Information about Mathematics Courses

College of Business and Economics, 2003<!DOCTYPE doctype PUBLIC "-//w3c//dtd html 4.0 transitional//en">

The minimum mathematics requirement for students entering the College of Business and Economics in 2003 is Mathematics 21 (or Mathematics 75-76). A detailed description of the Math 21, 22, 23 calculus sequence follows:

        the 20s sequence

Math 21, Calculus I (4 credits) fall and spring

Math 22, Calculus II (4 credits) fall and spring

Math 23, Calculus III (4 credits) fall and spring

also Math 75 and76, Calculus I, parts A and B, substitute for Math 21.

The 20s sequence (12 credits) is required of all engineering students as well as majors in Mathematics, Computer Science, and many natural science programs. The College of Business and Economics requires Math 21 in its curriculum. . Math 75 and 76 (2 credits each) divide the material of Math 21 into two parts for students whose degree programs require Math 21 but who are not prepared to go directly into Math 21. Successful completion of Math 21 or Math 76 is a prerequisite for Math 22. Students who start with Math 21 and find themselves struggling can switch to Math 75 as long as they do so in a timely fashion.

There is a big difference between calculus study at Lehigh and calculus at most high schools. A solid high–school precalculus course is necessary background for calculus at Lehigh. Students need a strong foundation in functions (forms, graphs, roots) and trigonometry to really thrive in calculus. Most students who take calculus in high school are accustomed to using a graphing calculator. Calculators are not permitted in Lehigh calculus classes. Lehigh has very high standards, and calculus students are expected to learn calculus without relying on calculators. Many students find a summer course in calculus at a local community college to be helpful in bridging from high school mathematics to Lehigh calculus.

 

Advanced Placement for Calculus

Students who score 4 or 5 in the AB advanced placement exam may receive 4 credits for Math 21 and those who score 4 or 5 on the BC advanced placement exam may receive 8 credits for Math 21 and 22. Students should preregister for Math 21 now, and if the AP exam scores warrant credit, the appropriate adjustments can be made later. Advanced placement and course credit is also granted for successful completion of approved college courses taken during high school. Approval is granted on a case–by–case basis and depends on submission of detailed information as to course content.

We recommend that students consider beginning Lehigh calculus a semester below their advanced placement. If you have credit for Math 21 and are eligible for Math 22, consider taking Math 21; if you have credit for Math 21 and Math 22 and are eligible for Math 23, consider taking Math 22. You will relinquish some or all of your AP credit, but experience has shown that many AP courses do not provide adequate preparation for calculus at Lehigh. Depending on demand, the Department of Mathematics may offer anticipatory exams for Math 21, 22 and 23 during the orientation period.

Calculus Readiness Exams

All students who plan to take Math 21 or Math 75 in the fall semester must take a calculus readiness exam during the summer preregistration process or in August during orientation. These are tests on precalculus mathematics, such as algebra, graphing, functions, and trigonometry. The purpose of the readiness exams is to ensure that students are appropriately placed and to identify students who need additional preparation before taking the calculus course their intended majors require. A sample readiness exam is enclosed.

Students whose scores on the calculus readiness exam indicate that they lack sufficient preparation must take Math 75, 76.  In the unlikely event of an extremely low score

on the calculus readiness exam, a student must take Math 0 followed by Math 21 (see description below).

 

Math 0, Preparation for Calculus (2 credits) fall

This course is for students who need more preparation before moving on to calculus, as evidenced by low scores on the readiness exam. The 2 credits do not count toward the total number of credits required for graduation, but the grade does count in the student’s GPA. Students taking Math 0 must pass with a grade of C– before taking Math 21.

For more information: contact Professor Lee Stanley, preferably via email at  ljs4@lehigh.edu, or Mary Ann Dent, Academic Coordinator at (610) 758-3731 or via email at  mad8@lehigh.edu.