1. Math Placement and PACe Program Overview
Lois Samer
Anita Pattison

2. University Math Requirement
Category 1B of the AUCC is 3 credits of mathematics.
This requirement must be completed within the first 60 credits (CSU and transfer) taken.
The student’s degree program determines which math class is appropriate.

3. Eligibility to Take Math at CSU
You must satisfy the prerequisite.
The prerequisite for the entry level math classes is satisfactory placement from a CSU math placement exam.
Entry Level Math Classes
MATH 117 – College Algebra I
MATH 130 – Math in the Social Sciences
MATH 133 – Financial Mathematics
MATH 135 – Patterns of Phenomena

4. True/False MATH 130 is harder than MATH 117.
FALSE  The degree of course difficulty is relative to the individual student, but the content of MATH 117 is more challenging than the content of MATH 130.
Entry level math courses in order of difficulty.
MATH 130 – Math in the Social Sciences
MATH 133 – Financial Mathematics/
MATH 135 – Patterns of Phenomena
MATH 117 – College Algebra I

5. True/False MATH 130 satisfies the prerequisite for MATH 117.
FALSE  MATH 130 is a terminal math course. It does not satisfy the prerequisite for any other course.
The prerequisite for MATH 117 is satisfactory performance on a CSU math placement exam.

6. CSU Math Placement Exams
The Mathematics Placement Exam (MPE)
The Prerequisite Exam (taken after completion of the Entry Level Mathematics (ELM) Tutorial)

7. Math Placement Exam All students start with the MPE A 50 item exam
Tests prerequisite background skills for entry level math courses
Also covers the content of the pre-calculus courses MATH 117 – 126

8. Pre-Calculus Courses MATH 117 – College Algebra I
MATH 118 – College Algebra II
MATH 124 – Logarithmic and Exponential
Functions
MATH 125 – Numerical Trigonometry
MATH 126 – Analytic Trigonometry

9. MPE Attempts
Incoming students may take one time remotely prior to arrival on campus
Students are allowed 2 on-campus (proctored) attempts
Students should study and do the practice problems in the MPE Review Materials before taking the exam

10. Possible MPE Results May place into May place out of MATH 130 only
MATH 130, 133, and 135
all entry level math courses
May place out of
one or more of the pre-calculus courses
and possibly earn University credit for one or more of the pre-calculus courses (from a proctored attempt)

14. Default Placement All students will place into MATH 130 at a minimum
Students will need to retake the MPE or the Prerequisite Exam to place into other math courses

15. Entry Level Math (ELM) Tutorial
An online instructional program designed to prepare students for college level mathematics
May be completed remotely
Free tutoring is available in the PACe Tutoring Center during the academic year
Gives students access to the Prerequisite Exam

16. ELM Tutorial Possible outcomes
Satisfy the University’s admission requirement in mathematics for potential transfer students
Eligibility to take the Prerequisite Exam
Units 1-3  satisfy the prerequisite for MATH 133 and MATH 135
Units 1-4  satisfy the prerequisite for MATH 133, MATH 135 and MATH 117

17. FAQ About the ELM Tutorial
How long does it take to complete?
Depends on the student’s math background, math aptitude, and how effectively the student utilizes the Tutorial
Can be completed in less than a single day

18. FAQ About the ELM Tutorial
What level math does it cover?
Contents begin around an 8th grade level and build to intermediate algebra skills

19. FAQ About the ELM Tutorial
How is it structured?
Four units of content, each having about ten objectives
The content of each objective is presented using PDF overviews, instructional video clips, example problems and practice problems.
Each unit has a review exam that must be passed to move onto the next unit.

20. FAQ About the ELM Tutorial
Must students complete the Tutorial to take the Prerequisite Exam?
Yes  but how much they complete depends on the desired outcome.

21. FAQ About the ELM Tutorial
How many times may students take the Prerequisite Exam?
an unlimited number of attempts

22. FAQ About the ELM Tutorial
Should a student retake the MPE or complete the ELM Tutorial?
If the algebra section of the MPE felt too challenging, the student may find the Tutorial to be a better fit.

23. FAQ About the ELM Tutorial
Can the student work on the Tutorial as a review for the MPE?
Yes  A student may find it beneficial to utilize the instruction in the Tutorial as a way to review for the MPE. But, the student should still prepare further by using the MPE review materials.

24. Math Placement information can be found on the Mathematics Department website.

25. Math Mod Evolution
From 1975 to 1989 the pre-calculus courses were taught in the Math Module System (MMS).
In 1989 the MMS evolved into the Individualized Mathematics Program (IMP). The label ‘Math Mods’ was dropped.
Beginning Fall 2006 the IMP became the PACe Program.

26. Paced Algebra to Calculus electronically

27. PACe Program
An online program with a variety of instructional resources to help students learn pre-calculus mathematics

28. PACe Minicourses MATH 117 – College Algebra I
MATH 118 – College Algebra II
MATH 124 – Logarithmic and Exponential
Functions
MATH 125 – Numerical Trigonometry
MATH 126 – Analytic Trigonometry

29. Mastery Based Program
Students must ‘master’ the content of each unit (earn a minimum passing score) before moving on to the next unit.
Non-punitive in nature
Unlimited retesting
Extended withdrawal deadline
Grade of U for non-completion

30. Myth or Fact? Minicourses are self paced.
No  Students are required to maintain a minimum pace.
Students may work at a faster pace and finish earlier.

31. Myth or Fact? Students must learn on their own.
No  There are a variety of learning resources to help students master the content of a minicourse.
Printable PDFs of instruction
Online instructional video clips
Tutors
Written solutions to problems

32. Instructor Paced Classes
Offered the first three years of the PACe Program, but discontinued Fall 2009 due to lack of demand.

33. PACe Program Course Website

34. Myth or Fact? Students have five weeks to complete each minicourse.
No  A number of factors will determine how long a student may have to complete a minicourse.

35. Myth or Fact?
Students can add these courses anytime during the semester.
No  The courses must be added during the first 5 days of classes.

36. Myth or Fact?
PACe minicourses are online so students do not need to come to campus.
Students can complete most of the coursework from any computer but will need to take proctored exams in the PACe Testing Center.
Many students find it advantageous to work at the PACe Center to utilize the computer lab and tutors.

37. Myth or Fact? Everyone takes MATH 117, MATH 118, and MATH 124.
No!  Which three credits a student completes is entirely dependent upon his/her degree program and placement results.

38. Myth or Fact?
When a student’s schedule gets hectic…these courses can be put on the backburner.
That is the student’s prerogative…but there could be consequences.
These courses are just like all courses at the University. They have requirements and deadlines the student must meet.

39. Myth or Fact? Students just come to the PACe Center and take tests.
No  In the Math Module System and IMP this could have been true. In the PACe Program, the student must complete required coursework to be eligible to test.

40. Myth or Fact?
These classes are easy A’s.
Maybe true, maybe not.

41. Myth or Fact?
Students may enroll in a minicourse they have placed out of to earn credit.
Yes!

42. PACe Orientation Held during the first week of classes each semester.
25 minute orientation explains how the PACe Program works
Announced in the Class Schedule
Students typically receive 2 notifications
Orientation schedule posted on the PACe website

43. PACe Program Website