Math & Stats Help and Resources
The Department of Mathematics and Statistics has developed an on-line Mathematics Placement Test for students entering University. Students who are registered in Math 110, 121, 123 and 125, which are introductory calculus courses, are required to write the MPT. The test consists of thirty multiple-choice questions to be completed in 70 minutes, precisely timed by the computer. It is closed-book and closed-notes, and calculators are not allowed. The test is designed to assess competency on precalculus mathematics, and to determine whether the student has the necessary prerequisites for succeeding in University calculus courses. Students who wish to practise on questions that are similar to those on the actual test may visit the following site to take a sample test: Sample Math Placement Test
The topics covered on the MPT are:
- Arithmetic Skills
- Basic Algebra and Functions
- Geometry & Trigonometry
- Exponential & Logarithmic Functions
Questions About the Math Placement Test (MPT)?
Take a look at the website linked above and if you still have questions email the Math Placement Test (MPT) Coordinator, Amos Lee, at mpt@math.usask.ca
Please include:
- Name
- Student Number
- NSID
- Class/Term
- Any other questions or concerns
Please keep in mind the MPT Coordinator receives many emails and will assist you as soon as they can.
Note: Email from your USASK email address ensure we receive your message.
If you are taking the following courses it is required that you take the Math Placement Test:
- Math 110
- Math 121
- Math 123
- Math 125
- Math 176
The Math and Stats Main Office is unable to assist with registration, and students must contact the MPT Coordinator to be put on the roster PRIOR to registering for their seats.
To book an appointment with an advisor or ask a question about our programs email mathstat.undergrad@math.usask.ca
In the body of the text please indicate the following:
1) Name,
2) NSID,
3) Student ID (if you have one),
4) Any specifics that you think will help the advisor prepare for your meeting. If asking questions regarding a current course offering it helps the advisors to know the section or CRN of the course as many courses we will offer multiple times per year.
You can also directly contact any listed Advisor found on our Contact Us page. Please always send the above-requested information.
Many students are being misadvised to register in Math 104 to fill their math deficiency or to prepare them for Calculus courses. Students in this situation actually should be taking Math 102. This misinformation is likely due to Math 102 being a relatively new course. Math 104 is intended for students who do not need to take any further mathematics courses. It is considered a terminal course and is not designed to prepare you for future calculus courses. Due to this, we do NOT issue limit overrides for Math 104 without carefully reviewing the program the student is in.
Math 102 is specifically designed for helping students review "precalculus" mathematics skills--the part of high school mathematics that students are assumed to have mastered already before they embark on university calculus. This course should prepare you for MATH 110, 121, 123, or 125 and is the course that is usually advised to students who did not pass with a high enough mark on the placement test or are deficient in a prerequisite. Online offerings have space to accommodate you and if you are concerned about how comfortable you will be learning Math in an online setting please speak with the instructor, Stavros Stavrou (sgs715@mail.usask.ca).
Math 102.3 covers topics that prepare students for a calculus course at the university level. It is also an alternative prerequisite in place of Math A30 and Math B30 or their equivalents. This course covers the fundamentals of Algebra, looks at properties and graphs of functions (including polynomial, rational, exponential, logarithmic, and trigonometric), and introduces analytic geometry. By the end of this course, students should be able to:
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If this page does not assist you please contact our Undergraduate Advisors or your college advising office if you require further advice on which course you should be taking.
Math 102.3 covers topics that prepare students for a calculus course at the university level. It is also an alternative prerequisite in place of Math A30 and Math B30 or their equivalents. This course covers the fundamentals of Algebra, looks at properties and graphs of functions (including polynomial, rational, exponential, logarithmic, and trigonometric), and introduces analytic geometry.
By the end of this course, students should be able to:
- Simplify rational expressions
- Model with equations and inequalities
- Define and graph functions of various types including polynomial, trigonometric, rational, exponential, and logarithmic
- Factor polynomials to obtain real and complex roots
- Model using trigonometry (applying identities and using Law of Sines and Cosines)
Need an override for a class?
1. Fill out the appropriate form:
Class overrides (Limits, restrictions, time conflicts, special approvals)
Permission to Audit / Change of Audit/Credit Status
Prerequisite and Corequisite Waiver
If you fill out the wrong form, your override will be declined by the Department Head. Ensure you fill out the correct form!
Remember to sign the form where it requests "Student Signature", Without your signature, we cannot process your request.
2. Have your instructor review and sign the form.
You can find the instructor's contact info by looking at the course offering and clicking the email symbol OR you can manually search the instructor's information on our People page.
Having issues connecting with an instructor? We suggest you try to meet with them before or after a class (remember to not interrupt the lecture or them helping registered students!). If you are still having issues connecting you can drop the filled out form to our main office (142 Mclean Hall) and leave it in their mailbox. We CANNOT guarantee when they will check their physical mailboxes. If dropped off to an instructor's mailbox you do not need to do step 3 as our staff will automatically handle step 3 on your behalf.
3. Bring the form to the Math and Stats Main office for Review and Approval.
The Department Head will NOT sign any forms, even if the instructor has signed, until the Main Office has reviewed and ensured your override follows our policies and is physically possible (For Example, limit overrides are only possible if the room has seats available as per the fire code).
Remember, processing overrides can take time - especially if we are receiving numerous at the same time or if your request is complicated. We suggest you drop off your forms as early as possible to ensure they can be fully processed before the deadlines!