Math is not a requirement for all plans of study in the College. Every student does need to fulfill the Formal Reasoning requirement in the General Education requirements, and there are many courses available in addition to math courses that you may take for this requirement including linguistics, philosophy and music theory among others.
But if you are planning on...
- Majoring in a STEM field including Economics
- Pursuing a pre-health path
- Or you like math and want to take more of it
you will need some math and should carefully consider which first course is right for you. The Math Diagnostic is an important tool along with your high school math background in determining the best first math course at Penn.
The Two Calculus Sequences
There are two primary calculus sequences:
- Math 1300 -> Math 1400 -> Math 1410: Most students taking calculus at Penn (including students interested in the mathematical and physical sciences) will take one or more of these courses
- Math 1070 -> Math 1080: If you are interested in a major in Economics, you have the option to satisfy your calculus requirements using these courses
For more information and guidance on choosing the right Math course and other STEM courses based on placement, high school background and current interests, see our Entering the STEM Fields at Penn interactive tool or PDF infographic (accessible).