General Education Mathematics

Mathematics Requirements for General Education

Quantitative literacy is one of the 'key competencies' required for graduation. Knox requires that all of its graduates demonstrate basic proficiency in mathematics as well as quantitative literacy.

Proficiency

Students may satisfy the proficiency requirement in several ways:

Students scoring 24 or above on the American College Testing Service (ACT) Mathematics Test automatically satisfy the requirement.
Students scoring 570 or above on the SAT Level 1 Mathematics Component also satisfy the requirement automatically.
Students may satisfy the requirement by taking any mathematics course numbered 121 or above.
Students may satisfy the requirement by completing a course with a grade of C or better at or above the level of College Algebra at another college or university.

Quantitative Literacy

Quantitative literacy is demonstrated by obtaining a grade of C or better in a course designated as QL by the Curriculum Committee. Currently, those courses are:

Chemistry 101, 102, 205, 321
Computer Science 205, 303
Economics 257, 258, 302
Mathematics any course
Physics any course except 242
Psychology 282

Math 121 cannot be used to satisfy both proficiency and quantitative literacy.

Foundations

Note that the Mathematics Proficiency requirement is different from the Mathematics and Natural Science Foundations requirement. Mathematics courses satisfying the Mathematics and Natural Science Foundations requirement are 141, 151, 152, 160, 205, and 210.

Mathematics for other Disciplines

Mathematics plays a vital role in many other intellectual disciplines. In particular, students considering a career in the sciences and some social sciences should consider taking as much mathematics as possible. A number of majors require mathematics courses to be completed:

A chemistry major requires the completion of Math 151 and Math 152.
A computer science major requires the completion of Math 175 and two additional mathematics courses.
An economics major requires the completion of Math 151 or a higher level mathematics course.
A physics major requires the completion of Math 205 and 230.

Students who need a review of pre-calculus before enrolling in Calculus I should anticipate taking the two term Functions and Calculus sequence Math 140-141 in lieu of Math 151. (Completion of Math 141 is equivalent to completing Math 151 as far as major requirements are concerned.) Students needing even more review should enroll in Math 130 at the same time as Math 140. A mathematics placement recommendation is available from the student's personal page at the registrar's office.

In addition, Math 160 (Statistics) may also be used to satisfy a statistical reasoning requirement in selected major and minor programs. Check with the college catalog for more details.

The requirements from the various academic discplines listed above should be viewed as only minimal mathematics requirements. Students interested in pursuing graduate degrees in one of these fields should consult with their faculty advisor about additional mathematics courses they should complete.

A list of mathematics courses offered at Knox can be found here.