Whatcom Community College
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Math Pathways
Click on each math pathway to see the recommended quarter-by-quarter classes and other recommendations.
These pathways assume:
- You will be a full-time student.
- You will start in the fall.
- You are ready to take 100- and 200-level classes.
If not, you can still complete the pathway! You will just need to make adjustments. Talk with your advisor to customize your plan.
Note: To see the sequence of WCC's math classes only, go to the main Math page and click "How you'll progress through WCC's math courses."
Follow this recommended pathway to earn the AAS/DTA degree and prepare for a university major in mathematics. Or you can customize your plan even more. Talk with your advisor about adapting it for your individual goals.
Scroll to the end for more information about transferring to Western Washington University.
This is the pathway to follow if your math placement is MATH& 141 Precalculus I.
| Description | Designed for students new to the college environment. Introduction to college services; study skills and time management; educational planning and career exploration; and skills necessary to become a successful student. Lectures, small group discussion, and experiential exercises. (UE) |
| Enrollment Requirements | None |
| Course Attributes |
|
| Description | The basic properties and graphs of functions and inverses of functions, operations on functions, compositions; various specific functions and their properties including polynomial, absolute value, rational, exponential and logarithmic functions; applications of various functions; conics. A graphing calculator is required. (QSR,MS) |
| Enrollment Requirements | Completion of MATH 099 or MATH 132 with a minimum grade of C. |
| Course Attributes |
|
| Description | This course helps students become more effective writers in academic and professional settings. Students learn to enter ongoing academic conversations, analyze and use secondary sources to formulate, develop, revise, and communicate ideas in writing, and shape their message to different purposes, audiences, and media. (CC) |
| Enrollment Requirements | Completion of ENGL 95 or placement in ENGL& 101. |
| Course Attributes |
|
Total credits this quarter: 12-17
Course note: EDPL 100 is optional, but it's very helpful if you don't have much college experience. You can take it with either two or three of the other courses.
Career exploration: Find your people! Attend area-of-study activities and connect with clubs related to your career goals.
Action item: Meet with your advisor to build your degree plan.
Action item: Have your transfer-in credits officially evaluated.
| Description | Second in a two-course sequence designed to prepare students for the study of Calculus. Intended for students planning to major in math and/or science. Course to include right triangle trigonometry; trigonometric functions and their graphs; trigonometric identities and formulae;applications of trigonometry; parametric equations; and polar coordinates. A graphing calculator is required. A graphing calculator is required. (QSR,MS) |
| Enrollment Requirements | Completion of MATH& 141 with a minimum grade of C. |
| Course Attributes |
|
| Description | This course helps students become more effective communicators through the production of various forms and mediums of writing. Students develop effective rhetorical strategies through analysis of texts and contexts, as well as engaging in independent research as part of meaningful and ethical scholarship. (CC) |
| Enrollment Requirements | Completion of ENGL& 101 with a minimum grade of C-. |
| Course Attributes |
|
| Description | This course helps students develop skills in reading and writing about literature. Students analyze literature based on elements of genres, including fiction, poetry, and/or drama, and develop essays using strategies of literary analysis. (CC) |
| Enrollment Requirements | Completion of ENGL& 101 with a minimum grade of C-. |
| Course Attributes |
|
| Description | This course helps students develop effective methods of research, organization and presentation of findings typical of professional, technical, and scientific writing. Students develop problem-solving and researching skills, including data collection, the critical analysis of sources, documentation, and document design. (CC) |
| Enrollment Requirements | Completion of ENGL& 101 with a minimum grade of C-. |
| Course Attributes |
|
| Description | This course helps students develop effective methods of research, organization and presentation of findings typical of professional, technical, and scientific writing. Students develop problem-solving and researching skills, including data collection, the critical analysis of sources, documentation, and document design. (CC) |
| Enrollment Requirements | Completion of ENGL& 101 with a minimum grade of C-. |
| Course Attributes |
|
Total credits this quarter: 13-15
Course note: You may decide to take ECON& 201 for this social science if you plan to transfer to Western Washington University. See the information below.
Career exploration: Compare the different math majors and combined majors at the universities you're interested in.
| Description | This course looks at the study of functions, limits, continuity, limits at infinity, differentiation of algebraic, exponential, logarithmic, and trigonometric functions and their inverses, and applications. Graphing calculator required. (QSR,MS) |
| Enrollment Requirements | Completion of MATH 133 or MATH& 142 with a minimum grade of C. |
| Course Attributes |
|
| Description | An introduction to the fundamentals of music through written notationand aural skills. Students will develop and apply the fundamental elements of music composition. Topics include pitch and rhythm notation, meter, intervals, major and minor scales, triads, and melody composition. Aural skills, including sight singing and transcription (dictation) are integrated in the curriculum. No prior experience with music is required. (H) |
| Enrollment Requirements | None |
| Course Attributes |
|
| Description | In this hands-on studio art course, students will gain the foundational knowledge and skills used in 2-dimensional art and design fields such as drawing, painting, printmaking, and visual communications. Topics include the creative process, 2-dimensional concepts, design elements and strategies, and composition. Students will focus on individual projects, working directly with a variety of basic tools, materials, and processes common to 2-dimensional design fields. Students will learn to use supportive critique strategies to discuss their own work and the work of their peers. (Hp) |
| Enrollment Requirements | None |
| Course Attributes |
|
| Description | Critical thinking ability is highly valued among employers. This course introduces you to sound reasoning principles used in daily life. Covers informal, non-symbolic introduction to logic with emphasis on real-life examples. Students learn how to critically evaluate their own reasoning and how to construct arguments. (H) |
| Enrollment Requirements | None |
| Course Attributes |
|
or another HUMANITIES click for list (5 credits)
SOCIAL SCIENCE click for list (5 credits)
Total credits this quarter: 15
Course note: You may decide to take ECON& 202 for this social science if you plan to transfer to Western Washington University. See the information below.
Career exploration: Look for a summer job or internship related to your career goals.
Action item: Check the GPA and other entry requirements for your future major. Are you on track?
Summer
If you chose 12 credits in Quarter 1, this might be a good time to catch up.
| Description | The study of Riemann Sums, methods of integration, numerical methods, polar and rectangular forms, fundamental theorem of Calculus, areas of regions, volumes of solids, centroids, length of curves, surface area, and an introduction to differential equations. Graphing calculator required. (QSR,MS) |
| Enrollment Requirements | Completion of MATH& 151 with a minimum grade of C. |
| Course Attributes |
|
HUMANITIES click for list (5 credits)
LAB SCIENCE click for list (5 credits)
Total credits this quarter: 15
Course note: You may decide to take chemistry or physics for this lab science if you plan to transfer to Western Washington University. See the information below.
Action item: Meet with your advisor about applying to universities. Start your transfer applications.
Action item: Apply for next year's financial aid.
| Description | Multivariate integral and differential calculus. Geometry in R3 and in the plane. The study of vectors, acceleration, curvature; functions of several variables, partial derivatives; directional derivatives and gradients; extreme values; double and triple integrals; applications. Graphing calculator required. (QSR,MS) |
| Enrollment Requirements | Completion of MATH& 152 with a minimum grade of C. |
| Course Attributes |
|
| Description | Introduction to the derivation and uses of Taylor Series, intended formath and science majors. The course includes a discussion of error bounds in approximating curves with polynomials, Taylor polynomials, Taylor series expansion, and intervals of convergence. Graphing calculator required. (LE) |
| Enrollment Requirements | Completion of MATH& 152 with a minimum grade of C. |
| Course Attributes |
|
HUMANITIES click for list (5 credits)
SCIENCE click for list (5 credits)
Total credits this quarter: 15-16
Course note: MATH 207 is an optional 1-credit supplement to MATH& 163. Be sure to take it if you plan to transfer to the University of Washington.
Course note: This science must be a physical or biological science. You may decide to take chemistry or physics for this science if you plan to transfer to Western Washington University. See the information below.
Action item: Apply to graduate by week 3 of this quarter.
| Description | This is the second quarter of multivariable calculus. Topics include multiple integration in different coordinate systems, the gradient, the divergence, and the curl of a vector field. Also covered are line and surface integrals, Green's Theorem, Stoke's Theorem and Gauss' Theorem. (QSR,MS) |
| Enrollment Requirements | Completion of MATH& 163 with a minimum grade of C. |
| Course Attributes |
|
| Description | Elementary study of the fundamentals of linear algebra. Course is intended for stronger math or science students. Course to include the study of systems of linear equations; matrices; n-dimensional vector space; linear independence, bases, subspaces and dimension. Introductionto determinants and the eigenvalue problem; applications. Graphing calculator required. (QSR,MS) |
| Enrollment Requirements | Completion of MATH& 151 with a minimum grade of C. |
| Course Attributes |
|
| Description | This is an introductory course in differential equations. Topics include: first and higher order linear equations, power series solutions, systems of first order equations, numerical methods, LaPlace transforms, and applications. Graphing calculator required. (QSR,MS) |
| Enrollment Requirements | Completion of MATH& 152 with a minimum grade of C. |
| Course Attributes |
|
| Description | This course provides an introduction to computer programming with Java. It covers computer architecture, machine instruction processing, basic data types, program control structures, functional decomposition, classes, and fundamental data structures. Recommended for math, science, engineering, computer science, and software development majors. CS 101 recommended. (MS) |
| Enrollment Requirements | Completion of MATH 099 |
| Course Attributes |
|
Total credits this quarter: 15-20
Course note: Check your total credits. Take MATH 204, MATH 238 or CS& 141 if you need it to reach 90 credits. Taking another is optional. All of them are recommended major preparation, but you can take one or more after transferring. You may decide to take CS& 141 if you plan to transfer to Western Washington University. See the information below.
Action item: Attend the spring job fair.
Transferring to Western Washington University
The mathematics major at WWU requires a year-long sequence from one of the following disciplines:
- Chemistry
- Computer science
- Economics
- Physics
Whatcom offers courses in all these areas, but you may not be able to fit the full year-long sequence into the Associate in Arts & Sciences degree. Talk with your advisor about which option you'll select and how its courses fit into this pathway.
Follow this recommended pathway to earn the AAS/DTA degree and prepare for a university major in mathematics. Or you can customize your plan even more. Talk with your advisor about adapting it for your individual goals.
Scroll to the end for more detail about transferring to Western Washington University.
This is the pathway to follow if your math placement is MATH& 142 Precalculus II.
| Description | Designed for students new to the college environment. Introduction to college services; study skills and time management; educational planning and career exploration; and skills necessary to become a successful student. Lectures, small group discussion, and experiential exercises. (UE) |
| Enrollment Requirements | None |
| Course Attributes |
|
| Description | Second in a two-course sequence designed to prepare students for the study of Calculus. Intended for students planning to major in math and/or science. Course to include right triangle trigonometry; trigonometric functions and their graphs; trigonometric identities and formulae;applications of trigonometry; parametric equations; and polar coordinates. A graphing calculator is required. A graphing calculator is required. (QSR,MS) |
| Enrollment Requirements | Completion of MATH& 141 with a minimum grade of C. |
| Course Attributes |
|
| Description | This course helps students become more effective writers in academic and professional settings. Students learn to enter ongoing academic conversations, analyze and use secondary sources to formulate, develop, revise, and communicate ideas in writing, and shape their message to different purposes, audiences, and media. (CC) |
| Enrollment Requirements | Completion of ENGL 95 or placement in ENGL& 101. |
| Course Attributes |
|
Total credits this quarter: 12-17
Course note: EDPL 100 is optional, but it's very helpful if you don't have much college experience. You can take it with two or three of the other courses.
Career exploration: Find your people! Attend area-of-study activities and connect with clubs related to your career goals.
Action item: Meet with your advisor to build your degree plan.
Action item: Have your transfer-in credits officially evaluated.
| Description | This course looks at the study of functions, limits, continuity, limits at infinity, differentiation of algebraic, exponential, logarithmic, and trigonometric functions and their inverses, and applications. Graphing calculator required. (QSR,MS) |
| Enrollment Requirements | Completion of MATH 133 or MATH& 142 with a minimum grade of C. |
| Course Attributes |
|
| Description | This course helps students become more effective communicators through the production of various forms and mediums of writing. Students develop effective rhetorical strategies through analysis of texts and contexts, as well as engaging in independent research as part of meaningful and ethical scholarship. (CC) |
| Enrollment Requirements | Completion of ENGL& 101 with a minimum grade of C-. |
| Course Attributes |
|
| Description | This course helps students develop skills in reading and writing about literature. Students analyze literature based on elements of genres, including fiction, poetry, and/or drama, and develop essays using strategies of literary analysis. (CC) |
| Enrollment Requirements | Completion of ENGL& 101 with a minimum grade of C-. |
| Course Attributes |
|
| Description | This course helps students develop effective methods of research, organization and presentation of findings typical of professional, technical, and scientific writing. Students develop problem-solving and researching skills, including data collection, the critical analysis of sources, documentation, and document design. (CC) |
| Enrollment Requirements | Completion of ENGL& 101 with a minimum grade of C-. |
| Course Attributes |
|
| Description | This course helps students develop effective methods of research, organization and presentation of findings typical of professional, technical, and scientific writing. Students develop problem-solving and researching skills, including data collection, the critical analysis of sources, documentation, and document design. (CC) |
| Enrollment Requirements | Completion of ENGL& 101 with a minimum grade of C-. |
| Course Attributes |
|
Total credits this quarter: 13-15
Course note: you may decide to take ECON& 201 for this social science if you plan to transfer to Western Washington University. See the information below.
Career exploration: Compare the different math majors and combined majors at the universities you're interested in.
| Description | The study of Riemann Sums, methods of integration, numerical methods, polar and rectangular forms, fundamental theorem of Calculus, areas of regions, volumes of solids, centroids, length of curves, surface area, and an introduction to differential equations. Graphing calculator required. (QSR,MS) |
| Enrollment Requirements | Completion of MATH& 151 with a minimum grade of C. |
| Course Attributes |
|
| Description | An introduction to the fundamentals of music through written notationand aural skills. Students will develop and apply the fundamental elements of music composition. Topics include pitch and rhythm notation, meter, intervals, major and minor scales, triads, and melody composition. Aural skills, including sight singing and transcription (dictation) are integrated in the curriculum. No prior experience with music is required. (H) |
| Enrollment Requirements | None |
| Course Attributes |
|
| Description | In this hands-on studio art course, students will gain the foundational knowledge and skills used in 2-dimensional art and design fields such as drawing, painting, printmaking, and visual communications. Topics include the creative process, 2-dimensional concepts, design elements and strategies, and composition. Students will focus on individual projects, working directly with a variety of basic tools, materials, and processes common to 2-dimensional design fields. Students will learn to use supportive critique strategies to discuss their own work and the work of their peers. (Hp) |
| Enrollment Requirements | None |
| Course Attributes |
|
| Description | Critical thinking ability is highly valued among employers. This course introduces you to sound reasoning principles used in daily life. Covers informal, non-symbolic introduction to logic with emphasis on real-life examples. Students learn how to critically evaluate their own reasoning and how to construct arguments. (H) |
| Enrollment Requirements | None |
| Course Attributes |
|
or another HUMANITIES click for list (5 credits)
SOCIAL SCIENCE click for list (5 credits)
Total credits this quarter: 15
Course note: You may decide to take ECON& 202 for this social science if you plan to transfer to Western Washington University. See the information below.
Career exploration: Look for a summer job or internship related to your career goals.
Action item: Check the GPA and other entry requirements for your future major. Are you on track?
Summer
If you chose 12 credits in Quarter 1, this might be a good time to catch up.
| Description | Multivariate integral and differential calculus. Geometry in R3 and in the plane. The study of vectors, acceleration, curvature; functions of several variables, partial derivatives; directional derivatives and gradients; extreme values; double and triple integrals; applications. Graphing calculator required. (QSR,MS) |
| Enrollment Requirements | Completion of MATH& 152 with a minimum grade of C. |
| Course Attributes |
|
| Description | Introduction to the derivation and uses of Taylor Series, intended formath and science majors. The course includes a discussion of error bounds in approximating curves with polynomials, Taylor polynomials, Taylor series expansion, and intervals of convergence. Graphing calculator required. (LE) |
| Enrollment Requirements | Completion of MATH& 152 with a minimum grade of C. |
| Course Attributes |
|
HUMANITIES click for list (5 credits)
LAB SCIENCE click for list (5 credits)
Total credits this quarter: 15-16
Course note: MATH 207 is an optional 1-credit supplement to MATH& 163. Be sure to take it if you plan to transfer to the University of Washington.
Course note: You may decide to take chemistry or physics for this lab science if you plan to transfer to Western Washington University. See the information below.
Action item: Meet with your advisor about applying to universities. Start your transfer applications.
Action item: Apply for next year's financial aid.
| Description | This is the second quarter of multivariable calculus. Topics include multiple integration in different coordinate systems, the gradient, the divergence, and the curl of a vector field. Also covered are line and surface integrals, Green's Theorem, Stoke's Theorem and Gauss' Theorem. (QSR,MS) |
| Enrollment Requirements | Completion of MATH& 163 with a minimum grade of C. |
| Course Attributes |
|
HUMANITIES click for list (5 credits)
SCIENCE click for list (5 credits)
Total credits this quarter: 15
Course note: This science must be a physical or biological science. You may decide to take chemistry or physics for this science if you plan to transfer to Western Washington University. See the information below.
Action item: Apply to graduate by week 3 of this quarter.
| Description | Elementary study of the fundamentals of linear algebra. Course is intended for stronger math or science students. Course to include the study of systems of linear equations; matrices; n-dimensional vector space; linear independence, bases, subspaces and dimension. Introductionto determinants and the eigenvalue problem; applications. Graphing calculator required. (QSR,MS) |
| Enrollment Requirements | Completion of MATH& 151 with a minimum grade of C. |
| Course Attributes |
|
| Description | This is an introductory course in differential equations. Topics include: first and higher order linear equations, power series solutions, systems of first order equations, numerical methods, LaPlace transforms, and applications. Graphing calculator required. (QSR,MS) |
| Enrollment Requirements | Completion of MATH& 152 with a minimum grade of C. |
| Course Attributes |
|
| Description | This course provides an introduction to computer programming with Java. It covers computer architecture, machine instruction processing, basic data types, program control structures, functional decomposition, classes, and fundamental data structures. Recommended for math, science, engineering, computer science, and software development majors. CS 101 recommended. (MS) |
| Enrollment Requirements | Completion of MATH 099 |
| Course Attributes |
|
or another ELECTIVE click for list (5 credits)
SOCIAL SCIENCE click for list (5 credits)
Total credits this quarter: 15-20
Course note: Both math courses are recommended, but you can take one after transferring if necessary.
Course note: You may decide to take CS& 141 for this elective if you plan to transfer to Western Washington University. See the information below.
Action item: Attend the spring job fair.
Transferring to Western Washington University
The mathematics major at WWU requires a year-long sequence from one of the following disciplines:
- Chemistry
- Computer science
- Economics
- Physics
Whatcom offers courses in all these areas, but you may not be able to fit the full year-long sequence into the Associate in Arts & Sciences degree. Talk with your advisor about which option you'll select and how its courses fit into this pathway.