There are two major factors that go into determining which math classes at PCC you should take — your current math skills and your future academic goals. Use these guidelines to help you determine the math courses and sequence that you should follow.

1. Start with Placement

Before you can plan your math courses, you need to know where to start! At PCC your math placement is based on your high school math courses and GPA. This will determine which math class you can start with. Check LancerPoint for your placement! 

Additional ways to place into a math class is to use your scores from an AP exam you took in high school or to transfer with math courses from other colleges. Visit the prerequisite office to find out more.

2. Figure out Your Academic Goal

Once you know which math level to start with, you need to understand where you are headed. We offer different courses and sequences depending on which level of math you need to reach for your major and academics goals.

If you are planning to major in Science, Technology, Engineering, or Mathematics (STEM), you will need to take Calculus and beyond. As you plan your courses, follow the STEM math sequence to get you on the track to fulfill math requirements and transfer to a four-year degree program in a STEM major.

Transferring to a four-year university, regardless of your major, requires that you fulfill a general math requirement. But, if you are not pursuing a STEM major, you most likely will NOT need to take calculus. If this is your goal, you should follow the SLAM sequence which will you lead you to statistics and liberal arts mathematics and fulfill your general math requirement for transfer.

Similar to transfer students, earning an Associate Degree or Certificate at PCC requires that you fulfill a general math requirement. If the degree or certificate program is not a STEM major, you will not need to take Calculus. If this is your goal, you should follow the SLAM sequence which will you lead you to statistics and liberal arts mathematics and fulfill your general math requirement for a degree or certificate.

3. Follow a Math Sequence

Now that you know where to start and where you're headed, you can select the math sequence to follow. Your academic goals determine the math sequence you select and your placement determines where you start in the sequence.

STEM Sequence
Choose this if you are majoring in science, technology, engineering or mathematics (Goal Option #1).

See Math Sequences

SLAM Sequence
Choose this if you are planning to transfer and/or earn a degree or certificate in a non-STEM major and don't plan on taking calculus.

See Math Sequences

4. Explore Math Path to Help You Get There

Math Path help you accelerate your math courses and reach your end goal quicker. In Math ​​Path you will complete two full semesters of math in just one semester. It's offered in many levels of math and open to both STEM and non-STEM majors.

Learn More