College of Science

First-Year Success in Mathematics and Statistics

Welcome to CSUMB! As a new student, one of your first goals will be to choose your first-year classes. As you do so, you should think about which classes will best support your success in the first year and throughout your college career. With few exceptions, every first-year student will take a general education mathematics or statistics course. Choosing which first-year math courses to take means exercising Habits of Mind that support academic excellence.

First-Year Mathematics and Statistics Courses

We have several interesting and applicable mathematics and statistics courses that support students in their general education and major, categorized as B4: Mathematics/Quantitative Literacy. Some programs and majors require a specific mathematics or statistics course, while other programs and majors have no specific requirement and you get to choose which course will be most useful or interesting to you. Here are our first-year mathematics and statistics courses.

• MATH 100: Quantitative Literacy
• MATH 115: Finite Mathematics
• STAT 100: Introduction to Statistics
• MATH 130: Precalculus
• MATH 150: Calculus I

Many majors in the College of Science require MATH 150: Calculus I (and beyond), but many students take MATH 130: Precalculus first, depending on their previous math experience. To determine if you should take MATH 130 before MATH 150 please see our Calculus Placement information.

Here are the requirements and recommendations for different majors, but as always check with your advisor and the catalog associated with your major for the current requirements. Majors that require MATH 150, but for which students may need to take MATH 130 first, are indicated with an asterisk*

Since not everyone has the same experience with mathematics and statistics, we offer Support Courses to review important concepts, deepen your understanding of the content in your first-year mathematics/statistics class, and offer you strategies for learning math or statistics. The courses meet once a week for two hours and focus on the skills you need for your particular math/statistics course. Students who actively engage with the support course report that they find the support courses helpful and integral to a successful experience in their first-year math or statistics course.

The courses are open to everyone, but they are required for students with a mathematics multiple measure categorization of 3 or 4. For more information on the multiple measures please see the CSU Policy in the Catalog.

Here is a list of our first-year mathematics and statistics courses and their associated support courses to consider:

• MATH 100: Quantitative Literacy
  • MATH 10: Support for Quantitative Literacy
• MATH 115: Finite Mathematics
  • MATH 15: Support for Finite Mathematics
• STAT 100: Introduction to Statistics
  • STAT 10: Support for Introduction to Statistics
• MATH 130: Precalculus
  • MATH 30: Support for Precalculus

Calculus Placement

Many majors in the College of Science require MATH 150: Calculus I, but most students take MATH 130: Precalculus first, depending on their previous math experience. If you believe that you are prepared to start in MATH 150: Calculus I, you can assess your readiness for Calculus using an online tool called ALEKS PPL (preparation, placement, and learning).The ALEKS Placement Assessment covers material from Basic Math through Precalculus and will take approximately 90 minutes to complete. After the assessment, a targeted Prep and Learning Module is available for you to review and learn material, and to improve placement and eventual course outcomes.

All students are strongly encouraged to spend several hours using the ALEKS Prep and Learning Module. Even if you have achieved placement in your desired course, time spent in ALEKS will better prepare you for your upcoming course and ultimately lead to better grades

Note: If you completed the AP Calculus Exam, please see the CSUMB Policy for Calculus Placement by AP Exam Score.

Who has to take the ALEKS Placement Assessment?

All students who wish to enroll in Math 150: Calculus I without first taking Math 130: Precalculus (or similar class at another college/university).

Can I retake the ALEKS Placement Assessment?

Yes, you may take up to 5 placement assessments. However, to make each attempt worthwhile, it is important that you spend time working in your ALEKS Prep and Learning Module in between placement assessments so that you can improve your skills.

Must I work in my ALEKS Prep and Learning Module between placement assessments?

Yes, for 3 hours between each placement assessment.

Are placement assessments timed?

Yes, you have 48 hours to complete a placement assessment once it has begun.

How long will a placement assessment take to complete?

Placement assessments require approximately 90 minutes to complete, but the amount of time will vary by student. There will be a maximum of 30 questions.

May I use a calculator while using ALEKS?

ALEKS will provide an on-screen calculator if you need one to complete a particular problem. Otherwise, you may not use a calculator.

May I use any other resources during a placement assessment?

You may only use a pen or pencil, paper, and the resources provided by ALEKS. You may not receive assistance from friends, family, other websites, textbooks, or any other resource not provided by ALEKS. Using outside resources may lead to improper placement and ultimately course failure.

What is my placement result?

Your placement result is your percentage mastery on the best assessment. To place into MATH 150, you must score 76 or above.

How long do I have access to my Prep and Learning Module?

You will have six months of access from the time that you start using your Prep and Learning module.

What if I do not place into MATH 150?

You can use a Prep and Learning Module to review and learn, and you may take another placement assessment to improve your placement result.

I did not place into the MATH 150. Can I take it anyway?

No, you must achieve the minimum placement result to take the class.

What if I placed into MATH 150?

Congratulations! Contact an advisor to request a permission number to enroll in MATH 150.

Continue to use your Prep and Learning Module to improve your chances for success. The placement result above is the minimum preparation required for your course! Take advantage of the targeted review and learning features in ALEKS to get a better grade in your class.

How do I begin using ALEKS?

Contact your advisor/instructor for access to ALEKS for Placement.