Initial Placement

Your initial placement is based on your Math ACT score (even if you do not have one).  The chart below below will tell you what course you place into.

Note:  If your Math ACT score is from 22 to 26, you need to take the math class specified in your major.  For example, only elementary majors take Math 119 and most business majors take Math 131. Check with your advisor to see which course you need to take.

Both Math 20 and Math 30 are developmental courses and do not count toward a bachelors degree.

Course Sequence

The course sequence in Mathematics follows the following chart:

Appealing a Developmental Course Placement

Any student that has been placed into Math 20 or Math 30 may avoid taking those courses by completing programs within the MyMathTest software and passing a comprehensive exam. 

Here is a basic overview of how the software works:

Step 1:	First you will need to purchase an access code from the bookstore or online.  The cost is roughly $11 for six weeks access.  If it takes longer to complete all the programs, you will have to purchase additional licenses.
Step 2:	Go to http://www.mymathtest.com  and register.  You may also purchase and access code here and then register.
Step 3:	Next you enroll in one of two programs:  Basic Number Skills or Intermediate Algebra.  If your Math ACT score is less than 19 (or if you didn't take the ACT) you enroll in the Basic Number Skills program.  If you Math ACT score is 19, 20, or 21 you will enroll in the Intermediate Algebra program.  The specifics can be found in the detailed instructions below.
Step 4:	After you get in you will complete the first qualification test.  This will generate an individual study plan for you.  If you make 80% you can move on.  Otherwise you will need to study the material within the site until you have mastered it.  After you understand everything you go back and retake the qualification test until you make 80%.
Step 5:	To avoid taking Math 20 or 30, you will have to pass a proctored comprehensive exam on the material.  You email Dr. Johnson at johnson-k@mssu.edu to set up an appointment.  You can't make the appointment until you have completed the the qualification tests within the software.

Click below to download the detailed instructions of what you need to do.  You need Adobe Acrobat Reader to view the file.  You can download this for free from Adobe.com

Detailed MyMathTest Instructions

Recent Changes to the Placement System

The placement system has recently undergone a dramatic change.  The Placement Test for developmental courses (Math 20 and Math 30) no longer exists.  It has been replaced with the MyMathTest mini-courses which are described above.  Therefore there are no longer any placement dates.  All placement is done by appointment only and you must complete the qualification tests within the software before you can schedule an appointment. 

Course Descriptions 

Number	Course	Requirement	Description
Math 020	Beginning Algebra	Math ACT 0-18	Operations on signed numbers, linear equations and inequalities, systems of linear equations, and polynomial arithmetic.  This course does not count toward a bachelors degree.
Math 025	Accelerated Beginning Algebra	Math ACT 16-18	Linear equations and inequalities with applications, graphing linear equations, systems of linear equations and inequalities, and exponents. This course does not count toward a bachelors degree
Math 030	Intermediate Algebra	Math ACT 19-21	Factoring, operations on polynomials, radicals, and quadratic equations. This course does not count toward a bachelors degree
Math 119	Math for Elem. Teachers I	Math ACT 22 or higher	The real number system and its subsystems, relations and functions, and numeration systems. This course is required for elementary and middle school teachers
Math 125	Contemporary Mathematics	Math ACT 22 or higher	College mathematics with an introduction to various areas of mathematics, such as geometry, statistics, set theory, algebra, linear programming, and other topics. This course satisfies the general education requirement for mathematics.
Math 130	College Algebra	Math ACT 22 or higher	Functions an their graphs; polynomial, rational, exponential, and logarithmic functions; systems of equations. This course satisfies the general education requirement for mathematics.
Math 131	Finite Mathematics	Math ACT 22 or higher	Finite mathematics with algebra that is designed for business, social science and computer science students. Set theory, functions, matrices, linear programming, probability and statistics, with applications. This course satisfies the general education requirement for mathematics.
Math 135	Trigonometry	Math ACT 22 or higher	Trigonometric functions, inverses and their graphs; trigonometric identities and equations; solution of the general triangle; complex numbers. This course satisfies the general education requirement for mathematics.
Math 140	College Algebra and Trig	Math ACT 22 or higher	Functions and their graphs; polynomial, rational, exponential, and logarithmic functions; systems of equations; the binomial theorem; trigonometric functions; inverses and their graphs; trigonometric identities and equations; solution of the general triangle; complex numbers. This course satisfies the general education requirement for mathematics.
Math 150	Calculus I	Math ACT 27 or higher	Differentiation and integration of algebraic functions and plane geometry using vectors.

 

Contact Information 

If you have questions you can contact the placement coordinator using the email link below:

Dr. Kerry Johnson
Placement Coordinator
johnson-k@mssu.edu

This page is maintained by Dr. Kerry Johnson, last updated on 4/21/08