Course Placement

To ensure students have a solid academic foundation, students can use the following placement assessment opportunities to help identify the most appropriate courses for enrollment in the English and Math disciplines.

University of Maine at Augusta offers two writing courses for first-year college students. ENG 100 is a credit-bearing elective writing course, and ENG 101 is the general education writing course required for all students at UMA.

ENG 100: Introduction to College Reading and Writing builds on students’ prior writing and reading experiences. The course gives students practice in exploring and making effective writing choices for different audiences and situations; building and using reading strategies; and understanding different aspects of the writing process, such as brainstorming, drafting, revising, editing, and giving and using feedback. ENG 100 offers students substantial guidance and support in writing and reading at the beginning of their college careers.

ENG 101: College Writing prepares students for the advanced, research-based writing they will do in their majors. The course introduces students to key rhetorical principles in writing and gives extensive practice in using the writing process to sustain large, research-based writing projects. Students will also practice techniques for conducting academic research as well as using research to develop their argumentative writing.

To determine which course is best for you at this time, complete the following Self-Placement Survey:

English Self Placement

Students may use the standardized assessments as guidance on math course selection, or students can also complete the following math placement assessment tool:

Math Accuplacer Testing

Course descriptions for the various UMA math courses can be found below. Students should consult with an advisor on the math requirements for their major, and use the course details to select the most appropriate course.

MAT 009 Foundations of Mathematics – The course emphasizes arithmetic computations and informal geometry. Some of the topics included are elementary number theory, operations with fractions, decimals, ratios, proportions, percents, signed numbers, data interpretation, an introduction and preparation for algebra. Credits for this course do not fulfill degree requirements.

What should I know to take MAT 009?

  • Whole number operations without a calculator
    • Addition
    • Subtraction
    • Multiplication
    • Division
  • Number relations
    • In other words, I know which numbers are greater or less than other numbers and what that means.
      • For example, $87 is less than $91

The following grid lists the prerequisites for the various math courses based on recent (within 5 years) high school math grades. Students with AP scores can view the course equivalencies here.

Course:Prerequisite:
MAT 15A grade of B- or higher in HS Algebra I (all levels), or higher [1].
MAT 30A grade of B- or higher in HS Algebra I (all levels).
MAT 100A grade of A- or higher in HS Algebra I (all levels) or a grade of C (not C-) or higher in HS Algebra II (all levels).
MAT 111A grade of B- or higher in HS Algebra II (Gen/CP[2]) or a grade of C (not C-) or higher in HS Algebra II (Honors).
MAT 112A grade of A- or higher in HS Algebra II (Gen/CP) or a grade of B- or higher in HS Algebra II (Honors).
MAT 113A grade of A- or higher in HS Algebra II (Gen/CP) or a grade of B- or higher in HS Algebra II (Honors).
MAT 115A grade of A- or higher in HS Algebra I (all levels) or a grade of C (not C-) or higher in Algebra II (all levels).
MAT 116A grade of A- or higher in HS Algebra I (all levels) or a grade of C (not C-) or higher in HS Algebra II (all levels).
MAT 124A passing grade in HS Precalculus (all levels).
MAT 125A grade of A- or higher in HS Precalculus (CP) or a grade of B- or higher in HS Precalculus (Honors) or a passing grade in HS Calculus (not AP).
MAT 130A grade of A- or higher in HS Algebra I (all levels) or a grade of C (not C-) or higher in HS Algebra II (all levels).
[1] Geometry is considered higher than Algebra I for the purposes of this grid.
[2] CP is college prep.

UMA uses the following standardized test scores for course placement recommendations. Score recommendations are made based on recent (within the past three years) score results.

Students can also elect to complete any of the English and Math placement opportunities through UMA to assist in selecting the most appropriate course.

SAT
SAT Reading & Writing< 500 = recommend ENG 100
≥ 500 = recommend ENG 101
SAT Math<480 = recommend students complete the UMA accuplacer test in math
≥ 480 but < 500 = recommend MAT 100
≥ 500 but < 540 = recommend any course with a MAT 30 prerequisite
≥ 540 = recommend any course with a MAT 111 prerequisite

These assessment tools are used to help guide students into appropriate course placement. They do not waive degree requirements. Students may pursue avenues to earn credit through Prior Learning Assessment and transfer to meet degree requirements.

Helpful Contacts:

Augusta Advising Center: umaal@maine.edu | 207.621.3408 or 1.800.868.7000

Bangor Advising Center: 207.262.7800

UMA Centers: Brunswick, East Millinocket, Ellsworth, Lewiston, Rockland, Rumford, Saco