Choosing a Math Course

How to Choose a Course

  1. Use the description of courses by subject to identify the courses that you are interested in.
     

  2. Examine the prerequisites carefully. You must complete the prerequisites before you enrol in a course. Even then, if the prerequisite material does not seem familiar to you, chances are that you will not succeed in the course.

    If you are currently registered in the prerequisite course at Langara, the system will allow you to register in the next course, conditional on achieving the minimum grade required.

    If you are completing a prerequisite course at another institution, we need proof of completion and your final grade before allowing you to register. Contact the Math Student Advisor with your (unofficial) final transcript to ask for a registration override.

    Note that math pre-requisites are valid only for three years.

    Learn more about prerequisites.

     

  3. Take the diagnostic test early. As part of our diagnostic process, you will discuss your results with a math advisor immediately after writing the test and before registering in a course. The advisor will be able to give you advice about a course which best suits your needs and current ability. For additional information, you can consult with the Math Student Advisor by contacting math.info [at] langara.ca (math[dot]info[at]langara[dot]ca) .
     
  4. The diagnostic test identifies your strengths and weaknesses. The test will show if you need to brush up on any math topics which are unfamiliar to you, or which you may have forgotten, before registering in a math course.
     
  5. Don't get in over your head. It is better to take an extra semester to get the course you need, rather than withdraw from or fail a course that is beyond your ability level.
     

  6. Students who require first year science credits must eventually take first year calculus, but be wary of jumping in before you're ready. We strongly recommend that students with a low B in Pre-Calculus 12 grade consider taking MATH 1170 first before attempting MATH 1171 or MATH 1173/1183.

    If your algebra skills are weak, or if you haven't recently completed Grade 12 math (or a higher level course), then you may need to start with MATH 1150 (or even MATH 1100 or 1101). In our calculus courses, we are not able to stop to teach you the necessary algebra - you must have very strong algebra when you begin to study calculus.

    • Important: MATH 1170 students must obtain B- or better to qualify for MATH 1171, must obtain C+ or better to qualify for MATH 1173, and must obtain C or better to qualify for MATH 1174 or MATH 1175. Students with a lower grade will need to either repeat MATH 1170 or take an upgrading Pre-Calculus 12 class. MATH 1171 and MATH 1173/1183 carry the same transfer credit to UBC and SFU, and both of these can be used to meet the science "Calculus I" requirement.

      Math courses flowchart

      Note: Your performance on the Math Diagnostic Test (MDT) may allow you to start at a higher course than your Grade 11 or 12 math grades suggest. Be sure to prepare for the MDT – do not write it without doing some review. A low MDT result will not affect your ability to use your high school math grade.

  7. Students aiming for a university commerce or business or economics program should take the MATH 1174 calculus course; some options (economics, finance) may require MATH 1274 as well, or MATH 1274 can be used as an elective. If you intend to major in the life sciences, consider taking MATH 1175 and MATH 1275.
     

  8. Most programs which do not require first year calculus will accept any six units of mathematics courses. At Langara we offer several combinations of math and stats courses which may meet these requirements (check with the university that you plan to attend):

    1. MATH 1153/1253: Elementary Calculus (Note: these courses are not presently offered)
    2. MATH 1162/1262: Finite Mathematics (Note: these courses are not presently offered)
    3. MATH 1171/1271: Calculus
    4. MATH 1173/1273: Calculus with Computer Explorations
    5. MATH 1170/1171: Precalculus and Calculus I
    6. MATH 1171 (Calculus) and a Statistics course (e.g. STAT 1124 or STAT 1181)

    For more information regarding the entrance requirements to specific programs, students are advised to talk with the counsellors, student advisors, or the coordinator of their specific program.
     

  9. Career students are advised to be especially careful in choosing the appropriate courses for their program. The following chart may be useful - but you should always confirm with your program coordinator and/or counsellor that the course you have chosen is appropriate.

    ProgramsCourses
    AccountingSee Financial Management below
    Computer ScienceMATH (1173/1183 or 1171) + MATH (1273/1183 or 1271)
    Business ManagementMATH 1118 or 1119
    UBC Commerce Transfer (UT)MATH 1174 (required), MATH 1274 (optional), STAT 1181 + STAT 2225 + MATH 2310 (all three of these courses must be taken in order to get transfer credit)
    SFU Business Administration (UT)MATH 1174 + STAT 1181 + STAT 1182
    Dietetics UBCprobably MATH 1175 will be sufficient, but check with UBC to be sure
    Engineering Certificate(MATH 1171 or 1173/1183) + (MATH 1271 or 1273/1283) + MATH (1252 or 2362/2382); could also take MATH 2371, MATH 2475, and STAT 1181 + 2281
    Financial Management MATH 1118 
    International Business ManagementMATH 1118 or 1119
    Marketing Management MATH 1118 or 1119

     

  10. It is pointless to take courses with substantially overlapping content because, according to Department and College policy on mutually exclusive courses, credit will be given for only one in each of the following sets of courses:
    1. MATH 1171, MATH 1173/1183, MATH 1174, MATH 1175, MATH 1153/1253,
    2. MATH 1271, MATH 1273/1283, MATH 1274, MATH 1275
    3. MATH 1118, MATH 1119
       
  11. Final course selection should be made in consultation with a math advisor (after the student has completed the Math Diagnostic Test, if this is the case) or with a College academic advisor.
     
  12. Students can only take a Math course two times, without requesting a "repeat" override. Students who want to take a course for a third time must request an override from the math student advisor; usually the override will be given after other students have had an opportunity to register. Students wishing to repeat a course may be required to agree to conditions around such things as attending class, doing homework, etc.

Completed high school outside of Canada?

Students who completed high school outside of Canada must take the Math Diagnostic Test if they did not study any mathematics at a university or college (however – see AP Calculus and IB math below). Subject to diagnostic test results, it can be expected that:

  • From countries which use the "O" and "A" level system:
    • "O" level: Students will normally enter MATH 1152 or MATH 1170; MATH 1190 if planning to teach elementary school. Students must write the MDT
    • "A" level: Students will normally enter MATH 1153 or MATH 1173 or MATH 1171 or MATH 1174. 
      Students must write the MDT. The choice of course will depend on the student's plans, record, and performance on the Diagnostic Test.
  • Students from countries which use other systems should see the math department student advisor if wanting advice as to what placement to expect from the diagnostic test.
  • Students who have taken some post-secondary math courses at a university outside of Canada should see the math department student advisor to discuss how they should proceed.

AP Calculus and IB Math

If you took an Advanced Placement Calculus course at your high school, then you may be able to use that course to obtain credit for calculus.

AP Calc AB: If your grade is “4” or better, then you can get credit for MATH 1171. If your grade is “3”, then email a copy of your AP grade to the department advisor (math.info [at] langara.ca (math[dot]info[at]langara[dot]ca)) to request a prerequisite override for calculus (1171 or 1173 or 1174). If your grade is lower than “3”, then you must write our Math Diagnostic Test to see if you qualify to take calculus at Langara. If you took and passed the AP course but did not write the AP exam, then send an email copy of your school mark to the department advisor to see if you qualify for a prerequisite override by using that school AP grade in lieu of BC Calculus 12.

AP Calc BC: If your grade is “4” or better, then you can get credit for MATH 1171 and MATH 1271. If your grade is “3”, then email a copy of your AP grade to the department advisor to request a prerequisite override for calculus (1171 or 1173 or 1174). If your grade is lower than “3”, then you must write our Math Diagnostic Test to see if you qualify to take calculus at Langara. If you took the AP course but did not write the AP exam, then send an email copy of your school mark to the department advisor to see if you qualify for a prerequisite override.

IB Mathematical Studies SL: This course cannot be used to meet any prerequisites. You must write our Math Diagnostic Test

IB Mathematics SL or IB Mathematics HL: If your grade is “5” or higher, then email a copy of your IB grades to the department advisor to request an override to take calculus.

Waitlists

Throughout the registration period, please be sure to check your waitlisted courses regularly – if you miss an "offer to register" then that space will be given to the next student on the waitlist and you will be dropped from the waitlist. If you will be unable to access the web for some time, then you must find someone to access it for you – missed offers cannot be re-issued to you.

Registration is a process that requires your timely attention. Check the registration guide and use the dates listed there to check that you are still registered in your courses – important dates include the tuition payment due date and the final grades processed date. Be sure to pay your tuition by the published date, and be sure to carefully read the information about waitlists.

If you have not managed to get into a math course by the end of the first week of classes, then you will not be able to register in a Langara math course until the following semester.

Once you are in the course

  • Keep up with your assignments. The best way to learn math is to do as many problems as you can. In stats, be sure to practice your explanations and interpretations.
  • Spend about two hours on homework for each class hour.
  • Buy the textbook. Substitutes don't work. The dollar saving isn't worth it.
  • Assume your responsibilities. It is up to you to keep up, to fill in background material, to attend classes regularly, to fill in missed material if you are forced to miss a class, to turn in assignments on due dates, to review for tests, and to present yourself for tests and for the final examination. You should not expect your instructor to make exceptions for you.
  • Get help when you need it. If you are making a sincere effort, instructors and student tutors in the Math Activity Centre (located in room C209) and your instructor in his or her office hours will be happy to assist you. You will get the best benefit if you are very specific about your difficulties; it makes it easier to help you and shows that you have tried to work out your questions yourself.
  • Do the best you possibly can on the final exam.
  • If you decide to withdraw, do so officially (online) or your grade point average will be lowered.

Contact

Office
Math Advising | B154f
Phone
604.323.5583
Email
math.info [at] langara.ca