MATH Duplication, Regression and Second-Grade-Only Option

The Department of Mathematics offers many introductory course sequences.  Since students' interests change, students may take courses within different course sequences.  This raises questions of duplication and regression, and we need to be clear about when one course can be used as a second-grade-only (SGO) for another course.

If you have any questions about the policies on duplication, regression or second-grade-only outlined on this page, please contact Prof. Yangbo Ye or Amanda Marr.

What is duplication?

Duplication typically occurs when a student takes a course more than once, and the course is not repeatable for credit (listed in the ISIS course description as “Repeatable: No”).  Students do not earn credit toward graduation for hours of duplication, but any hours of duplication are used to compute grade point averages.  (NOTE: A student who repeats a course with the second-grade-only option will not be charged with duplication for the course.  However, only the hours from the second course count as hours toward graduation and only the second grade will be used in GPA calculations.)

A student may also be charged with duplication if the student takes two or more mathematics courses that have substantial content overlap.  Depending on the situation, a student may not earn any credit for the additional courses, or the student may have the total credits of all courses reduced.  Please see the Special Considerations below for different mathematics courses that may result in duplication.

What is regression?

Mathematics courses build on one another, and many math courses have prerequisites that must be satisfied.  Regression occurs when a student takes a course that is at a lower level than a course the student has previously passed.  Students do not earn credit for hours of regression.

When is duplication or regression assessed?

Regression is identified only at the time of final graduation analysis, and duplication may not be identified until final graduation analysis.  A student who has hours of duplication or regression may have the total credit hours reduced during the final graduation analysis, and this could delay graduation.  Therefore, it is important that students understand when duplication or regression will be charged.

For more information about duplication and regression, see the CLAS Credit Hour Policies.

Does the course number determine duplication or regression?

The Mathematics Department offers a variety of courses for different majors that cover the same material.  Therefore, a student may be charged regression even if the course number is higher than the course number of a previously completed course; duplication may be charged even if the course number is different than a previously completed course.  Students should consult the table below to determine when duplication or regression will be charged.

Does the Mathematics Department check for duplication and regression?

In general, it is the student's responsibility to understand the duplication and regression policy and be aware of the effects this may have on the student's expected graduation date.  However, the Mathematics Department reserves the right to check for instances of duplication and regression in its courses.  The Mathematics Department may remove students from a course because of duplication or regression.  Any students who are removed from a course because of duplication or regression will be informed by email before being removed.

MATH (22M) Duplication and Regression Table

This table lists instances of duplication or regression for mathematics courses numbered MATH:3550 and below.  Duplication and regression can still occur in courses numbered MATH:3600 or higher.  Please see your advisor if you have questions about courses at or above MATH:3600.

 If you wish, you may download a copy of this table and policy.

NOTE: A student will not be charged with regression because of a previous enrollment in MATH:2995/22M:095 Introduction to Research Opportunities, so a student may take any mathematics course before or after MATH:2995/22M:095. 

4-digit course number 3-digit course number Course Title Regression charged if student previously completed Duplication charged if student previously completed Notes
MATH:0100 22M:001 Basic Algebra I MATH:1005 or higher MATH:0100 See Special Consideration 0.
MATH:0300 22M:003 Basic Geometry MATH:1005 or higher MATH:0300 See Special Consideration 0.
MATH:1000 22M:014 First Year Seminar     MATH:1000 may be repeated 2 times for credit
MATH:1005 22M:008 College Algebra

MATH:1010
MATH:1020
MATH:1240 or higher

MATH:1005  
MATH:1010 22M:005 Trigonometry MATH:1020
MATH:1440 or higher
MATH:1010  
MATH:1020 22M:009 Elementary Functions MATH:1380
MATH:1460 or higher
MATH:1020
MATH:1340
MATH:1440
See Special Consideration 2.
MATH:1120 22M:006 Logic of Arithmetic MATH:1130 MATH:1120 See Special Consideration 1.
MATH:1130 22M:012 Theory of Arithmetic   MATH:1130 See Special Consideration 1.
MATH:1140 22M:081 Geometry for Elementary Teachers   MATH:1140  
MATH:1240 22M:010 Finite Mathematics   MATH:1240  
MATH:1340 22M:013 Mathematics for Business MATH:1350
MATH:1460 or higher
MATH:1020
MATH:1340
MATH:1440
See Special Consideration 2.
MATH:1350   Quantitative Reasoning for Business MATH:1380
MATH:1460 or higher
MATH:1350  
MATH:1380 22M:017 Calculus and Matrix Algebra for Business MATH:1550 or higher MATH:1380
MATH:1460
See Special Consideration 3.
MATH:1440 22M:015 Mathematics for the Biological Sciences MATH:1380
MATH:1460 or higher
MATH:1020
MATH:1340
MATH:1440
See Special Consideration 2.
MATH:1460 22M:016 Calculus for the Biological Sciences MATH:1550 or higher MATH:1380
MATH:1460
See Special Consideration 3.
MATH:1550 22M:031 Engineering Math I MATH:1560
MATH:1860
MATH:2560
MATH:2850 or higher

MATH:1550
MATH:1850

See Special Consideration 4.
MATH:1560 22M:032 Engineering Math II MATH:2560
MATH:3550 or higher
MATH:1560
MATH:1860
MATH:2850
See Special Considerations 5, 6, 7, 8.
MATH:1850 22M:025 Calculus

MATH:1560
MATH:1860
MATH:2560
MATH:2850 or higher

MATH:1550
MATH:1850
See Special Consideration 4.
MATH:1860 22M:026 Calculus II MATH:2560
MATH:2850
MATH:3550
MATH:1560
MATH:1860
See Special Considerations 5, 7 .
.MATH:2150 22M:070 Foundations of Geometry See your advisor if you have taken MATH:3600 or above. MATH:2150  
MATH:2550 22M:033 Engineering Math III MATH:2700 MATH:2550 See Special Consideration 10.
MATH:2560 22M:034 Engineering Math IV See your advisor if you have taken MATH:3600 or above. MATH:2560  
MATH:2700 22M:027 Introduction to Linear Algebra See your advisor if you have taken MATH:3600 or above. MATH:2550
MATH:2700
See Special Consideration 10.
MATH:2850 22M:028 Calculus III See your advisor if you have taken MATH:3600 or above. MATH:1560
MATH:2850
MATH:3550
See Special Considerations 6, 7, 8, 9.
MATH:2995 22M:095 Introduction to Research Opportunities   MATH:2995  
MATH:3550 22M:037 Engineering Math V See your advisor if you have taken MATH:3600 or above. MATH:2850
MATH:3550
See Special Considerations 8, 9.

Special Considerations

  1. MATH:0100/22M:001 and MATH:0300/22M:003 do not earn credit toward graduation.  Students should talk with their advisors before enrolling in these classes.
  2. A student can earn credit for at most one of MATH:1120/22M:006 or MATH:1130/22M:012.
  3. A student will be charged with duplication for taking one of MATH:1020/22M:009,  MATH:1340/22M:013 or MATH:1440/22M:015 after any other course in that list.  However, each course in the list could be used as a second-grade-only option for another course on the list.
  4. A student will be charged with duplication for taking one of MATH:1380/22M:017 or MATH:1460/22M:016 after the other.  However, each course could be used as a second-grade-only option for the other course.
  5. A student will be charged with duplication for taking one of MATH:1550/22M:031 or MATH:1850/22M:025 after the other.  However, each course could be used as a second-grade-only option for the other course.
  6. A student taking MATH:1560/22M:032 and MATH:1860/22M:026 will only receive a total of 6 semester hours (instead of 8).
  7. A student taking MATH:1560/22M:032 and MATH:2850/MATH:028 will only receive a total of 6 semester hours (instead of 8). 
  8. A student taking MATH:1560/22M:032, MATH:1860/22M:026, and MATH:2850/22M:028 will only receive a total of 8 semester hours (instead of 12) because the material in MATH:1860 and MATH:2850 includes all of the material in MATH:1560.
  9. A student taking MATH:1560/22M:032, MATH:2850/22M:028 and MATH:3550/22M:037 will only earn a total of 7 semester hours (instead of 11) because most of the material in MATH:3550 is included in MATH:2850.
  10. A student taking MATH:2850/22M:028 and MATH:3550/22M:037 will only earn a total of 5 semester hours (instead of 7) because most of the material in MATH:3550 is included in MATH:2850.
  11. A student taking MATH:2700/22M:027 and MATH:2550/22M:033 will only earn a total of 4 semester hours.  (If the student takes MATH:2550 first, then taking MATH:2700 will earn 2 additional hours.  If the student takes MATH:2700 first, then taking MATH:2550 is considered regression, and the student earns no additional hours.)

Policy on Second-Grade-Only (SGO) Option

All SGOs for Math courses are governed by the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences.

Please read the CLAS rules: https://clas.uiowa.edu/students/handbook/grading-system#second-grade

Math Department Policy on Second-Grade-Only options may be found HERE.