Upon entry, all students who have not completed a college-level math course or a qualifying score on AP/IB will be placed into a college level math course or a college level math course with additional support. (Some majors will require additional math even if students bring in college-level Math or AP/IB scores).
To have the opportunity to choose the best course to satisfy this requirement, all students should first complete First-Year Math Advising. This, combined with your math pathway in your student center, will help you make the best choice for your math courses when enrolling. (Click here if you need help finding your math pathway).
Once a course is selected, this course should be completed in the first year of college. If the requirement has not been completed by the second semester, consider taking the class over the summer through SF State or through your local Community College. For assistance in finding an appropriate transferable class, please contact gatorsmartstart@sfsu.edu.
Succeed!
- Visit them in office hours. If you don’t have questions about the homework or lessons, ask them what they’d suggest you study next to be prepared for future classes in this subject or ask them why they have pursued this subject.
- Say hello to them. Unlike in high school, you are a full adult now working with another adult to explore a topic. Treat them like another human!
- Ask question in class. If you have a question, it is likely another student has a similar question.
- In emails, provide your full name, ID number, class you are taking, and the reason you are emailing. Provide some context and make a clear request.
- Access tutoring services early, even if you are still deciding if you want to attend tutoring. Tutoring works best if you go early and go regularly.
- Explore their website for other tutoring services on campus.
- Related to tutoring: form a study group with classmates…even if you are just doing homework at the same time in the same place or same Zoom room.
- In addition to help with planning your courses, advisors can help you brainstorm through challenges including communicating with teachers, creating good study habits, engaging in class and campus, and many others.
- You can make an appointment with an advisor through the Navigator platform. If you have specific questions about your English composition or quantitative reasoning/math course, contact us at gatorsmartstart@sfsu.edu.
Frequently Asked Questions
SF State wants to help students move beyond memorization of formulas. Solving problems in groups helps students develop the reasoning skills that will benefit them not only in future math courses, but any courses that require systematic problem-solving. We realize it may be a new style of learning, so be sure to ask instructors, tutors (TASC), and our department for advice.
Please contact us for an appointment to discuss all your options as each situation is unique. In general, if this is the first time you failed, you will probably wish to repeat the same course as a second attempt. STEM majors and BUS majors will most likely have to repeat the same course. Liberal Arts majors often can choose a different course but will not receive grade forgiveness then. If this is the second time you failed the same course, you will either have to appeal to take a third time using this form or you will want to work with our office to find an equivalent to take at a community college. Note that the math department will only review petitions for a third attempt after the semester has started and after the instructor of the section you want has provided you a permission number for the form above. This is so that students attempting a first or second time have an opportunity to secure a seat.
If it’s not too late, work with our office to find a summer math course at SF State or a community college, as you want to complete math as soon as possible. If summer is not an option, prioritize your math class for your third semester.
Email us at gatorsmartstart@sfsu.edu.