Email: math@mendocino.edu 

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Placement Information

What Math Class Should I Enroll In?

• Take the Math and English Placement Tool to see what you qualify for based on the placement process. 

Some information about the typical initial placement options effective Fall 2024:

• MTH 121: Trigonometry (4 units)

  • For students who are pursuing a STEM degree or whose program for transfer requires pre-calculus*
  • A 2-units Support for Trigonometry course is available for students who have not taken an Algebra 2 course or who need to review the algebra skills necessary for success in Trigonometry (required for some students)
  • Fulfills AA/AS degree math graduation requirement.
  • Fulfills CSU GE math requirement; not UC transferable.

• MTH 170: Mathematics in Native American Cultures (3 units)

  • This course emphasizes collaborative work and critical thinking in topics such as  geometry, game probability, patterns, and design; it is not taught in a traditional lecture format
  • If you are pursuing a non-STEM degree without a specific math requirement, check with a counselor – this may be the only class you need*
  • Fulfills AA/AS degree math and cultural competency graduation requirements. 
  • Transfers to CSU; not UC transferable.

• ​MTH 205: Math for Liberal Arts (4 units)

  • This is a quantitative reasoning course that emphasizes collaborative work and critical thinking; it is not taught in a traditional lecture format.
  • If you are pursuing a non-STEM degree without a specific math requirement, check with a counselor – this may be the only math class you need.*
  • Fulfills AA/AS degree math graduation requirements. 
  • Fulfills CSU GE Math requirement; UC Elective transferable

• MTH 220: Statistics (4 units)

  • For students pursuing many Social Science degrees, including Psychology.*
  • A 2-unit support course is available (required for some students)
  • Fulfills AA/AS degree math graduation requirements
  • Fulfills CSU and UC GE math requirement

• MTH 228: Introduction to Data Science (5 units)

  • Work with real-world data
  • May be an alternative to statistics in some programs
  • UC transfer; CSU GE transfer (math designation pending)

• MTH 230: Calculus for Business and Economics (3 units)

  • For students who require a course in Business Calculus for transfer
  • Fulfills AA/AS degree math graduation requirements
  • Fulfills CSU and UC GE math requirement

You may qualify for higher-level math courses if you took Trigonometry, Precalculus/Math Analysis or higher level course or passed an AP exam with a 3 or higher. See placement guide tab for more information.

*These are general guidelines and may not address your specific circumstances. If you are planning to transfer to a CSU or UC or other 4-year school, your math requirement will generally depend on your transfer school and major. As always, we encourage you to meet with a counselor if you have any questions. Call 468-3048 for an appt. 

Mendocino College Math Class Placement Process Guide

Mendocino College uses a multiple measures placement process to help you choose the math class that is best for you based on both your experience and your degree pathway.  Here is the placement guide effective Fall 2024.

Notices Regarding Placement:

• If you have any questions about which classes to take you are encouraged to meet with a Counselor. Call 468-3048 to get an appointment.
• It is recommended that students majoring in Business Administration for Transfer take MTH 220 before taking MTH 230.
• Students may also challenge the prerequisite for the class they want to take.  Prerequisite Challenge Form

Math Pathway Information

Standard coursework depends upon the course of study and is formalized into the following math pathways.

Overview

• STEM Pathway: For students who are majoring in or seeking to transfer in a STEM-related (math-intensive) discipline. This pathway provides a rigorous sequence that includes extended STEM applications to prepare students for transfer to a CSU or UC.
• B-SLAM (Business, Statistics, and Liberal Arts Math) Pathway: For students who do not require STEM coursework.  This pathway satisfies the institutional requirement for an Associate Degree and provides students with the flexibility of choosing a mathematical literacy course that best suits the requirements of their degree, certificate, or program for transfer with coursework that is CSU and/or UC transferable.
• Students should meet with a counselor to develop a plan that will meet the requirements of their educational goals.  

STEM Pathway Coursework

• The entry point for a student pursuing this pathway will be determined by placement or prerequisite. MTH 121 Trigonometry is the base course for all students in this pathway. For some students, a co-requisite support course may be required.
• The standard STEM pathway, in order taken, includes: MTH 121 Trigonometry; MTH 200 Precalculus; MTH 210 Calculus 1; and MTH 211 Calculus 2, after which MTH 212 Calculus 3 and MTH 214 Linear Algebra can be taken in any order.  The sequence is completed with MTH 215 Differential Equations.
• There may be an opportunity to ‘jump ahead’ in the STEM sequence (up to Calculus I).  See your counselor or a member of the math faculty for details about the availability of this option.
   

B-SLAM Pathway Coursework

• This pathway offers several courses in quantitative reasoning that are designed to meet the requirements for a variety of majors that do not require an extensive STEM background.
• Those who are seeking an Associate degree and plan to transfer to CSU may find that MTH 170 Mathematics in Native American Cultures will meet their degree requirement in the areas of both math and cultural competency. This course emphasizes collaborative work and critical thinking in topics such as geometry, game probability, patterns, and design; it is not taught in a traditional lecture format. MTH 170 is an open entry course that may require co-requisites for some students.
• Those who are seeking an Associate degree and plan to transfer to a CSU may find that MTH 205 Math for Liberal Arts will meet their degree and transfer requirements.  This course transfers to UC for General education credit and offers an overview of mathematical topics that focuses on useful applications and mathematical reasoning in society.  MTH 205 is an open entry course that may require co-requisite for some students. 
• Those who are seeking an Associate degree and plan to transfer to a UC or CSU and/or are in a major that requires a course in statistics should take MTH 220 Statistics.  For some students, co-requisites may be required. MTH 228 Introduction to Data Science may be an alternative to statistics in some programs.
• Students seeking a Business Administration Associate Degree for Transfer will take MTH 230 Business Calculus.  If the student will also need MTH 220 Statistics for their program, it is suggested that this course is taken before MTH 230 Business Calculus.

**Please note that most of the textbooks and calculators are available for use in the library (on reserve) and many can be loaned out for the semester.**

Tutoring options:

• Student Help Hours (AKA Office Hours): See your instructor’s syllabus for information about when they are available.
• Math Lab (MTH 540/542, non-credit): Math instructors are available to help you.  This is held both online and in-person at all campus locations (Ukiah, Lake, Fort Bragg, North County). Hours vary by location.  See the class schedule for details.
• NetTutor: Free 24-7 Online tutoring service. Access from the Learning Center website or from the Course Navigation Menu in Canvas*.
• Peer Tutoring (EDU 500, non-credit): Free peer tutoring currently being held online.  See "Learning Center Tutoring" in the course Course Navigation Menu in Canvas*. Contact the Learning Center for more information. Email: jdaugherty@mendocino.edu, Phone:  707.468.3046
• MESA Tutoring - See "MESA Tutoring" in the Course Navigation Menu in Canvas*. Contact the MESA Center for more information. Email: ehoefler@mendocino.edu, Phone:  707.468.3096
• Math Success (MTH 30, 1 unit): low-pressure course that focuses on teaching students math-specific skills that can help them to be successful in their math class.  Each week, students complete a short reading, try a new strategy in class, then complete a discussion response and reflection about how the strategy worked for them.  
• Contact EOPS about private tutors.

*Not all courses will have these links activated in their Course Navigation Menu in Canvas.

Support ​Courses:

• MTH 30: Math Success (1 unit)
  • Develop the study skills needed to be successful in a college-level math class in a supportive, stress-free environment
  • Take this course with your regular math class
  • No textbook required
  • Offered online
• MTH 32/532: Support for Statistics (2 units)
  • Provides just-in-time review of algebra concepts that are key to success in Statistics
  • Offered on campus and online
• MTH 33: Support for Trigonometry (2 units)
  • Provides just-in-time review of algebra concepts that are key to success in Trigonometry
  • No textbook required
  • Offered on campus
• MTH 34: Support for Precalculus (2 units)
  • Provides just-in-time review of algebra and trigonometry concepts that are key to success in Precalculus.
  • No textbook required
  • Offered on campus 
• MTH 35: Support for Calculus (2 units)
  • Provides just-in-time review of algebra, trigonometry, and precalculus concepts that are key to success in Calculus.
  • No textbook required
  • Offered on campus 
• MTH 540: Math Lab (non-credit) and MTH 542: Math Lab for Corequisite Support (non-credit, graded P/SP/NP)
  • Offers drop-in assistance from math instructors
  • Work on assignments, get additional instruction in current topics, or review previous topics
  • No textbook required
  • Offered on campus and online