If you need help with your math classes, there are a number of resources available to you, depending on what the difficulty is.
What class should I take?
All students first entering Tacoma Community College without previous college math credit must take the math placement test. That test helps determine which class you should begin with.
A complete list of classes offered by the TCC Math department is below. Please note that the course numbers with "&" are from the new common course numbering system.
The list of classes can be very overwhelming. Here are some suggested sequences of courses to take after Math 90 depending on your major:
- Health Sciences: TMath 100
- Non-science/Non-business Majors: Math 97, then either Math 106 or Math& 107
- Elementary Education Majors: Math 97, then Math 170 and Math 171 (You can take Math 170 and Math 171 in either order.)
- Business Majors: Math 99, Math 147, Math& 148
- Math, Science, and Engineering Majors: Math 99, Math& 141 and Math& 142, Math& 151, Math& 152, and Math&153, then any 200-level math classes that are required.
- Computer Science Majors: Math 99, Math& 141 and Math& 142, then Math& 151 and Math 210 (You do not need to take Math&151 before you take Math 210.)
If you are unsure of what math class to take, please visit us in the Math Advising and Resource Center so we can help you select the math class that will work best for you. Or you can also email the Math Department, and we will respond within three days.
TCC Math Classes
Developmental classes (do not meet the quantitative skills requirement for earning an Associates of Arts degree)
- Math 75 Arithmetic Review
- Prerequisites: Read 75 (may be taken concurrently)
- Math 85 Introduction to Algebra
- Prerequisites: Read 85 (may be taken concurrently) and Math 75
- Math 90
- Prerequisites: Read 85 and Math 85
- TMath 100 Mathematics for Health Sciences
- Prerequisites: Read 95 and Math 90
- Does not satisfy the quantitative skills requirement for earning an Associates of Arts degree.
- This class is only intended for students who need a technical math class for completing a professional program in the health sciences.
- Math 97 Intermediate Algebra for the Liberal Arts
- Prerequisites: Read 95 and Math 90
- Recommended for students who are not strong in mathematics.
- Students who take Math 97 will also have to take Math 99 if they plan to take Math 111 or Math 115.
- Math 99 Intermediate Algebra
- Prerequisites: Read 95 and Math 90
- You do not need to take Math 97 before taking Math 99 (although you are welcome to do so, if you wish).
College-level classes (do meet the quantitative skills requirement for earning an Associates of Arts degree)
Entry level classes (can be taken after completing Math 97 or Math 99)
- Math 106 Ethnomathematics
- Prerequisite: TMath 100 or Math 97 or Math 99
- Recommended for students who are not strong in math but need a quantitative skills course.
- Fulfills not only the quantitative skills requirement, but also the multicultural requirement for graduation.
- Math& 107 Math: A Practical Art
- Prerequisite: TMath 100 or Math 97 or Math 99
- Recommended for students who are not strong in math but need a quantitative skills course.
- Math& 146 Introduction to Statistics
- Prerequisite: TMath 100 or Math 97 or Math 99
- Recommended for students whose program requires statistics or probability.
- Course requires computer spreadsheet knowledge and a graphing calculator—the TI-84+ is recommended.
- Math 147 College Algebra for Business and Economics
- Prerequisite: Math 99
- Required for business and economics majors.
- Course requires computer spreadsheet knowledge and a graphing calculator—the TI-84+ is recommended.
- Math& 141 Precalculus I: College Algebra
- Prerequisites: Math 99
- Required for science, engineering, math, and computer science majors (among others).
- Course requires a graphing calculator—the TI-84+ Silver Edition is recommended.
- Math 170 Mathematics for Elementary School Teachers I
- Prerequisites: Math 97 or Math 99
- Math 171 Mathematics for Elementary School Teachers II
- Prerequisites: Math 97 or Math 99
- You do not need to take Math 170 before taking Math 171. These two courses are not a sequence.
Higher level courses (have one or more 100-level math classes as prerequisites)
- Math&148 Elements of Calculus
- Prerequisite: Math 111
- Required for business and economics majors
- Course requires computer spreadsheet knowledge and a graphing calculator—the TI-84+ is recommended.
- Math& 142 Precalculus II: Trigonometry
- Prerequisite: Math 115
- Required for science, engineering, math, and computer science majors.
- Course requires a graphing calculator—the TI-84+ Silver Edition is recommended.
- Math& 151 Calculus I
- Prerequisite: Math 116
- Course requires a graphing calculator—the TI-84+ Silver Edition is recommended.
- Math& 152 Calculus II
- Prerequisite: Math 124
- Course requires a graphing calculator—the TI-84+ Silver Edition is recommended.
- Math& 153 Calculus III
- Prerequisite: Math 125
- Course requires a graphing calculator—the TI-84+ Silver Edition is recommended.
- Math 210 Discrete Mathematics
- Prerequisite: Math 116
- Course may require a graphing calculator. See the instructor for recommendations.
- Math 220 Linear Algebra
- Prerequisite: Math 126
- Course may require a graphing calculator. See the instructor for recommendations.
- Math 224 Multivariable Calculus
- Prerequisite: Math 126
- Course may require a graphing calculator. See the instructor for recommendations.
- Math 238 Differential Equations
- Prerequisite: Math 126
- Course may require a graphing calculator. See the instructor for recommendations.
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What Is the Math Advising and Resource Center?
The Al-Khwarizmi Math Advising and Resource Center (or MARC or simply "math center") is located in building 19, room 22. It is a place where students can go to check out calculators, study, get math tutoring, get advice on what math class to take, and more.
Please see the Math Advising and Resource Center web site for more information.
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Where can I go to get answers to math questions?
Instructor’s Office Hours
Your class instructor is the first person you should talk to if you have questions related to material covered in class. Your instructor's office hours are intended for this purpose. You can find out your instructor's office hours by asking, looking on your course syllabus, or checking their schedule on the math department web site.
Math Advising and Resource Center (MARC)
If your instructor is not available at a time that is convenient for you, you can get help in the MARC. The MARC is located in building 19, room 22. There are faculty and/or tutors available to help with math questions during most hours which the MARC is open. For current hours, see the MARC hours web site.
Writing and Tutoring Center
The Writing and Tutoring Center is located in building 7. The tutoring center uses student workers who are available by appointment for one-on-one tutoring. The hours during which tutoring is available in specific subject may vary from quarter to quarter. Call the Tutoring Center at 253.566.6032 to find out what their current schedule is for your class.
Videotapes
Depending on what class you are taking, the library may have video tapes that are specially linked to your math textbook. You can check these tapes out at the library media desk just north (left) of the main library circulation desk. They must be viewed in the library and cannot be taken home. You can use them any time the library is open.
MARC Computer Lab
The MARC Lab is located in Building 19 and is part of the MARC (room 22). The MARC Computer Lab computers have computer software that students can use to practice math problems. Depending on the class you are taking, the software may be specially linked to your math textbook. The software will tell you if you’re doing the problems correctly or not. If you would like to try this option, talk to a staff member in the MARC and he or she will help you get started.
Textbook-specific Software
Most textbooks come with a CD or other software with tutorials, videos, and interactive problems. If your book came with such a CD and you have a computer with a CD drive at home, then you should check it out. Many students find these CDs very helpful.
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What calculator should I buy?
Which calculator you need depends on what class you are taking. Below is a class-by-class list of what calculators are recommended by the math department.
Math 75
A basic four-function calculator is required. You might find it helpful to have a calculator with a "fraction" key. Calculators are not allowed in all parts of this class, so you should consult with your instructor.
Math 85
A scientific calculator is required. The TI-30X IIS is recommended. A scientific calculator has buttons marked "SIN", "COS", and "TAN" on it. You won't use these particular buttons in this class (or in 90 or 99), but they are a good way to identify the type of calculator you need. Calculators may not be allowed for some parts this class, so you should consult with your instructor.
Math 90 or 99
A scientific calculator is required. (See Math 85 for how to identify one.) The TI-30X IIS is recommended. You should not expect to use a graphing calculator in these classes, as it is department policy that they cannot be used on tests at this level.
Math 107
A scientific calculator is recommended. See Math 85 for how to identify one.
Math&146
A TI-83/TI-84+ graphing calculator is required. If you have a different graphing calculator, consult the instructor to see if it can be used.
Math 147 or Math& 148
Graphing calculator required. The TI-84+ Silver Edition is strongly recommended for its built-in financial functions. Your instructor will demonstrate the TI-84+ in class, but may not demonstrate any other calculators. There is also a guide to use of the TI-83 in Math 111 available. (NOTE: The keystrokes for the TI-83 and the keystrokes for the TI-84 series are identical.)
Math& 141 or Math& 142
Graphing calculator required. The TI-84+ Silver Edition is strongly recommended.
Math& 151, Math& 152, or Math& 153
Graphing calculator required. The TI-84+ Silver Edition is strongly recommended.
Math 220, Math & 254, or Math 238
Graphing calculator probably required. Consult your instructor to be sure and for recommendations.
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How do I use my graphing calculator?
Graphing calculators aren't always easy to use. Regardless of what class you are in or what calculator you are using, your instructor should be able to help with any calculator problems you are having. It is impossible, however, for your instructor to be an expert on every type of calculator available. If you stick to the recommended calculator for your class, you are more likely to be able to get help from your instructor.
Some additional help is available for some types of calculators in some classes. Guides that are linked in the list below are in pdf format--you need the FREE Adobe Acrobat Reader to view them.
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Course Number Changes Effective Summer 2008
The Washington Community and Technical College system has adopted common course numbers, prefixes and titles for courses that are equivalent at many two year colleges. These changes go into effect Summer Quarter, 2008. The courses and their descriptions are not changing, just the course number and in some cases the prefix and/or title. There are changes to both common courses and non-common courses. Common courses are identified by having an “&” character at the end of the prefix, for example ENGL& or ANTH&. You can see a complete list of all the changes and more information at www.tacomacc.edu/ccn.
The courses listed below are those offered by the math department that are affected by the program. Note that the common course numbers have MATH& as the department ID instead of MATH. (The only class listed below that is not part of the common course numbering program is MATH 111/MATH 147. This course was voluntarily renumbered by the TCC math department because it is the course taken right before MATH 112/MATH& 148 and the course numbering needed to remain logical.)
Course numbers changed effective summer 2008Current
Number | New Number
(Summer 2008) |
|---|
| MATH 107 | MATH& 107 |
| MATH 108 | MATH& 146 |
| MATH 111 | MATH 147 |
| MATH 112 | MATH& 148 |
| MATH 115 | MATH& 141 |
| MATH 116 | MATH& 142 |
| MATH 124 | MATH& 151 |
| MATH 125 | MATH& 152 |
| MATH 126 | MATH& 153 |
| MATH 224 | MATH& 254 |
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The content and maintenance of the math department pages are the responsibility of David Straayer (dstraayer@tacomacc.edu).
