Mathematics and Computer Science Department

FREE tutoring from faculty is available in the Learning Commons, located in TLC Building - 1st and 2nd Floor, on a drop-in basis. Many of our courses also offer supplemental instruction.

Math Resources on the Web

S.O.S. Mathematics - A very extensive compilation of Math Links including those listed below.

Dave's Math Tables - A wealth of Math tables at your disposal for many different math areas.

Ask Dr. Math - Ask Dr. Math a question, or view answers from FAQs at this web site.

Math.com - Extensive practice on all levels of math through calculus.

PurpleMath.com - Help with algebra.

What is a Placement Test and What is a Math Level?

A placement test is a measure of your abilities in a basic skill area - math, reading, or writing. It identifies your current level of understanding and places you in an appropriate course that will build on that level of understanding. If you take a course much above your level of understanding, you probably will not have the foundational knowledge necessary to be successful.

The math placement test results in a Math Level. Math levels range from 3 to 9 and correspond to the prerequisites for math courses ranging from Pre-Algebra to Calculus I. Your math level identifies the appropriate course(s) for you to take next. Math levels can also be needed to register for Science or other courses that require a certain level of understanding in math. You cannot register for courses that have a prerequisite math level higher than your math level. Prerequisites are never waived for math courses.

Your initial math level is earned by taking a placement test, and subsequent math levels are earned by successfully completing specific math classes with a grade of 2.0 or higher. Since math knowledge can deteriorate with time, math levels of 5 and above are good for two years from the placement test date or the completion of specific math courses.

What is a Math Placement Test Like?

Math placement tests are administered on a computer. The computer chooses questions in a different order for each test taker based on the test taker's abilities, so once you submit an answer, you cannot go back and change it or review your answers at the end of the test. There is no time limit, but most people finish in about 30 to 45 minutes. Math placement tests are taken without a calculator, but on some questions, the computer lets you use a pop-up calculator on the screen. Students with disabilities who typically have an accommodation of a calculator on math tests must visit the Office of Disability Support Services for permission to use one on the placement test.

There are three different math placement tests: Arithmetic (17 questions), Elementary Algebra (12 questions), and College Level Math (20 questions). Unless you specifically ask for a certain test, students are started on the Elementary Algebra test. If you do well on this test, you will receive a math level. If you do very well on the Algebra test, you will also be given the College Level Math test automatically. If you do not score high enough to get a math level on the Algebra test, you will automatically be given the Arithmetic test.

Results are given immediately after the test. Results can be viewed in Banner under the Student tab, in the Placement Test Scores box. You can take each math placement test twice in a 365 day period. There is no fee to take a placement test.

How Do I Prepare for the Math Placement Test?

Descriptions of each math placement test can be found on the Placement Testing webpage.

There are many resources available on the internet to help refresh your math skills. You can also view a sample of math-related websites by expanding the Math Study Sites section above.

How Do I Take the Math Placement Test?

Placement tests are administered in the Testing Services Center on the downtown campus and many extension centers. Placement tests are administered on a walk-in basis during posted hours. Tests must be started at least one hour before closing time. You must already be admitted to LCC and show a pictured ID in order to start the test.

What Is A Proficiency Test?

A proficiency test is an examination that measures knowledge in one of the general education areas required for an LCC Associate's Degree. It allows students to demonstrate proficiency in that area without having to take the course. Proficiency tests are equivalent to the final exam for that course, and passing it fulfills LCC's graduation requirement in that general education area. General information about proficiency tests and the general education areas covered by these tests are available on the Testing Services website.

What Do I Need to Know Before Taking a Proficiency Test?

• Each proficiency test can be taken one time ONLY.
• Students must obtain permission from the academic department offering the test and pay a fee of $50.
• Proficiency tests are challenging exams covering all of the material taught in the course. Extensive review of course topics is highly recommended.
• Proficiency tests are administered in the main campus Testing Services Center. You must already be admitted to LCC and show a pictured ID in order to start the test.
• The test will be graded by a faculty member familiar with the course. It may take several days for the test to be graded.
• Results of the test are entered in the student records system. You can see your results in Banner under the Student tab, in the Placement Test Scores box.
• A passing score is 71% or higher. A score of 76% is required for entrance to LCC's nursing program.
• Passing the proficiency test does not give you credit for the course, and the test results are not recorded on your transcript.

The Lansing Community College Foundation has over 500 Scholarships available to LCC students in all program areas. The following list is a sample of the scholarships that may be available to Math, Computer Science and Engineering Majors.

Accident Fund Insurance Company of America Scholarship

This scholarship is available to students enrolled in an information technology or math program with a minimum of 6 credits. Recipients must maintain a 2.5 GPA. Financial need is considered.

Mathematics & Computer Science Department Scholarship (previously titled Department of Mathematical Skills Scholarship)

Students must have completed either MATH 050, MATH 107, MATH 112, MATH 114, MATH 115, MATH 117, MATH 118, or MATH 119, maintain a minimum 2.5 GPA, and enroll in a minimum of 6 credits. Financial need is considered.

TechSmith Corporation Computer Science/Information Technology Scholarship

This scholarship is available to students who are enrolled in a computer science or information technology program and are pursuing their first educational degree. Recipients must be enrolled in a minimum of six credits, maintain a minimum 3.0 GPA and demonstrate financial need.

Claude Watson Scholarship

This scholarship is available to students who are Math, Computer Science, Engineering or Physics Majors.

For information and how to apply or for a full list of available scholarships please call the LCC Foundation office at 517-483-1985 or visit the Foundation website. You can also visit the LCC Scholarships website for more information about available scholarships.

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  How to Get Mathematica

  Mathematica is currently installed in the following locations:

  Computer labs

  • All public and general labs

  Mathematica can also be installed on:

  Campus machines

  Follow the directions below to download software from Wolfram and request the appropriate activation key.

  

  1. Create an account (New users only):
     1. Go to user.wolfram.com and click "Create Account"
     2. Fill out form using a @lcc.edu email, and click "Create Wolfram ID"
     3. Check your email and click the link to validate your Wolfram ID
  2. Request the download and key:
     1. Fill out this formto request an Activation Key
     2. Click the "Product Summary page" link to access your license
     3. Click "Get Downloads" and select "Download" next to your platform
     4. Run the installer on your machine, and enter Activation Key at prompt

  Faculty and staff personally owned machines

  • Fill out this form to request a home-use license from Wolfram.

  Student personally owned machines

  Follow the directions below to download from the Wolfram User Portal.

  1. Create an account (New users only):
     1. Go to user.wolfram.com and click "Create Account"
     2. Fill out form using a @mail.lcc.edu email, and click "Create Wolfram ID"
     3. Check your email and click the link to validate your Wolfram ID
  2. Request the download and key:
     1. Fill out this form to request an Activation Key
     2. Click the "Product Summary page" link to access your license
     3. Click "Get Downloads" and select "Download" next to your platform
     4. Run the installer on your machine, and enter Activation Key at prompt

  Are you interested in putting Mathematica elsewhere? Please let IT or Andy Dorsett at Wolfram Research know.

   

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  Mathematica Tutorials

  The first three tutorials are excellent for new users, and can be assigned to students as homework to learn Mathematica outside of class time.

  • Hands-on Start to Mathematica (videos)
    Follow along in Mathematica as you watch this multi-part screencast that teaches you the basics—how to create your first notebook, calculations, visualizations, interactive examples, and more.
  • Hands-on Start to Wolfram Mathematica and Programming with the Wolfram Language
    (book) Learn Mathematica at your own pace from authors with 50+ years of combined Mathematica experience—with hands-on examples, end-of-chapter exercises, and authors' tips that introduce you to the breadth of Mathematica with a focus on ease of use.
  • Mathematica & Wolfram Language Fast Introduction for Math Students (online book)
    Use this tutorial to learn about solving math problems in the Wolfram Language—from basic arithmetic to integral calculus and beyond.
  • What's New in Mathematica 11
    Provides a list of new functionality in Mathematica 11, and links to documentation and examples for these new features—including 3D printing, audio processing, machine learning and neural networks, and text and language processing.
  • How To Topics
    Access step-by-step instructions ranging from how to create animations to basic syntax information.
  • Mathematica Resources
    Browse Wolfram's large collection of learning materials and support resources.
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  Teaching with Mathematica

  Mathematica offers an interactive classroom experience that helps students explore and grasp concepts, plus gives faculty the tools they need to easily create supporting course materials, assignments, and presentations.

  Resources for educators

  • Mathematica for Teaching and Education—Free video course
    Learn how to make your classroom dynamic with interactive models, explore computation and visualization capabilities in Mathematica that make it useful for teaching practically any subject at any level, and get best-practice suggestions for course integration.
  • How To Create a Lecture Slideshow—Video tutorial
    Learn how to create a slideshow for class that shows a mixture of graphics, calculations, and nicely formatted text, with live calculations or animations.
  • Wolfram Demonstrations Project
    Download pre-built, open-code examples from a daily-growing collection of interactive visualizations, spanning a remarkable range of topics.
  • Wolfram Training Education Courses
    Access on-demand and live courses on Mathematica, SystemModeler, and other Wolfram technologies.
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  Research with Mathematica

  Rather than requiring different toolkits for different jobs, Mathematica integrates the world's largest collection of algorithms, high-performance computing capabilities, and a powerful visualization engine in one coherent system, making it ideal for academic research in just about any discipline.

  Resources for researchers

  • Wolfram Language Training Courses—Free video courses
    Explore what's possible with the Wolfram Language, including programming fundamentals and concepts, built-in functions, symbolic expressions, and tips for better, faster coding.
  • Field-Specific Applications
    Learn what areas of Mathematica are useful for specific fields.