Two male students look at computer
image
June 2021

New Student Pre Calc Prep

Florida Poly provides incoming students a Pre Calc Prep module during the month of June to prepare them for their first college-level mathematics course and the rigor and pace of a top engineering and computer science curriculum.

This non-credit bearing, no-cost module allows students the opportunity to review prerequisite math skills and be provided access to a full team of subject matter experts --  including remote lectures and learning aids -- and directly prepares them for their actual Pre Calc course at Florida Poly.

Teaching and learning has been greatly impacted by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Students have had modified learning experiences, which have included a combination of remote, hybrid, or in-person learning. The pandemic and its related challenges have impacted pedagogy, learning, and outcomes in all areas, including mathematics. 

Many students have been working hard to make sure they are prepared for a college curriculum. We have full faith and confidence in our incoming cohorts, but understand that math preparation may not have been optimal given the circumstances, despite good overall academic performance. As a campus community, we believe sequential and applied mathematics proficiency is a cornerstone for many of our programs of study. Therefore, we seek to support our students from ∑ (a – 1) [~ the weeks prior to day one].

Benefits

  • Participating in the Pre Calc Prep module will allow you to strengthen math skills that are essential for precalculus.
  • By participating in 80% of the Pre Calc Prep module, you can earn the equivalent to a 100% in your credit-bearing summer precalculus course as a quiz grade. Not only will you be ahead in knowledge of the course and the math, but you’ll also actually walk in with a top grade in the bank for the course.
  • Pre Calc Prep is fully aligned with your precalculus credit-bearing course, which for some begins July 6, and for others will coincide with the beginning of the fall term on Aug 24.
  • You will have an opportunity to meet peers and Florida Poly students.
  • Again, math is the cornerstone of ALL academic programs, almost all requiring up to Calculus III. Students don’t have to love math to succeed, but assuring sound footing on early concepts proves to be worth all the effort as our students earn placement in high-paying jobs or top Ph.D. programs.

Prepare

Whether or not you were recently enrolled in a high school or college precalculus or calculus course, you may recognize that a refresher and/or some focus on certain topics would prepare you for success in your first college courses on campus.

Guided by highly qualified first-year math experts, supplemented by access to a 24/7 online platform, and with on-demand math support by qualified and trained online peer tutors, this experience will prepare you for the rigor and expectations of your four-credit course.

 

Next Steps

professor helps student

Sign Up

Register here for the June Pre Calc Prep module (it’ll take you 30 seconds) and you will be asked to provide information on preferred times and days for class sessions in June.  

students participate in tutoring sessions

Placement Test

Take the this Placement Test by June 1 (it's about 30 questions).

Use the class code EHGT6-NERHK.

scientific calculator

Start the Course

The Pre Calc Prep Module opens on Canvas on June 1st at 8am. You will be emailed a link.

Frequently Asked Questions

Material will cover essential prerequisite topics in the four-credit precalculus course. Students will be provided with an individualized learning plan so that they are working on the content that they need to work on. Students will also learn study skills, such as time management, and expectations for the credit-bearing course. They will also become familiar with Canvas, the learning management system used in all courses at Florida Poly. Pre Calc Prep instructors will discuss ways in which connections and support can be provided in the alignment and development for Calculus at Florida Poly.  

We love math at Florida Poly, despite its momentary elusive qualities. Most majors at Florida Poly require up to Calculus III, with some majors requiring additional mathematics coursework.  The Pre Calc Prep Modules will help ensure that you’re starting your mathematics coursework equipped with the skills to success in precalculus and beyond. 

The Learning Assistants in the Pre Calc Prep Module have been handpicked for the course and we believe they are the crème de la crème at Florida Polytechnic University. These Learning Aides are students pursuing a variety of degrees at Florida Poly who have successfully completed university levels of calculus and have finished at the top of their math courses. Tutors were competitively selected and specifically trained to tutor incoming students. This new initiative was featured in Forbes.

We are offering an online interactive Pre Calc platform (McGraw-Hill) that allows for students to have an individualized learning plan. The platform includes access to an infinite set of practice problems and multimedia resources that align course content in the credit-bearing precalculus course. The program allows you to track your own performance and will help learning assistants, instructors, and staff help you. 

The Pre Calc Prep Module targets students’ prerequisite knowledge and provides an individualized learning plan to ensure students are prepared to succeed in their math courses at Florida Poly. Since this learning plan is individualized, you will be sure you’re working on content that you need to work on, and not content that you’ve already mastered. It is the perfect solution for the accelerated “bootcamp” program, instructors who need to get students up to speed during the first few weeks of a course, or as a component to fill gaps and refresh critical concepts.

Many students don’t realize that a strong foundation in prerequisite skills is critical to their success in a math course, even if it isn’t their first time taking it. The unique cycle of assessment and learning ensures mastery of those skills, which translates to mastery in the course. With the individualized learning plan, students only review what they need, making it an efficient and motivating tool.

The prep course will help pinpoint the prerequisite knowledge needs or gaps of each student. Those who really don’t need a lot of review are able to jump right into the course material without getting bored and unmotivated. And the few skills they do need to review will be waiting for them to practice in the online modules.

No. You need to take your ALEKS placement exam prior to enrolling in this free, online support course. Upon completing the Pre Calc Prep, you are welcome to take the ALEKS placement test again and see if you improve your score. 

Resources

Our Team

Dr. Ben Matthew Corpus

Vice Provost | Email

Dr. Megan Cavanah

Lead Instructor | Email

Karla Martinez Moctezuma Lofton

Admissions Counselor and Knack Liaison | Email

Shelley Esker

Enrollment Services Coordinator and Knack Liaison | Email