Mathematics is a universal part of human culture. It is also the quantitative language of the social, biological, and physical sciences. For these reasons, mathematics is a valuable and essential component of a liberal arts education. All Scripps students must take the placement exam given during fall orientation at Scripps and are encouraged to enroll in math courses whether or not they are considering a major in mathematics.
Enrolling in Mathematics
A major or minor in mathematics can lead to a career in a variety of areas, including business, industry, government, insurance (as an actuary), or teaching. Students who want to enroll in mathematics courses other than those offered at Scripps should consult the mathematics faculty. A catalog, Mathematics Courses at Claremont, lists all mathematics courses offered in The Claremont Colleges and is available in the registrar’s office and from the mathematics faculty.
Math Requirements
Every Scripps student is required to complete a mathematics requirement to graduate. The extensive use of mathematics in our lives as individuals and as a society indicates that a knowledge of mathematics is essential for practical living and for professional development.
The mathematics requirement may be met in either theoretical or applied mathematics. Theoretical mathematics involves methods of inquiry based on rigorous deduction and formal proof that are different from those in other areas. Applied mathematics is a fundamental tool in the social and natural sciences and in many other areas. Because of the importance of mathematics to the study of the social and natural sciences and to work in many careers, students are strongly encouraged to continue their study of mathematics beyond the required level.
The math requirement may be satisfied in any one of the following ways:
- By passing MATH022 SC Great Ideas in Modern Mathematics, MATH023 SC Transcendental Functions; MATH 030 Calculus I, MATH 031 Calculus II, or MATH 032 Calculus III.
- By scoring sufficiently high on the placement exam to enter Math030 or a higher-level math course. (The Math Placement Exam is administered during fall Orientation.)
- By passing one of the following courses in statistics: BIOL175 KS Applied Biostatistics, ECON120 SC Statistics, or PSYC103 SC Psychological Statistics.
- By passing PHIL144 SC Logic and Argumentation.
- By receiving a 4 or 5, with a corresponding high school course, on either the AP Calculus AB or the AP Calculus BC exam.
The extensive use of mathematics in our lives as individuals and as a society indicates that a knowledge of mathematics is essential for practical living and for professional development. The math requirement may be met in either theoretical or applied mathematics. Theoretical mathematics involves methods of inquiry based on rigorous deduction and formal proof that are different from those in other areas. Applied mathematics is a fundamental tool in the social and natural sciences and in many other areas.