Math Placement

Wondering Where To Start?

To help you find the best starting point, all students must take the quick, self-guided Math Placement Survey. It’ll asks a few questions about your background in math and then give you personalized (and non-binding!) advice on which course might be the right fit for your first semester.

Please plan to take the placement survey by July 15 to avoid delays in advising and registration.

Math Placement Survey

*Please note: You must be logged in to your browser with your Whitman ID and password to get access to the placement survey.

Mathematics & Statistics Courses

Math for Non-Science Majors

If you need to take a mathematics course to satisfy the college’s general studies requirements (or simply want to take one for fun), consider choosing a course that satisfies your Quantitative Analysis degree requirement. Those courses are listed in the Quantitative Analysis section of the College Catalog, with specific courses listed in the "Distribution Courses" tab.

Calculus I: MATH-124 VS MATH-125

The calculus sequence starts with either MATH-124 (Introduction to Calculus) or MATH-125 (Calculus I). The topics are generally the same, except that MATH-124 meets four days a week (rather than three), and has substantial review of algebra and trigonometry. Both of these courses focus on differential calculus and prepare you for MATH-126 (Calculus II), which is integral calculus and series. The Math Placement Survey above will help guide you on which of these courses to take.

Questions?

Contact the Chair of the Department of Mathematics and Statistics Doug Hundley at hundledr@whitman.edu or chat with any member of the Department of Mathematics and Statistics before registering for classes.