<p>I am planning on transferring to San Francisco state university after I finally get my 60 transferable units. But before that, I am supposed to take a class that is considered "intermediate algebra" as a prerequisite to a higher level math course. The course below is the course I am planning on taking next semester, is this course considered an "intermediate" algebra course?</p>
<p>Here is the description of the course...</p>
<p>MATH 171 Elementary Functions and Coordinate Geometry</p>
<p>This course presents the elements of coordinate geometry; algebraic and transcendental functions, including polynomial, rational, exponential, logarithmic, trigonometric and other algebraic functions; inverse functions; and curve sketching</p>
<p>(by the way, I have already made an appointment with a counselor about this, but I am forced to wait 2 weeks for the appointment. As impatient as i am, i wanted to ask here before the appointment) </p>
<p>Look in the course catalog to see what the prerequisite is. For example, Contra Costa College has a course of that description which lists a prerequisite of MATH 120, which is Intermediate Algebra, or high school algebra 2 (i.e. it is a higher level course than Intermediate Algebra). Based on the description and other prerequisite sequencing, it appears to be equivalent to a high school trigonometry and precalculus course.</p>
<p><a href=“Administration of Justice Courses - Contra Costa College”>http://www.contracosta.edu/home/programs-departments/mathematics/courses/</a></p>
<p>This seems to be more of a pre-calculus class. It mixes in elements of college algebra and trigonometry. It’s definitely not what is considered intermediate algebra. This is the description for intermediate algebra at my school - </p>
<p>This is an intermediate level algebra course; the following topics will be extended to an intermediate level of competency; real numbers and expressions, equations and inequalities, graphing methods, polynomials and factoring, quadratic equations, and systems of equations. New topics include: functions and their graphs, radicals and complex numbers, rational expressions, quadratic equations, quadratic and rational inequalities, graphs of second degree equations, and variation.</p>
<p>But Math 120 intermediate algebra is not transferable. Shouldn’t I take intermediate algebra courses that are transferable?</p>
<p>You should be able to complete whatever requirement that requires intermediate algebra by completing a higher level course than intermediate algebra.</p>
<p>Actually, if you mean CSU’s area B4 general education requirement, note that “Area B4 courses must emphasize the development of student’s mathematical and quantitative reasoning skills beyond the level of intermediate algebra, which must be a stated prerequisite”, according to <a href=“http://www.calstate.edu/app/documents/EO-595/Area_B.pdf”>http://www.calstate.edu/app/documents/EO-595/Area_B.pdf</a> . This means a higher level course than intermediate algebra.</p>
<p>IGETC area 2 is similar, according to <a href=“http://www.calstate.edu/app/documents/IGETC/IGETC_Area_2.pdf”>http://www.calstate.edu/app/documents/IGETC/IGETC_Area_2.pdf</a> .</p>
<p>I don’t mean the B4 general education requirement, I meant the class itself. I thought CSU’s only review courses that are listed in assist.org (in other words, courses that are transferable)</p>
<p>You only need to take intermediate algebra before taking a more advanced math course if you do not already know the material (e.g. from high school algebra 2). What math did you take in high school, how well did you do, and how well do you remember it?</p>
<p>I only need to take intermediate algebra because it’s a requirement that I need in order to transfer to SFSU (san francisco state university) but they are being pretty vague since the SFSU website states that I need a course in quantitative reasoning/ mathematics with “intermediate algebra” as a prerequisite. I assume they mean that I will need to take a course in intermediate algebra before I can take a course in calculus, trigonometry ect… </p>
<p>Here is what is stated in the website</p>
<ol>
<li>One course in oral communication</li>
<li>One course in written composition</li>
<li>One course in critical thinking</li>
<li>One course in mathematics or quantitative reasoning, with intermediate algebra as a prerequisite </li>
</ol>
<p>Does the intermediate algebra course have to be transferable? or can any course with the name intermediate algebra be sufficient to satisfy the prerequisite in B4 general education </p>
<p>Read carefully. It does not say that intermediate algebra is required; it says that a course for which intermediate algebra is a prerequisite (i.e. a higher level course) is required.</p>
<p>If you already know the intermediate algebra (= high school algebra 2) material, then you can take the higher level course and be done with the requirement without having to take intermediate algebra. If not, you have to take intermediate algebra first and then the following course, but intermediate algebra will not be a transferable course (UC and CSU only allow transfer of math courses higher than intermediate algebra).</p>
<p>Ah I understand now. So do you think if I take this course…</p>
<p>MATH 171 Elementary Functions and Coordinate Geometry</p>
<p>as a prerequisite to… </p>
<p>MATH 190 Analytic Geometry and Calculus</p>
<p>(by the way, math 171 is an actual prerequisite to math 190)</p>
<p>would these two courses completely satisfy the B4 general education requirement? and will it also satisfy the intermediate algebra prerequisite requirement?</p>
<p>Because MATH 171 has a prerequisite of MATH 120 (intermediate algebra), either MATH 171 or any course after it such as MATH 190 will satisfy the B4 general education requirement.</p>
<p>ucbalumnus, I have a question.</p>
<p>Let’s say for example I took a class in critical thinking (that gives 3 units upon completion) and got a D in that class and got the 3 units. If I take the class again, will I receive another 3 units? or can I only obtain 3/4 units upon every class regardless on how many times i retake it? </p>
<p>You asked in another thread and got the answer there – repeating a course generally will not give you additional credit units if you already earned the credit units through a non-F grade.</p>
<p>Yes I did. I tend to do that a lot, sorry.</p>
<p>By the way, when course have the words “Not repeatable” in their description, does that mean I won’t be able to receive units if I retake the class? or does it mean that I can’t actually retake the class?</p>