Students visiting OSU as non-degree seeking students are welcome to enroll in courses offered by the Department of Mathematics. Visiting students, the same as degree seeking students, are required to meet the course prerequisites to enroll in math department courses.
Students will need to be admitted as OSU non-degree seeking student through the Extended Education Office before beginning any of the following steps.
Verifying Prerequisites
Students are able to show they meet the prerequisites three different ways.
AP and IB Exams
Students who have successfully passed an AP or IB Higher Level exam may use these exams to meet prerequisites at OSU. Please reference Understanding AP and IB Scores to determine what credit is awarded for each AP and IB Higher Level exam.
Students wishing to enroll in a math course using AP or IB Higher Level credit as a prerequisite should submit the Visiting Student Prerequisite Verification Form. Students will be asked to provide proof of their AP or IB Higher Level scores and which math course they wish to enroll. Once the prerequisite has been verified, permission to enroll in the desired course will be provided in OnCourse. Students should seek help from the Extended Education office to enroll in the course.
Math Credit from a Different Institution
Students who have successfully completed math coursework at another college or university may use the credit to meet prerequisites at OSU. Students should review the prerequisite for the course they wish to enroll in as the prerequisites at OSU may differ from those at their home institution. Students may review prerequisites for each math course on the course's Course Page.
Students wishing to enroll in a math course using math credit from a different college or university as a prerequisite should submit the Visiting Student Prerequisite Verification Form. Students will be asked to provide the following:
- A syllabus of the prerequisite course. The syllabus needs to include the textbook used and the sections covered in the textbook. Only official documents from the college will be accepted. Self-generated or altered documents will not be accepted.
- Proof of passing the course. A copy of an official or unofficial transcript will be accepted.
- Which math course the student wishes to enroll.
Once the prerequisite has been verified, permission to enroll in the desired course will be provided in OnCourse. Students should seek help from the ODEE office to enroll in the course.
Math Placement Test
Students without math credit from a previous institution or AP/IB credit will need to take the Math Placement Test. The Math Placement Test will assess the student's mathematical background and place them into the appropriate level course at OSU.
Students should review information about the Math Placement Test. After completing the Math Placement Test students should review Interpreting Placement Test Results to view which courses they are eligible to enroll in based on their placement score. After completing the Math Placement Test, students should be able to enroll in courses on their own. Students should contact the Extended Education office if they need assistance to enroll in a course.
All visiting students will take the Math Placement B Test unless they can provide record of an ACT Math score of 25 or higher, or an SAT Math score of 590 or higher taken within the last two years. Students taking the Math Placement B Test can receive a placement test score of (U, T, S, R, or N) with placement into Math 1148 as the highest level math course. Students that perform well enough on the Math Placement B Test will be invited to take the higher Math Placement D Test. Students taking the Math Placement D Test can receive a placement test score of (U, N, M, or L) with placement into Math 1151 as the highest level math course.
Students will only be permitted to take the Math Placement Test once online. Scores are valid for five years.
Note: Students that have not studied math for a long period of time may wish to take the Math Placement Test regardless of previous college credit. Students will be permitted to use the higher of their scores (Math Placement, previous college credit, etc.) to fulfill course prerequisites.
Waiving Prerequisites
The Department of Mathematics does not waive the prerequisites of undergraduate level math courses. Students should not contact instructors to request prerequisites waived as instructors are not permitted to waive prerequisites. Students unhappy with the level of the course they are permitted to enroll in at OSU may attempt to test into the desired course.
Students wishing to enroll in Calculus or a lower course should take the Math Placement Test if they have not already done so. Please review the Math Placement Test section.
Proficiency Exam
Students wishing to take a course in which they do not meet the prerequisite may wish to take the Proficiency Exam (EM Exam) for the prerequisite. Students interested in taking a Proficiency Exam should review information about Proficiency Exams.
Note: Students are only permitted to take the proficiency exam for courses in which they are eligible to enroll. Thus some students may be required to take multiple exams to place into their desired course.
Awaiting Final Scores/Grades
Due to conflicting academic schedules, some students may not have received final grades for math courses or AP/IB exams. Unfortunately, students will not be able to use these courses/exams to meet prerequisites without a final grade.
Students that will not have received final scores before classes begin at OSU should look at taking the Math Placement Test or complete a Proficiency Exam.
AP AB Students: High school students awaiting AP AB exam scores wishing to enroll in Math 1152 or 1172, Calculus II, will be required to take the Math 1151, Calculus I, Proficiency Exam. Students that pass this exam will be permitted to enroll in Math 1152 or 1172, Calculus II.
AP BC Students: High school students awaiting AP BC exam scores wishing to enroll in Math 2153, Calculus III, will be required to take the Math 1152, Calculus II, Proficiency Exam. Students that pass this exam will be permitted to enroll in Math 2153, Calculus III.