Advising Entering Students into Area A Math Courses
The purpose of this document is to provide guidance for placing students into an Area A math course.First, please note the relationship between two of our Area A courses (MATH 1111 and MATH 1113) and a variety of high school courses:
1. THE FOLLOWING COURSES ARE EQUIVALENT:
- MATH 1111 College Algebra (Georgia College)
- Algebra II (high school)
- Math 3 (high school)
2.THE FOLLOWING COURSES ARE EQUIVALENT:
- MATH 1113 Precalculus (Georgia College)
- Algebra III (high school)
- Trigonometry (high school)
- Precalculus (high school)
- MATH 4 (high school)
- Accelerated Math 3 (high school)
College Algebra is notequivalent to Precalculus.Precalculus is a more advanced course than College Algebra.
The prerequisite for Precalculus is agrade of C or better inCollegeAlgebraor the equivalent.By the equivalent, we mean a grade of B or better in one of the high school courses listed in (1) above.
The prerequisite for Calculus I is a grade of C or better in Precalculus or the equivalent.By the equivalent, we mean a grade of B or better in one of the high school courses listed in (2) above.
The following Area A courses on not identical, but they are at the same difficulty level:
- MATH 1001 Quantitative Reasoning.This course emphasizes quantitative reasoning skills needed for informed citizens to understand the world around them.Topics include logic, basic probability, data analysis, and modeling from data.
- MATH 1101 Math Modeling.This course is an introduction to mathematical modeling using graphical, numerical, symbolic, and verbal techniques to describe and explore real-world data and phenomena. Emphasis is on the use of elementary functions to investigate and analyze applied problems and questions, supported by the use of appropriate technology, and on effective communication of quantitative concepts and results.
- MATH 1111 College Algebra.This course provides an in-depth study of the properties of algebraic, exponential and logarithmic functions as needed for calculus. Emphasis is on using algebraic and graphical techniques for solving problems involving linear, quadratic, piece-wise defined, rational, polynomial, exponential, and logarithmic functions.
These three courses are the most elementary math courses we offer.They have no prerequisite.Each of them provides good preparationfor MATH 1401 ElementaryStatistics, the prerequisite for which is a C or better in any Area A math course.
The University System of Georgia has recently implemented its Pathways initiative.Part of this initiative provides guidance regarding the recommended Area A math course depending on the student’s intended major as follows:
- For STEM majors, the recommended Area A math course is Precalculus (preceded by College Algebra if necessary) or Calculus I.Consult the prerequisite guidelines discussed above for appropriate placement in one of these courses.
- For non-STEM majors, the recommended Area A math course is Quantitative Reasoning or Math Modeling unless the student wishes to take, and is prepared for, Precalculus or Calculus I.
Precalculus Placement
The Precalculus Placement Worksheet is a guide and set of problems that will help you determine if Precalculus or another course is right for you. Its purpose is to help you succeed by guiding you to a course that is a good match for you.
