Mathematics

Mathematics forms an important foundation for almost any career in the natural sciences, the social sciences, computer science, business and a host of other fields. Furthermore, numeracy and analytical skills are crucial for the everyday functioning of any individual in our society and for the functioning of society as a whole. The Mathematics Department at Douglas College endeavours to help prepare students for their chosen career paths as well as to produce members of society who are mathematically competent and have an appreciation for the importance and beauty of mathematics.

The Mathematics Department offers a variety of mathematics courses for students with different backgrounds and goals. These include a basic algebra skills review course, precalculus and calculus streams for both science and non-science students, introductory statistics, discrete mathematics for computing science, mathematics for prospective elementary school teachers and mathematics for liberal arts. Students who require upgrading of high school mathematics courses should consult the Developmental Studies Department.

The Post-Baccalaureate Diploma in Mathematics and Science Teaching is designed to enable experienced, practicing elementary and middle school teachers to improve their teaching of those subjects for which they often feel least prepared: mathematics and science. 

Department Website

For an overview of this program, including faculty listings, frequently asked questions and other resources, visit the departmental website.

Career/Further Educational Opportunities

Many university programs require first- and second-year mathematics courses as prerequisites for higher level courses. Students should refer to the appropriate university calendar and the BC Transfer Guide to identify relevant courses. In particular, mathematics form part of the package of courses required for students planning to transfer to Environmental Science, Computing Science, Engineering, Wood Products Processing and Elementary Education.

Location

Mathematics courses are offered at both the New Westminster Campus and the David Lam Campus in Coquitlam.

Intake Dates/Application Deadline

**Application deadlines may be extended.
Mathematics courses are offered in all three semesters - Fall, Winter and Summer. Mathematics courses are in high demand and frequently fill up early in the registration process.

See Application deadlines.

Prerequisite Compliance

1. General Admission Requirements
2. English 12 with a minimum grade of "C" or approved substitution
3. Assessment Information (see below)

Students who are requesting transfer credit from other institutions or submitting high school transcripts from outside of BC to satisfy prerequisite compliance are required to apply and submit those documents no later than three months in advance of the intake.

Course Requirements

High School Grade Prerequisites

If your last mathematics course was taken at a BC high school, use the chart below for placement advice. Otherwise, you must have your last mathematics course evaluated to determine its equivalent for BC. All course equivalencies must be approved by the Registrar's Office prior to registration. For more information, please see the Assessment Test section below.

NOTE: If you have achieved a grade of B or better in either Principles of Math 12 or Precalculus 12 (or an approved equivalent), you can register directly into any one of the following courses: MATH 1101; 1105; 1110; 1120; 1125; 1130; 1160; 1191; or 1234.

The Assessment Test

Students who do not possess the required high school course (or an approved equivalent) with the minimum grade for entry into a particular course, and have not yet taken a Douglas College MATH course, must take the Douglas College Math 11 Exemption Test or a Douglas College Math Assessment Test to determine their eligibility for course registration.

The Mathematics Department offers two types of assessment test.  The first is the Mathematics Assessment Test. This is a multiple-choice test of basic algebra skills and is used by students who wish to register in one of our precalculus courses:  MATH 1105 or MATH 1110. The second is the Computer-Based Math Assessment. This is for students who would like to challenge the prerequisites for courses at the Calculus level or higher. See Assessment Services for more information about the Douglas College Math Assessment Tests and Douglas College Math 11 Exemption Test and their scheduled times.

The table below indicates the minimum Mathematics Assessment Test level and score required for each 1000–level Douglas College Mathematics course. See Assessment Services for more information about the Computer–Based Math Assessment levels and scores.

BC High School Mathematics Courses Prior to Sept. 2011
If your last mathematics course was:	Assessment Test:	You may register in:
Principles of Math 12 with a B or better	None required	MATH 1101, 1105, 1110, 1120, 1125, 1130, 1160, 1191 or 1234
Principles of Math 12 with a C+ or C	Score of 20 or more	MATH 1110
	Score of 17 or more	MATH 1105
	Score of less than 17 or no Assessment Test	MATH 1101, 1130, 1160, 1191 or 1234
Applications of Math 12 with a B or better	Score of 20 or more	MATH 1105 or 1110
	Score of 12 to 19	MATH 1101
	Score of less than 12 or no test	MATH 1160, 1191, 1234 or contact Math Upgrading Department
Applications of Math 12 with a C or better	Score of 20 or more	MATH 1105 or 1110
	Score of 12 to 19	MATH 1101
	Score of less than 12 or no test	MATH 1234 or contact Math Upgrading Department
Principles of Math 12 (C-) or Principles of Math 11 (C or better)	Score of 20 or more	MATH 1105 or 1110
	Score of less than 20 or no test	MATH 1101, 1191 or 1234
Applications of Math 11 with an A- or better	None required	MATH 1160 or contact Math Upgrading Department
Principles of Math 11 with a C- or better	Not eligible to write	MATH 1234 or contact Math Upgrading Department
All other high school mathematics courses		Contact Math Upgrading Department

Course Equivalencies

The Registrar's Office must approve course equivalencies. Call 604 527 5478 for more information.

Sequencing of Courses

The normal sequencing of Mathematics courses at Douglas College is as follows:

Science Students:
MATH 1101 MATH 1105 MATH 1110 MATH 1120 MATH 1220 MATH 2321 MATH 2421

MATH 2232        

MATH 2260        

Business Students:
MATH 1101 MATH 1105 MATH 1125

Computing Science Students:
MATH 1101 MATH 1105 MATH 1110 MATH 1120 MATH 1220 MATH 2232

MATH 1130 MATH 2230

Students Requiring a Statistics Course:
MATH 1101 MATH 1105 MATH 1160

PLEASE NOTE:                                                                                                                                                                                   
Students must achieve a minimum grade of a C- for any prerequisite course to continue on in the sequence and a grade of B- in MATH 1101 is required for students wishing to go directly into MATH 1110.

The 1000 Level Courses

MATH 1101 Basic Algebra
This is a one semester course providing a review of basic algebra. Prerequisite: C grade or better in Precalculus 11 or equivalent (see above).

MATH 1105 Algebra and Trigonometry
Prepares students for MATH 1110 and MATH 1125.
Prerequisite: MATH 1101 or MATU 0411 or BUSN 1330 or equivalent (see above).

MATH 1110 Precalculus
Prepares students for MATH 1120.  Graphing calculator required.
Prerequisite: MATH 1101 with B- or better or MATH 1105 or equivalent (see above).

MATH 1120 Calculus I 
Differential calculus in one variable for science students.
Prerequisite: MATH 1110 or a B grade or better in Precalculus 12 or equivalent (see above).

MATH 1125 Calculus for the Social Sciences
Differential calculus for business, social and biological sciences.
Prerequisite: MATH 1105 or a B grade or better in Precalculus 12 or equivalent (see above).

MATH 1130 Discrete Mathematics I
The first of two discrete courses for computing science.
Prerequisite: Precalculus 12 or Foundations of Math 12 with a C or better or equivalent (see above).

MATH 1160 Introduction to Statistics 
A pre-calculus introductory statistics course.
Prerequisite: MATH 1105 or B or better in one of Precalculus 11 or Foundations of Math 11 (see above).

MATH 1191 Mathematics for Teachers 
Math preparation for prospective elementary teachers.
Prerequisite: MATU 0411 or Precalculus 11 or Foundations of Math 11 with a C or better or equivalent (see above).

MATH 1234 Mathematics for Liberal Arts 
A course to improve quantitative reasoning skills and deepen appreciation for the role mathematics plays in our lives. Intended for students in the arts and social sciences.