New STEM Pathways for Fall 2024
Summary of Major Updates
MATH Updates
-
Fall 2024:
- MATH 122 will be offered as a 3-credit course for students in majors that require at minimum MATH 124 or MATH 126. MATH 122 will fulfill GEF 3.
- MATH 104 and MATH 106, co-requisite courses will no longer be offered due to curricular updates to MATH 124 and MATH 126. There will be no option for D/F repeat of these co-requisite courses after spring 2024.
- MATH 124 placement lowered based on student success data.
- MATH 129 (accessible by placement only) will serve as a pre-requisite for MATH 155.
- MATH 153 and MATH 154 will be phased out as students are prepared for MATH 155 directly through pre-requisite coursework. Math 153 and 154 will be offered for the last time in the summer of 2025. Options for D/F repeat after the final semester will be available (see below).
-
Summer 2025:
- MATH 155 placement will not change but pre-requisite courses will include MATH 129 or the combination of MATH 126 + MATH 128.
CHEM Updates
- Starting Fall 2024, CHEM 110 and CHEM 111 placement has been changed to allow for concurrency with MATH 124 or MATH 126.
PHYS Updates
- Prerequisite coursework for PHYS 101 updated to MATH 124 or MATH 126. MATH 128 is no longer required. PHYS 101 may also be taken concurrently with MATH 129 or MATH 150.
If advisors would like to see more information on these updates, please see the complete list of updates found here.
Changing MATH Pathways
If a student should change their major as they progress along the pathway, they may also need to reexamine their pathway through MATH, CHEM, and PHYS.
Changing from the Applied Pathway to the MATH 155 Pathway
Students can move from the Applied to the MATH 155 Pathway in two ways:
-
Course-Based Route
- Students may migrate into MATH 128 (a pre-requisite course for MATH 155) by completing MATH 126.
- This route is recommended for students who earned lower than a B in MATH 124 and/or an ALEKS score equal to or less than 44. Please contact the MATH department if you are interested in this option.
-
Self-Paced ALEKS Route
- Students can take ALEKs to obtain the score necessary to enter MATH 129 and move into MATH 155 the following semester.
- Although this route is open to all students, it is recommended for students who earned higher than a C in MATH 124 and/or an ALEKS score of 45-64 in their last attempt.
Changing from the MATH 155 Pathway to the Applied Pathway
Depending on the departmental requirements of a student’s new major, students may enter the Applied Pathway from:
- MATH 126 completion to MATH 150 the following semester.
- MATH 155 completion to MATH 151 the following semester.
MATH Course Phase-Out and Course Repeats
Many of the MATH courses in the path are updating their curriculum for the fall or spring 2024 semesters to better prepare students for the next course in the sequence. Some courses are being discontinued at the WVU main campus. The table below illustrates the schedule for discontinued courses:
| Course | Last Semester Offered at WVU Main Campus |
|---|---|
| MATH 104 | Spring 2024 |
| MATH 106 | Spring 2024 |
| MATH 153 | Summer 2025 |
| MATH 154 | Summer 2025 |
D/F Repeats
It is possible that a course may need to be repeated because a previous course attempt resulted in a final grade of a D or F. Once MATH 153 and 154 are offered for the final time, the following courses may be taken starting during the Fall 2025 semester and the grade earned used to replace the first:
| Course to be Repeated | Equivalent Course |
|---|---|
| MATH 153 | MATH 129 |
|
MATH 154 |
MATH 155 |
Important Note about D/F Repeat and Transient Coursework
- If a student fails a course at WVU, the course may not be taken via the transient process at another institution. See the Course Catalog Repeat Policy.
- Only courses that are repeated at a WV State institution can be used for the D/F repeat forgiveness policy. Find more information in the Course Catalog Out of Residence Policy
Which MATH Course Should a Student Take in Fall 2024?
New/Incoming WVU Students
First-time freshman, first-time transfer students, and students that have not yet taken a MATH course in affiliation with WVU or with an equivalency to a WVU course, will enter into the entire updated STEM Path immediately in Fall 2024. Students should work with their Academic Advisor to determine their major’s STEM requirements and take the most appropriate course for that major and their placement test score(s).
Current WVU Students
Current WVU students, which includes any student who has taken or has credit for a MATH course at WVU previously (including through the ACCESS program or courses that transfer with a direct equivalent), will enter the Science and Mathematics portions of the updated STEM Path at different times.
CHEM and PHYS: Beginning in the fall 2024 semester, current students may proceed with Chemistry and Physics courses according to the new pre-requisites.
MATH: Current WVU students will remain in their existing MATH pathway for one semester (Fall 2024).
The table below shows the next MATH course a student will be prepared to take in Fall 2024. Please speak with your Academic Advisor to determine your major’s STEM requirements and if it will benefit you to progress to the next MATH course.
| Spring 2024 or Summer 2024 | Fall 2024 |
|---|---|
|
If a student is currently enrolled in or has completed this course with a C- or higher: |
Then the student should register for this course in Fall 2024 (if required to take additional MATH courses): |
|
MATH 122 |
MATH 124 or MATH 126 depending on major requirements. Please check with your Academic Advisor. |
|
MATH 124 |
MATH 150 if needed. |
|
MATH 126 |
MATH 128 |
|
MATH 128 |
MATH 153 |
|
MATH 150 |
Math 151 if needed |
|
MATH 153 |
MATH 154 |
|
MATH 154 |
MATH 156 if needed |
|
MATH 155 |
MATH 156 if needed |
Updated STEM Pathway FAQ
Why are there two MATH pathways and how do I know which I should follow?
Each major at WVU has selected for their curriculum a terminal MATH course based on what students need to be most successful. That terminal class determines a student’s pathway. If a major requires MATH 155 or other higher-level MATH courses, those students will be using the MATH 155 Pathway. If a major requires MATH 124, MATH 150, or MATH 151 as the terminal class, the Applied Pathway is best. Students, if you are unsure of your major’s MATH requirement (terminal MATH course), please see your Academic Advisor for more information and to assist you in finding your MATH Pathway.
Who can take MATH 122?
Any student who has a qualifying ACT, SAT, or ALEKS score and is enrolled in a major that requires at minimum MATH 124 or MATH 126 or a higher-level MATH course. Students in majors that do not require this level of MATH are best served by the course listed as the requirement for their major (typically, MATH 121 or STAT 111).
Why must a student take MATH 126 AND MATH 128 when changing between the Applied and MATH 155 Bound pathways?
There are multiple concepts that are necessary for students to grasp prior to MATH 155 in order to be successful. Although some content overlaps between MATH 124 and MATH 126, they are different courses with different learning objectives. Students who take MATH 124 must also complete MATH 126 to ensure that they have the best possible preparation for calculus.
Why are current students not permitted to enter MATH 155 in the fall of 2024 using the newly prescribed MATH 126 + MATH 128 prerequisite?
The new pathway includes redesigned MATH 126 and 128 experiences that focus on preparing students for MATH 155 rather than the current MATH 153 and 154 path. By taking the past version of these courses, students will not be as prepared to tackle the concepts of MATH 155. It is in a current student’s best interest in this case to use the MATH 128 pathway through MATH 153 and MATH 154.
Why are MATH 155 prerequisites not changing until Summer 2025?
Several MATH courses are undergoing a redesign process for Fall 2024. Without the newly updated instruction, our current students would not be as prepared for MATH 155. MATH 155 itself will also be undergoing updates to its curriculum. The presented timeline allows for all students to receive the best possible preparation for calculus. Incoming students taking MATH 129 in Fall 2024 will be permitted to take MATH 155 in Spring 2025.
Why change the STEM Pathway?
We want to provide the best possible STEM education to our students and provide them with all the necessary tools to be successful as they progress through their STEM-related coursework. The Eberly College has initiated these updates after an analysis of current student success data and in consultation with the units of Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics, and Physics. These changes have student success and timely progression through their major in mind.
What are the benefits of the updated STEM pathway?
STEM majors often have a demanding and rigorous schedule of courses. The current pathway has attempted to clarify when students are prepared to move to the next level of coursework required by their majors. This iteration of the pathway, based on current student success data, makes the same coursework more accessible to students earlier in the pursuit of their degree. Students prepared for MATH 122 may now start introductory coursework in CHEM and PHYS earlier, making more credits compliant with scholarship requirements for degree pursuant coursework.
I am a student and I still have questions regarding which CHEM, PHYS, or MATH courses I should take. Who should I contact?
If you are an incoming student, reaching out to your College Admissions Counselor will help you find the information you need. If you find that you do require additional support, you may also reach out to the Foundational STEM Collaborative directly at STEMCollab@mail.wvu.edu.
For current students, the best source of information will be your Academic Advisor, as they understand your major requirements and can help you choose which courses will be most helpful for you in the upcoming semester. If questions remain, you may also reach out to your College’s Advising Unit or to the Foundational STEM Collaborative directly at STEMCollab@mail.wvu.edu.
