Curriculum

Academic Affairs Division

Mathematics Pathways

Why take Mathematics in college?

Math is everywhere. People who don’t use math survive, but people who can use math to solve real-world problems thrive. Using mathematical reasoning helps people to make wise choices in real life, including understanding financial aid, how to budget and spend money, and how to tip appropriately. Math is needed for nearly all careers and professions, but it is the key to being able to enter certain high demand, high-paying professions such as those in science, technology, and engineering. Mathematics will be most rewarding for you if you take the math courses appropriate to you major and career goals.

What Mathematics course should I take?

We can’t tell you all the math courses you might need to take in your college career. Our goal is to get you started on a math pathway that is best for your intended major. So, we’re going to help you find the appropriate entry-level mathematics course, the first math course you will take in your college career, the one that will start you on the right pathway.

There are 7 entry-level mathematics courses to choose from:

MATH 1001 Quantitative Reasoning
MATH 1101 Introduction to Mathematical Modeling
MATH 1401 Elementary Statistics (at some institutions)
MATH 1111 College Algebra
MATH 1112 College Trigonometry
MATH 1113 Precalculus
Calculus (no common number for this one)

Getting into the courses:

All students are expected to have completed four mathematics courses in high school. (Dual Enrollment students must complete three high school mathematics courses, including Algebra II, before taking collegiate mathematics courses.)

Any student may start in MATH 1001, MATH 1101, or MATH 1401. Some students will be required to take a “Corequisite Support” course alongside these courses.

You must meet certain requirements to be able to take MATH 1111, MATH 1112, MATH 1113, or Calculus. Some students will be required to take a “Corequisite Support” course alongside MATH 1111.

If you need MATH 1111, MATH 1112, MATH 1113, or Calculus for your major, but don’t place into it right away, start with a course that will enable you to meet requirements for the math you need. Here’s the sequencing information. Start with the “highest” course you can qualify for and go from there.

Math course progression: MATH 1001 or 1101 may be prerequisite for MATH 1111 which may be prerequisite for MATH 1112 or 1113 which may be prerequisite for Calculus.



Look for your intended major in the chart below to see the best course for you to start in.

Start smart – choose the right MATH pathway! Students in the following majors are advised to start in MATH 1001 Quantitative Reasoning or MATH 1101 Introduction to Mathematical Modeling: Anthropology, Communication, Dental Hygiene, Digital Media, Educator Preparation: Birth-to-Five, Early Childhood, Middle Grades (except Math and Science), P-12 Programs (except Health & Physical Education), Secondary (except Math and Science), English, Film/Media Studies, Foreign Languages, Music, Nursing, Occupational Therapy, Recreation, Respiratory Therapy, Speech, Theatre, Visual Arts. Students in the following majors may start in MATH 1001 Quantitative Reasoning, MATH 1101 Introduction to Mathematical Modeling, or MATH 1401 Elementary Statistics: Criminal Justice, General Studies, History, International Studies, Journalism/Mass Communication, Philosophy, Political Science, Psychology, Public Relations, Social Work, Sociology. Students in Business Administration and Health Information Management may start in MATH 1001 Quantitative Reasoning, MATH 1101 Introduction to Mathematical Modeling, or MATH 1111 College Algebra. Health Information Management Students should check institutional requirements. Business Administration students should consult the table below for institution-specific recommendations. Students in the following majors are advised to start in MATH 1111 College Algebra: Exercise and Health Science, Exercise Science, Geography (B.A.), Health and Physical Education (P-12), Information Science, Information Technology, Radiological Sciences. Students majoring in Logistics may be required to start in MATH 1111 College Algebra, but should check college catalogs for institutional requirements. Institutions may require students in Agricultural and Environmental Sciences to start in MATH 1113 Precalculus. Students in the following majors are advised to start in MATH 1113 Precalculus: Architecture, Astronomy, Biology, Chemistry, Computer Science, Educator Preparation: Mathematics (Middle Grades or Secondary) or Science (Middle Grades or Secondary), Engineering Technology, Forestry, Geography (B.S.), Geology, Mathematics, Pharmacy, Physical Therapy, Physics. Students majoring in engineering or attending the Georgia Institute of Technology should start in Calculus.



Recommended first math courses for business majors: The first math course for business majors can be either MATH 1101 Introduction to Mathematical Modeling or MATH 1111 College Algebra for students attending Clayton State University, College of Coastal Georgia, Dalton State College, East Georgia State College, Georgia Southwestern State University, or Middle Georgia State University. The first math course for business majors should be MATH 1111 College Algebra for student attending Albany State University, Atlanta Metropolitan State College, Augusta University, Columbus State University, Fort Valley State University, Georgia College & State University, Georgia Gwinnett College, Georgia Highlands College, Georgia Southern University, Gordon State College, Kennesaw State University, South Georgia State College, Savannah State University, University of North Georgia, University of West Georgia, or Valdosta State University. The first math course for business majors should be MATH 1113 Precalculus for students attending the University of Georgia. The first math courses for business majors should be MATH 1551 Differential Calculus and MATH 1552 Integral Calculus for students attending the Georgia Institute of Technology.