Frequently Asked Questions

Placement
1. What is the ACCUPLACER Placement Exam?

The ACCUPLACER Placement Exam is a nationally normed adaptive test. Answering a particular question correctly results in a higher level question, answering incorrectly results in a lower level question. The test can very quickly determine you mathematics placement.

2. I’m a transfer student who has taken and passed a course equivalent to precalculus. I took the ACCUPLACER Placement Exam and my placement recommendation is precalculus. What should I do?

If you passed a course that has been evaluated as equivalent to Baruch’s precalculus course, you will receive credit for it and the next course (for BBA majors) is calculus. However, it has been our experience that if you did not do well in precalculus, then you will probably find calculus much too difficult and you are not likely to succeed in that course. We recommend you retake precalculus at Baruch (for which you cannot receive credit) before calculus. In any event, you should discuss this with an advisor at your Orientation session.

3. I’m a transfer student who has taken a course equivalent to precalculus. I took the ACCUPLACER Placement Exam and my placement recommendation is MTH 1030 or MTH 1023 or MTH ADVSR . What should I do?

Obtaining a placement for one of the above courses indicates that your mathematics skills are very weak and you need to refresh them before advancing. We strongly recommend you to take the recommended course.

4. I’m an entering freshman and I was placed into MTH 2003, while one of my friends was placed into MTH 2207 and another was placed into MTH 2610. Why were we placed into different courses, and what is the difference between them?

If a student demonstrated on the ACCUPLACER Placement Exam a reasonable knowledge of intermediate algebra but limited or no knowledge of precalculus, then he/she is placed into MTH 2003 which is Precalculus and Elements of Calculus. If a student’s score on the test indicated a stronger mastery of precalculus, the student is placed into Applied Calculus, MTH 2207. If a student did very, very well on the ACCUPLACER Placement Exam, and did well on the Regents III examination,  then the student is placed into MTH 2610, which is a four credit calculus course. If a student who was placed into MTH 2207 or MTH 2610 believes that he/she is not ready for that course, then this placement may be changed after consultation with a math advisor.

5. I’m an entering freshman, do I have to take the math course that was recommended? Is there any way of changing my placement?

It is usually a good idea to take the course that was recommended. However, if you believe you were misplaced, you may discuss your placement recommendation with a math advisor at Registration Orientation. Bring all supporting documents with you. The math advisor will ask you what mathematics REGENTS examinations you passed in high school and what grades you received on those examinations, not your course grades! Bring your high school transcript with you to Orientation.

6. Can I postpone taking my math course until my junior or senior year?

If you are a BBA major, you should take your mathematics courses as early as possible in order to obtain Junior Status which is needed before you may take many business courses. In general, we recommend that all students take their mathematics courses as early as possible. This is important because all math courses require that you be proficient in at least intermediate algebra. If you delay, there is a good chance you will forget these skills and decrease your chances of doing well in mathematics.

7. I took Advanced Placement calculus in high school, what math course may I take next?

It depends. If you took the AB exam and scored 4 or 5, you will get credit for MTH 2610 (providing you send official notification to Admissions) and may register for MTH 3010.  For scores below 4, register per your placement.

If you took the BC exam and scored 4 or 5, we will give you credit for MTH 2610 and 3010 (providing you send official notification to Admissions) and you may next register for MTH 3020 or MTH 3050. If you scored 4 or 5 on the AB portion of BC exam, and below 4 on the BC portion you will receive credit for MTH 2610 and your may register for MTH 3010. If you score below 4 on each part of the exam, register per your placement.

Courses
1. Can I postpone taking my math course until my junior or senior year?

If you are a BBA major, you should take your mathematics courses as early as possible in order to obtain Junior Status which is needed before you may take many business courses. In general, we recommend that all students take their mathematics courses as early as possible. This is important because all math courses require that you be proficient in at least intermediate algebra. If you delay, there is a good chance you will forget these skills and decrease your chances of doing well in mathematics.

2. What are the mathematics courses required at Baruch College.

It depends upon your major. For more information.

3. Do Liberal Arts students need more than one math course? May I take statistics instead?

Liberal Arts students may fulfill their mathematics requirement by completing any 2000 level mathematics course. They may take either MTH 2003, MTH 2140 or MTH 2160. Psychology majors must also complete STA 2100 or 2000. (Students needing MTH 1030 as a prerequisite may take MTH 1030 offered during the regular semester or in the summer during the regular summer sessions or in the Summer Immersion Program. Statistics is not an alternative.)

4. Where can I find a more detailed description of the 2000-level math courses?

Listings of all math courses being offered on a regular basis. All the 2000-level math courses required for all Baruch majors.

5. What’s the difference between MTH 2205, and MTH 2207? Aren’t they both applied calculus classes.?

The courses are both applied calculus courses, but they are a little different. MTH 2205 is open only to students who completed MTH 2003, it assumes some knowledge of calculus covered in MTH 2003. MTH 2207 is open only to students who completed MTH 2000 or MTH 2001 or the equivalent. Students taking this course are usually new freshmen who are placed into the course, or transfer students who have completed a course equivalent to MTH 2000 or 2001.

7. I took MTH 2003 and would like to take MTH 2610, may I?

Students who did well in MTH 2003, earning at LEAST a B grade in the course, may take MTH 2610 in place of MTH 2205.

8. What is MTH 2610?

MTH 2610 is a traditional 4 credit-4 hour calculus course. It is open only to students who are placed into the course or did very well in either MTH 2003.

9. I did well in MTH 2205 (or MTH 2207) and would like to continuing taking math courses, what course do I take next?

Students earning at LEAST a C+ grade in MTH 2205 or MTH 2207 may register for MTH 3006. This course continues the study of calculus.

10. I did very well in MTH 2205, may I take MTH 3010 in place of MTH 3006?

NO! Students coming from MTH 2205 must take MTH 3006 not MTH 3010. They are not prepared for MTH 3010 as there are some major gaps in their calculus knowledge that are filled in with MTH 3006.

11. I passed MTH 2610, can I take MTH 3006 instead of MTH 3010?

No! Students completing MTH 2610 may not take nor will they receive credit for MTH 3006 as it has overlapping topics with MTH 2610. The next course to take after MTH 2610 is MTH 3010.

12. What is MTH 3300?

This course is a programming course taught by the mathematics department. We usually require MTH 2205 or higher as a prerequisite; this requirement is often waived for students with some computer experience. For more information about the course, please see or e-mail Professors Fink, Pickens.

Mathematics Minor
1. What courses do I have to take to minor in mathematics?

Detail on the requirements for the minor may be found here.

2. Is it possible to substitute courses in the math minor?

Sometimes, if the substitute is a reasonable replacement. You will need departmental permission for such a replacement course. Please see Professors Gregory, Ridenour or Patterson to discuss this option.

Degree Requirements
1. What are the mathematics courses required at Baruch College.

It depends upon your major. Visit this for the details.

2. I’m a former transfer student and received transfer credit for MTH 2206 (or MTH 2207), but the previous BBA requirement at Baruch was two mathematics courses. May I take MTH 2003 to complete the requirement?

No! You may not receive credit for MTH 2003 after completing the equivalent of MTH 2206 (or 2207). You may also fulfill the Math requirement by taking MTH 3006, which is open only to those students who received at LEAST a B grade in MTH 2206 (2207) or the equivalent. You may also be eligible to use the new BBA requirement, check with Curricular Guidance.

Tutoring
1. Where can I get math tutoring?

The college has a center which provides free tutoring in mathematics, and many other disciplines. The Center is called SAAC and is located on the 2nd floor at the Vertical Campus. We recommend that students sign up EARLY in the semester so they don’t fall behind in their course work.

Evaluation
1. I took mathematics courses from an accredited American university and Admissions is not able to evaluate the course, where do I go to get the course evaluated?

You need to see either Professor Friedland, Gregory or Ridenour. You must bring along an official description of the courses you took as well as an official transcript indicating that you completed these courses.

2. I took mathematics courses at a foreign university, where do I go to get my math courses evaluated?

You need to see either Professor Friedland, Gregory or Ridenour. You must bring along an official description of the courses you took (not one translated by you) as well as an official transcript indicating that you completed these courses.

Actuarial, Mathematics and Financial Mathematics Majors
1. I’m interested in majoring in mathematics or actuarial science, to whom should I speak?

Professors Gregory or  Ridenour are the advisors to math and actuarial science majors. You should speak with one of them as soon as possible so that you may fill out a specialization card and plan your program.

2. I’m interested in majoring in financial mathematics, to whom should I speak?

Professor Douglas Howard is the advisor for this program.  You should speak with him as soon as possible.

3. What courses does an actuarial science or math or financial mathematics major have to take?

The requirements for majoring in financial mathematics, mathematics or actuarial science.

Other
1. I’m a Baruch student. Can I get a Permit to take a 2000-level or higher equivalent math course at a Community College?

No! We do not give permission for Baruch students to take a course equivalent to one of ours at a Community College. We will accept transfer credit when a student first comes to the college if the courses are similar to simplify the transfer, but the courses may not be exactly the same.

2. I’m considering taking an honors program in mathematics, who is the person to speak with about this program?

The department honors committee supervisor is Mr. Alfred Friedland.

3. My question is not listed in any of the above categories, who can provide an answer to my question?

Please contact any mathematics advisor,  we will answer your question as quickly as we can.