Once in a while, I do say something that I regret. During a recent discussion about general education, I commented that college algebra is intermediate algebra with more fractions. I knew that was not accurate; I wish I had said that college algebra is intermediate algebra with bigger words. [Still not that accurate; however, the statement probably makes sense to non-mathematicians.]<\/p>\n
“College Algebra” is one of the most common math courses on our campuses. As a profession, we don’t agree on what this thing is … except that college algebra is one of those courses identified by the title ‘college algebra’. In some cases, the name is given to a good math course because it will help get transfer credit when ‘general math’ would not. In other cases, ‘college algebra’ is the title of a remedial pre-calculus course (prerequisite for pre-calc).<\/p>\n
If the college algebra course is a STEM-focused, math intensive course, then ‘introduction to analysis’ or ‘analytical methods’ might be a better name. Whether there is a reason to have this course as well as ‘pre-calculus’ is unclear to me. If we mean precalculus, perhaps we should always say that.<\/p>\n
One thing I do know — college algebra is not a good title for a general education math course. If we have one course to develop mathematics within college students, I am sure that we can deliver more than symbolic algebraic methods and function theory. [Some of my colleagues remedy this situation by doing modeling in gen ed math courses; I think this has limited benefits, by itself.]<\/p>\n
When I looked for definitions of college algebra, I was pleased to find one that referenced introductory analysis. Sadly, that source cited no references; I do not think we typically define the course this way. I see little evidence that we have responded to the calls to modify the course to meet student needs (MAA CRAFTY, AMS Client Disciplines, AMATYC Right Stuff).<\/p>\n
Currently, developmental mathematics is under great pressure to change … and we should. However, the zone of the great unchanging curriculum seems to be college algebra.<\/p>\n
No, ‘college algebra’ should not exist. Let’s build something better in its place.<\/p>\n
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