(This page is courtesy of Thomas Stiadle. 2006 Update by Carol Shilepsky.)
GUIDELINES FOR ADVSING IN MATHEMATICS
FALL 2006
(Computer Science Guidelines are below these.)
Fall courses typically elected by first year students:
MATH 109: ELEMENTARY FUNCTIONS
Prerequisite: 3 years of high school math or 4 years for a student with low SAT's, prior difficulties, extreme fear, etc., plus permission of instructor.
Contents: a review of high school algebra. This is a good terminal course for students who will not take any more math, but need basic algebra skills for the sciences or social sciences. It is also a good foundation for students who plan to take Statistics (MATH 151) or to elect the calculus sequence (MATH111, 112 and sometimes 211) but do not have sufficient preparation.
MATH 111: CALCULUS I
Prerequisite: 4 years of high school math.
This course can be taken successfully by strong students who have only had 3 years of high school math. Contents: the first course in the calculus sequence, covering functions, graphs, derivatives and applications. Students who need a year of calculus for medical or business school will take 111 and 112.
This is a prerequisite for upper-level math courses and for PHYS 111L. Students planning to take PHYS 111L in the spring and who have not been exempted from Calculus I should take MATH 111 in the fall.
MATH 112: CALCULUS II
Prerequisite: MATH 111 or placement.
Students who have had calculus in high school, but not enough to exempt a whole year, should take this course after consulting with Math faculty.
Contents: continuation of MATH 111, including integration and applications, introduction to differential equations, vector arithmetic and geometry, partial derivatives.
MATH 211: CALCULUS III
Prerequisite: MATH 112 or placement. Students who have exempted a full year of calculus may wish to take this course after consulting with Math faculty.
Contents: continuation of MATH 112, including sequences and series, calculus of vector functions and functions of several variables, multiple integration, and generalizations of the Fundamental Theorem of Calculus.
MATH 267: DISCRETE MATH
Prerequisite: one math course or CS 131 or permission. This used to have a calculus prerequisite, but requires mathematical maturity rather than specific material. This has been taken by strong first year students who can't fit in calculus or who want something new.
Contents: many of the concepts that form the foundations for math and computer science, emphasizing logic and formal reasoning. Students often enjoy seeing mathematics from a non-calculus perspective.
Other fall courses (NOT normally elected by first year students):
MATH 151: STATISTICS
Upper level students who need it for the sciences or social sciences usually take this. It has no prerequisite other than 3 years of high school math. But the students usually have a little more maturity. Shaky students should consider taking MATH 109 as an informal prerequisite. It is not part of the MPS major or the computer, math or physics minors, so the student interested in any of these should elect another course in one of these fields.
Spring courses:
MATH 111 and 112 offered (see above in fall courses)
MATH 105: CONTEMPORARY MATHEMATICS
Prerequisites: 3 years of high school math or permission of the instructor. Students who have taken college math must have permission of the instructor.
Contents: an introduction to some essential ideas, methods and applications of mathematics, including logic and deduction, problem solving, and numbers and numeracy. Intended for non-science majors, it satisfies the formal reasoning requirement but does not offer preparation for calculus or statistics.
PHYS 111L: FUNDAMENTALS OF PHYSICS I
Prerequisite: MATH 111 (Note: formerly a co-requisite; now must be taken in advance).
Contents: Introduction to Newton's laws and the motion of particles, energy and momentum conservation, systems of particles.
Includes lab.
COMMENTS:
1. Students who are unsure whether to take MATH 105, 109 or 111 should consult with the math faculty and do a placement exam/conversation during Fall Orientation in August. Sometimes this can also be resolved by a telephone call from the advisor. Math faculty will also be preparing a list of recommendations for the class of 2010.
2. Placement in MATH 112, 211 or 267 requires consultation with the math faculty. In addition, exemption exams are available for Calculus I and II.
3. Sometimes a student who is still unsure which course to take will register for the more difficult one and drop back after a couple of weeks if necessary. We facilitate this.
4. If a student plans to take math during college, it is easier for him or her to start as early as possible so as to build on high school work.
5. Students with an interest in 3-2 engineering should generally take calculus and physics as soon as possible. Please refer them to Professor Heinekamp at their earliest convenience so that they can develop the right programs.
6. PHYS 111L, Fundamentals of Physics I, is offered in the spring semester. MATH 111 is a prerequisite for this course, so a student with interest in the 3/2 engineering program must take MATH 111 in the fall semester or be placed in MATH 112 or higher.
Please call MPS faculty with any questions. We have found time spent talking with students and faculty at registration is rewarded with fewer misplaced students later.
GUIDELINES FOR ADVISING IN COMPUTER SCIENCE
FALL 2006
Computer literacy versus computer science: The major distinction in the computer curriculum is between learning how to use a computer (word-processing, spreadsheets, databases, HTML) and studying computer science (programming and preparation for advanced work).
The literacy courses are numbered CS 105, CS 108, and CS 109. The have no prerequisites and do not count toward the MPS/CS major or minor. They are independent and self-paced with help available as needed, bu assume discipline and motivation on the student’s part.
CS 131 is the place to start computer science.
Computer science minor: A CS minor is appropriate with any major and often gives the student an advantage in seeking an internship or job.
Fall courses:
CS 108: EXCEL (1 semester hour, A Session = first half of semester)
Introduction to spreadsheets using MS Excel. This course is not recommended for first-semester students.
CS 105: HTML (1.5 semester hours, B Session = second half of semester)
Basic HTML (hypertext markup language) for building and maintaining web pages.
CS 131: COMPUTER PROGRAMMING I (4 semester hours)
The foundation course and a prerequisite for higher-level CS courses, using the C++ programming language. Required for MPS majors and CS minors. This used to have a math prerequisite, but we have found that good students in all disciplines can do well. It does, on the other hand, require consistent effort. This is a good elective for a student who is looking for something new.
Spring courses:
CS 109: ACCESS (1 semester hour, A Session = first half of the semester)
An introduction to databases using MS Access
CS 105: HTML (1.5 semester hours, B Session = second half of semester)
Basic HTML (hypertext markup language) for building and maintaining web pages.
CS 132: COMPUTER PROGRAMMING II A continuation of CS 131.
COMMENTS:
1. Students who think they may major or minor in computer science should take CS 131 as soon as possible.
2. A student can get help with Word, Excel, Access, PowerPoint from any software assistant in Macmillan 106A for Schedule: http://aurora.wells.edu/~ccs/
This page (Mathematics/Computer Science Placement and Advising) is maintained by Diane Koester, Associate Dean for Academic and Learning Resources and Director of Academic Advising, who is solely responsible for its content. Please see our Statement of Responsibility. Last updated June 2, 2006.
Return to Advising at Wells College (top-level page on advising).