FAQ about Math 248UP, Accelerated Mathematics for Statistics
What is “Accelerated Mathematics for Statistics”?
Math 248UP, “Accelerated Mathematics for Statistics,” is an experimental pre-statistics remedial math course
that introduces statistical concepts covered in Math 13 (Introduction to Statistics) while also reviewing
algebraic concepts covered in Math 201 (Elementary Algebra) and Math 203 (Intermediate Algebra). Algebraic
concepts taught in Math 201/203 are contextualized in a data analysis approach, with a focus on those aspects
of algebra that are needed for successful passage of Math 13. Since the course replaces Math 201 and Math
203 in the remedial math sequence, it is a 5-credit hour course meeting two times per week. There are a total
of almost 6 class hours per week. This extra time will allow statistical material to be covered at a slower pace
than in the college-level course.
Why is this course being offered?
To improve the chances of students passing Math 13, the one transfer-level math class needed by non-STEM,
non-business, majors to obtain a 4-year degree. STEM stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, and
Mathematics. By focusing on data analysis and ‘high-school level’ statistical concepts while incorporating
algebraic review, we hope to improve success rates for Math 13. Students will be encouraged to take Math 13
immediately upon completion of the course.
Who is our target audience?
Students who meet the following four criteria:
1. They want to eventually transfer to a 4-year institution and already are certain that they do not intend to be
STEM (science, technology, engineering, or math) or business or nursing majors, and hence will not need to
take pre-calculus or calculus or courses that require intermediate algebra as a pre-requisite.
2. They are willing to take a 5-hour math course one semester so as to eliminate the need for taking two
consecutive 4-hour math courses (Math 201 and 203).
3. They do not intend to take STEM courses such as chemistry, computer science, biology or economics that
will require Math 203 as a pre-requisite.
4. They anticipate taking Math 13 at BCC.
What if a student successfully completes this experimental course but later changes their mind about their
major and decides to become a STEM or business or nursing major?
They will have to take the regular Math 201/Math 203 course sequence to prepare for Math 1 (pre-calculus)
and calculus. Thus, students who are uncertain as to what their future major will be should not enroll in this
course. Note: nursing majors need Math 203 but not pre-calculus or calculus.
What are the pre-requisites for the course?
Students must have either successfully completed Math 253, Pre-Algebra, or assessed through the math
placement test at the level of either Math 201, Elementary Algebra, or Math 203, Intermediate Algebra.
Students who have completed Math 201 are not eligible.
Can students who want an AA/AS degree consider taking the course?
Yes, students who eventually complete Math 13 will automatically satisfy the math requirement for the AA/AS
degree, which is successful completion of Math 203 or higher. If a student does not pass Math 13, he/she will
need to take Math 201/203 to get an AA degree.
What about the student’s need to take other non-math courses that require Math 203 as a pre-requisite?
Courses requiring Math 203 as a pre-requisite are typically STEM classes (for example, chemistry and computer
science), and we do not expect the non-STEM major to be including these courses in their academic plans. If,
however, the student does intend to take another STEM class that has Math 203 as a pre-requisite, they
should not enroll in this experimental course.
How will a student be able to register for Math 13 without satisfying the Math 203 pre-requisite?
The student will need to have the Math Chair sign a form allowing Math 248UP to substitute as a pre-requisite
for Math 13. In the future, we might want to consider requesting the District to amend the Math 13 course
outline so that Math 248UP would become an official pre-requisite, but we would have to procure agreement
from the math departments at the other Peralta campuses. Such a change could not be made just for BCC but
would need to be made District-wide.
Can a student completing this course register for Math 13 at another California community college?
Students should be counseled to take Math 13 at BCC, as we are uncertain whether other community colleges
would accept this accelerated math class as a pre-requisite for Math 13. The other Peralta colleges are
currently not planning to offer this same accelerated math class. A similar experimental accelerated math
course, however, is being offered at Diablo Valley College (DVC) and City College of San Francisco (CCSF) during
2011-2012.
Will there be a separate Math 13 section just for students who take this accelerated math course?
No. Students successfully completing this course will enroll in any section of Math 13, and hence be
“mainstreamed” with other Math 13 students who completed the regular 250/253/201/203 math sequence or
assessed into Math 13.
Will this course be offered at BCC beyond Spring 2012?
Current plans are to offer this as an experimental course during Spring and Fall 2012. The math dept. would
like to evaluate the course before deciding whether it will be continued beyond then.