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Eberly College of Arts and Sciences
WVU Foundational STEM Collaborative
and STEM Learning Center
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WVU STEM Pathway

Our current STEM pathway of courses was implemented at the start of the Fall 2024 semester. The revisions were the result of increased collaboration between STEM units within Eberly College in order to better promote student success in their STEM courses.

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:

  1. 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.

  2. 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.
Graphic Illustrating the change from the Applied Pathway to the Math 155 Pathway. See the text above for full change of path description. To view course and pathway descriptions, visit the Detailed Summary of Changes page.

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.

Changing from MATH 155 to Applied Math pathway. See the text above for full change description. To view course and pathway descriptions, visit the Detailed Summary of Changes page.

Discontinued Math Courses and Course Repeats

The WVU main campus has discontinued MATH 153 and MATH 154, but it is possible that these courses may need to be repeated because a previous course attempt resulted in a final grade of a D or F.

The following courses may be taken as equivalent 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

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.

What are the benefits of the 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.

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