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Mathematics FAQs
Exemption Credit

Q1. What is an exemption credit?
A1. An exemption credit may be granted on the basis of an examination or project equivalent to the final requirement of the course.

Q2. How do I apply for exemption credit?
A2. You must consult the department chair or designee for exemption credit.

Q3. What is the maximum number of exemption credit that I can receive?
A4. The maximum number of exemption credits, from all departments, that can be counted towards a degree at LaGuardia is 10.

Q4. Who is eligible to apply for exemption credits?
A4. Only matriculated degree students are awarded exemption credits.

Mathematics Level

Q1. What are the different levels of mathematics ?
A1. There are two distinct mathematics levels: Basic Skills and College Level.

Q2. What is Basic Skills Level?
A2. There are two courses at the Basic Skills Level: MAT095 and MAT096. Based on the placement scores, students are placed into theses courses.

Q3. Do students get credit for theses courses?
A3. No, these courses have zero credits.

Q4. What is College Level?
A4. The first sequential college level course is College Algebra and Trigonometry (MAT115). Students take MAT115 after completion of MAT096 or exemption by the the placement test. However, depending on the student's major, Statistics (MAT120), Medical Dosages (MAT106), Math and the Modern World (MAT107), or Math for Elementary Teachers (MAT103) may be the first college level course after MAT096.

Placement Test

Q1. What is the placement test?
A1. The placement test is used by the department to put students at the appropriate level in mathematics courses; either in the Basic Skills courses or college mathematics courses. The test consists of two parts: the first part is arithmetic and the second part is algebra.

Q2. Where can I get additional material to help me prepare for the placement test?
A2. Additional material is available in the Mathematics Center (E 215) or online through the mathematics department website.

Second Chance Courses

Q1. What is a second chance course?
A1. A second chance course is a course that is held anywhere between 5 to 8 days during the intersession. It is opened to students who have failed a course by a slight margin. A student who is enrolled in a second chance course is expected to attend all sessions.

Q2. How do I get enroll for a second chance course?
A2. Your professor must make a recommendation on your behalf at the end of the semester. Then you must fill an application in the mathematics office.

Q3. Do I need to pay for a second chance course?
A3. No, the second chance course is FREE of charge.

Q4. May I take the second chance course if I have gotten an "R" grade several semesters ago?
A4. No. Consult with the department chair for advice.

Q5. I pass Mat 095 with a "good" grade, can I enroll for the Mat 096 second chance course?
A5. A student who pass Mat 095 must register for a Mat 096 course. The second chance Mat 096 course is only for someone who have failed Mat096.

Transfer Credit

Q. I What is transfer credit?
A1. A student may receive transfer credit for courses taken at other accredited colleges or university. These courses must be comparable to those offered at LaGuardia. All transfer credits are evaluated by the Transfer Credit Office.

Q2. What grade must I have in a math course in order for to be transferred?
A2. A grade of C or better must have been earned or D if taken at another unit of CUNY.

Q3. What do I need to do to get transfers for mathematics courses if I did not pass the mathematics placement test with a score of thirty or more?
A3. A student will have to take remedial courses in order to receive transfer credit for prior mathematics courses.

Q4. Are remedial mathematics courses transferable?
A4. No. Remedial mathematics courses are not transferable since they have zero credits.

Q5. What courses are transferable?
A5. Students may request transfer credit for Statistics (Mat120), Precalculus (Mat 200), or the Calculus sequences ( Mat 201,Mat 202,Mat 202, and Mat 203)

Waiver Exam

Q1. What is a waiver exam?
A1. A waiver exam gives an eligible student a second opportunity to move on to a higher level in mathematics. Generally, a waiver exam for a course is comparable to the final examination in that course. A student may seek a waiver for Mat 200 or Mat 201. Request for other mathematics courses must be made to the chairman of the department.

Q2. Do I get credit for a course if I pass a waiver exam?
A2 No, credit is not given for a course for which a student have passed a waiver exam.

Q3. How do I make a request for a waiver exam?
A3. A request for a waiver must be made to your professor within the first week of the semester. A instructor will grant a permission to take a waiver exam based on the student mathematics background the department policy.

Q4. What is the minimum requirement to be eligible for a waiver?
A4. A student must present evidence of knowledge in the subject area. Also a student must be registered for the first time for this course. A student with a W,WU,F,R,or IN in a course is NOT eligible to take a waiver exam.
Engineering FAQs
Q. What GPA do I need to transfer to CCNY?

A. You need a 2.7 overall GPA and GPA of 2.5 in math, physics, and chemistry courses and a grade of C or higher every time you take any math or science course.

Q. If I am an EE major, do I have to take Chemistry II (SCC202)?

A. EE majors should not take SCC202, they should take Probability (MAT221) instead.

Q. Do I have to go for advisement?

A. Yes, all engineering students should go for advisement in order to achieve a smooth transition to CCNY.

Q. Do I need to attend the orientation at CCNY?

A. Yes, you should attend the orientation at CCNY, the orientation for LaGuardia students in particular.

Q. Who is my contact at CCNY?

A. Contacts at CCNY are Dean Laurent Mars and Dr. Meg Krudysz, Director of the Dual-Joint Program.

Q. Do I have to fill out an application to transfer to CCNY?

A. Yes, you have to fill out the online application in CUNY Portal to secure a place at CCNY.

Q. Do I have to attend engineering activities?

A. Yes, you should attend engineering activities (engineering club, etc) because you will get an opportunity to meet peers, advisors from CCNY and representatives from companies that offer internships, etc.

Q.What is he deadline to apply for transfer to CCNY?

A. The deadline is Jan 31st for Fall transfer application and Sept 15th for Spring transfer application.
Computer Science FAQs
How can I apply for exemption credit

Q1. What is exemption credit?
A1. Students may apply to the Director of Computer Science for exemption credit based on lite experience or prior knowledge. An examination or certification may be required.

Q2. How do I apply for exemption credit?
A2. See the Director of Computer Science.

Q3. What is the maximum number of exemption credits that I can receive?
A4. The maximum number of exemption credits is 10.

Q4. Who is eligible to apply for exemption credits?
A4. Only matriculated degree students are awarded exemption credits.

What is an Independent Study Course?

The purpose of an Independent study course is to allow a student to study an area of Computer Science that is not offered as a class. Special permission is required from the department chairperson, and a full-time faculty member must be found to act as a supervisor, and a very defined course syllabus must be created---all prior to registering for the course.

What is an Individualized Study course?

The purpose of an individualized independent study is to allow a student to study an area of Computer Science that is offered by the College but has been cancelled for some reason. An individualized study course is supervised by a member of the full time department faculty and must have the approval of the Department Chair prior to registration; in such a course the student must be able to work with minimal supervision. Individualized study is limited to students under special circumstances.

What is Computer Science?

Computer Science is:

Highly suited to people who are creative, enjoy solving puzzles, enjoy working with abstract concepts, and generally like to design and build things.

Open to students with or without programming experience

One of the most employable degrees you can get.
According to one computer scientist:

"Computer Science is one of the few academic disciplines that truly embodies the future. What other field has so much impact, is so omnipresent, and is changing the world so fast? In one discipline it combines fundamental science with immediate societal impact. "

What is Waiver Exam?

Q1. What is a waiver exam?
A1. Generally, a waiver exam for a course is comparable to the final examination in that course.

Q2. Do I get credit for a course if I pass a waiver exam?
A2 No, credit is not given for a course for which a student have passed a waiver exam.

What programming languages would I use?

Computer Science majors will became experts in C++ and Java Programming. Visual Basic is taught in MAC109.