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Quantitative Literacy

The AU Core includes a two-part Quantitative Literacy requirement that aims to prepare students for an increasingly quantitative and data-dense world. In Quantitative Literacy I (Q1), you will have the opportunity to strengthen your mathematical or statistical skills at the college level. In Quantitative Literacy II (Q2), you will build on those quantitative skills n the context of your particular discipline.

Quantitative Literacy I (Q1)

Quantitative Literacy (Q1) is one of the AU Core's Foundation requirements, typically taken in your first year and offered within the Math/Stat department. For a full list of Q1 courses, see our Courses page.

Students may satisfy the Quantitative Literacy (Q1) requirement by:

  • Completing an appropriately designated Quantitative Literacy I course with a grade of C or better.
  • Students with transfer credit may also satisfy the Quantitative Literacy I requirement by presenting 3 credit hours from an AG rated collegiate institution of articulated credit equivalent to a Quantitative Literacy I course. For more information, see our Transfer Credit page.

Quantitative Literacy I (Q1)

  1. Students will solve quantitative problems including approaches that go beyond memorized procedures.
  2. Students will demonstrate an understanding of mathematical relationships from multiple perspectives, such as functions from graphical, verbal, numerical, and analytic points of view.

Quantitative Literacy II

Quantitative Literacy II (Q2) courses are one of the AU Core's Integrative requirements, designed to build upon Q1 skills within the context of your major. Typically, these courses stress the application of quantitative skills within a specific discipline or specialization, and aim to help you become a well-rounded contributer to your field.

Although most majors have a specific Q2 that students are required to take, any Q2 course may be applied toward the university's graduation requirement. See below for a list of major-designed Q2 courses.

Students may satisfy the Quantitative Literacy II (Q2) requirement by:

  • Completing an appropriately designated Quantitative Literacy II course with a grade of "C" or better. For a full list of Q2 courses, see our Courses page.

  • Q2 courses may count towards AU Core and a major/minor/certificate requirement.

  • A single course cannot be used to satisfy both Q1 and Q2.

  • Up to two appropriately designated courses taken abroad can be used to satisfy AU Core requirements. See our  for additional details.
  • External credit may be used to satisfy this requirement. See our  for additional information.

Quantitative Literacy II (Q2)

  1. Translate real-world questions or intellectual inquiries into quantitative frameworks.
  2. Select and apply appropriate quantitative methods or reasoning.
  3. Draw appropriate insights from the application of a quantitative framework.
  4. Explain quantitative reasoning and insights using appropriate forms of representation so that others could replicate the findings.

Major-Designated Q2 Courses 

Some Academic Programs have designated specific courses that simultaneously satisfy a major requirement and the Q2 requirement, while other academic programs have included one or more Q2 courses as options students may complete to satisfy major electives.

Find your major on the table below to learn what Q2 course(s) you can take.
If there is nothing listed for your major, you can take (in consultation with their academic advisor) any Q2 course, provided you meet any prerequisites. A list of Q2 courses with no prerequisites is included below the table.