Undergraduate: Math Pathways

#1 Design of Math Pathways

NC Math Pathways Recommendation

The Task Force recommends that each institution develop campus-specific groups of disciplinary majors (i.e., degree clusters) and create visual representations highlighting each of the following:

  • available majors and degree options that can be obtained via each pathway
  • the math pathway required for each of those groups of disciplinary majors

UNCG Implementation

We have determined which mathematics courses different student populations at UNCG should take. We have designed the following pathways.

STEM Pathway

With the Calculus Readiness and Diagnostic Test we determine with which course students on the STEM pathway should start. The starting points are:

  • Precalculus
  • The first course in the calculus sequence and a support course.
  • The first course in the calculus sequence

Biology Pathway

Because of the large number of biology majors we are designing a specific two semester course sequence for this student population.

Business Pathway

With the MAT 120 Placement Test we determine with which course students on the STEM pathway should start. The starting points are:

  • Algebra with Business Applications or College Algebra
  • Calculus with Business Applications

Elementary Statistics Pathway

In our elementary statistics course we expose the students to the basic statistical rudiments necessary to be an informed member of society and teach how to collect, organize, analyze, and make sense out of collected data.

Liberal Arts Pathway

This is the pathway for students whose program does not require a specific mathematics course. The design of our course requires minimal prior knowledge. It only assume familiarity with the integers along with the operations addition (plus), subtraction (minus), and multiplication (times). It give examples mathematics that is build on the integers and present practical applications of this work. The material covered includes applications that are relevant for the digital age as well as pure mathematics that are linked to other liberal arts disciplines. The course culminates with the topic of public key cryptography. The interactive notes for the course are MAT 112 Ancient and Contemporary Mathematics.