Q: I successfully completed MAT 001. What course should I take next?

A: If you are pursuing a degree that requires MAT 109 – Algebra and Trigonometry or higher (or you plan to take MAT 109) you need to register for MAT 002. If you are a general liberal arts student who plans to choose two of the following courses to satisfy your math/computer requirement: MAT 100, MAT 101, MAT 102, MAT 103, MAT114, MAT 118 or CSC 104, then you can take either MAT 002 or MAT 012.

Q: What is the difference between MAT 002 and MAT 012?

A: MAT 002 is an introductory algebra course that is more algebra intensive and prepares you for MAT 109 – Algebra and Trigonometry. By successfully completing MAT 002, you will be able to take MAT 100, MAT 101, MAT 102, MAT 109, MAT 114, MAT 116 or MAT 118. MAT 012 is a quantitative reasoning course that uses a collaborative learning setting to teach math within real world applications. The focus of the course is on contextualized problem solving. By successfully completing MAT 012, you will be able to take MAT 100, MAT 101, MAT 102, MAT 114 or MAT 118 or CSC 104.

Q: My placement score says MAT 001 but no sections are offered. What should I do?

A: If you are pursuing a degree that requires MAT 109 or higher (or you plan to take MAT 109) you should register for MAT 003 (which is a combination of MAT 001 & MAT 002). If you are a general liberal arts student who will not be taking MAT 109 you can register for MAT 013 or MAT 003. Please see the course descriptions for MAT 002/003 and MAT 012/013 for additional information.

Q: I already took MAT 003 and did not pass. The catalog states that I can only take MAT 003 once. What should I do?

A: If you passed the MAT 001 (arithmetic) portion of MAT 003 you can register for either MAT 002 or MAT 012. See the FAQ for “I successfully completed MAT 001. What course should I take next?” for more information. If you did not pass the MAT 001 portion of MAT 003 you can take either MAT 003 again or MAT 013. See the FAQ for “My placement score says MAT 001 but no sections are offered. What should I do?” for more information.

Q: I did not pass MAT 003. Do I need to take MAT 013 or do I have a choice? Can I take MAT 002 or MAT 012?

A: You can take either MAT 003 or MAT 013 unless you need to take MAT 109 or higher as part of our degree requirements. If you need to take MAT 109 or higher as part of your degree requirement you must take MAT 003. MAT 002 or MAT 012 options are only available to students who successfully completed the MAT 001 (arithmetic) portion of MAT 003.

Q: I did not pass MAT 012. Do I need to take it again or can I switch to MAT 002?

A: You can take either MAT 012 or MAT 002. MAT 002 is required for students who need to take MAT 109 or higher as part of their degree requirements but can also be taken by students who will not need to take MAT 109. See the FAQ for “What is the difference between MAT002 and MAT 012?” for more information.

Q: Is there an option to take the 6 contact hour MAT course over two semesters?

A: Unfortunately there is no two semester option for developmental math.

Q: I’m taking my ENG and RDG developmental classes in a cohort. Are there reserved sections of MAT 002 or MAT 012 that I should be registering for?

A: No, you can register for any MAT 002 or MAT 012 that fits your schedule.

Q: I took MAT 003 and did not pass. How do I know if I should register for MAT 002 or MAT 012 or MAT 003 or MAT 013?

A: If you passed the MAT 001 exit exam (third attempt) but did not pass MAT 003, you should register for MAT 002 or MAT 012. See the FAQ “What is the difference between MAT 002 and MAT 012 for more information about the difference between these courses. If you did not pass the MAT 001 exit exam, you should register for MAT 003 or MAT 013. See the FAQ “I did not pass MAT 003. Do I need to take MAT 013 or do I have a choice?” for more information. If you are unsure as to whether or not you passed the MAT 001 exit exam, contact your MAT 003 instructor.

Q: I am not a STEM major at NCC but am not sure what I may major in when I transfer. Does it matter if I choose MAT 012/MAT 013 vs. MAT 002/MAT 003?

A: Yes - If there is a possibility that you may pursue a STEM major in the future taking MAT 002 or MAT 003 will provide you with the foundation for taking math courses in most STEM majors. Also if you may pursue a major that requires Precalculus or Calculus in the future taking MAT 002 or MAT 003 will provide you with the foundation needed in these math courses.

Q: I have heard about the STEM and Non-STEM distinctions, but I don’t know what that means. What does STEM mean and how would I know if I should pursue a STEM pathway?

A: STEM stands for Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics. At NCC, the term STEM is being used to describe degree programs and courses that require MAT 109 (Algebra & Trigonometry) or higher. MAT 109 and higher courses emphasize algebraic problem-solving skills and thus MAT 002 or MAT 003 are the required courses that students should take. In general, there are other degree paths that may require precalculus and/or higher-level algebra courses. Some of these may include but are not limited to: computer science, business, accounting, health related fields, agriculture, environmental sciences, architecture, graphics and design, and certain educational degree paths. Please meet with an adviser in the Academic Advisement Office in the Student Service Center for individualized support.

Q: My placement says MAT 012. Can I take MAT 002 instead?

A: Yes, you may take either MAT 012 or MAT 002.

Q: My placement says MAT 012. What does this mean?

A: A placement of MAT 012 means that you are currently enrolled in a non-STEM major and MAT 012 is recommended. However, if you plan to change majors or want to take MAT 109 or higher you should enroll in MAT 002 instead. With a MAT 012 placement you can choose to take MAT 012 or MAT 002.

Q: My placement says MAT 012. Can I re-take the placement exam to see if I can place out of this course?

A: The placement testing center informs students if they are eligible to retest.

Q: My placement says MAT 012. I need to take MAT 109 to graduate, what class should I register for?

A: If you need to take MAT 109 or higher, you should register for MAT 002 (or MAT 003 if your placement is MAT 001).

Q: I successfully completed MAT 012 but now need to take MAT 109. What should I do?

A: You must successfully complete MAT 002 so that you are adequately prepared to take MAT 109.

Course Descriptions

MAT 002 - Introductory Algebra

Prerequisites: Satisfactory completion of MAT 001 or by college placement test.
Description: A non-credit course required of students having deficiencies in Mathematics. Topics include: fundamental processes of arithmetic and algebra, factoring, linear and fractional equations, exponents, radicals, quadratic equations and right triangle trigonometry. Hand-held calculators will be used (4.5 lecture hours).

MAT 003 - Integrated Arithmetic and Introductory Algebra

Description: A non-credit course that is a one-semester option to replace the two-semester sequence of MAT 001 and MAT 002. All students with a MAT 001 placement who have not previously taken this course are eligible. This course cannot be repeated. Arithmetic and algebra will be integrated throughout the semester. Emphasis will be placed on fundamental operations of integers and rational numbers, ratio and proportion, percents, factoring, linear and fractional equations, exponents, radicals, quadratic equations, and right triangles. Various relationships will be explored both graphically and analytically. Hand-held calculators will be used (6 lecture hours).

MAT 012 - Quantitative Reasoning 1

Prerequisite: Satisfactory completion of Math 001 or by college placement test; concurrency with Reading 001 permitted.
Description: A non-credit course that prepares students to take a college-level general arts course in mathematics. This course integrates quantitative literacy with mathematical concepts such as fluency with numbers, proportional reasoning, data interpretation, algebraic reasoning, graphing lines, and modeling. Group work and class discussions will be used to investigate mathematical concepts based on real-life examples. Some examples include: social justice; home repair; population growth and density; and congressional structure. Students who intend to major in science, technology, engineering or mathematics should take MAT002 or MAT 003 instead of this course. Graded on an S-U basis.

MAT 013 - Integrated Arithmetic and Quantitative Reasoning 1

Prerequisite: College placement test; concurrency with RDG 001 permitted.
Description: A non-credit course that is a one-semester option to replace the two-semester sequence of MAT 001 and MAT 012. This course prepares students to take a college-level general liberal arts course in mathematics. All non-STEM students with a MAT 001 placement are eligible. This course integrates arithmetic and quantitative literacy with mathematical concepts such as fluency with numbers, proportional reasoning, data interpretation, algebraic reasoning, graphing lines, and modeling. Group work and class discussions will be used to investigate mathematical concepts based on real-life examples. Some examples include: social justice; home repair; population growth and density; and congressional structure. Students who intend to major in science, technology, engineering or mathematics should take MAT 003 instead of this course. Graded on an S-U basis. Hand-held calculators will be used.