2024-2025 Pierce College Catalog 
    
    Dec 21, 2024  
2024-2025 Pierce College Catalog

Math Education (DTA/MRP) Course Map


Created by Pierce faculty, this map outlines the initial coursework for this career field and for transfer to a four-year institution. It provides you a clear path to complete your degree by listing a specific set of courses relevant to your program and career. The map is designed with the appropriate number of credits and meets degree requirements. Courses are organized in a recommended sequence; please schedule accordingly. If a course is unavailable, select the next appropriate course within the sequence. If you want to change a course on this map you must speak with an advisor to assure you meet all degree requirements. For each course, a purpose statement explains how the content relates to your career field. On this map, there may be instances when you will be required to select a course from several options. Use these purpose statements and notes to choose the course that best aligns with your interests and needs. You will also find action items to complete to assure you progress and graduate on time. While this map is a great guide to courses required to complete an Associate in Math Education DTA/MRP  Degree, you are responsible for fulfilling all degree requirements. Questions? Your Success Network is ready to help you!

Important note about transfer: colleges and universities may change their requirements at any time, so this map is not a guarantee of transfer. You will need to check transfer requirements with your intended four-year school. 

1. College Success


  • Course purpose: A foundational course to explore and affirm a career choice and build upon the skills, knowledge, and resources that will support you at Pierce College and beyond.

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  • Note

    • Successfully completing either COLLG 110 or COLLG 115 will fulfill the College Success requirement. 
    • A COLLG 110 course grade can only be replaced with a grade from another COLLG 110 course and a COLLG 115 course grade can only be replaced with a grade from another COLLG 115 course. 

2. Math Course Recommendation


Take one each quarter until sequence is finished.

  • Course purpose: This course sequence is core for this degree; It includes topics of advanced algebra and trigonometry, which will prepare you for calculus.

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  • Note: The math course you select will depend on the Career Pathway Map you are following, the transfer institution/degree that you select, and your math placement guidance. Your advisor will assist you in selecting the relevant 5 or 7 credit course(s) based upon co-requisite options. 

3. Introduction to Education


Meet with Advisor:


Use your Success Network! In your first quarter, meet with your advisor to revisit your career and transfer path, make adjustments to your goals as needed, and plan for your next steps.

4. English Composition I


  • Course purpose: Writing skills are essential in future courses and in the workplace. This course will help you learn to write academic essays, develop rhetorical knowledge and critical reading skills, and apply effectively the principles of college writing.

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  • Note: Your advisor will assist you in reviewing your Guided Self Placement and selecting either the 5-credit or the 7-credit co-requisite ENGL& 101 + ENGLC 101 course.

5. Field Experience I – Cooperative Work Experience


6. Public Speaking


  • Course purpose: Mathematicians need to be able to communicate with other people, and explain concepts to a general audience. This beginning course in public speaking will allow you to explore your own speaking capabilities, and teach you to analyze your audience, organize and deliver your message. 

7. General Psychology


  • Course purpose: This is a basic course in psychology which will focus on the scientific study of animal behavior and experience. In the course you will get to see examples of quantitative and qualitative research and principles related to learning such as heredity, neurology, motivation, emotion, perception, cognition, learning, and intelligence. 

8. Math Course Recommendation


Take one course per quarter until sequence is finished.

  • Course purpose: This course sequence is core for this degree; Calculus is the foundation for large parts of mathematics and its applications. It is a cornerstone of analysis and an indispensable tool for most of the sciences and engineering. 

    Note: This course is required for Central Washington University with a 2.0 grade or better.  It is required for Washington State University.  It is required for Western Washington University. It is required for application to the University of Washington program with a 2.0 grade or higher (2.5 for all Math courses). 

Apply for Graduation:


Way to go! It is time to apply for graduation. Visit the Pierce College Graduation website for details.

9. English Composition II


  • Course purpose: This course will help you learn to analyze and write argumentation essays and research papers. These skills will be very useful in future courses and for those who intend to pursue graduate programs. This course is preferred for most students.

Action Item: Decide on Transfer Institution


Decide on a transfer institution to determine specific transfer requirements.

10. Social Science Course Recommendation


Choose one

  • Course purpose: In this course you will learn about social problems facing our world, for which you may later use math to address. 

  • Course purpose: This course includes an exploration of culture in the United States examining various aspects of social identity including ethnicity, “race,” socioeconomic class, gender, and sexuality. It will provide you with another social science lens with which to view the world. 

11. Natural Science Course Recommendation


Choose one group.

Group A


  • Course purpose: Physics is the study of the laws of nature, which can be used to predict the behavior of the world and all kinds of machinery. Physics applies mathematics to the real world and provides motivation for many mathematical techniques. 

  • Course purpose: Physics is the study of the laws of nature, which can be used to predict the behavior of the world and all kinds of machinery. Physics applies mathematics to the real world and provides motivation for many mathematical techniques. Second class in the series for those wanting a full year sequence.

Group B


  • Course purpose: Physics is the study of the laws of nature, which can be used to predict the behavior of the world and all kinds of machinery. Physics applies mathematics to the real world and provides motivation for many mathematical techniques. 

  • Course purpose: Physics is the study of the laws of nature, which can be used to predict the behavior of the world and all kinds of machinery. Physics applies mathematics to the real world and provides motivation for many mathematical techniques. For those wanting a sampling of different sciences.

  • Course purpose: Physics is the study of the laws of nature, which can be used to predict the behavior of the world and all kinds of machinery. Physics applies mathematics to the real world and provides motivation for many mathematical techniques. OPTIONAL: Third class in the series for those wanting a full year sequence.

Group C


  • Course purpose: Chemistry is the study of matter and energy and the interaction between them. It can help you to understand the world around you, for example why plants are green or why leaves change color in the fall. Chemistry will enable you to apply mathematics, and is valuable if you are interested in biology. This course is only required if you plan to take CHEM& 161 or the Biology series and have NOT taken high school chemistry.

  • Course purpose: Chemistry is the study of matter and energy and the interaction between them. It can help you to understand the world around you, for example why plants are green or why leaves change color in the fall. Chemistry will enable you to apply mathematics, and is valuable if you are interested in biology.

  • Course purpose: Chemistry is the study of matter and energy and the interaction between them. It can help you to understand the world around you, for example why plants are green or why leaves change color in the fall. Chemistry will enable you to apply mathematics, and is valuable if you are interested in biology. Second class in the chemistry series for those wanting a full year sequence.

Group D


  • Course purpose: Chemistry is the study of matter and energy and the interaction between them. It can help you to understand the world around you, for example why plants are green or why leaves change color in the fall. Chemistry will enable you to apply mathematics, and is valuable if you are interested in biology. This course is only required if you plan to take CHEM& 161 or the Biology series and have NOT taken high school chemistry.

  • Course purpose: Biology is the study of living organisms (plants and animals). From genetics to physiology, the many branches of biology have much to tell us about what the human body is made up of, how it works, and how it’s affected by what we eat, the air we breathe, and every other aspect of the world around us. Biological statistics and modeling is a common application of mathematics.

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  • Course purpose: Biology is the study of living organisms (plants and animals). From genetics to physiology, the many branches of biology have much to tell us about what the human body is made up of, how it works, and how it’s affected by what we eat, the air we breathe, and every other aspect of the world around us. Biological statistics and modeling is a common application of mathematics. BIOL& 211-213 can be taken in any order. These form a biology series for those wanting a full year biology sequence. 

12. Calculus 3


  • Course purpose: Calculus is the foundation for large parts of mathematics and its applications. It is a cornerstone of analysis and an indispensable tool for most of the sciences and engineering. This course is core for the degree. 

    Note: This course is required for Central Washington University with a 2.0 grade or higher. It is required for Washington State University. It is required for Western Washington University. It is required for application to the University of Washington program with 2.0 or higher (2.5 or higher in all Math courses). 

13. Philosophy Course Recommendation


Choose one

  • Course purpose: This course will help you to understand and appreciate the philosophical foundations of the scientific method.

  • Course purpose: Acting ethically is very important. In particular, we want you to use your mathematical and teaching powers for good, not evil. This course will enable you to study personal and social moral concerns with an analysis of the distinction between good and evil, right and wrong and an examination of custom, theology, reason, human nature and happiness as standards for solution to moral problems.

14. Social Science Course Recommendation


Choose one

  • Course purpose: This courser explores how people learn and grow from infancy through adulthood. In order to be an effective teacher, you will need to have an understanding of the developmental stages of your students.

15. Calculus 4


  • Course purpose: Calculus is the foundation for large parts of mathematics and its applications. It is a cornerstone of analysis and an indispensable tool for most of the sciences and engineering. This course is core for degree. 

     

    Note: This course is required for Western Washington University. It is required for Central Washington University with a 2.0 grade or higher.

16. Humanities Course Recommendation


Choose one

  • Course purpose: The examination of the effects of culture upon the process of communication. Using theory and skill development, students are prepared to communicate effectively both within and across cultures.

  • Course purpose: Acting ethically is very important. In particular, we want you to use your mathematical and teaching powers for good, not evil. This course will enable you to study personal and social moral concerns with an analysis of the distinction between good and evil, right and wrong and an examination of custom, theology, reason, human nature and happiness as standards for solution to moral problems.

Total Credits: 98


Action Item: Degree Requirements


If you began at MATH& 141, you will have completed your AA-DTA degree requirements at this point. You may opt to stay at Pierce and complete the two courses below, if required for your transfer institution, or you can choose to take the courses after you transfer. If you started at MATH& 151, you should be able to complete the two courses below as part of the AA-DTA.

Additional Recommended Courses


  • Course purpose: Linear algebra studies methods of solution and applications of systems of equations. This course is required for the Math Education degree at WSU, UW, PLU, CWU, and WWU.

  • Course purpose: This course explores functions defined by their rate of change. It is one of the most applied and active research areas of mathematics. This course is required for the Math Education degree at UW and WSU.

  • Course purpose: Physics is the study of the laws of nature, which can be used to predict the behavior of the world and all kinds of machinery. Physics applies mathematics to the real world and provides motivation for many mathematical techniques. OPTIONAL: Third class in the series for those wanting a full year sequence.

  • Course purpose: Chemistry is the study of matter and energy and the interaction between them. It can help you to understand the world around you, for example why plants are green or why leaves change color in the fall. Chemistry will enable you to apply mathematics, and is valuable if you are interested in biology. OPTIONAL: Third class in the series for those wanting a full year sequence.

  • Course purpose: Biology is the study of living organisms (plants and animals). From genetics to physiology, the many branches of biology have much to tell us about what the human body is made up of, how it works, and how it’s affected by what we eat, the air we breathe, and every other aspect of the world around us. Biological statistics and modeling is a common application of mathematics. 

Adjusted Total Credits: 134-140