Math

Pathway Overview

Program Pathways are a series of courses and experiences carefully selected to help you earn your credential and prepare for your career or university transfer. Program Pathway Maps guide you through quarter-by-quarter coursework, indicate when you’ll need to complete important steps, and describe popular careers in this pathway. Some course sequences or recommended courses can be customized or adjusted by speaking with an advisor.

Pathways

Two-year transfer degrees let you take your freshman and sophomore classes at Seattle Colleges for a fraction of the cost, and then transfer to a four-year university with the skills and confidence to succeed. Be sure to work with a transfer advisor at Seattle Colleges and the four-year institution you plan to attend. Depending on your program of study, you can earn either an Associate of Arts (AA-DTA), Associate in Business (AB-DTA), or Associate of Science (AS), Track 1 or Track 2.

View Program Map

  • Units to complete: 90
  • Estimated program length in quarters: Full Time - 6

Program lengths are estimates, not guarantees. For the most current program information, please check with the program contact.

Mathematics is the study of numbers, structure, space and change.

Earn a college transfer degree that includes Mathematics classes. Planning to Major in Mathematics? Download this handy guide (pdf).

Mathematics is a foundational subject used to study various STEM disciplines such as chemistry, physics, engineering, computer science, meteorology, astronomy, environmental sciences and biology. Courses in mathematics prepare you for advanced courses or application to work settings and may include individual laboratory, lecture, or lecture/lab combination.

"STEM" is a short-hand term for science, technology, engineering, and math. This STEM pathway is designed for majors in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. Start with Intermediate Algebra (MATH 098), then continue through 2 quarters of Precalculus and 3 quarters of Calculus. We also offer linear algebra, differential equations, and vector calculus.

If you are not planning to major in science, math, technology, or engineering, your math options are Business Precalculus (MATH 116), Introductory Statistics (MATH 146), or Math in Society (MATH 107). If you want to transfer to the University of Washington, Speak with an advisor before deciding if this option is appropriate for your intended major. 

Math Co-requisite Courses at Seattle Central College

Starting Fall 2023, Seattle Central College will offer corequisite courses for all entry-level college math courses. A corequisite course is a course taken in the same quarter as a college-level math course, designed to help you succeed in that college-level course. This replaces the traditional method of having a prerequisite course the quarter before the college-level course.

Why take a co-requisite with the college-level course instead of a “traditional” prerequisite the quarter before the college-level course?

  • The corequisite + college-level course combination is completed in just one quarter, instead of one quarter for the prerequisite course then another quarter for the college-level course.
  • The co-requisite + college-level course combination is fewer total credits compared to the prerequisite + college-level course.
  • A corequisite course can teach you background material immediately before you need it in the college-level course. If you take a prerequisite course, you will learn the background material an entire quarter before you need it in the college-level course.
  • The corequisite courses are specifically designed to help you succeed. The class size is smaller and you will learn math success skills in addition to math.

What co-requisite courses are available at Seattle Central College?

If your math level is not high enough to take a college level math course...

  • Enroll in one of the following pairs of courses, for a total of 8 credits
  • Add both courses to the shopping cart when you choose your courses

Intermediate Algebra: Math 098 + Math 038

Math 098 (5 credits)

Course Title: Intermediate Algebra

Covers real number system, polynomial and rational expressions, exponents and radicals, first and second degree equations, linear systems of equations and graphs. Intro to functions and logarithms


Math 038 (3 credits)

Course Title: Math 098 Support

A support course that is designed to be taken concurrently with Math 098 to improve student success in the classroom. Topics to be covered are those prerequisite skills necessary to learn the content of MATH 098, such as arithmetic with real numbers, order of operations, algebraic expressions, slope-intercept form of a linear equation, solving equations, graphing, exponents and radicals and skills for academic success.


Math in Society: Math 107 + Math 067

Math 107 (5 credits)

Course Title: Math in Society

Intended for non-science majors; fulfills QSR requirement for AA Degree. Topics include financial computations (e.g. loans and interest), modeling linear and exponential growth (e.g. population growth and disease spread), and basic probability and statistics (e.g. understanding data and risk), with an emphasis on applications. Other topics selected by instructor


Math 067 (3 credits)

Course Title: Math 107/116 Support

This is a support class that is attached to a EITHER co-requisite MATH&107 OR MATH116 class for students who have not met the prerequisites for one of those courses. Topics to be covered are those prerequisite skills necessary to learn the content of MATH&107 and MATH116, such as numeracy, proportional reasoning, equations/formulas, inequalities, graphs, and skills for academic success. Concurrent enrollment in a MATH&107 or MATH116 section is required.


Applications of Math in Management, Life and Social Sciences: Math 116 + Math 067

Math 116 (5 credits)

Course Title: Applications of Math in Management, Life and Social Sciences

Explores functions and graphs as found in business and the social sciences. Students utilize linear, polynomial, exponential and logarithmic functions, solve systems of equations and inequalities, and learn applications of the growth of money.


Math 067 (3 credits)

Course Title: Math 107/116 Support

This is a support class that is attached to a EITHER co-requisite MATH&107 OR MATH116 class for students who have not met the prerequisites for one of those courses. Topics to be covered are those prerequisite skills necessary to learn the content of MATH&107 and MATH116, such as numeracy, proportional reasoning, equations/formulas, inequalities, graphs, and skills for academic success. Concurrent enrollment in a MATH&107 or MATH116 section is required.


Precalculus I: Math& 141 + Math 041

Math& 141 (5 credits)

Course Title: Precalculus I

The sequence Math& 141 and Math& 142 covers polynomial, rational, exponential and logarithmic functions; related functional and algebraic topics; topics in analytic geometry; systems of equations; trig and inverse trig functions; right triangle and oblique triangle trig; polar coordinates; vectors; and related trig applications. 


Math 041 (3 credits)

Course Title: Math 141 Support

Math 041 is a support course that is designed to be taken concurrently with Math& 141 to improve student success in the classroom. Topics to be covered are those prerequisite skills for needed to learn the content of MATH& 141, such as order of operations, algebraic expressions, solving equations and inequalities, graphing, functions, using graphing calculators, and skills for academic success. This course also provides on-going support for the MATH& 141 course topics.


Statistics: Math& 146 + Math 046

Math& 146 (5 credits)

Course Title: Introduction to Statistics

Covers descriptive methods, probability and probability distributions, samples, decisions, hypothesis testing and statistical inferences.


Math 046 (3 credits)

Course Title: Math 146 Support

This is a support class that is attached to a co-requisite MATH& 146 class for students who have not met the MATH& 146 prerequisites. Topics to be covered are those prerequisite skills necessary to learn the content of MATH& 146, such as numeracy, proportional reasoning, equations/formulas, inequalities, graphs, and skills for academic success. Concurrent enrollment in the linked MATH&146 section is required.

Please see our FAQ page!

Starting in May 2023, Seattle Central College will no longer use ALEKS for math placement. This will be replaced by Directed Self Placement. More information coming soon.

The flowchart below shows the math pathways offered at Seattle Central College. Where you start along a path depends on your placement.

  • For help deciding which pathway is right for you, Speak with an advisor
  • When you have decided which course is right for you, go to the class schedule to search for the class.

Click here to download a printable version of this math courses flowchart

Flow chart

Math 038 (3 credits)

Course Title: Math 098 Support

A support course that is designed to be taken concurrently with Math 098 to improve student success in the classroom. Topics to be covered are those prerequisite skills necessary to learn the content of MATH 098, such as arithmetic with real numbers, order of operations, algebraic expressions, slope-intercept form of a linear equation, solving equations, graphing, exponents and radicals and skills for academic success.

Math 041 (3 credits)

Course Title: Math 141 Support

Math 041 is a support course that is designed to be taken concurrently with Math& 141 to improve student success in the classroom. Topics to be covered are those prerequisite skills for needed to learn the content of MATH& 141, such as order of operations, algebraic expressions, solving equations and inequalities, graphing, functions, using graphing calculators, and skills for academic success. This course also provides on-going support for the MATH& 141 course topics.


Math 046 (3 credits)

Course Title: Math 146 Support

This is a support class that is attached to a co-requisite MATH& 146 class for students who have not met the MATH& 146 prerequisites. Topics to be covered are those prerequisite skills necessary to learn the content of MATH& 146, such as numeracy, proportional reasoning, equations/formulas, inequalities, graphs, and skills for academic success. Concurrent enrollment in the linked MATH&146 section is required.


Math 067 (3 credits)

Course Title: Math 107 and 116 Support

This is a support class that is attached to a EITHER co-requisite MATH&107 OR MATH116 class for students who have not met the prerequisites for one of those courses. Topics to be covered are those prerequisite skills necessary to learn the content of MATH&107 and MATH116, such as numeracy, proportional reasoning, equations/formulas, inequalities, graphs, and skills for academic success. Concurrent enrollment in a MATH&107 or MATH116 section is required.


Math 098 (5 credits)

Course Title: Intermediate Algebra

Covers real number system, polynomial and rational expressions, exponents and radicals, first and second degree equations, linear systems of equations and graphs. Intro to functions and logarithms


Math& 107 (5 credits)

Course Title: Math in Society

Intended for non-science majors; fulfills QSR requirement for AA Degree. Topics include financial computations (e.g. loans and interest), modeling linear and exponential growth (e.g. population growth and disease spread), and basic probability and statistics (e.g. understanding data and risk), with an emphasis on applications. Other topics selected by instructor


Math 116 (5 credits)

Course Title: Applications of Math: Mngmnt, Life and Soc Sci

Explores functions and graphs as found in business and the social sciences. Students utilize linear, polynomial, exponential and logarithmic functions, solve systems of equations and inequalities, and learn applications of the growth of money


Math& 141 (5 credits)

Course Title: Precalculus I

The sequence Math& 141 and Math& 142 covers polynomial, rational, exponential and logarithmic functions; related functional and algebraic topics; topics in analytic geometry; systems of equations; trig and inverse trig functions; right triangle and oblique triangle trig; polar coordinates; vectors; and related trig applications.


Math& 142 (5 credits)

Course Title: Precalculus II

The sequence Math& 141 and Math& 142 covers polynomial, rational, exponential and logarithmic functions; related functional and algebraic topics; topics in analytic geometry; systems of equations; trig and inverse trig functions; right triangle and oblique triangle trig; polar coordinates; vectors; and related trig applications.


Math& 146 (5 credits)

Course Title: Introduction to Statistics

Covers descriptive methods, probability and probability distributions, samples, decisions, hypothesis testing and statistical inferences.


Math& 148 (5 credits)

Course Title: Business Calculus

Explores introductory topics in differential and integral calculus, with particular emphasis on understanding the principal concepts and their applications to business.


Math& 151 (5 credits)

Course Title: Calculus I

The sequence MATH&151, &152 and &163 covers limits, differential calculus and its applications, integral calculus and its applications, intro to differential equations, series including Taylor series, vector geometry in three dimensions, multivariable calculus, partial differentiation, double integrals in Cartesian and polar coordinates and applications.


Math& 152 (5 credits)

Course Title: Calculus II

The sequence MATH&151, &152 and &163 covers limits, differential calculus and its applications, integral calculus and its applications, intro to differential equations, series including Taylor series, vector geometry in three dimensions, multivariable calculus, partial differentiation, double integrals in Cartesian and polar coordinates and applications.


Math& 163 (5 credits)

Course Title: Calculus 3

The sequence MATH&151, &152 and &163 covers limits, differential calculus and its applications, integral calculus and its applications, intro to differential equations, series including Taylor series, vector geometry in three dimensions, multivariable calculus, partial differentiation, double integrals in Cartesian and polar coordinates and applications.


Math 220 (5 credits)

Course Title: Linear Algebra

Intro to linear algebra and its implications. Includes systems of linear equations, matrices, determinants, vector spaces, inner product spaces, eigenvalue problems, and similarity transformations.


Math 224 (5 credits)

Course Title: Vector Calculus

Continuation of MATH& 163. Includes vector valued functions, vector fields, line and surface integrals and the theorems of Green, Gauss and Stokes, vector operators and the extension of the calculus to the vectors in 2-D and 3-D space.


Math 238 (5 credits)

Course Title: Differential Equations

Covers first order differential equations, second order differential equations, their applications, and Laplace transforms. Covers the elementary theory of differential equations and the interrelationship between pure mathematics and applied mathematics.

Tony Akhlaghi

Western Washington University, M.S. (Mathematics)
Tony.Akhlaghi@seattlecolleges.edu


Mimi Aregaye

Wichita State University, M.S.
Mimi.Aregaye@seattlecolleges.edu


Saras Bala

P.S.G. College of Arts and Science, India, M.S. (Statistics)
Saras.Bala@seattlecolleges.edu


Ricco Bonicalzi

University of Washington, Ph.D.
Ricco.Bonicalzi@seattlecolleges.edu


Chris Denzler

Pacific Lutheran University, M.S. (Computer Science)
chris.denzler@seattlecolleges.edu


Damon Ellingston

Wesleyan University, M.A. (Mathematics)
University of Maryland, M.S. (Physics)
Damon.Ellingston@seattlecolleges.edu


Maryann Firpo

Western Washington University, M.S.
Maryann.Firpo@seattlecolleges.edu


Zulna Heriscar

Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University (BS in Computer Information Systems, minor in Pre-Law and Business Administration)
Florida Atlantic University (MS in Computer Science)
Emory University (Master of Business Administration M.B.A).
Zulna.Heriscar@seattlecolleges.edu


Anna Jacobs

Loyola University Chicago, M.S.
Anna.Jacobs@seattlecolleges.edu


Bryan Johns

University of Washington, M.S.
Bryan.Johns@seattlecolleges.edu


Steve Kangas

University of Oregon, Ph.D. (Mathematics)
Steve.Kangas@seattlecolleges.edu


Lawrence Morales

Brown University, M.S. (Mathematics)
University of Washington, Ph.D. (Learning Sciences and Educational Psychology)
Lawrence.Morales@seattlecolleges.edu


Jane Muhich (Department Lead)

University of Washington, M.Ed.
Jane.Muhich@seattlecolleges.edu


Margaret Patterson

University of Massachusetts at Amherst, Ph.D. (Industrial Engineering and Operations Research)
Margaret.Patterson@seattlecolleges.edu


Tesfaye Terefe

Seattle Pacific University, M.A. (Teaching)
Russian University of Peoples’ Friendship, M.S. (Mathematics & Physics)
Tesfaye.Terefe@seattlecolleges.edu


Felice Tiu

Colorado State University, M.S.
Oregon State University, M.S.
Felice.Tiu@seattlecolleges.edu


Jonathan Ursin

Western Washington University MS
University of Washington MS
Jonathan.Ursin@seattlecolleges.edu


Paul Verschueren

University of New Hampshire, B.S. (Mathematics Education)
University of New Hampshire, B.S. (Outdoor Education)
University of Washington, M.A. (Instructional Leadership, Mathematics)
Paul.Verschueren@seattlecolleges.edu


Samuel Wenberg

Gonzaga University, B.S. (Mathematics)
Eastern Washington University, M.S. (Mathematics)
Samuel.Wenberg@seattlecolleges.edu


Jerry Wright

University of Washington, M.S.
Jerry.Wright@seattlecolleges.edu

Mathematics Careers

  • Actuary
  • Computer Systems Analyst
  • Cryptographer
  • Economist
  • Financial Analyst
  • Market Research Analyst
  • Mathematician
  • Statistician
  • Teacher/Professor

For More Information

Read sample syllabi, course outlines, and more at the Seattle Central Math department website.