Chemical Engineering Undergraduate Advising

I’ve been enrolled in or taken a higher-level math class but I don’t have credit for the lower-level math class on my transcript. Does this matter?

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Yes, this matters because you need to have credit for all of your required math classes in order to meet graduation requirements. This situation can also negatively impact future class scheduling if you are missing a math prerequisite for a class in which you trying to enroll.

The most common situation where this occurs is when a student receives a marginal score on their AP calculus test. Currently, if you receive a 3 on the calculus AB test, you are allowed to enroll in calculus II (MA 2160) but you will not receive credit for calculus I unless you receive a C or better in calculus II. There are similar rules for the AP calculus BC test. Go to the Admissions AP, IB, and CLEP Scores page for the latest information on these requirements. They are listed on the required scores page for AP credit.

If you find yourself in a situation where you are missing credit for a required math class then contact your academic advisor ASAP for assistance in resolving this issue.

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Which math class should I take next?

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Staying on track with your math classes is very important because you will need to be done with all of your required math classes before you can start the junior-level chemical engineering courses.

If you came in with credit for some of your required math classes then this is very helpful because it allows you to move forward with your math more quickly and will give you some flexibility in your class schedule down the road.

  • If you have completed calculus I (MA 1160 or MA 1161) then take calculus II (MA 2160) or linear algebra (MA 2320 or MA 2330).
  • If you have completed calculus I and II (MA 1160/1161 and MA 2160) then take multivariable calculus (MA 3160) or linear algebra (MA 2320 or MA 2330) or linear algebra/differential equations (MA 2321 and MA 3521)
  • If you have completed calculus I and II and multivariable calculus (MA 1160/1161, MA 2160, MA 3160) then take linear algebra (MA 2320 or MA 2330) or linear algebra/differential equations (MA 2321 and MA 3521).
  • If you have completed calculus I and II, multivariable calculus, and linear algebra (MA 1160/1161, MA 2160, MA 3160, MA 2320/2330) then take differential equations (MA 3520 or MA 3530 or MA 3560).

There are several options with the linear algebra and differential equations courses. Go to FAQ: Which linear algebra and differential equations classes should I take?

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How do I figure out what my AP/IB/CLEP and dual enrollment/transfer credit count toward?

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The class credit you will receive for AP, IB, and CLEP tests are on the Admission’s AP, IB, and CLEP scores webpage.

The class credit you will receive for dual enrollment or transfer credit is on the Registrar’s Office, Transfer Services webpage. Go to the Transfer Credit Information page and the link to the Transfer Equivalency System is at the bottom. The Transfer Equivalency System is a listing of classes that have transferred recently for other students, but is not a list of every class that can transfer. If you don’t see the school or classes that you have taken then it means that the course may need to be evaluated for transfer. You will be contacted by Transfer Services through your mtu.edu email if they need information from you regarding a course you’ve taken.

You can figure out where the classes can be used towards your degree by reviewing the degree requirements. Some courses are required for graduation (like calculus MA 1160 or chemistry CH 1150), some courses can be used towards technical electives (like statistics MA 2710), some courses can be used towards general education requirements (like psychology PSY 2000), and some courses can be used towards free electives. Go to the department’s degree requirements page for more details on these requirements.

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I’ve been placed into precalculus (MA 1032 or MA 1120) but would like to start in calculus. Can I challenge my math placement?

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Yes. If you have been placed in a math class below calculus then you can take a math placement test to try to move to a more advanced course. The math placement test can place you as high as calculus I. The test is called ALEKS and information on taking it is on the Math’s Department webpage.

If you plan to take the placement test then you should do so as soon as possible because your math course determines the rest of your first semester schedule.

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I’m starting out in precalculus (MA 1032 or MA 1120). Can I still graduate in four years?

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If you are willing to take summer classes, then yes. You’ll need to take classes after your first year and maybe after your second year too. You can take summer classes at Michigan Tech or at a community college and then transfer in the classes.

If summer classes are not feasible or you can only take a limited number then you can instead adjust your classes so that you can co-op during the five years. Having engineering work experience through a co-op prior to graduation will help you with landing summer internships and your first full-time job because most employers look for this type of experience when hiring.

If you’d like help getting your options sorted out then set up a meeting with your academic advisor.

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I’m enrolled in MA 1120 Single-Variable Calculus with Integrated Precalculus I and I don’t see this on the flowchart or sample schedules. What is this class?

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MA 1120 Single-Variable Calculus with Integrated Precalculus I is a part of a new math course sequence for students starting out in precalculus. MA 1120 is equivalent to MA 1032 Precalculus. In the five-year schedule for students starting in precalculus, this course is being taken in place of MA 1032.

If you are enrolled in MA 1120, then the next math class you will take will be MA 1121 Single-Variable Calculus with Integrated Precalculus II. MA 1121 is equivalent to MA 1160/MA 1161 Calculus with Technology I. In the five-year suggested schedule, this course will be taken in place of MA 1161 in the spring.

After you are done with these classes then you’ll take the remaining required math classes: MA 2160 Calculus with Technology II, MA 3160 Multivariable Calculus with Technology, MA 2320/2321 Elementary Linear Algebra, and MA 3520/3521 Elementary Differential Equations.

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I’m a new student. When can I make changes to my schedule?

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New first-year students and new transfer students coming in with less than 30 credits can make changes to their schedule after consultation with their academic advisor. Schedule changes can also be made by contacting the Registrar’s Office at 906-487-2319 or schedule@mtu.edu. There will be time during Orientation to enroll yourself in co-curricular courses and other courses if your schedule isn’t yet full.

New transfer students coming in with more than 30 credits may make changes to their schedule themselves on Banweb at any time throughout the summer.

It’s best to have your schedule settled before tuition bills are due, which is the Wednesday before classes start, because schedule changes can impact your financial aid in some circumstances. The last day to add a class without instructor permission is Friday of the first week of classes.

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How can I get approval for a time conflict waiver if I’m not on campus?

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To get approval for a time conflict waiver, you will need to get permission from instructors of both classes and then this needs to go to the Registrar’s Office.  To do this all via email, do the following:

  1. Write an email requesting a time conflict waiver.  Include:
    1. Which class you will be missing and how you will make up the time.  
    2. The waiver form, filled out with your information, and course and instructor information.
  2. Send the email to the instructor whose class you will be missing, requesting permission.
  3. After you get a reply, send the entire email thread to the second instructor whose class you will not be missing, requesting permission.
  4. If both instructors agree then send it to the Registrar’s Office registrar@mtu.edu requesting the waiver be put in place.

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