Where do I start in college-level mathematics?

from Mary Parker, Professor of Mathematics, Austin Community College

"I'm ready for college-level math. That means College Algebra. Right?"

No! Not necessarily! Not all degree plans at all schools count College Algebra, and, even if it is one of the courses from which you are allowed to choose, it may not be the best course for you.

What is College Algebra good for?

College Algebra is an excellent course to prepare students for MATH 1425, Business Calculus I, especially those students who will go on to UT and need to also take MATH 1426, Business Calculus II.

If you are transferring to a school that requires College Algebra for your degree, then the faculty members in that field believe that you need to learn to use the algebra in this course in order to do well in the later courses or in your career.

If you want to go on to take the calculus course for math, science, and engineering majors, click here for a more thorough description of the prerequisite sequence for scientific calculus, MATH 2413.

Many mathematics faculty members believe that College Algebra is not the best course as a last mathematics course. Courses such as

are all at the same level of intellectual sophistication as College Algebra, but provide more varied examples of how mathematics is used. This makes them more interesting to most students who are not planning to take further math courses.

What mathematics background do I need?

The level of current proficiency in high school Algebra II that is required to begin College Algebra or Math for Business and Economics is fairly high. You are required to demonstrate that proficiency on the ACC Assessment Test when you enroll in ACC and be able to demonstrate it on the first day of class in the math course. You may find our Prerequisite Review Sheets useful.

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