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 (or if you are currently registered in the prerequisite, you can request an override from the department advisor). Even then, if the prerequisite material does not seem familiar to you, chances are that you will not succeed in the course.

        In some cases, you are allowed to take a prerequisite for your chosen course concurrently, but if you subsequently withdraw from the prerequisite, you will also be required to withdraw from the course for which it is a prerequisite (for example, you can take MATH 1174 and STAT 1181 concurrently, but if you decide to withdraw from Math then the system will want to drop you from Stats too – talk to the Department Chair).

        If you are a recent BC high school student, please refer to the document What Math and stat courses can I take at Langara. Note: if you are completing a prerequisite course at another institution, then contact the Department Chair to see if you can get a temporary override to register.

3. Take the diagnostic test early. As part of our diagnostic process, you will discuss your results with the Department Chair immediately after writing the test and before registering in a course. They 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 Statistics Advisor by contacting statadvisor@langara.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 or stat 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.

(Click here to download a pdf of this flowchart)

NOTE: Your performance on the Statistics Diagnostic Test (SDT) 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 SDT result will not affect your ability to use your high school math grade.

6. Most programs which do not require first year calculus will accept any 6 units of Mathematics courses. At Langara we offer several combinations of Math & Stats courses which may meet these requirements (check with the university that you plan to attend):

a) Math 1171/Stat 1181: Calculus and Statistics
b) Math 1171/Stat 1124: Calculus and Statistics

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.

7. 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 counselor that the course you have chosen is appropriate.

8. 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. STAT 1123, STAT 1124, STAT 1181
2. STAT 1224, STAT 2225, STAT 3223, STAT 3222

9. Final course selection should be made in consultation with a Statics advisor (after the student has completed the Statistics Diagnostic Test, if this is the case) or with a College Counsellor.

STUDENTS WHO COMPLETED HIGH SCHOOL OUTSIDE OF CANADA must take the Statistics 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:

1.  
   1. 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.
   2. Students from countries which use other systems should see the Math & Stats Department Student Advisor if wanting advice as to what placement to expect from the diagnostic test.
   3. Students who have taken some post-secondary math courses at a university outside of Canada should see the Math & Stats Department Student Advisor to discuss how they should proceed.

     2. AP Calculus and IB Math 

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Please read the Registration Advice page for important information about registration. Check the registration guide and use the dates listed there to check that you are still registered in your courses – important dates include (1) Tuition Payment Due Date and (2) Final Grades Processed Date. Be sure to pay your tuition by the published date, and be sure to carefully read the information about waitlists.

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ONCE YOU ARE IN THE COURSE:

1. 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.
2. Spend about two hours on homework for each class hour.
3. Buy the textbook. Substitutes don't work. The dollar saving isn't worth it.
4. 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.
5. 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 B154) 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.
6. Do the best you possibly can on the final exam.
7. If you decide to withdraw, do so officially (online) or your grade point average will be lowered.