The Voiland College of Engineering and Architecture is committed to helping incoming students succeed in your chosen major, and a significant part of this success depends on ensuring your first math course at WSU properly matches with your current math abilities. Your academic progress doesn’t depend so much on which course this is (for example, algebra vs. calculus), but rather on the degree to which it is the right course for you.
Enrollment in a math class for which you are best prepared is very important. Studies have shown that the best early predictor of success in an engineering program is success in a student’s first undergraduate math class.
Here are some suggestions to help ensure your success in WSU math courses and information that can save you time and money.
- Review the schedule of study for your major.
Schedules of study for VCEA majors are in the WSU course catalog and are presented as four-year degree programs (see catalog.wsu.edu/General/Academics). These schedules are often completed in four years.
However, all engineering programs assume you will begin your studies by enrolling in MATH 171 (Calculus I). If you do not begin in MATH 171, your program may take longer to complete (and may have associated additional costs).
For example, approximately 40 percent of incoming engineering and computer science freshmen at WSU place into MATH 106 (College Algebra) or MATH 103 (Algebra Methods and Introduction to Functions) as their first math course.
While this placement offers these particular students the best chance to be successful in their chosen engineering degree program, it also results in additional coursework and often takes a longer time to graduate than if they started in MATH 171 (Calculus I).
- Take the required ALEKS math placement assessment prior to ALIVE! Orientation.
Freshmen coming to Washington State University ARE REQUIRED to take a math placement assessment through Assessment and LEarning in Knowledge Spaces (ALEKS) for placement into their first math class.
Additionally, all new transfer students who do not already have credit for a course that satisfies the mathematics proficiency requirement (i.e., the “[QUAN]” course in WSU’s University COmmon REquire, or UCORE, system) or have credit for a course that is a prerequisite for a [QUAN] course, are required to take the ALEKS math placement assessment.
Exception: Freshmen who score a 2 or higher on the College Board Advanced Placement (AP) calculus exam (either AB or BC) are exempt and ARE NOT REQUIRED to take the ALEKS math placement assessment. The AP score must be submitted to WSU to be used by the Math Department for placement (a score of 2 or 3 provides placement into MATH 171, while a score of 4 or 5 provides credit for having completed the equivalent of MATH 171).
The ALEKS math assessment is individualized and uses an adaptive questioning technique to identify your understanding of mathematics. Many students are surprised that the concepts covered are not calculus concepts, but are topics ranging from basic principles through algebra and trigonometry. You solve the problems on paper and then enter your answers online.
The ALEKS math placement assessment must be taken by students on their own time, PRIOR to attending Alive! orientation.
Learn more about the ALEKS math placement assessment at Washington State University.
- Transfer any earned math college credits to WSU.
Previously earned college credit in a mathematics course may be transferable to WSU. Check with a WSU academic advisor or visit transfercredit.wsu.edu for a list of transfer course equivalencies from the institution where you earned your math credits. You must have earned a grade of ‘C’ or higher to be able to use the course to fulfill the prerequisite requirement for subsequent math courses at WSU.
How to Improve Your Math Placement
For students wishing to improve their math placement, WSU has several recommendations:
- Take the ALEKS math placement assessment as early as possible.
As part of the ALEKS placement assessment fee, there is a six-month online review module included for students who wish to improve their math placement score.
You can retake the ALEKS math placement assessment up to three additional times over the summer without any additional charge beyond the initial (one-time) $45 test fee.
- Consider taking a pre-calculus class this summer.
Students admitted for Fall 2021 are eligible to request term activation for WSU’s Summer Session, which is 100% online. Please contact our Director of Advising, Kasey Schertenleib, at kasey@wsu.edu if you are interested in exploring this option.
If you decide to take a community college class, make sure the class will transfer to WSU as MATH 106 or MATH 108. Our Transfer Credit Search Tool located at transfercredit.wsu.edu can help you determine if your credit will transfer. If in doubt, please contact Kasey for confirmation.
WSU Math Resources Available this Fall
Washington State University and Voiland College are committed to helping you succeed.
WSU’s Academic Success and Career Center (ASCC) provides FREE peer tutors that will guide your learning and promote success.
The Voiland College of Engineering and Architecture offers FREE tutoring for undergraduates geared toward coursework within the Voiland College of Engineering and Architecture.
The Math Learning Center offers free tutoring for these classes: Math 100, 103, 105, 106, 108, 140, 171, 172, 182, 201, 202, 216, 220, 251, 252, 273, 300, 301, 315, and Stats 212, 360, and 370.
Accessing Online, 24/7 Tutoring: WSU is a member of the Northwest eTutoring Consortium which offers unlimited FREE online tutoring to all WSU students.