Math Pathways Information for WCU Students

As a new, returning, or transfer student at WCU, you may need to take a specific math course or multiple math courses in order to complete your particular program(s) of study.  Carefully read the following descriptions of the four Math Pathways available to students at WCU.  

Explore pathways by your major

PLEASE NOTE: 

• If you are a new student who is not sure about which math class to take, speak to someone in the Advising Center. 
• If you are a new transfer student who is not sure about which math you have had, or whether the math course you have taken at your previous institution will transfer, speak to the Transfer Advisor. 
• If you are a returning student, and you have already declared your major, and have questions about your math requirement(s), speak to your Faculty Advisor by logging into myWCU and clicking on "Advising/Tutoring;" your faculty advisor will be listed there - if you have trouble finding your Faculty Advisor, reach out to the Advising Center.

Available Pathways  

Functions Pathway

What courses are involved?

• NEW → MATH 100: Precalculus Support(1) What is Math 100?
• MATH 130: Precalculus I (3)
• MATH 146: Precalculus II (4)
• or MATH 153: Calculus I (4)

Note: Students can place directly into MATH 146 or MATH 153.

What is the content?

Students who take this pathway through Precalculus will explore how variables change together. The courses will focus on the study of the library of functions with algebraic proficiency. Topics like trigonometry and how exponential growth/decay vary from linear change will be developed. The courses will also focus on modeling, fitting data to functions, and making  predictions and establishing trends.

Who should take this pathway?

Students who are preparing to take Calculus should take these courses. Also, students whose majors focus on functions and algebraic reasoning should take the course.

Statistics Pathway

What course is involved?

• MATH 170: Applied Statistics (3)

What is the content?

Students who take this pathway through Statistics will learn basic descriptive statistics and inferential statistics. They will learn how to appropriately collect data for a study, analyze data, display results, and interpret others’ results. Additionally, students will study basic probabilities that are the foundation of making inferences. Topics such as regression, confidence intervals, sampling distributions, standard deviation, random variables, and hypothesis testing will be covered in class.

Who should take this pathway?

Students whose majors or career paths require thinking about chance, data and making inferences, should take this pathway, especially those who will be required to make sense of data by analyzing and critiquing studies.

Mathematics Education Pathway

What course(s) is/are involved?

• MATH 221: Number Sense for Teaching (3)
• and/or MATH 321:Reasoning about Change, Measurement, Chance, and Data for Teaching (3) ​

What is the content?

Students who take this pathway will study the mathematics necessary to teach elementary and middle grades mathematics classes.  ​

Who should take this pathway?

Students who are want to teach in elementary education, special education, and middle grades education should take this pathway (or part of it). Some education degree plans require both courses and some just require MATH 221. The pathway for students interested in high school education and higher education begins with the Functions Pathway.

Arts and Humanities Pathway

What course is involved?​

• MATH 101: Mathematical Concepts (3)

What is the content?

Students who take this pathway will study quantitative reasoning and mathematical and statistical literacies needed in everyday life.  Although some topics vary from instructor to instructor, generally instructors cover quantitative literacies regarding data and chance.  They also typically cover some consumer math and the mathematics related to humanities and arts. Students will learn critical thinking and communication skills and problem solving skills. ​

Who should take this pathway?

Students who need proficiencies such as reasoning logically, focus on non-symbolic mathematics, consumer math, and descriptive problem solving.  Students in arts and humanities should consider MATH 101.