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Mary B. O'Neill, Academic Support Coordinator

315-859-4374
Quantitative Literacy Center
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The Quantitative Literacy Requirement

Each student must demonstrate basic quantitative literacy by passing the quantitative skills examination offered during Orientation, passing a course having a significant quantitative/mathematical component or completing a non-credit-bearing tutorial through the Quantitative Literacy Center. The quantitative skills examination tests basic mathematical and quantitative knowledge, including computation, algebra, analysis of graphs and charts, and probability.

During Orientation, the advisors of first-year students will be informed of their advisees' scores on the quantitative skills examination. Students who do not pass will meet with academic advisors during Orientation Week to plan how to fulfill the requirement. Courses currently designated as containing a significant quantitative/mathematical component are Archaeology 106, Biology 110 and 115, Chemistry 120 and 125, Computer Science 105 and 110, Economics 265, 275 and 285, Geosciences 209, Government 230, Math 100, 113, 114 and 123, Philosophy 240, Physics 100, 130, 135, 160 and 190, and Psychology 101 and 280. Please check with the registrar for any additions or changes to this list. Tutorial help for students taking quantitative courses is available at the Quantitative Literacy Center.

The non-credit-bearing tutorial offered each semester contains four modules: Basic Computation, Algebraic Expression, Graphs and Charts, and Proportional and Functional Reasoning. Students meet weekly with their tutors to prepare to take a final module exam. Participation in tutorials and the exam score are taken into consideration for the fulfillment of the requirement.

This requirement should be completed by the end of the second year. More information about the quantitative literacy requirement can be found under "Academics" on the Hamilton Web site. The Quantitative Literacy Center offers a ten session (non-credit-bearing) Quantitative Literacy Tutorial, facilitated by peer tutors. Completion of this tutorial during either semester is one way for a first-year student to fulfill the Quantitative Literacy Requirement.
 

Students who choose the non-credit-bearing tutorial acquire life skills that can be applied to day-to-day activities. Topics include nutritional analysis, banking, finance, and exercise analysis. The tutorials are facilitated by a Mentor/Tutor from the Quantitative Literacy Center.

 

The workbooks contain four modules:

 

I. Basic Computation
II. Algebraic Expressions
III. Graphs and Charts
IV. Proportional and Functional Reasoning

 

Students who elect to take the non-credit-bearing tutorial attend a meeting at the beginning of the semester to hear about the tutorials and to sign up for meeting times. Tutorials are scheduled Sunday through Thursday 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. There is also an opportunity for afternoon tutorials, depending on the tutors' schedules. Tutors make every effort to accommodate your needs. If you must miss a session, you may be able to schedule a make-up session with another tutor.

 

Tutorials start during the third week of classes and run for about ten weeks. You will meet weekly with your tutor and complete short pre-tutorial and post-tutorial activities on your own. We encourage you to work with other students during your sessions.

 

When you have completed the tutorials, you take a version of the Quantitative Skills Exam. Once you pass the exam and review the results with a tutor, you have fulfilled the Quantitative Literacy Requirement.

 

If you have questions about the Quantitative Literacy Requirement, contact the Academic Support Coordinator.