Registrar
Brown University
Box K
Providence, RI 02912, USA
However, it is best to send your Math Placement Card with your registration materials. If you don't have all the requested information (e.g., your AP score is late), just fill it out as best as you can. The math placement card is used to help us put you in the best math course, but there will be plenty of opportunity during freshman week to adjust your courses. So don't worry if the information is not complete.
Math 9 | - | 1st semester calculus |
Math 10 | - | 2nd semester calculus |
Math 17 and 19 | - | 2nd semester calculus + extra topics |
Math 18, 20, and 35 | - | 3rd semester (multivariable) calculus |
Math 52 and 54 | - | linear algebra |
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* Students who receive a 5 on the AB exam and are willing to do some studying on their own to learn the additional BC material (principally infinite series and Taylor series) may also consider taking one of the third semester calculus courses (Math 18, 20, or 35). |
High School Math Background | Placement |
No calculus, weak grades in algebra and trigonometry | Math 5 |
No calculus, grades okay (A's and B's) in algebra and trigonometry | Math 9 |
One semester calculus, good grades | Math 10 |
Two semester calculus, weak grades | Math 10 |
Two semesters calculus, good grades, did not study infinite series | Math 17 (or 19) |
Two semesters calculus, good grades, covered infinite series and Taylor polynomials | Math 18 (or 20) |
Two semesters calculus, good grades, covered infinite series and Taylor polynomials, strong interest in Math | Math 35 |
Math 10 | Math 10 is the second semester of the introductory calculus sequence. It covers techniques of integration and applications of integration, sequences and series including Taylor series and power series, parametric curves, polar coordinates and first order differential equations. |
Math 17 | Math 17 is for students who have the equivalent of a one-year AB calculus AP course. It treats in more detail the topics of Math 10, assuming that students already have studied integration and its applications. |
Math 19 | Math 19 is a version of Math 17 especially suited for students of engineering and physics. It has an additional weekly problem session devoted to applied problems. |
Math 18 | Math 18 is the standard multivariable calculus course. It's appropriate for anyone who is going on to study math or any of the sciences, as well as for people in the humanities or social sciences who are interested in continuing their mathematical education. Students taking Math 18 normally have taken either Math 10 or Math 17, or have received an honor grade (3 or higher) on the Advanced Placement BC calculus exam. |
Math 20 | Math 20 is a version of Math 18 specially adapted for concentrators in Engineering or Physics with an additional weekly problem session devoted to applications. It has the same prerequisites as Math 18. |
Math 35 | Math 35 is the honors version of third-semester calculus. It covers the same material as Math 18, but at a more theoretical level and in more depth. It's recommended for students with high motivation and interest in mathematics who have shown high achievement (i) through their work in Math 10, 17 or 19; or (ii) through a score of 4 or 5 on the Advanced Placement BC calculus exam; or (iii) through their work in a course equivalent to Brown's second semester calculus courses. |
Math 9 | or | Math 10 |
Math 10 | or | Math 17 |
Math 17 | or | Math 18. |