Alma College is a selective, residential, liberal arts college located in Alma, Michigan, devoted exclusively to the education of undergraduate students. The College enrolls about 1,200 students primarily from Michigan and also from 20 states and 12 foreign countries. Biology, Business, Education, History, and Psychology are the majors that attract the largest percentage of students.

Admission requirements historically have included a minimum of three years of high school mathematics. However, until recently, students could graduate from the College without further study in the computational and mathematical sciences. In fall 1997, an important change was made in the core curriculum requiring freshmen to complete a non-remedial course in the computational and mathematical sciences.

The requirement is entitled Computational and Mathematical Sciences to imply that courses in disciplines other than mathematics are applicable. Although the disciplines provide different contexts, the overarching goal of the requirement is to provide students with experience in mathematical problem solving. As stated in the academic catalog, all Alma College graduates should be able to:

• interpret mathematical and computation models (e.g. formulas, graphs, tables, algorithms).

• represent computation and mathematical information (e.g., symbolically, visually, verbally).

• solve problems and accomplish tasks using algebraic, geometric, statistical, computational or algorithmic methods.

• assess mathematical and computational results in fields of application.

• recognize limitations of computation and mathematical processes, techniques and methods.

A student's entry point into the mathematics curriculum is determined by math placement, which is based on standardized test scores (ACT Math and AP Calculus), math background, and performance on the placement examination.