Prerequisites for Business Calculus I, MATH 1425 (MTH 1674)

Mary Parker, Professor of Mathematics, Austin Community College

There are three ways to prepare for this course.

1. MATH 1324, Math for Business and Economics (MTH 1643)
2. MATH 1314, College Algebra (MTH 1743)
3. Enough high school mathematics to score well on an appropriate test.

Why are there two different ACC courses that lead into Business Calculus? The main reason is that UT Austin and Southwest Texas State University have different sequences for business majors, but both require MATH 1425, Business Calculus I. Before you begin a sequence, you should decide which school's requirements you are planning to meet.

For SWTSU, the required sequence is equivalent to our MATH 1324, Math for Business and Economics, and MATH 1425, Business Calculus I.

For UT Austin, the required sequence is equivalent to our MATH 1425, Business Calculus I, and MATH 1426, Business Calculus II. The prerequisite for Business Calculus I at UT Austin is either an appropriately high score on the SAT Mathematics Achievement Test or completion of College Algebra with a grade of B or better. UT Austin has a course equivalent to our Math for Business and Economics, but it is not considered appropriate preparation for both semesters of the Business Calculus sequence.

• If not, then either course is an appropriate prerequisite, although it is likely that you need credit for MATH 1324, Math for Business and Economics. In this course you learn many of the business applications of mathematics as well as the algebra skills necessary for success in MATH 1425.
• If so, then you must start in MATH 1314, College Algebra, unless you are eligible to skip it. If you take the College Algebra route, we do not as UT does and require a B in it to go on to MATH 1425, Business Calculus. However, if you have less than a B, I strongly advise you to sign up for the lab course to accompany MATH 1425, so that you can get tutoring help as you need it.

Go back to the outline of Mary Parker's "Where should I start in college-credit mathematics?"

At ACC, how would you persuade us to give you permission to skip College Algebra and enroll directly in MATH 1425?

• If you meet the UT requirement of a 450 on the SAT II Math Level One Achievement Test, you could begin with MATH 1425 without further permission from anyone.
• If you completed a year of precalculus (or Elementary Analysis) in high school, and your ACC Assessment Test score or whatever other test scores you have indicate that you recall this material, then we will give you permission to skip College Algebra. Talk with me or any of the full-time mathematics faculty members doing math advising.
• If you made a sufficiently high score on the ACC Assessment Test in College Algebra or some equivalent test, and your high school or college mathematics courses indicate that you have studied the appropriate material, then we will give you permission to skip College Algebra. Talk with me or any of the full-time mathematics faculty members doing advising.

Go back to the outline of Mary Parker's "Where should I start in college-credit mathematics?"

This page was prepared by Mary Parker, mparker@austincc.edu. It was last updated on April 21, 2001.