MATH PLACEMENT
with Ann M. Humes
Director of First –Year Mathematics
Agenda
• What are the first - year mathematics courses available.
• What are the course expectations in a first-year course.
• How do I know what my recommended first mathematics
course is.
• Placement Process: AP or ALEKS
Ann M. Humes
Director of First-Year Mathematics
Principal Lecturer
Math Placement Coordinator
GTA Teaching Supervisor
Course coordinator for MA
1030,1031,1032 and 1135
• Teach MA 5901, 1030 in the FALL
and 2160,1031 in the Spring
• Ultimate Frisbee-Disco Tech
Advisor
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• [email protected]
• Fisher 205B
First -Year Mathematics Courses
• College Algebra I
• College Algebra II with
Trigonometry
• Precalculus
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Calculus for the Life Sciences
Calculus with Technology I
Calculus Plus w/Technology I
Calculus with Technology II
Course expectations for first-year math courses
• You prepare for class by watching a
short video/reading a selection
from the e-book about the topic of
the day.
• You complete a short quiz on the
material before attending class.
• You attend recitation to discuss the
topic.
• Complete an online homework
assignment in WebAssign.
• Model Mathematics with
Mathematica (calculus sequence)
• Common Exams
College Algebra I and II = Precalculus
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Properties of Functions
Linear Functions
Quadratic Functions
Polynomial Functions
Rational Functions
College Algebra (1030)
ALEKS score <55.
Recommended minimum of 40
• Exponential and Logarithmic
Functions
• Trigonometric Functions
• Brief review of basic algebra
essential for study of calculus
Precalculus (1032)
ALEKS score 56 or higher
Calculus for the Life Sciences
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Function Review
Limits and Continuity
Rates of Change
Derivative Methods
Applications of the Derivative
ALEKS score 70 or greater
AP AB score of 2 or higher
• Antiderivatives and Indefinite
Integral
• Definite Integrals and Areas
• Applications of Definite
Integrals
• Methods of Integration
• Functions of Several Variables
Calculus with Technolgy I/Calculus Plus I
• Function and Models
• Limits and Derivatives
• Differentiation Rules
• Applications of Differentiation
• Integrals
• Applications of Integration
1160 AP AB score of 3 or higher (score
of 3 allows placement in MA2160, but
a grade of 'C' or better must be
earned to receive credit for MA1160)
ALEKS score 80 or higher
1161 AP AB score 2 or higher
ALEKS score 70 or higher
Calculus with Technology II
• Techniques of Integration
• Infinite Sequences and Series
• Further Applications of
Integration
• Vectors and the Geometry of
Space
• Differential Equations
AP AB 4 or 5
Need a C or better in class to take
Statics
PLACEMENT BY AP SCORE
Placement by AP score
Since you have indicated that you will be receiving AP credit
You DO NOT need to take the ALEKS Placement. Once
we receive your score in early July your will be scheduled
for
Calculus II(AP score of 3 or higher)
Calculus I(AP score of 2)
If you earn a AP score of 1 you will be contacted by email to
take the ALEKS Placement.
ALEKS PLACEMENT
ALEKS MATH PLACEMENT
www.mtu.edu/math/placement/aleks
About Math Placement
Your math class is a pre-requisite for many
other courses that are required for your
degree. For most majors at Michigan Tech,
it is ideal to start in calculus.
Starting in a math course that is
below your recommended first math
course means you may increase your
time to graduate to a minimum of 10
semesters (5 years). Taking ALEKS—
and taking it seriously—can save you time
and additional tuition.
• The online ALEKS Placement Assessment covers
material from basic math through precalculus.
• The assessment takes approximately 90 minutes to
complete.
• The assessment package includes an initial assessment,
unlimited use of the Prep and Learning Module, and up
to two additional assessments. Cost is $26.50.
• You need a score of 56–69 to place in precalculus or a
70 or higher to place in calculus. If you do not reach the
score for your recommended first math class, you must
use the Prep and Learning Module for three hours
before taking another assessment.
• A targeted Prep and Learning Module is available for
you to review and learn material after each assessment.
After working in the Prep and Learning Module for a
minimum of three hours, you can take a second (or
third) assessment.
• The highest placement score you’ve earned by June 30
will determine your math placement.
Who Must Take ALEKS
You must take the online ALEKS
assessment if you do not have:
• an AP Calculus score of 2 or higher
• an IB (HL) Mathematics score of 5 or
higher
• college transfer credit for College
Algebra or
higher
Review the Academic Integrity Policy
The University expects students to work independently on individual assignments and
examinations and to follow acceptable academic practices. Students who cheat, plagiarize, or
fabricate data, as well as students who help others to cheat, plagiarize, or fabricate, can
receive disciplinary sanctions of warning, probation, suspension, or expulsion from the
University, depending on the severity of the offense.
Michigan Tech believes that academic integrity and honesty are central components of a
student's education, and the ethical conduct maintained in an academic context will be
taken eventually into a student's professional career.
Let us know your plans
I plan to have
• an AP Calculus score of 2 or higher
• an IB Higher Level Mathematics score of 5 or higher
• a CLEP Pre-Calculus score of 50 or higher
• transfer credit for College Algebra or higher
• none of the above—I will complete the ALEKS
assessment(s) between May 1-June 30
Let us know your plans
• Placement into your first math course is based on your highest score from the ALEKS math placement
assessment, qualifying AP Calculus, IB (HL) Mathematics, CLEP Pre-Calculus exams, or earned college transfer
credit for College Algebra or higher.
• Students with a qualifying AP/IB/CLEP score or earned transfer credit for College Algebra or higher, are exempt
from taking ALEKS.
• We will tailor communications to you about the ALEKS requirement.
• Official scores and/or transcripts must be sent directly to Michigan Tech from the testing agency or
college/university.
Get Started—May 1
Log on to your MyMichiganTech account
www.mymichigantech.mtu.edu
ALEKS is open May 1 to June 30
You will be directed to the Michigan Tech Math
Placement in ALEKS
Michigan Tech Math Placement, Fall 2017
First Option: I Have Never Used
ALEKS Before or I Do Not Have
an ALEKS Login Name
You will enter a 20-character access
code. After completing the purchase,
$26.50, the student enters their
personal information and then,
checks the box “I have read and agree
to the terms of the ALEKS User
Agreement”.
Purchasing ALEKS
Click on the >> Purchase access
online link
Complete your payment information.
Click continue button
Review your order.
Click on the Place My Order
button.
Click on the Complete
Registration button to complete
your purchase.
DO NOT STOP HERE
Click on the Continue Sign Up button
to register your access code
The student will receive a
registration complete
confirmation message.
Then, the student is taken
through the First Time
Use Experience to ALEKS
Placement, Preparation and
Learning.
You will be asked a few
questions. Most
importantly what course
you are trying to place into.
The Tools Tutorial shows students
how to enter their answers into
ALEKS. Selecting GET STARTED
begins the Tools Tutorial.
Students can see their progress in the
Tools Tutorial by viewing the status
bar in the upper-right corner.
After completing the Tools Tutorial,
students receive a congratulatory
message. Selecting Continue brings
them back to their homepage and
they will be prompted to start their
Placement Assessment
PLACEMENT
ASSESSMENT
You will have 24 hours
to complete the 25- 30
question assessment.
Have pencil and paper
available. Do not get
help from others. Do
not use a calculator.
Next, students see a sample
problem in the Placement
Assessment with quick tips
to describe how to use the I
DON’T KNOW and the
calculator button (when
available) on the page.
Selecting Start Now begins
the Placement Assessment.
Post Placement
Assessment Results
MA 1030 College Algebra <55
(recommended 40 or higher)
MA 1032 Precalculus 56-69
MA 1135 70 or greater
MA 1161 70 or greater
MA 1160 80 or greater
Prep and Learning Module
You need to work in the Prep and
Learning Module for a minimum
of three hours before you can take
another assessment to earn a
score to place into your
recommended mathematics
course. You have two remaining
attempts to earn your place in the
appropriate course.
Students transition to their
personal homepage. Upon first
time use, students see quick tips
that point out important features
of the homepage, including the
ALEKS Learning Pie and how it
works. The number in the center
of pie represents the total number
of topics the student mastered in
the Prep and Learning Module
based on their Initial Placement
Assessment
The Prep and Learning Module is
where students practice Ready to
Learn topics, and review previously
learned and mastered topics to
improve their knowledge. Students
can start their individualized learning
path from the Primary Guidance
Menu by selecting START MY
PATH.
How to Find It: Go to the Primary
Guidance Menu | Select START MY
PATH
Alternate Navigation Route:
Select the Menu in the upper-left
corner | Select Learn
1) UP NEXT—Contains buttons such
as START MY PATH/CONTINUE
MY PATH primary call to action
buttons to direct students to the Prep
and Learning Module where they will
practice problems that they are
Ready to Learn.
2) Placement Assessment—This
section contains additional TWO
Placement Assessment attempts.
Placement Assessments are locked
until students meet the minimum
three hours of Prep and Learning
Communicating with you about your ALEKS
Placement score
Your ALEKS score has been received
Your ALEKS score has been received
ALEKS Placement summary
• You must take the online ALEKS assessment if you do not have:
• an AP Calculus score of 2 or higher
• an IB (HL) Mathematics score of 5 or higher
• college transfer credit for College Algebra or
higher
• You are required to use the Prep and Learning Module and reassess if you do
not earn a sufficient score on your first assessment for your recommended
first mathematics course.
• You are required to use the Prep and Learning Module and reassess if you
have not earned a minimum score of 40 for enrollment in College Algebra.
Questions?
Ann M. Humes
Director of First -Year
Mathematics
[email protected]
906-487-2938