Every student is required to satisfy the General Education “Q” requirement for graduation from Witt, which essentially amounts to taking one quantitative course at some point during your four years here. Any course in mathematics, statistics, or computer science will satisfy that overall graduation requirement. But some major programs require specific quantitative courses – typically calculus or statistics – and any such course can count as a Gen Ed Q course as well. So don’t just take any math course just because your math placement score makes you eligible for it. If a math or statistic course is required for your likely major, aim for that course. Here’s the best strategy:
In other words, don’t simply let your initial math placement score determine which math course to take – let alone which major field to pick. That’s backwards. Think about your interests and goals and abilities, and use those to figure out what major fields you’d consider first, and go from there.
Keep in mind that you need not take a math, statistics, or computer science course right away. But you'd be wise to take a course to satisfy your Q requirement as soon as you can figure out which course is appropriate for you – partly because any such courses may be prerequisites for other required courses in your major fields, but also because you’d be better prepared for those courses before you forget any more of the math you learned in high school.
If you take calculus, keep in mind that there are two versions: one that’s compressed into a single semester (MATH 131) and one in greater depth that spans two semesters (MATH 201/202). If you know you’ll take only a single semester of calculus, you’d get a better overview in 131, though 201 alone would satisfy any one-semester calculus requirement as well.
If you take statistics, keep in mind that there are four intro statistics courses: MATH 127, MATH 227, MGT 210, and PSYC 107. Most major programs requiring a stat course will accept any of these four. For the major or minor in math or statistics, however, only MATH 227 is accepted.
One final note: Wittenberg boasts a chapter of the first and most elite academic honor society, Phi Beta Kappa. If you aspire to become a member, keep in mind that calculus is a requirement for membership at Witt.
Math/Statistic Courses Required for Witt’s Major Programs
Check with any professor in these departments for more details, and keep in mind that minor programs often have math or statistic requirements, too.
Art, Communication, East Asian Studies, English, History, Foreign Languages, Music, Philosophy, Religion, Theater and Dance
These major programs require no math or statistics courses. Feel free to take any math, statistics, or computer science course to satisfy the university’s Gen Ed Q requirement.
Education
Any student seeking licensure to teach elementary or middle school must take MATH 118, which is offered to education majors only. MATH 119 is required for some ed students as well.
Geography
Nothing is explicitly required for all students, though a statistics course is required for each of the three optional track specializations.
Political Science, Psychology, and Sociology
These three social science programs require a statistics course. Get ready to take this as soon as possible, because a statistic course is a prerequisite for other required courses. In Psychology, calculus is also recommended for the B.A. degree & is required for the B.S. degree.
Economics and Management
These major programs require both a semester of calculus and a semester of statistics. Students who know they will take only one calculus course should take the single-semester version of calculus, MATH 131; students considering graduate study should instead take the two-semester calculus sequence, MATH 201/202.
Biology and Geology
Nothing is explicitly required for the B.A. degree in either field. For the B.S. degree (and recommended preparation for graduate study), students must take two courses from among calculus and statistics (or, for Geology, the first computer science programming course, COMP 150 and higher-level courses).
Pre-Medical, Pre-Dental, and Pre-Veterinary
Witt doesn’t offer explicit major programs in these fields. But students interested in preparation for these and other health-related graduate programs should take at least two courses in math and statistics, including at least one semester of calculus.
Math, Computer Science, Biochemistry/Molecular Biology, Chemistry, & Physics
These major programs require the full two-semester calculus sequence (201 and 202) and perhaps even more math beyond calculus. Start with 201 as soon as possible.
Courses for Math and Science Majors to Take in Their First Semester
