Placement: What's the best course to start in?

Information on this page will help you understand the best pace to start out of the many great math options here at UVA.

For incoming students--
What are my introductory Calculus options?
We have two pathways:
  1. Survey of Calculus 1 and 2. Are you interested in biological sciences, business, social sciences or data science? Our 1191/1192, 1210, 1220 sequence is designed just for you.
    • Math 1191 and 1192 is a two-semester sequence (3 credits each semester) that is meant to be a first course in differential calculus with algebra support. This course reinforces and refreshes concepts from algebra and precalculus while also covering the course content and applications of A Survey of Calculus I.
    • Math 1210 is a 3-credit course in differential calculus with a focus on applications to biological sciences, business, and social sciences. This course moves at a faster pace than the 1191/1192 sequence and is recommended for those who have completed a pre-calculus course and/or have recent high school calculus exposure.
    • Math 1220 is a one-semester, 3-credit course in integral calculus with a focus on applications to biological sciences, business, data science, and statistics. This course is appropriate for those who have successfully completed either the 1191/1192 sequence or 1210 or have college credit in Calculus 1.

  2. Calculus 1 and 2. Are you interested in physics, chemistry, mathematics, engineering, or doing graduate work in one of the social sciences? Our 1310, 1320 sequence is designed for you.
    • Math 1310 is a one-semester, 4-credit course in differential calculus that focuses on both theory and applications. This course is appropriate for those who are considering pursuing fields such as chemistry, engineering, mathematics, and physics. Previous exposure to trigonometry is expected for this course.
    • Math 1320 is a one-semester, 4-credit course in integral calculus that focuses on both theory and applications. This course is appropriate for those who are considering pursuing fields such as chemistry, engineering, mathematics, and physics. Students should either successfully complete 1310 or have college credit in Calculus I before enrolling in this course.
Here's a list of majors and math courses they require.
Hoo's List has more complete descriptions of each of these courses.

How do I decide which Introductory Calculus course to start in?
First, take our diagnostic survey here. Next choose one of the following options.

Survey of Calculus 1 and 2 (1191/92, 1210, or 1220)
  1. Has it been a long time since I took calculus or pre-calculus?
    • If yes, Math 1191 is a great place to start. If no, Math 1210 could be your course.

  2. Was my last math class in high school  geometry or Algebra II instead of pre-calculus?
    • If yes, Math 1191 is the best course to start in.

  3. Does a slower pace appeal to me?
    • If yes, Math 1191 is a great environment to start in.

  4. Would it be helpful to brush up or get more practice with Algebra and/or Pre-Calculus?
    • If yes, Math 1191 is a good course to get this. If no, Math 1210 is a good starting point.

  5. Are you trying to decide betwen Math 1210 and Math 1220? You will need to do 3 things

Calculus 1 and 2 (1310 or 1320)
  1. Have you not taken calculus course before? Has it been quite awhile since your last calculus course?
    • Math 1310 is probably your best starting point.

  2. Are you trying to decide betwen Math 1310 and Math 1320? You will need to do 3 things.

  3. Are you trying to decide betwen Math 1320 and Math 2310? You will need to do 5 things.

What are my non-Calculus introductory options?
  • Do you need to fulfill a quantitative reasoning (QCDA) requirement and don't need a calculus-based course for your major? We offer MATH 1110 Probability/Finite Mathematics, MATH 1140 Financial Mathematics, MATH 1150 The Shape of Space, and MATH 1160 Algebra, Number Systems and Number Theory.

  • Are you interested in the Teacher Education program? Elementary Education students planning to enroll in the 5-year Teacher Education program are encouraged to take Math 1150 (The Shape of Space) and Math 1160 (Algebra). Enrollment in both and 1150 and 1160 is restricted to prospective students of the 5-year elementary education program. The instructor’s permission is required for other students and may be obtained via e-mail to the instructor or from the instructor on the first day of class.
Hoo's List has more complete descriptions of each of these courses.

What are my advanced math options?
  • Math Major Preparation. To prepare for the mathematics major, you should complete the calculus sequence Math 1310, 1320 and 2310 by the end of your fourth semester. You also must demonstrate computer proficiency by completing one of CS 1110, CS 1111, CS 1112,  CS 1113, CS 2100, CS 3140, DS 1002, or PHYS 2660, or an approved equivalent course. Please refer to the School of Engineering’s enrollment policy on CS courses, which may be found on their web site. Descriptions of the major and minor programs are available from the Mathematics Department office.

    See the Undergrad Record for descriptions of the major here. Descriptions of the math minor can be found here.

  • Advanced Calculus and Linear Algebra. To enroll in accelerated sections of Math 2315 (Advanced Calculus and Linear Algebra 1) and its continuation Math 3315 (Advanced Calculus and Linear Algebra 2), the student should contact the instructor. These courses are designed for highly motivated mathematics students. These courses are meant for those students who expect to major in subjects requiring the use of fairly advanced mathematics and for others who just love doing mathematics. They differ from Math 2310 (Calculus 3) in that more advanced material will be covered and more work on the part of the student will be expected. We expect that the additional effort will be amply rewarded. The prerequisite is a good command of single variable calculus.
Hoo's List has more complete descriptions of each of these courses.

Test Credit
UVA gives credit for AP, IB and other standard college placement exams. It is the student’s responsibility to have scores sent directly to the Admissions Office prior to enrolling.

A score of 5, 6, or 7 on the IB HL Analysis and Approaches (AA) exam yields credit for MATH 1310 and 2000T. We do not award credit for the IB Applications and Interpretation (AI) exam. AP specific policies are in the table below. See <a href="https://college.as.virginia.edu/test-credit"">this college site</a>.

STUDENTS WITH PRIOR CALCULUS AND AP EXAMINATIONS
AP Test and Score Credit Awarded Recommended Course

AB less than or = 3

none

Math 1210 or Math 1310

BC less than or = 3

none

Math 1210 or Math 1310

AB = 4 or 5

Math 1310

Math 1220 or Math 1320

On BC exam: an AB sub-score = 4 or 5

Math 1310

Math 1220 or Math 1320

BC = 4 or 5

Math 1310 and Math 1320

Math 2310 and/or Math 3250 (Ordinary Differential Equations)

Undergraduate program