Academics

Math

Math, especially calculus, is the foundation for the bachelor of science degrees offered through the College of Atmospheric and Geographic Sciences at OU.

Calculus is the next step in the mathematical progression after algebra, geometry, and trigonometry. Calculus is considered “the mathematics of change,” applying the rules of math to systems that are constantly evolving. Calculus studies concepts like the rate of change of one variable quantity with respect to another, the slope of a curve at a prescribed point, and problems involving the notion of extreme amounts, such as the fastest, the slowest, the most or the least.

Students should be prepared to master the skills and knowledge expected in all math courses required for the College’s bachelor of science degrees, and more importantly, be able to apply these principles to their specific area of study, as either a geography major (pursuing the study of geographic information systems, remote sensing, and global positioning systems), or as a meteorology major (pursuing the study and prediction of severe weather and understanding the earth’s climate system).

Math is not a subject that you will be able to “get through” and leave behind you. Each required math course builds off the previous one; combined they form a solid foundation designed to help you succeed in your major area of study. If the idea of taking 12-21 hours of math interests and excites you, then you will probably do very well in the bachelor of science degree programs offered through the College of Atmospheric and Geographic Sciences.

Math Placement

Every student entering OU for the first time must be assessed to determine appropriate math course placement. After a review of your high school grade point average and your ACT/SAT scores you may be referred for additional assessment, such as the Math Placement Test. Incoming transfer students who have not earned credit for MATH 1823 (Calculus I) must take the Math Placement Test.

Prior to the fall 2009 semester, students who had taken the ACT or SAT at some point in high school and whose graduation date was less than a year prior to taking math at OU could be placed in OU math courses by their math sub-scores on the ACT or SAT exams.

Beginning with the fall 2009 semester, ACT or SAT math placement scores must have been taken by September, 2007, to be used for math placement. In the fall of 2010, by a decision of the Math Department and the Director of the Assessment and Learning Center, math sub-scores on the ACT or SAT exams must be taken within the year prior to the first day of math class at OU in order to be valid for placement in math at OU.

All students who will have taken ACT/SAT tests before fall of 2009 will no longer have valid math sub-scores and will have to take the math assessment at OU. We strongly encourage you to take the ACT and SAT exams in your senior year of high school so your scores may be utilized for placement in math classes at OU.

The Math Placement Test is a computer-based exam called COMPASS. The test is administered at the Assessment and Learning Center, which is located in the Lissa and Cy Wagner Student Learning Center, Room 270, 1005 Asp Avenue. You may take the test between 8:00 a.m. and 3:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, during the regular school year (summer testing hours are from 1:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.). You must show a photo ID before taking the test. Scratch paper, pencils, and a 4-function calculator will be provided. There is no time limit, however most students complete the test in about an hour. Test results are available immediately.

A sample COMPASS test is available at: http://www.ou.edu/univcoll/alc_review.htm

The COMPASS test is designed to assess your skill levels in algebra, college algebra, and trigonometry. The test measures depth of knowledge rather than problem-solving skills; the computer bases each subsequent question on how well you answered the previous one. Once you submit an answer, you will not be allowed to change it. It is highly recommended that you study for the test prior to taking it, and that you do not attempt to take the test if you are tired, ill, upset, or hungry. You may take the COMPASS test twice during an enrollment period and the results are valid for one calendar year. If you have additional questions, please contact the Assessment and Learning Center at (405) 325-4336.

Math Requirements for A&GS Degrees

For a Bachelor of Science in Geography or a Bachelor of Science in Geographic Information Science, the following math courses are required:

MATH 1823 — Calculus I*
MATH 2423 — Calculus II
MATH 2433 — Calculus III
MATH 2443 — Calculus IV

The BS in Geography and the BS in Geographic Information Science also require GEOG 3924 (Analytic Methods in Geography), a major requirement that carries General Education math credit.

The College also offers a Bachelor of Arts in Geography and a Bachelor of Arts in Geographic Information Science, which require GEOG 3924 and one 3-hour math course to be chosen from the University’s General Education List.

For a Bachelor of Science in Meteorology, the following math courses are required:

MATH 1823 — Calculus I*
MATH 2423 — Calculus II
MATH 2433 — Calculus III
MATH 2443 — Calculus IV
MATH 3413 — Physical Math I
3-hour Upper Division Math elective
METR 4303 (Statistical Meteorology) or MATH 4753 (Applied Statistical Methods)

Students who take both MATH 4753 and a 4000-level math course as the required upper division math elective will complete a minor in math. A complete list of math requirements is available here:

http://casweb.ou.edu/home/students/academic_services/checksheets/minor_ math.pdf

The math minor must be declared in the College of Arts & Sciences. The minor will be posted to your official transcript upon completion of the BS in Meteorology.

*MATH 1914, 2924, and 2934 will also fulfill the College's Calculus requirements.

Math Tutoring Services at OU

Department of Mathematics Help Center
The Mathematics Help Center provides free tutoring to students in all pre-calculus and business calculus courses, as well as Calc I (MATH 1823) and Calc II (MATH 2423).
The Math Help Center is located in the Physical Sciences Center, Room 425A, next to the northwest stairwell on the fourth floor. The Center is open from 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. on Monday, Wednesday and Friday, and from 9:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday and Thursday.

Housing Learning Center (405) 325-2452.
UC Action Programs are free, course specific academic assistance sessions offered by the Assessment and Learning Center in Wagner Hall . UC Action is CRLA Certified (national tutoring certification). UC Action includes sessions for MATH 1503, 1523, 1823, 2423, 2433, and 2443. UC Action is available during the fall and spring semesters. UC Action sessions are offered mostly at Wagner Hall (1005 Asp Avenue, east of Price Business College) and the Housing Learning Center (Adams Center, Muldrow Tower, room 105). Schedules are posted at the beginning of each semester; for a complete list of services, including dates and times of sessions, go here:

http://www.ou.edu/univcoll/home/academic_ resources/Action_Tutoring.html

Advice for High School Students

The College of Atmospheric and Geographic Sciences strongly recommends that you take as much math in high school as possible, especially the following courses:

Algebra I
Algebra II
Plane Geometry
Trigonometry; pre-Calculus
Calculus (AP Calculus, if possible)

High school science coursework should include one year of Chemistry, one year of Physics, and (if possible) a computer science programming course.

To earn a bachelor of science from the College of Atmospheric and Geographic Sciences within four years, you must complete MATH 2443 (Calc IV) no later than the summer before you begin your junior (third) year in the program.