Mathematics

For more detailed information about the Department of Mathematics and Statistics, including course outlines and advice on course selection, please visit our website.

Statistics Courses

For statistics courses please see Statistics (STAT).

Duplicate Courses

In some cases, different courses cover substantially the same material but are targeted to different audiences. Credit cannot be given for more than one such course or sequence. In particular, college credit will be given for only one in each of the following sets of courses (or course sequences).

• MATH 1118 or 1119
• MATH 1153/1253, 1171, 1173, 1174, or 1175
• MATH 1271, 1273, 1274, or 1275
• MATH 1252 or 2362

Standard Sequence

The standard sequence for students who need first-year Calculus for science and who attended secondary school in British Columbia depends on the grade they achieved in Precalculus 12.

Those with a recent:

• "C" or "C-" normally take MATH 1152, 1153, 1253, and then 1271.
• "C+" normally take MATH 1170, 1171 and 1271 or 1170, 1173/1183 and 1273/1283.
• "B" normally take MATH 1153, 1253 and 1271 or 1173/1183 and 1273/1283.
• "A" normally take MATH 1171 and 1271 or 1173/1183 and 1273/1283.

Note: Students with a "B" or lower in Precalculus 12 are advised to go through the Mathematics Diagnostic Test process since this process might suggest direct entry into MATH 1171 or 1173 without having to take MATH 1152 or 1170.

Some science faculties in some universities will accept MATH 1174 and 1274; MATH 1175 and 1275 - check with your university to confirm your options.

The standard course sequence for students who need first-year Calculus for Business/Commerce and who attended secondary school in British Columbia depends on their grade in Precalculus 12. Those with a recent:

• "C-" or "C" normally take MATH 1152 then 1170, 1174 and 1274.
• "C+" normally take MATH 1170 then 1174 and 1274.
• "B" or "A" normally take MATH 1174 and 1274.

Note: Students with a "C+" or lower in Precalculus 12 are advised to go through the Mathematics Diagnostic Test process since this process might suggest direct entry into MATH 1174 without having to take MATH 1152 or 1170.

In the above, “recent” generally means the Precalculus 12 course was completed within the last three years.
Some commerce and business administration majors require only MATH 1174, but will accept MATH 1274 as an elective - check with your university.

The standard course sequence for students who need first-year Calculus for Life Sciences and who attended secondary school in British Columbia depends on their grade in Precalculus 12. Those with a recent:

• "C-" or "C" normally take MATH 1152 then 1170, 1175 and 1275.
• "C+" normally take MATH 1170 then 1175 and 1275.
• "B" or "A" normally take MATH 1175 and 1275.

Note: Students with a "C+" or lower in Precalculus 12 are advised to go through the Mathematics Diagnostic Test process since this process might suggest direct entry into MATH 1175 without having to take MATH 1152 or 1170.

Prerequisites

Prerequisites for courses in Mathematics are valid for only three years. Students wanting to register in a course for which the prerequisite was taken more than three years ago will require departmental permission. Students may be required to go through a diagnostic process (see below) or to “upgrade” the prerequisite.

Note: MATH 1119 and 1120 have no formal prerequisite; however, experience has shown that success in these courses is enhanced by recent, successful completion of the Precalculus 11 course or its equivalent. Also, a minimum "C-" grade is required in order to use a course as a prerequisite for a subsequent course, except where another prerequisite is explicitly stated.

Repeating a course

A Mathematics course may be taken only twice, regardless of the grade earned in the first enrolment. The department chair, or delegate, will decide on exceptions to this rule, usually on the basis of documented evidence of upgraded prerequisites. Contact the advisor for information.

Textbooks

Some mathematics and statistics courses use textbooks which have an online portal or other resources associated with them. Students who purchase second-hand used textbooks may find that they are unable to access those other resources. Please check with your instructor prior to purchasing a used textbook, because you may end up either forfeiting marks associated with the online work, or spending extra money to separately purchase online access.

Diagnostic Tests

The Mathematics Diagnostic Tests (MDT) are part of an assessment process designed to identify the mathematics or statistics course that is most appropriate in view of a student’s background, current abilities, and future needs.

The tests consist of a collection of multiple-choice questions involving basic mathematical skills, algebra, geometry, trigonometry, reading, and problem-solving. These questions are designed to assess readiness for each of MATH 1101, 1150, 1152, 1153, 1170, 1171, 1173, 1174, 1175, and 1190 and some Statistics courses (see also STAT).

Immediately after writing the test, each student meets with a departmental advisor to consider the student’s most recent transcripts, the current test results, and a short background survey.

Students should go through this process if they wish to register in one of the above courses but do not have the background described below. Students can take part in this process only once in any given semester and the results are valid for three years. For more information, including some sample questions and review materials, visit the “Math Diagnostic Test” section of this website.  Students do not have to write the test if they have:

• recently completed a prerequisite Langara College Mathematics course with the grade required by the course they want to register in.
• a recent "A" grade in Precalculus 12 and want MATH 1171
• a recent "B" grade in Precalculus 12 and want MATH 1153, 1173, 1174, or 1175
• a recent "C+" grade in Precalculus 12 and a recent "C-" grade in BC Provincial Calculus 12 and want MATH 1153 or 1171, 1173, 1174, or 1175
• a recent "C+" grade in Precalculus 12 and want MATH 1170
• a recent "C-" grade in Precalculus 12 and want MATH 1152
• a recent "C" grade in Precalculus 11 and want MATH 1150, 1118, 1190, or STAT 1124

“Recent” means within the previous three years.

Students who are currently enrolled in, or have completed, a Langara College Mathematics course are not normally permitted to take the MDT. A schedule of when the tests can be written for the upcoming semester and information about registering for the test is available at the website mentioned above. See Statistics (STAT) for information on the Statistics Diagnostic Test.

Note: Listed below are the official Calendar course descriptions. For further information, please contact the Department of Mathematics and Statistics advisor.