Here are some guidelines for placement in MPC math courses. For course content descriptions, please see the online schedule and catalog.
Math 360 (arithmetic) is designed for students who need a thorough review of arithmetic operations on whole numbers, integers, fractions, percents, and decimals. This course is open to all students.
Math 351 (pre-algebra) is designed for students who need a brief review of arithmetic operations, and a thorough introduction to algebra. This class is open to all students.
Math 261 (beginning algebra) has no prerequisite, but it can be a difficult course for students:
a. with no prior algebra experience,
b. who have not taken any math courses in the last few years,
c. who have been previously unsuccessfull in in algebra,
d. with math or test taking anxiety.
We recommend that these students take pre-algebra as a skill and confidence building course.
Math 262 (geometry) has a prerequisite of Math 261, or equivalent. High school students must have completed one year of high school algebra with a grade of C or better in both semesters. This course (or equivalent) is required for students who plan to take Math 12 and strongly recommended for students who plan to take Math 13 or Math 20A.
Math 263 (intermediate algebra) has a prerequisite of Math 261, or equivalent. High school students must have completed one year of high school algebra with a grade of C or better in both semesters. If the algebra course was not taken within the last few years, the department strongly recommends that the student repeat beginning algebra.
Math 10 (math for general education) has a prerequisite of Math 263, or equivalent. High school students must have completed 2 years of high school algebra with a grade of C or better in both semesters of algebra II. This course does not satisfy math requirements for all colleges and students should be certain it is accepted at their transfer school before enrolling.
Math 12 (number systems) is specifically designed for future Elementary School teachers who plan to transfer to CSU campuses. The prerequisites and Math 263 and Math 262 (or equivalents).
Math 13 (pre-calculus), Math 17 (finite math) and Math 18 (business calculus) have a prerequisite of Math 263, or equivalent. High school students must have completed 2 years of high school algebra with a grade of C or better in both semesters of algebra II. These courses require strong algebra skills and students who have not had a math course for several years or who have received C’s in high school algebra are encouraged to take intermediate algebra first. Math 13 requires geometry skills and students are strongly encouraged to take Math 262 (or equivalent) first.
Math 16 (statistics) has a prerequisite of Math 263, or equivalent. High school students must have completed 2 years of high school algebra with a grade of C or better in both semesters of algebra II.
Math 20A (calculus I) has a prerequisite of Math 13, or equivalent. High school students must have completed two years of algebra as well as a full year course in pre-calculus, trigonometry, and elementary functions with a grade of C or better in both semesters. Math 20A requires strong algebra skills and a thorough understanding of college algebra and trigonometry. Students who have not taken a math course for several years, have not learned trigonometry, or who have earned C’s in the prerequisite course are strongly encouraged to take pre-calculus first. This course requires geometry skills and students are strongly encouraged to take Math 262 (or equivalent) first.