So Youre Advising a Student to Take Math

1
So Youre Advising a Student to Take Math

• It is our hope that this document will provide
  advisors and students with the information they
  need to be successful in the area of mathematics
  on our campus. On the next page you will find a
  table of contents that provide the reader with a
  quick links to math advisement information. As
  always, if you have any additional questions or
  concerns about math advisement do not hesitate to
  contact us.
• Department of Mathematics at Clinton
  Community College

2
Math Advisement Table of Contents

• Seven General Advisement Recommendations for
  Students Taking Math Courses
  
• Flowchart for Sequence of CCC Math Courses
• Suggested Math Courses Listed by Major
• Changes in Math Courses Including Course
  Numbering
  
• Schedule of Online Math Courses

3
General Advisement Recommendations for Students
Taking Math Courses

• Recommendation 1 Always check math
  placement test scores/math faculty placement
  recommendation
  
• You can access these recommendations through
  Reflections (Faculty menu, option 8). You do not
  need to worry about interpreting the math
  placement test cut-off scores, just check the
  course that is listed under recommended at the
  end of the row labeled ACT NUM/EAL/IAL or the row
  labeled CPT ARITH/EALG/CLM. In the event that a
  student took the math placement test more than
  once, check the testing dates to determine the
  most recent recommendation.
• Example 1 The student has been placed via the
  placement exam
  
• This student should begin their math sequence at
  MAT100.
  
• Please contact a math faculty member if
  you have any questions regarding proper
  
• math placement.

Back to index
4
General Advisement Recommendations for Students
Taking Math Courses

• Recommendation 1 (continued) Always check
  math placement test scores/math faculty placement
  recommendation via Reflection
  
• NOTE Students scoring 85 or higher on the math
  B regents exam or 500 or higher on the SAT math
  or 20 or above on the ACT math are exempt from
  taking the math placement exam and should be
  placed into the appropriate college-level math
  course by a math faculty member. You can access
  these recommendations through Reflection (Faculty
  menu, option 8). Refer to the end of the row
  labeled GM MATH FACULTY RECOMM.
• Example 2 The student has been placed via a
  math faculty member
  
• This student should begin their math sequence at
  MAT161, MAT200 or MAT215 depending upon their
  program of study.
  
• Please contact a math faculty member if you
  have any questions regarding proper math
  placement.

       
Back to index
5
General Advisement Recommendations for Students
Taking Math Courses
Recommendation 2 Start students in the
math sequence as early as possible.
Students who have difficulty with math may want
to put off taking a math class for as long as
possible. However, these same students are often
the ones who need to take one or more basic
skills math courses before they are even eligible
to take the college-level math courses that are
required for their programs. In order to complete
their program requirements within a reasonable
timeframe, it is important for students to begin
the math sequence in their first semester.

Back to index
6
General Advisement Recommendations for Students
Taking Math Courses

• Recommendation 3 Schedule a succession of
  math courses in consecutive semesters, whenever
  possible.
  
• Students who need to take a sequence of math
  courses are generally more successful if they do
  not take semester (or longer) breaks between
  courses. An uninterrupted progression of math
  courses ensures continued practice and
  application of concepts, leading to greater
  retention of the material.

Back to index
7
General Advisement Recommendations for Students
Taking Math Courses

• Recommendation 4 Be aware of lengthy gaps
  between math courses.
  
• It is typical for students to regress when a
  number of years have been taken off from
  coursework. Students who have not taken a math
  course in the last two years should be advised to
  retake the math placement exam. This will ensure
  that they will continue their math coursework at
  a level where they will be successful.

Back to index
8
General Advisement Recommendations for Students
Taking Math Courses

• Recommendation 5 For returning or
  transferring students, please make sure that the
  student whom youre advising has successfully met
  the course prerequisites before registering them
  for the next level math course.
• Refer to the math course flowchart on the next
  page of this document for the proper sequence of
  math courses. You can access the students
  transcript (Reflections, Faculty Menu, Option 2)
  to ensure that the student has actually completed
  and passed the prerequisite course.
• Example 3 The student has successfully
  completed a math course at another college.
  
• This student has transferred in 3 credits
  equivalent to our MAT101 from HVCC, thus they can
  take the next sequential math course (see the
  flowchart for sequencing).
• Please contact a math faculty member if
  you have any questions regarding proper math
  placement.

Back to index
9
General Advisement Recommendations for Students
Taking Math Courses

• Recommendation 6 Try to schedule math
  classes at times that play to the students
  strengths.
  
• Some students are more focused in the morning
  versus the evening. Some students learn and
  retain more if the class meets four times per
  week as opposed to two. Ask the students about
  their preferences. If the students and the
  colleges schedules will allow it, try to
  register them in sections that will optimize
  mathematical learning.

Back to index
10
General Advisement Recommendations for Students
Taking Math Courses

• Recommendation 7 Be especially prudent
  when it comes to registering students for online
  math courses.
  
• Not only should these students have met the
  prerequisites but also should have a solid math
  background (although not a steadfast rule,
  students enrolling in an online math course
  should have earned grades of B or better in
  previous math courses). It is also suggested that
  a students first online course NOT be a math
  course. In addition to learning the online
  format, math DL students need to use a graphing
  calculator, a graph link, and a symbolic editor.
  This can be overwhelming for a first-time
  distance-learning student.

Back to index
11
Flowchart for Sequence of Math Courses
(3 contact hrs/ 0 credits)
MAT096 Arithmetic
These three courses do not carry math credit.
MAT098 Prealgebra
(3 contact hrs/ 0 credits)
MAT100 Introductory Algebra
(4 contact hrs/ 4 free-elective credits)
MAT104 College Algebra with Trigonometry I
MAT103 Finite Mathematics
(4 contact hrs/ 4 credits)
(3 contact hrs/ 3 credits)
OR
MAT105 Technical Mathematics I
(4 contact hrs/ 4 credits)
MAT161 Elementary Statistics
(3 contact hrs/ 3 credits)
MAT204 College Algebra with Trigonometry II
(4 contact hrs/ 4 credits)
OR
MAT205 Technical Mathematics II
(4 contact hrs/ 4 credits)
MAT215 Calculus for Business Students
(4 contact hrs/ 4 credits)
MAT224 Calculus with Analytic Geometry I
(4 contact hrs/ 4 credits)
MAT225 Calculus with Analytic Geometry II
(4 contact hrs/ 4 credits)
MAT226 Calculus with Analytic Geometry III
(4 contact hrs/ 4 credits)
Back to index
12
What Entry-Level Math Course Should a Student
Take?

• A students initial placement into the sequence
  of math courses should be made via the placement
  exam or the placement recommendation of a math
  faulty member
• For example, if a students placement exam results
  place them into MAT098, they should start their
  sequence of coursework there.
  
• On the other hand, if upon review of a students
  transcript, the math faculty recommendation
  indicates proper placement to be MAT161 and/or
  MAT215, they can begin their math sequence there.
  (Thus, not having to take an entry-level math
  course.)
• Please note that a student who successfully
  completes MAT104 or MAT105 can take any
  second-level math course (MAT161 or MAT215 or
  MAT204 or MAT205). However, a student who
  successfully completes MAT103 Finite
  Mathematics can only take MAT161 or MAT215.
• While a student who successfully completes MAT104
  can take MAT205 and visa versa, we strongly
  recommend a student remain in either the college
  algebra with trigonometry or technical
  mathematics sequence of coursework.

Back to index
13
Changes in Math Courses Including Course
Numbering
Over time, a handful of math courses have been
renumbered. If you come across such a course on
a student transcript, the table below will show
you what current catalog course it is equivalent
to.
It is typical for students to regress when a
number of years have been taken off from
coursework. Students who have not taken a mat
h course in the last two years should be advised
to retake the math placement exam. This will e
nsure that they will continue their math
coursework at a level where they will
be successful.
Back to index
14
Changes in Math Courses Including Course
Numbering
Some courses, rather than being renumbered, have
been taken out of the college catalog and/or are
no longer offered on our campus. Below you will
find a list of such courses and where they fit on
curriculum and graduation worksheets.
It is typical for students to regress when a
number of years have been taken off from
coursework. Students who have not taken a mat
h course in the last two years should be advised
to retake the math placement exam. This will e
nsure that they will continue their math
coursework at a level where they will
be successful.
Back to index
15
Online Math Courses

• The following math courses will be offered online
  via the SUNY Learning Network (SLN) according the
  the schedule below. All other math courses will
  be offered online on an as-needed basis. Please
  contact our campus Distance Learning Coordinator,
  Vicky Sloan, for more information on distance
  learning (DL) at CCC (562-4281 or
  vicky.sloan_at_clinton.edu).
• MAT103 Finite Mathematics will be scheduled
  each fall semester commencing in fall 2008.
  
• MAT161 Elementary Statistics will be scheduled
  each spring semester.
  
• MAT215 Calculus for Business Students will be
  scheduled every other spring semester on
  even-numbered years (spring 2008, spring 2010,
  etc.)
• MAT224 Calculus and Analytic Geometry I will be
  scheduled as needed.

Back to index