Computer Science
CAN I GET AP CREDIT FOR COMPUTER SCIENCE COURSES?
A score of 4 or 5 on the AB exam in Computer Science will give you 4 credits and exempt you from CSCI 151. Additional courses may be waived after consultation with the department & review of prior programming examples.
WHAT PROGRAMMING LANGUAGES DO YOU TEACH?
We teach our introductory course in Python because it minimizes syntactic complexity, allowing you to focus on learning concepts. By the time you graduate you should know how to program in Java and Python. In addition, you’ll be exposed to: C, SQL, UML and be able to construct a website with HTML+CSS+JS. We teach and use Java for the programming core of the major.
CAN I STUDY COMP SCI AT DREW IF I DIDN’T TAKE HIGH SCHOOL PROGRAMMING?
Yes. We recommend Computer Science 117 for all students interested in computer science, whether or not they have had previous programming experience. If you want to know more about CSCI 117 or about our program in general, speak with one of the program’s faculty members.
WHAT KIND OF COMPUTER LABS DOES DREW HAVE?
All Drew students are required to have a laptop computer. Having your own laptop means you are not dependent on finding an open, functional computer in a lab, and you can work on assignments any time and anywhere. In addition, Drew uses virtualization to ensure our students have access to the software they need to be successful–you’ll have access to all the software Drew licenses even when you are off-campus.
ARE THERE JOB POSSIBILITIES OR INTERNSHIPS FOR MAJORS?
Students often acquire a summer or semester long internship with a company. Unlike in many other disciplines, these are usually paid opportunities, and you can earn Drew credits as well. Dunstanette Macauley Dukuly is a STEM specialist in the Career Center who can help you find internship opportunities (and full time employment after you graduate). Many CS students work on-campus at the CNS HelpDesk which provides computer support to fellow students. And, of course, tutors are always in demand for CS courses. Some of our majors apply to participate in the Drew Summer Science Institute and conduct guided summer research with a professor. A list of recent internships for department majors may be found here.
Mathematics
DO I NEED TO TAKE THE CALCULUS PLACEMENT EXAM?
There is more detailed information about the placement test at the bottom of this page, including how to sign up.
WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN MATH 150 AND MATH 200?
MATH 150 Calculus and Analytic Geometry
Description: Functions, limits, continuity, and differentiation and its applications; introduction to integration including definite and indefinite integrals and the fundamental theorem of calculus; analysis of graphical and numerical information. Prerequisite: MATH 001 Precalculus or equivalent from an accredited college or placement test.
Audience: Students who expect to take more than one semester of calculus. MATH 150 is a required course for the chemistry, mathematics, physics, and biochemistry and molecular biology majors, and it is an elective course for the biology major.
MATH 200 Topics in Single and Multivariable Calculus
Description: The course provides an overview of the fundamentals of single and multivariable calculus. Topics will include limits, continuity, differentiation, integration, geometric and Taylor series, and applications from both single and multi-variable contexts. Prerequisite: MATH 001 Precalculus or equivalent from an accredited college or placement test.
Audience: Students who expect to take only one semester of calculus, including those who intend to major or minor in business, economics, health professions, statistics, or data science.
WHAT SHOULD I TAKE IF I'M THINKING OF MAJORING/MINORING IN MATH?
Students interested in majoring or minoring in Mathematics should begin with the calculus sequence Math 150 and Math 151 (or appropriate AP credit) followed by Math 310. It is desirable to take Math 310 by the fall semester of one’s sophomore year as it is the prerequisite for most upper-level math courses.
WHICH COURSES SATISFY THE Q REQUIREMENT?
You may use any course in the department towards your [Q] general education requirement except MATH 001. The math courses most commonly used are Math 117 and Math 150. It is a good idea look at the math requirements of any subject that you think is a potential major or minor before choosing a course for your [Q] requirement.
CAN I GET AP CREDIT FOR MATHEMATICS COURSES?
A score of 4 or 5 on the AB exam will give you four credits for Math 150. A score of 3 on the BC exam gives you four credits for Math 150, and a score of 4 or 5 on the BC exam gives you eight credits for Math 150 and Math 151.
IF I GET AP CREDIT, WILL THAT SATISFY MY Q REQUIREMENT?
Yes.
WHAT KIND OF CALCULATOR DO I NEED?
There are no requirements to buy a certain kind of calculator. The calculator that you used in high school will generally meet all your needs.
WHAT SHOULD I DO IF I'M HAVING TROUBLE IN MY MATH COURSE?
First and foremost, you should speak with your instructor. The faculty member teaching your course has lots of experience in helping students learn the material and will have many suggestions for you. Peer tutors are available for any course through the Center for Academic Excellence.
Other Questions?
CONTACT DEPARTMENT CHAIR SARAH ABRAMOWITZ AT [email protected]
Calculus and Precalculus Placement
Students who want to take MATH 150 (Calculus and Analytic Geometry I) or MATH 200 (Topics in Single and Multivariable Calculus) must take the Drew University Calculus Placement Exam, unless they have received a grade of C- or better in MATH 001 (Preparation for Calculus) or have transferred equivalent credit from another college. It is not sufficient to have taken precalculus in high school.
The only students who do not need to take the placement exam are:
- Students who do not wish to take MATH 150 or MATH 200.
- Students who wish to register for MATH 001.
- Students who passed MATH 001 at Drew with a grade of C- or better may register for MATH 150 without taking the placement exam.
- Students who have taken AP- calculus in high school and earned a 4 or a 5 on the Calculus AB exam or a 3 on the BC exam. These students will receive credit for MATH 150 and may register for MATH 151.
- Students who have taken AP- calculus in high school and earned a 4 or a 5 on the Calculus BC exam. These students will receive credit for MATH 150 and MATH 151 and may register for MATH 250.
The Drew University Calculus Placement Exam is offered online.
Incoming first year students should be registered automatically. Download the information sheet Placement Test Information 2020 and follow the login information. If you have any trouble, follow the steps below to register for the test.
Current students who have not taken the calculus placement exam should fill out the form linked below to request a login for the exam. We will register you and send an email with your login information and instructions for taking the test. You must be logged in to your Drew Google account to view the form.
Click here to sign up for the placement test
Once you have your login information, download the information sheet Placement Test Information 2020 and follow the instructions to access the test.
The Drew University Calculus Placement Exam covers the following topics from a typical high school precalculus course:
- functions (polynomial, rational, exponential, logarithmic, trigonometric)
- graphs of functions
- factoring and operations with algebraic expressions
- inequalities and absolute value
- trigonometric identities and special angle values
- basic geometry