Engineering/Math Placement

Common First Year

Michigan Tech has a common first-year engineering program.

Within this program, every engineering student takes the same foundational courses:

  • math
  • engineering
  • chemistry
  • physics
  • composition
  • global issues

Two Math-based Pathways

A student’s mathematics placement is determined by the Department of Mathematics. Based on math placement, there are two course pathways through first-year engineering.

Two-semester Sequence for Calculus-ready

Students are considered calculus-ready if they are placed upon enrollment into MA 1160 Calculus with Technology I or MA 1161 Calculus Plus with Technology I or higher. Calculus-ready students have a two-semester sequence in which to complete the first-year engineering program.

Here is a sample plan for your first two semesters.

Fall 15–17 Credits

Spring 15–18 Credits

  • Take MA 1160 or MA 1161 in fall.
  • A learning community is scheduled for MA 1160, MA 1161, ENG 1101, CH 1150, and CH 1151.
  • Students with AP or transfer credits for math will be placed into the next appropriate math course.

Three-semester Sequence for Not Calculus-ready

Students are considered not calculus-ready if they are placed upon enrollment into MA 1032 Precalculus. Students who are not calculus-ready have a three-semester sequence, or 1.5 years, in which to complete the first-year engineering program.

Here is a sample plan for your first three semesters.

Fall One 15–17 Credits

  • Take CH 1000 or CH 1150/1.
  • A learning community is scheduled for MA 1032 and ENG 1101.

Spring One 15–18 Credits

  • Take CH 1150/1 if not taken in Fall 1 or General Education/HASS.

Fall Two 14–17 Credits

Other Placements

Students placed into MA 1030 College Algebra I will start the three semester sequence when they begin MA 1031 College Algebra II with Trigonometry.

Contact

Amy Monte

  • Associate Teaching Professor, Engineering Fundamentals
  • Associate Chair for BSE Programs, Engineering Fundamentals
  • Academic Advisor, Engineering Fundamentals
“We will always have STEM with us. Some things will drop out of the public eye and go away, but there will always be science, engineering, and technology. And there will always, always be mathematics.”Katherine Johnson, pioneer in space science and computing
Katherine Johnson