Math FAQ

Contact the College Advisement Center.

Contact the College Advisement Center.

You may petition to have one course in which you received a C- count toward your major. Submit that petition to the department undergraduate chair. Any other required courses in which you received a grade lower than a C will need to be retaken. While the averaged grade will be used to compute your GPA, only your highest grade in each course needs to be a C or better to fulfill Math Department requirements.

Yes. The courses have to involve advanced mathematics and a lot of mathematics, and you have to get them formally approved as substitutes by the department undergraduate chair. Courses often used as substitutes include Econ 478, Econ 580, Econ 582, Econ 588, Philosophy 405, and Physics 318.

No. Just make sure that BYU receives your GRE subject test score.

A few good things to do would be:

• Gain a solid understanding of the core areas of algebra, analysis, and topology.
• Participate in enrichment activities like mentored research or the Putnam Exam.
• Participate in mathematics instruction as a tutor or teaching assistant.
• Do undergraduate research with a professor.

It is not recommended. On the rare occasions when students have been admitted into the program without the bachelor’s degree, they have been required to take the prerequisites for all of the classes required for a master’s degree before starting their master’s program.

Click here for more information regarding the Master’s Program application.

This would depend on the highest-level math class you took last, how long it has been since you took it, what level of math your major requires, and where you feel most comfortable in math. Please call the office at 801-422-2061 so that we can help you determine this in detail. Our general suggestion would be to see what classes you need for your major, then look at your progress report and determine if any of them have been fulfilled by classes or tests that you took in High School. Then investigate which Math class would be next in your major requirements.

There is a Math Refresher Course offered through Engineering Technology (ENG T 295R). More information is on their website https://mathrefresher.et.byu.edu/

If you are a math major, refer to the university’s undergraduate catalogue for the requirements of the math major and the ACME emphasis. You may also find the math major MAP and ACME emphasis MAPhelpful when planning your courses. You can also make an appointment with the undergraduate coordinator, who will advise you about possible classes.

If you are majoring in something else, refer to your own major to see which courses are recommended and required.

The Mathematics Department offers the Applied and Computational Mathematics Emphasis (ACME), which is designed to expose students to mathematics and techniques for solving real-world problems in a broad range of fields and industries. See the department’s ACME information page as well as the ACME website for more information.

Students not enrolled in the ACME program can also tailor their electives to prepare for jobs in industry, by taking electives such as numerical analysis (Math 410, Math 411, Math 510, and Math 511) or courses such as Mathematical Biology (Math 425), Mathematical Finance (Math 435), or Mathematical Cryptography (Math 485), depending on their interests. Students are also advised to take computer science classes beyond CS 142 to complement these electives.

The science core of Math 112, 113, 313, 314, and 334 is offered every semester and term. Recently, Math 290 and Math 371 have been regularly offered in the spring and Math 352 and 341 have been regularly offered in the summer. Elective offerings in spring and summer are typically very few in number.

Quantative Reasoning G.E.:

Many students fulfill this requirement with an ACT math score of 22 or higher, or an SAT math score of 540 or higher. For students who do not achieve these scores, any one of Math 102, Math 110, Math 112, or Math 118 (or any higher-level math course) will fulfill the Quantitative Reasoning requirement.

Advanced Language G.E.:

Any one of Math 112, Math 113, or Math 118 will fulfill the Languages of Learning requirement, but you may need to take the prerequisites for these beforehand.

Credit for Both Requirements:

If you take Math 112, 113, or 118, this could also fulfill the Quantitative Reasoning requirement as well as the Languages of Learning requirement with one class.

Math 97 is Intermediate Algebra and is available through BYU Independent Study. This was the prerequisite for Math 110 and should prepare the student for this class.

Beginning Fall 2011, Math 119 will only be offered through Independent Study. Go to BYU Independent Study to enroll.

Yes, Math 213 and Math 314 are the most common examples of this. Math 213 is a prerequisite for Math 314, but it can also be taken concurrently (at the same time). If you have questions about particular classes, please talk to the teacher of the given course on a case-by-case basis or set an appointment to meet with the undergraduate advisor.

Students majoring in Finance are required to take either Math 116 or Math 112. Math 116 does not count towards the math major.
Most students majoring in business will most likely want to take Math 118, and depending on the business emphasis may want to take Math 116, as well. Math 110, College Algebra, will be a pre-requisite for both of these classes.
We recommend that students meet with their Academic Adviser to ensure they register for the proper courses required for their major.

• For Declared Majors, check with your department or college advisement.
  
• For Undeclared majors, go to the University Advisement Center.

A mathematics major should take Math 290 as soon as possible, ideally during the freshman year. For both mathematics majors and minors, it is recommended (but not required) that Math 290 be taken before or concurrently with Math 213.

No, if you received credit for a course there is no requirement to retake it.


If you are concerned that you have forgotten the material or did not understand the material when you took the course, there are many resources to help you review the material.

Probably not. Know that you are not alone! Many students at BYU are recently returned missionaries, feeling exactly how you feel and many professors briefly review material as needed. Each professor will have three office hours a week where they can help you review material you might need help with. Experience has shown that, for many students, a little review goes a long way toward remembering skills.


Here are some resources that you can use to help you review the material.



a) The online system ALEKS can also be a useful tool to review materials for a minimal cost.



b) During the first two weeks of fall semester, the Math Lab usually holds review sessions for students to help them assess their skills. Contact mathlabassistant@math.byu.edu for more information.



c) Independent study also offers a 0-credit course ENGT 295R to help students refresh their algebra, trigonometry, and calculus skills.



d) You can find previous final exams for Math 110/111/112/113/118 here to help you assess how well you understand the material covered in each course.

Instructions for sending AP Scores to BYU can be found HERE.


A score of 3 on either the Calculus AB or Calculus BC tests gives you credit for Math 110 and Math 111. Most students in this situation are ready for the Calculus 1 class Math 112.



A score of 4-5 on the Calculus AB test or a score of 4 on the Calculus BC test gives you credit for Math 110 and Math 112. Most students in this situation are ready for the Calculus 2 class Math 113.



A score of 5 on the Calculus BC test gives you credit for Math 112 and Math 113. In this case, you are ready for Math 213+215 (Linear Algebra) or Math 314 (Calculus 3).



We encourage all math majors to take Math 290 and Math 191 their first semester at BYU.

Instructions for sending AP Scores to BYU can be found HERE.

Make your best guess at what score you got on the exam, and register accordingly. If the score comes back different than you thought, you can always make the needed change. You can always register for multiple options and then drop the class you don't need BEFORE the add/drop deadline.


A score of 3 on either the Calculus AB or Calculus BC tests gives you credit for Math 110 and Math 111. Most students in this situation are ready for the Calculus 1 class Math 112.



A score of 4-5 on the Calculus AB test or a score of 4 on the Calculus BC test gives you credit for Math 110 and Math 112. Most students in this situation are ready for the Calculus 2 class Math 113.



A score of 5 on the Calculus BC test gives you credit for Math 112 and Math 113. In this case, you are ready for Math 213+215 (Linear Algebra) or Math 314 (Calculus 3). You might consider taking Math 290, which will help you get a math minor.

Math 109 or Math 110.

Mathematics BS (Without AP Credit)
First Year		Second Year		Third Year		Fourth Year
Fall	Winter	Fall	Winter	Fall	Winter	Fall	Winter
Math 112**	Math 113	Math 314	Math 334	Math 342	Math 413	Math 352	Elective
Math 191	Math 213+215	Math 371 or 341	Math 341 or 371	Elective	Elective		†
Math 290	CS 110 (if needed)	CS 111	Stat 201	†	†	†	†

* There are many equally viable course sequences. Please meet with an advisor to discuss the many possible modifications.



** If you have credit for Math 112, shift the first row one column to the left.



† Students continuing to graduate school should consider taking additional courses, including Math 372, 541, 553, and 571

Mathematics BS (With AP Credit)
First Year		Second Year		Third Year		Fourth Year
Fall	Winter	Fall	Winter	Fall	Winter	Fall	Winter
Math 191	Math 314	Math 334	Math 342	Math 413	Math 352	Elective	†
Math 213+215	Math 341	Math 371	Elective	Elective	Elective	†	†
Math 290	CS 110‡	CS 111‡	Stat 201	†	†	†	†

Courses bolded are part of EMC2‡



* There are many equally viable course sequences. Please meet with an advisor to discuss the many possible modifications.



† Students continuing to graduate school should consider taking additional courses, including Math 372, 541, 553, and 571 and might consider the integrated 5-year MS program.







‡If you are enrolled in EMC2, then you will take Math 495R during the fall and winter of your first year and will no longer require CS 110/111

Schedule an appointment online with an advisor. Don’t be afraid to set up an appointment, the professors are very happy to meet with you! You can find more information about BYU Math Advising, such as who the advisors are, HERE.



For ACME specific advisement, set up a time to meet with a faculty advisor about the ACME program by emailing the ACME assistant at acmeasst@mathematics.byu.edu

The Advisement Center for the College of Physical and Mathematical Sciences is located in N-181 of the Eyring Science Center, just inside the north doors of the building.

Of course! Please schedule an appointment with one of our advisors HERE.

Either come to 275 TMCB to make an appointment or email the secretaries at office@math.byu.edu and they will set up an appointment for you.

Specific calculators are not required for any math department courses, however, if students want a calculator, a scientific or graphing one is fine. If a student had a calculator in high school, the one used will be sufficient. It should be noted that the use of calculators is not allowed on many exams, particularly in calculus.

This is up to your professor. Please contact your professor or your TA/grader to learn how they prefer to accept your homework.

Check out the Student Employment Page for currently open positions within the Math Department.

During the first week or so of classes, you should attend the class and keep trying to add it. If by the end of the first week you are still unable to register, contact the Program Manager (Carlisa Craft, 276 TMCB, carlisa@byu.edu) and she can try to help you.

Click here to learn about research opportunities.

Contact information for the Mathematics Department faculty can be found HERE. Contact information for graduate students is available HERE. You may also come to 275 TMCB and look at the contact information posted outside on the bulletin board in the west hallway.

A pretest is a test used to indicate how well prepared the student is to take the class and is given the first week of class.

Math 110 offers a pretest during the first week of class.

The usual number is three times (per semester), but this may vary by semester and teacher. If you think you have a special circumstance please call our office at 801-422-2061.

All pretests are administered either in the Testing Center at BYU or in WebAssign. Your teacher will give you instructions during class regarding the pretest.

You may still register for the class, but it is not recommended. You may still be able to do well in the class if you fail the pretest, but it will require additional effort on your part. The pretests are designed to help you so that you do not waste time in a class for which you are unprepared.

No, only currently enrolled students may take BYU classes offered on campus. BYU Independent Study offers a few classes that may fill some requirements. Challenge exams are only given to enrolled BYU students who are able to take the exams in the Testing Center.

Advanced Placement (AP) credit is available as follows:

• A score of 3 on the calculus AB exam gives credit for Math 110 and 111; a score of 4 or 5 on the calculus AB exam gives credit for Math 110 and Math 112.
• A score of 3 on the calculus BC exam gives credit for Math 110 and 111; a score of 4 on the calculus BC exam gives credit for Math 110 and Math 112; and a score of 5 on the calculus BC exam gives credit for Math 112 and 113.
• It is recommended that an AP student without credit for Math 112 begin with Math 112; and for an AP student with Math 112 credit but without credit for Math 113 it is recommended that they begin with Math 113. If a student believes they have already mastered the material, they may opt to take a challenge exam.
• AP students should direct Education Testing Service (ETS) to report scores to BYU to have credit posted.

The only way to waive the Math 102 (Basic Math Requirement) is to get an ACT score of 22 or higher, there is no Challenge Exam for Math 102.

You may challenge a math course if you can answer yes to the following questions:

1. I have not had the class (at BYU) that I want to challenge (i.e. you cannot challenge a course in order to change your grade).
2. I have not had a higher-level class (at BYU) than the one I want to challenge (i.e. if you want to challenge Math 110, you cannot have taken Math 112 here at BYU).

If you answered, “yes” to the questions, you can request an exam through challengeexam.byu.edu

PART 1 – BEFORE THE EXAM

1. Go to challengeexam.byu.edu
2. Click on “Request Challenge Exam”
3. Select Teaching Area from drop-down list
4. Select Course(s) from drop-down list
5. Check box agreeing to the examination fee (student will only have to pay the $20 fee if exam is approved)
6. Submit Request
7. Check YMessage (message will be sent when the exam is approved/denied)
   *OR check challengeexam.byu.edu under “Exam Status” tab
8. If/When approved, pay the $20 fee (charged to student account-My Financial Center)
9. Contact specific department and/or testing center for instructions on how, when, and where to take exam.

PART 2 – AFTER THE EXAM

10. Check YMessage (notification will be sent when exam has been graded)
11. Click on link in YMessage (brings student to challengeexam.byu.edu to see the grade of his/her exam)
12. Under Transcript Action column select “Post to Transcript” or “Discard Grade”
13. Grade will appear on transcript within 24 hours (ONLY if a student already has BYU credit on transcript)

If you wish to challenge a course other than Math 97, 110, 112, or 113, you can go to the math department . They will find a faculty member to write and grade the exam. This will require at least two weeks. If you chose this route, take the challenge exam form to the Cashier’s Office in D-155 ASB, pay the fee and return the form to the department office. We will let you know when the exam is ready to be taken. It will probably be given in the Math Lab.

Do the credits for the course that is being challenged count toward the credits for the semester?

The number of credit hours for the course that is being challenged are added to your transcript with the grade, but DO NOT count toward your semester credits. For example, if you challenge the four-credit-hour Math 112 class at the beginning, during, or end of the fall semester, those four credits will NOT count toward the total number of credits taken for the fall semester, the grade only is recorded on your transcript.

Transfer Equivalency (Information for transferring math classes from specific feeder schools.)

To answer specific questions for other math course credit transfers please contact 801-422-8522 or transfer@byu.edu 
or fill out the web form provided by BYU Enrollment Services.

See also ADVANCED PLACEMENT (AP) TESTS.