Mathematics (MA) and Statistics (MS)
At Skidmore, we teach and research a wide range of subjects in pure and applied mathematics and statistics. For students who enjoy constructing rigorous proofs or modeling real-world phenomena, we offer a major in mathematics and minors in mathematics and statistics. Many of our introductory course offerings function as gateways to our majors and minors and are crucial for preparing our students to be mathematically and statistically-literate citizens in the world.
Normally entering students who are considering a degree in mathematics will take MA 111 (Calculus I), MA 113 or MA 113H (Calculus II, Calculus II Honors), MA 200 (Linear Algebra), MA 211 (Calculus III), or MA 215 (Introduction to Mathematical Reasoning and Proof) in the fall, depending on their preparation and placement exam results. Students may also enjoy MA 225 Problem Solving in Mathematics. This course does not count toward the major but provides students an opportunity to meet other like-minded students and to work on interesting problems in mathematics. All math majors (who entered Skidmore in 2021 and beyond) are required to take MS 204 Statistical Methods, which is offered in both the fall and spring semesters. All other students, especially those who are interested in minoring in statistics, are strongly encouraged to take MS 204.
All prospective math students should take the Calculus Placement Exam. The department uses these results to advise students of the best course for them. If a student needs to strengthen pre-calculus skills before taking calculus, the department recommends the student take MA 110 (Mathematics Toolkit) followed by MA 111 (Calculus I).
Recommended courses for a prospective Math major or Minor
Fall
MA 110 Mathematics Toolkit (Only if placed into FQR) or
MA 111 Calculus I (Requires AQR placement) or
MA 113 Calculus II or
MA 200 Linear Algebra or
MA 211 Calculus III or
MA 225 Problem Solving in Mathematics
~ OR ~
MA 215 Introduction to Mathematical Reasoning and Proof (Prerequisite MA 113 or equivalent) or
MS 204 Statistical Methods
Spring
MA 103 Assume a Spherical Cow: A First Course in Math Modeling (Only if placed into FQR) or
MA 110 Mathematics Toolkit (Only if placed into FQR) or
MA 111 Calculus I (Requires AQR placement) or
MA 113 Calculus II or
MA 200 Linear Algebra or
MA 211 Calculus III or
MA 226 Problem Solving in Mathematics
~ OR ~
MA 215 Introduction to Mathematical Reasoning and Proof (Prerequisite MA 113 or equivalent) or
MS 204 Statistical Methods
RECOMMENDED COURSES FOR A PROSPECTIVE statistics MINOR
|
Fall |
Spring |
|
MS 204 Statistical Methods or MS 240 Applied Regression Analysis |
MS 204 Statistical Methods or MS 251 Introduction to Data Science |
Special Advising Notes
Calculus I (MA 111) and Mathematics Toolkit / Precalculus (MA 110)
Students who wish to take Calculus I (MA 111) but received FQR placement, or who do not yet feel they are ready to take MA 111, are encouraged to enroll in Mathematics Toolkit (MA-110), which is essentially a precalculus course. Also note that while MA 111 requires AQR placement, it does not itself satisfy the AQR requirement; MA 110 does satisfy the FQR requirement.
Calculus Placement Exam
All students interested in taking a calculus course should complete the Calculus Placement Exam. Please note that this exam is designed primarily as an advisory tool to help students identify an appropriate starting point in the calculus sequence.
The placement is not binding, meaning that students who place into a higher-level course (e.g., Calculus II) may still choose to enroll in a lower-level course (e.g., Calculus I). Movement in the other direction, however, requires completion of the relevant prerequisites.
Introduction to Statistics (MS 104) versus Statistical Methods (MS 204)
Both MS 104 and MS 204 are introductory statistics courses, both satisfy the AQR requirement, and students who receive credit for one course may not receive credit for the other. The primary difference is that MS 204 is designed for STEM majors and minors and/or students with stronger quantitative preparation. That said, the only prerequisite for MS 204, like MS 104, is AQR placement.
Students who anticipate taking additional statistics courses and/or minoring in statistics are strongly encouraged to take MS 204 since we introduce R programming in that course and use it extensively throughout our statistics curriculum.
Please also note that several majors, including Environmental Science, Health and Human Physiological Sciences, and Mathematics, specifically require MS 204. Other programs, including Biology and Economics, require their own department-specific statistics courses (BI 235 and EC 237, respectively), though those departments generally accept MS 204 in lieu of those requirements when students complete MS 204 first. Business majors may also satisfy their statistics requirement through MS 204 or another approved statistics course.
Problem Solving in Mathematics (MA 225H in Fall / MA 226H in Spring)
Students with a strong interest in mathematics, logic, puzzles, or creative problem solving may also be interested in our one-credit Honors Forum Problem Solving course, offered as MA 225H in the fall and MA 226H in the spring. Because the course emphasizes collaborative exploration of challenging and often nonstandard problems rather than a fixed body of content, students may take it multiple times for credit. The course focuses on developing mathematical creativity, persistence, and problem-solving strategies rather than technical prerequisites, and it is open to students from a wide range of backgrounds and experience levels who enjoy mathematical thinking and intellectual challenge.
3rd floor, Center for Integrated Sciences
518-580-5280