Mathematics & Math Education
To learn more about this degree, including career options, admissions requirements, and involvement opportunities, visit the Degree Information website below. This First Year Semester Guide has suggested courses as recommended by this degree's academic advisor. You may have already completed courses or test scores that have met the requirements for some of these suggested courses. So, be sure to compare which courses are recommended against the requirements you have already met. To see how your previously taken coursework or test scores count at USU, visit usu.edu/orientation/testscores.
Recommended First Semester Courses and Math Path
The classes that you will take this semester are dependent upon your starting math level, and these classes have been recommended by your academic advisor. Start at the highest math class you can. You must meet all prerequisites, which can be found by clicking on a math class below to see the catalog description. Refer to the section “How to Customize Your Own Class Schedule” above for information about the ALEKS math placement exam, which you can use to test into a higher math, and to refresh your math skills.
Some students with math ACT/SAT scores, AP scores, or college-level math grades earned after August 1, 2023 are able to automatically place into a math class because they meet the pre-requisite for the course. Start with the highest math that you can take. You can view the prerequsites by clicking on the linked course.
Make sure you register for a math class each semester until you are finished with math/stats since math prerequisites below MATH 1210 only last for 1 year. Math 1050 and 1060 should be taken together.
If more credits are needed to fill your schedule, refer to the four-year plan in the University Catalog or follow the link to take additional breadth courses, and then consult with your advisor about your class selections after the date listed in the advising section below.
4 credits
If starting with MATH 0995, take:
- MATH 995 - College Mathematics Preparation (4 credits)
- ENGL 1010 (CL1) - Writing as Inquiry (3 credits) or ENGL 2010* (CL2) - Research and Argument Across Perspectives (3 credits) or ENGL 2020* (CL2) - Professional Communication (3 credits), if you have already satisfied (CL1)
- USU 1010 - University Connections (2 credits) not required but highly recommended)
- Breadth Humanities (BHU) (3 credits)
- Breadth Social Sciences (BSS) (3 credits)
- Breadth Creative Arts (BCA) (3 credits)
- Breadth American Institutions (BAI) (3 credits)
(QL) 6 Credits
If starting with MATH 1050 & MATH 1060 (which have to be taken together), take:
- MATH 1050* (QL)- College Algebra (4 credits) and MATH 1060* - Trigonometry (2 credits)
- ENGL 1010 (CL1) - Writing as Inquiry (3 credits) or ENGL 2010* (CL2) - Research and Argument Across Perspectives (3 credits) or ENGL 2020* (CL2) - Professional Communication (3 credits), if you have already satisfied (CL1)
- USU 1010 - University Connections (2 credits) not required but highly recommended)
- Breadth Humanities (BHU) (3 credits)
- Breadth Social Sciences (BSS) (3 credits)
- Breadth Creative Arts (BCA) (3 credits)
- Breadth American Institutions (BAI) (3 credits)
(QL) 4 credits
If starting with MATH 1210, take:
- MATH 1210* (QL) - Calculus I (4 credits)
- ENGL 1010 (CL1) - Writing as Inquiry (3 credits) or ENGL 2010* (CL2) - Research and Argument Across Perspectives (3 credits) or ENGL 2020* (CL2) - Professional Communication (3 credits), if you have already satisfied (CL1)
- USU 1010 - University Connections (2 credits) not required but highly recommended)
- Choose one of the following College of Science sequence (Part 1) course:
- PHYS 2210* (BPS) – Physics for Science & Engineering (4 credits)
- CHEM 1210* - Principles of Chemistry I (4 credits)
- CS 1400* - Introduction to Computer Science--CS 1 (4 credits)
- GEO 1110 (BPS) - Physical Geology (3 credits) and GEO 1115 - Laboratory (1 Credit)
- BIOL 1610 & BIOL 1615 (Lab) - Biology I (3 credits) Take during the Fall Semester.
- Breadth Humanities (BHU) (3 credits)
- Breadth Social Sciences (BSS) (3 credits)
- Breadth Creative Arts (BCA) (3 credits)
- Breadth American Institutions (BAI) (3 credits)
(QL) 4 credits
If starting with MATH 1220, take:
- MATH 1220* (QL) - Calculus II (4 credits)
- ENGL 1010 (CL1) - Writing as Inquiry (3 credits) or ENGL 2010* (CL2) - Research and Argument Across Perspectives (3 credits) or ENGL 2020* (CL2) - Professional Communication (3 credits), if you have already satisfied (CL1)
- USU 1010 - University Connections (2 credits) not required but highly recommended)
- Choose one of the following College of Science sequence (Part 1) course:
- PHYS 2210* (BPS) – Physics for Science & Engineering (4 credits)
- CHEM 1210* - Principles of Chemistry I (4 credits)
- CS 1400* - Introduction to Computer Science--CS 1 (4 credits)
- GEO 1110 (BPS) - Physical Geology (3 credits) and GEO 1115 - Laboratory (1 Credit)
- BIOL 1610 & BIOL 1615 (Lab) - Biology I (3 credits) Take during the Fall Semester.
- Breadth Humanities (BHU) (3 credits)
- Breadth Social Sciences (BSS) (3 credits)
- Breadth Creative Arts (BCA) (3 credits)
- Breadth American Institutions (BAI) (3 credits)
(QI) 3 credits
If starting with MATH 2210, take:
- MATH 2210* (QI) - Multivariable Calculus (3 credits)
- ENGL 1010 (CL1) - Writing as Inquiry (3 credits) or ENGL 2010* (CL2) - Research and Argument Across Perspectives (3 credits) or ENGL 2020* (CL2) - Professional Communication (3 credits), if you have already satisfied (CL1)
- USU 1010 - University Connections (2 credits) not required but highly recommended)
- Choose one of the following College of Science sequence (Part 1) course:
- PHYS 2210* (BPS) – Physics for Science & Engineering (4 credits)
- CHEM 1210* - Principles of Chemistry I (4 credits)
- CS 1400* - Introduction to Computer Science--CS 1 (4 credits)
- GEO 1110 (BPS) - Physical Geology (3 credits) and GEO 1115 - Laboratory (1 Credit)
- BIOL 1610 & BIOL 1615 (Lab) - Biology I (3 credits) Take during the Fall Semester.
- Breadth Humanities (BHU) (3 credits)
- Breadth Social Sciences (BSS) (3 credits)
- Breadth Creative Arts (BCA) (3 credits)
- Breadth American Institutions (BAI) (3 credits)
USU 1010: University Connections (2 credits) though not required is encouraged, as it will provide an environment of challenge and support to help new students make a successful transition to USU.
Prerequisites and Course Descriptions
The classes marked with an asterisk(*) have prerequisites. For course descriptions and prerequisite information, click on the the course in this guide or see the University Catalog and click on "Course Numbers and Descriptions."
If you have met a class prerequisite via AP or IBO scores or college credits, but have not yet transferred them to USU, you can request a temporary prerequisite override. Only do this if you have already met the prerequisite and are certain you can get your test scores/credits to USU and into Banner well before December 1, 2024
This is the day that your temporary override will expire and your class will be dropped unless you meet the prerequisite in Banner. After you submit a temporary override request, allow for up to 3-4 business days for the request to be processed. Once processed, the Registrar’s office will reach out to you via email.
Math prerequisites typically only last 1 year, math prerequisites the 2021 semester are valid if they were earned after December 1, 2024
English 1010 (CL1) and English 2010 (CL2) or English 2020 (CL2)
The Communications Literacy 1 requirement (CL1) is typically fulfilled by ENGL 1010. You have already satisfied the CL1 requirement if you have any of the following:
- ACT English Test: Score of 29 or higher
- RSAT Reading Test (if taken after March 2016): Score of 34 or higher
- SAT Critical Reading Test (if taken before March 2016): Score of 640 or higher
- AP English Language Test: Score of 3 or higher (for CL1 only)
- CLEP College Composition Test: Score of 50 or higher (for CL1 only)
- IBO English A: Language & Literature Test: Higher-level Score of 5 or higher (for CL1 only)
If you have already met the CL1 requirement, you should take English 2010 (CL2) or English 2020 (CL2).
When You Can Register
Registration opened for all students on November 14, 2024 and is an ongoing process. Incoming students can begin registering for classes as soon as they complete the second orientation module. For specific dates on when registration will close, check the USU Catalog.
Waitlist Information
If the class you want to register is full, and it uses the waitlisting feature, you will see an option to join the waitlist. If the course has an opening, an email is sent to the student first in the waitlist line. That student is given 24 hours to add the class online. Once the first week of classes starts, the time a waitlist student has to add a class is shortened to 12 hours. You can view your position in the waitlist through your student schedule in Banner.
Advising for First-Year Students in this Major
For general registration questions, please contact our office at orientation@usu.edu or (435)797-0283, or respond to the text message you recieved from (435)200-3628 regarding registration. Our normal business hours are Monday-Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. We will also have extended hours on November 13 and November 14 from 8:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. where the Orientation Office will be answer questions via text message and email.
The Mathematics peer advisors have one-on-one in-person and phone appointments available . Questions can be answered anytime through emailing math.advising@usu.edu.
Academic Advisor
Office Location: Animal Science 117
Phone: 435-797-8311
Email: Linda.skabelund@usu.edu