introduction to statistics for a general audience, covering common ways to describe data and test statistical hypotheses about data. Multiple sections: lectures with either 55 students taught by TAs or 120 students taught by faculty.

• MAT 118-C: Mathematical Thinking (3 credits) Suitable for those whose programs do not require calculus. Topics include: logic and reasoning, numbers, graphs, functions and modeling, combinatorics and probability. Through experience in problem solving, students develop appreciation for the intellectual scope of mathematics.

• Other statistics courses: AMS 110, POL 201, PSY 201, SOC 202 and ECO 320. See the Undergraduate Bulletin for descriptions and prerequisites.

CALCULUS COURSES AT STONY BROOK

Students who place at level 2+ and plan to take calculus shouuld re-take the mathematics placement exam after thorough studying and review. Those whose final grade is 2+ should take MAP 103 Proficiency Algebra for best preparation for future calculus courses.

Students who place at level 3 and need only a one-semester overview should take MAT 122 Overview of Calculus with Applications. Students who place at level 3 and plan to take additional calculus courses should take MAT 123 Introduction to Calculus.

Stony Brook offers several calculus sequences, beginning at Placement Level 4:

MAT 125—>126—>127

MAT 131—>132

MAT 141—>142

AMS 151—>161

These sequences all cover approximately the same syllabus, but differ in the speed with which material is presented, the amount of emphasis laid on applications and in the teaching methods used. Since MAT 125, 126, 127 takes 3 semesters, it is the best choice for students who need extra time to assimilate the material. The classes MAT 125, 126, 127, 131 and 132 all use the same textbook (Stewart: Calculus, Concepts and Contexts). This emphasizes conceptual understanding and graphical methods and at the same time develops algebraic and computational skills. AMS 151 - 152 uses the more applications-oriented text (Hughes Hallett: Calculus, 2nd edition). MAT 141 - 142 uses (Thomas and Finney: Calculus, 9th edition) which more thoroughly explores foundational ideas.

Important Note: All students in MAT 125, MAT 131, MAT 141 and AMS 151 will take a common exam on Tuesday evening, September 14, at 8:30 pm. A detailed syllabus and sample questions are available here. This exam is intended to ensure that students are correctly placed, and students may be advised to change their registration on the basis of their score. The exam counts as 10% of the final grade in these courses; it will be regraded on an appropriate scale if the student changes to a different math course.

PLACEMENT LEVEL 3:

• MAT 122-C: Overview of Calculus with Applications (3 credits) A brief overview of differential and integral calculus, including exponential and logarithmic functions and the fundamental theorem, intended for students who only want to take one semester of calculus. Satisfies the mathematics requirements for the Psychology and Economics majors. Students who later decide to take more calculus must take the one credit MAT 130 at the same time as MAT 125 or 131. Textbook: Hughes-Hallett, Applied Calculus.

• MAT 123-C: Introduction to Calculus (3 credits) Comprehensive preparation for the regular calculus sequence including an introduction to differential calculus. Trigonometric, exponential and logarithmic functions, asymptotics and limits. Students may go on to MAT 125, 131, 141 or AMS 151. Textbook: a custom version of Stewart: Precalculus and Calculus.

PLACEMENT LEVEL 4:

• MAT 125-C: Calculus A (3 credits) Differential calculus emphasizing conceptual understanding, computations and applications. Multiple secitons: lectures of 140 students twice a week with recitations of 35 students twice a week. Followed by MAT 126 and MAT 127. Engineering and pre-engineering students at level 4 may elect to take MAT 131; however MAT 131 will move at a significantly faster pace.

• MAT 130: Functions (1 credit) Intended to bridge the gap between MAT 122 and the regular calculus sequence by a detailed discussion of the properties of functions, especially trigonometric, exponential and logarithmic functions. Spring only.

PLACEMENT LEVEL 5:

Note: Students may choose among the following courses. Both AMS 151 and MAT 141 are small classes intended for especially well motivated students.

• MAT 131-C: Calculus I (4 credits) Differential and integral calculus emphasizing conceptual understanding, computations and applications. Multiple sections: lectures of 70 students twice a week with recitations of 35 students twice a week.

• AMS 151-C: Applied Calculus I (3 credits) A calculus course that uses extensive applications to motivate the study of single-variable calculus. Two classes of 40 students that use collaborative learning with little lecturing. Intended primarily for CEAS majors. Fall only.

• MAT 141-C: Honors Calculus I (4 credits) An enriched version of MAT 131 with greater emphasis on the underlying theory of calculus. One section: lecture of 70 students twice a week with recitations of 35 students twice a week.

PLACEMENT LEVEL 6:

Note: Students who place at Level 6 or beyond and who are also taking Physics in their first year should take MAT 126 or another second semester calculus class.

• MAT 126-C: Calculus B (3 credits) A continuation of MAT 125 covering integral calculus and the fundamental theorem of calculus. Multiple secitons: lectures of 140 students twice a week with recitations of 35 students twice a week.

PLACEMENT LEVEL 7:

• MAT 132-C: Calculus II (4 credits) A continuation of MAT 131 covering applications of integration, infinite series and differential equations. In Fall 99, one section: lecture of 180 students twice a week with recitations of 35 students twice a week. In Spring. lectures of 70.

• AMS 161-C: Applied Calculus II(3 credits) A continuation of AMS 151. Sections of 40 students that use collaborative learning with little lecturing. Spring only

• MAT 142-C: Honors Calculus II (4 credits) An enriched version of MAT 132 with greater emphasis on the underlying theory of calculus. One section: lecture of 30 students twice a week, recitation twice a week.

PLACEMENT LEVEL 8:

Students may choose from among MAT 127, 132, 142 and AMS 161. Students interested in the physical sciences are encouraged to take MAT 142.

• MAT 127-C: Calculus C (3 credits) Infinite series and differential equations. Completes the 125, 126, 127 sequence. Will incorporate some use of Web-based homework on computers, as well as some use of computer-aided problem solving (using Maple).

PLACEMENT LEVEL 9:

Beyond 100 level Calculus. Students should consider taking some version of Calculus III (MAT 203, 205 or AMS 261) and/or Linear Algebra: MAT 211 or AMS 210. See the description of Second-year math courses.

Of special interest to all students:
A one credit course, MAT 160: Mathematical Problems and Games, is also offered each semester. It has S/U grading and helps students at all levels sharpen their problem solving skills and their ability to formulate and express mathematical ideas, through challenging puzzles and problems. (Does not satisfy DEC category C.)
Note to students planning to take physics courses:
Those who place at level 4 should take PHY 125. Those who place at level 5 should take PHY 131.