Placements by Subject
English
You must take English composition in the first year, ideally in your first semester, unless you have earned credit for an equivalent course. English placement is tied to how well you are prepared for College-level writing and research.
Select your English course based upon the following criteria:
| SAT Verbal Score | H.S. English Average | Iona Course |
|---|---|---|
| Less than 500 (20 ACT) | Less than 80 | ENG 110 Introduction to Critical Writing (by permission)* |
| 500 to 599 (20 to 25 ACT) |
80 to 89 | ENG 120 Communication Skills: Writing I |
| 600 or More (26 ACT) |
90 or More | ENG 122 Communication Skills: Advanced Composition |
*You must contact the Advising Center for a permission code to use to enroll in ENG 110.
Math
Math placement is tied to your planned major. Use our Math Placements guide to determine which course you need to register for.
If you have struggled with math, you may need a transitional course on the way to the math course required for the Core or for a future major.
Select your Math course, after considering your possible major, based upon the following:
- All Business Majors Require: MTH 134, Business Calculus or MTH 231, Calculus I. Students who have no background in pre-calculus may consult with the Advising Center about math course placement.
- ALL Natural Science, Computer Science, and Math Majors Require: MTH 231, Calculus I.
| SAT Verbal Score | H.S. Math Average and Course Content | Iona Course |
|---|---|---|
| Less than 500 (20 ACT) | Less than 80/No pre-calculus | MTH 115 Fundamentals of Algebra (by permission)* |
| Greater than 500 (20 ACT Average) |
Less than 85/No pre-calculus | MTH 135 Elementary Functions |
| Greater than 500 (20 ACT Average) |
85 or higher/Have pre-calculus | MTH 231 Calculus I |
*You must contact the Advising Center for a permission code to use to enroll in MTH 115.
If you do not "fit" one course or another, please write or call the Advising Center with questions.
| SAT Math | H.S. Math Average | Iona Placement |
|---|---|---|
| Less than 50 (20 ACT) |
Less than 80 | Choose one: MTH 123, Mathematical Thinking; MTH 124, Interpreting Information; MTH 125, Demystifying Numbers |
| Greater than 500 (20 ACT) |
Greater than 80 | MTH 123, 124, 125, or 231; Calculus I |
Foreign Language
All students are required to take one course in a foreign language, and to take a course tied to their aptitude and previous language experience.
Placement criteria when selecting a foreign language course are:
| H.S. Language Experience | Iona Course |
|---|---|
| Less than 3 years | Foreign Language #150 (FLA/FRE/GER/ITA/SPA) |
| 3 years to 4 years | Foreign Language #250 (FRE/GER/ITA/SPA) |
| Native Speakers of a Foreign Language, or students with 4 or more years | Foreign Language #300 to 400 Any subject or topic of interest |
Science, Computer Science & Math
These recommendations are only for those pursuing majors in the Sciences, Computer Science or Math.
Science placement is tied to planned majors, a background in lab-based sciences, and experience in computer science. You should understand that these majors are supported by strong math skills, where calculus is required.
After considering your possible major, select your Science/Computer Science course based upon the following criteria:
| SAT Math & Verbal (each) | H.S. Lab Science Average | Iona Course |
|---|---|---|
| Less than 500 (ACT 20) |
Less than 80 (3 years) |
BIO 100 Foundations of Biology (by permission)* CHM 101 Introduction to Chemistry (by permission)* |
| 500 or higher (ACT 20) |
Greater than 80 (3 years) |
BIO 101 General Biology I; CHM 109 General Chemistry I |
*You must contact the Advising Center for a permission code to use to enroll in BIO 100 and/or CHM 101.
If you find you do not "fit" one course or another, please write or call the Advising Center with questions.
| SAT Math & Verbal | H.S. Math Average | Iona Course |
|---|---|---|
|
Math Less than 540 Verbal Less than 500 |
Less than 85 (3 years) |
MTH 135 Elementary Functions; CS 140 Computers, Technology, & Society |
|
Math 540 or higher (ACT 21) Verbal 500 or higher |
Greater than 85 (3 years) with pre-calculus |
MTH 231 Calculus I*; CS 201 Computer Science I |
* Students without pre-calculus are advised to take MTH 135.
If you find you do not "fit" one course or another, please write or call the Advising Center with questions.
| Major Areas/Departments | Recommendations for Major | Additional Options and Alternatives |
|---|---|---|
| Undeclared/Undecided | English 120 or as placed, and one course of interest to you for a possible major | English Literature 212, 213, 214, and other Core courses as advised. |
| Arts Leadership (FPA) | CS 142, Fine and Performing Arts (FPA) performance course | English 120 and Other Core courses as advised |
| Biology (BIO) | Once you know where you place, BIO 101 & Math as placed for Calculus | English 120 and other Core, possibly CHM 109 |
| Biochemistry (BIO/CHM) | Once you know where you place, BIO 101 & CHM 109 | Math 231, English 120 and other Core as advised |
| Business (BUS) majors: Accounting (ACC) Management (MNG) Finance (FIN) Marketing (MKT) International Business, and Information Systems (IS) |
BUS 100, any from CS 140 – 146, or MTH 134 | English 120 or Other Core courses in Humanities, Science, or Diversity |
| Chemistry (CHM) | Once you know where you place, CHM 109 & Math as placed for Calculus | English 120 and other Core, possibly BIO 101 |
| Computer Science (CS) | CS 201, Math, once you know where you place | English 120 and Other Core courses, possibly Science |
| Criminal Justice (CRJ) | CRJ 205, Political Science 201 or 203 | English 120, Humanities, or Social Science |
| Economics (ECO) | ECO 201, Math, once you know where you place | English 120 or Lit, Computer Science, Other Core as advised |
| Education (EDU) (K-6) | English 120 or as placed, SCS 101 | Other Core courses, and MTH 153, CS 140 |
| Education (EDU) (7-12 Subjects) |
English 120 or as placed, SCS 101 | Other Core courses, and a course for your planned subject area, English, Math, Social Studies, Spanish, and Sciences |
| English (ENG) | English 120 or as placed or ENG 212, 213, 214 | Other Core courses of topical interest as advised |
| History (HST) | HST 101 or 120 or 201, and 207 or 208 | English 120 and other Core courses |
| International Studies (POL) | Political Science 201 or 203 and Foreign Language | English 120 and other Core courses |
| Media & Strategic Communication (MSC) | MSC 200 and/or 210/213/225/275 | English 120 and other Core courses |
| Mathematics (MTH) | Once you know where you place, MTH 231 or higher | English 120 and possibly Science, and other Core courses |
| Philosophy (PHL) | PHL 210, 215, 216, 217, 218, or 219 | English 120 and other Core courses |
| Political Science (POL) | POL 201 or 203 | English 120 and other Core courses |
| Psychology (PSY) | PSY 201 | English 120 and other Core courses |
| Religious Studies (RST) | RST 204, 205, 206, 208, 209, 213, 215 | English 120 and other Core courses |
| Social Work (SOW) | SOW 2210, and SOC 101 or 102 | English 120 and other Core courses |
| Sociology (SOC) | SOC 101 | English 120 and other Core courses |
| Spanish (SPA) | SPA 200 or 300 level course, after placement | English 120 and other Core courses |
| Speech Language Pathology (SCS) | SCS 101, PSY 201 or SOC 101 | English 120 and other Core courses |