Welcome Math Students!
As a student in the California Community Colleges, you have the right to begin your education in transfer-level math course, which may help you graduate faster. Sometimes transfer-level courses need additional supports like tutoring or corequisites. We have developed a Placement process to help make sure that you get into the right class and receive the support you deserve.
Standardized assessment tests are no longer used to place students into English and math class. (yay!) Our new and improved placement process will work off your high school GPA as well as the highest math class that you have successfully completed. To access the self-guided questionnaire, follow this link on Self-Service (Scroll down to Orientation/Placement/Advise and click - Step Two Placement Questionnaire).
Note: If you have completed a math class at another college, you may also receive placement by presenting transcripts to the Counseling Center or by submitting an Online Placement/Prerequisite Clearance Form that can be found here: PreRequisite Clearance Form
After taking the Placement Questionnaire, you will most likely be recommended to enroll in one of the courses below. You may or may not be required to enroll in the linked support class. The support class will provide extra help on prerequisite skills, tutoring, etc. All students are welcome to enroll in one of the support classes with their transfer level math class, even if it is not a recommended placement course. If you feel this extra help will benefit you, then we want you to enroll.
These are your math options:
Note* - Support courses provide additional math instruction on prerequisite topics for those students whose placement results indicate a need, and for those students who would like additional support.
Math 160 – Elementary Statistics (4 units)
Excellent for Business, Earth Science, Social Science, and Allied Health majors.
This course will explain how to display and describe data. It will cover topics such
as the normal curve, regression, probability, statistical inference, confidence intervals,
and hypothesis tests with applications in the real world. Students will have the
opportunity to analyze data sets using technology.
Math 060 – Support (2 units)
This will give extra instruction and resources to students who may be missing some
of the prerequisite knowledge necessary for Math 160.
Math 175 – College Algebra (4 units)
STEM majors.
This course will center on algebraic relationships, functions and graphs that go beyond
the high school algebra curriculum. Topics will include polynomial, rational, radical,
exponential and logarithmic functions, system of equations, sequences and series,
conic sections.
Math 075 – Support (2 units)
This will give extra instruction and resources to students who may be missing some
of the prerequisite knowledge necessary for Math 175.
*Please note Math 175 will not be offered after Spring 2025
Math 176 – Precalculus (6 units)
STEM majors
This course is a combination of college algebra and trigonometry. The level is designed
to prepare you for the study of Calculus for STEM majors. If 6-units seems like a
bit too much math at once, you can choose to take two separate courses – Math 175
(College Algebra) and Math 170 (Trigonometry).
Math 076 – Support (2 units)
This will give extra instruction and resources to students who may be missing some
of the prerequisite knowledge necessary for Math 176.
*Please note Math 175 will not be offered after Spring 2025
Innovative Path to Calculus
Designed for STEM Students Preparing for Calculus I
This course is designed for STEM students who are not yet ready to go directly into
Calculus I. Math 171 will focus on essential algebraic and trigonometric concepts,
specifically tailored to meet the needs of students in STEM fields. Through hands-on
activities, students will build a solid foundation in core mathematical topics, enhancing
their skills and confidence as they prepare for the challenges of Calculus I.
Available as of Fall 2025
Calculus Instructional Support Lab (CISL)
An Engaging, Self-Paced Resource to Support Your Calculus Journey
This non-credit lab offers extra, individualized support for students currently enrolled in the Calculus sequence. Math 099NC provides targeted remediation in prerequisite topics essential for Calculus success, with a focus on modules containing directed learning activities and dedicated one-on-one time with the instructor.
Available as of Fall 2025
Math 178 – Business Calculus (4 units)
Great for Business majors
This course is one-variable calculus and stresses applications in business and economics.
It is intended to give business students the appropriate conceptual and computational
mathematical background for future study in business.
Math 078 – Support (2 units)
This will give extra instruction and resources to students who may be missing some
of the prerequisite knowledge necessary for Math 178.
Math 180 – Analytic Geometry & Calculus I (5 units)
Great for STEM Majors
This course is the first in a three-semester calculus series, focusing on one-variable calculus. It provides foundational concepts and techniques essential for success in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields.
Math 080– Support (2 units)*
This will give extra instruction and resources to students who may be missing some
of the prerequisite knowledge necessary for Math 180.
About AB1705
Assembly Bill (AB) 1705, signed by the Governor, mandates that California Community Colleges prioritize ensuring students enroll in and complete transfer-level English and mathematics courses within one year. This legislation significantly limits the availability of remedial math and English courses at community colleges. AB 1705 builds on a 2017 law introduced following research that showed students taking remedial math and English classes, such as precalculus, often struggled to progress beyond those courses, reducing their likelihood of completing their degrees.
For more information about AB 705 & AB 1705, visit the California Community Colleges: Equitable Placement, Support and Completion page.
How AB 1705 Impacts Math Courses
Starting Fall 2025, depending on your math preparedness background, you can take Math 171 Innovative Path to Calculus — if you need precalculus. Alternatively, students can go directly to Calculus but may be required to take a co-requisite support course.
Until then, you can take Math 176 Precalculus or Math 175 College Algebra and Math 170 Trigonometry during the 2024-2025 academic. However, please be aware that these courses in the series will be phased out after Summer 2025.
The following Math Pathway guide contains course sequences that are based on educational goals: MATH PATHWAYS
The Grossmont Math Department is excited to help you
complete your math requirements!
Questions:
If you have questions about choosing the best Math course for your educational goal,
please see your counselor for assistance.