DVC math courses


Course List
Department of Mathematics, Diablo Valley College
Click on a course for a full description
Click here for a course flowchart

Basic skills courses:

MATH 65 - Arithmetic and Problem Solving
MATH 66 - Prealgebra and Problem Solving
MATH 70 - Refresher Arithmetic
MATH 71 - Prealgebra
MATH 80 - Topics in Basic Skills Math
MATH 95 - Using a Graphing Calculator
MATH 110 - Elementary Algebra

Mid-level courses:

MATH 114 - Geometry
MATH 115 - Principles of Numbers
MATH 120 - Intermediate Algebra
MATH 121 - Plane Trigonometry
MATH 124 - Mathematics for Liberal Arts
MATH 130 - History of Mathematics
MATH 135 - College Algebra
MATH 140 - Tutor Training
MATH 142 - Elementary Statistics With Probability
MATH 170 - Topics in Mathematics
MATH 181 - Finite Mathematics
MATH 191 - Precalculus

Calculus and up:



Math Lab:

A mathematics laboratory is open daily in the Learning Center where mathematics advisors are available to aid students. Two hours of math lab per week may be required with courses numbered 135 and below, but help is available for all courses.


Basic skills courses:

MATH 65 - Arithmetic and Problem Solving
3 units, Cr
Class Hours: 5 lecture, 2 lab
Students will learn how to do arithmetic and use it in their daily lives. Topics include simple arithmetic operations and long multiplication and division of whole numbers, decimals, fractions, percents, introduction to exponents and roots, and applications. The course will incorporate the use of calculators and focus on study habits needed to succeed in mathematics.

MATH 66 - Prealgebra and Problem Solving
3 units, Cr
Class Hours: 5 lecture, 2 lab
Prerequisite: Math 65 or Math 70 or equivalent
Note: Each section has a weekly 2 hour scheduled study group. Students should check the course schedule and reserve the associated time.
Students will learn how to solve real-life problems by translating them into the language of algebra. Topics include: signed numbers, natural number exponents, order of operations, introduction to the idea of variables, combining like terms, solutions to linear equations, application problems, and use of geometric formulas. CSU

MATH 70 - Refresher Arithmetic
1 unit, Cr
Class Hours: 3 lecture, 2 lab by arrangement, short-term
Note: Each section has a weekly 2 hour lab or scheduled study group. Students should check the course schedule and reserve the associated time. Students who have completed Math 65 will not receive credit for Math 70
Review of basic processes of arithmetic, commonly encountered applications, use of elementary formulas and equations, introduction to the metric system, use of hand calculators.

MATH 71 - Prealgebra
1 unit, SC
Class Hours: 3 lecture, 2 lab by arrangement, short-term
Recommended: MATH 70
Note: Each section has a weekly 2 hours lab or scheduled study group. Students should check the course schedule and reserve the associated time. Students who have completed Math 66 will not receive credit for Math 71.
This course develops skills necessary for beginning algebra and provides an introduction to algebra. Topics include: Review of fractions, signed numbers, whole number exponents, order of operations, introduction to the idea of a variable, combining like terms, solutions to linear equations, application problems, and the use of geometric formulas.

MATH 80 - Topics in Basic Skills Math
0.3-4 units, Cr
Class Hours: Variable
Note: R-OK - May be repeated twice
A supplemental course in mathematics to provide a variety of topics for basic skills students . Specific topics will be announced in the schedule of courses.

MATH 95 - Using a Graphing Calculator
0.5-1 units, Cr
Class Hours: Variable
Note: R-Ok - May be repeated 3 times. Recommended preparation will depend on the specific calculator to be used and will be shown in the schedule of classes.
A course on the use of a specific graphing calculator, in support of a particular mathematics class, to enhance the student's success in classes which require the use of such calculators.

MATH 110 - Elementary Algebra
3 units, SC
Class Hours: 5 lecture, 2 lab by arrangement
Recommended: MATH 71 or equivalent
Note: R-OK - May be repeated once. Available in lecture or Personalized System of Instruction (PSI) format. PSI involves working on modules at your own pace and taking exams on each module.
The techniques and reasoning of algebra, including emphasis on definitions and axioms, linear equations, development and use of formulas, algebraic functions, systems of equations, graphs, and introduction to quadratic equations. Equivalent to a first course in algebra.

Mid-level courses:

MATH 114 - Geometry
3 units, SC
Class Hours: 3 lecture, 2 lab by arrangement
Prerequisite: MATH 110 or equivalent
Recommended: Eligibility for ENGL 116/118
A study of lines, planes, triangles, polygons, and polyhedrons; their lengths, areas, perimeters and volumes. Investigation of the Pythagorean theorem, similar figures, and circles, mathematical proof, and geometric construction.

MATH 115 - Principles of Numbers
3 units, Lr
Class Hours: 3 lecture
Prerequisite: MATH 110 or 114 or equivalent
Recommended: Eligibility for ENGL 122
Note: This course is open to all and is especially helpful to those who plan to teach in elementary school.
A study of our real number system, including emphasis on definitions and axioms, approximation, algebra of formulas, mensuration, review of fundamental processes of arithmetic from a viewpoint of structure. CSU

MATH 120 - Intermediate Algebra
4 units, SC
Class Hours: 5 lecture, 2 lab by arrangement
Prerequisite: MATH 110 (or higher level class), or passing score on the assessment test
Note: Available in lecture or Personalized System of Instruction (PSI) format. PSI involves working on modules at your own pace and taking exams on each module.
Special products and factors, fractional equations, systems of linear equations, inequalities, conics, complex numbers, the binomial theorem, logarithms, and functions. This course is equivalent to second-year high school algebra course.

MATH 121 - Plane Trigonometry
3 units, SC
Class Hours: 3 lecture, 2 lab by arrangement
Prerequisite: MATH 120 or equivalent
Recommended: MATH 114 or equivalent
Trigonometric functions and applications with emphasis on theory. The solutions of right and oblique triangles with applications to surveying, physics, engineering and navigation. CSU

MATH 124 - Mathematics for Liberal Arts
3 units, Lr
Class Hours: 3 lecture, 2 lab by arrangement
Prerequisite: MATH 120 or equivalent
Applications of intermediate algebra and critical thinking to the solving of contemporary problems in mathematics. A survey of topics that may include (but are not limited to): exponential functions, logarithmic scales, probability, statistics, finance, matrix operations, logic, and geometry. CSU

MATH 130 - History of Mathematics
3 units, Lr
Class Hours: 3 lecture
Prerequisite: MATH 114 and 120
Recommended: Eligibility for ENGL 122
Note: This is a liberal arts course designed to be transferable to four-year colleges and universities.
The chronological, biographical, and conceptual approaches to the history of mathematics. The times, historical events, and people who shaped the evolution of mathematical concepts and symbolism in western civilization. The time span would begin with early man up to the 18th century with selected topics from modern times. CSU

MATH 135 - College Algebra
3 units, Lr
Class Hours: 4 lecture, 2 lab by arrangement
Prerequisite: MATH 120
A study of functions and their graphs, including polynomial, rational, exponential, and logarithmic functions. Inequalities, non-linear systems, conic sections. CSU

MATH 140 - Tutor Training
0.5 - 2 units, SC
Class Hours: 0.5 - 2 lecture
Note: R-OK - May be repeated once.
Basic principles and methods of tutoring, including the tutoring sequence, leading and probing questions, communication skills, and learning theory. Students will receive instruction in helping tutees with special needs and in the specific discipline in which they will tutor. CSU

MATH 142 - Elementary Statistics With Probability
4 units, Lr
Class Hours: 4 lecture
Prerequisite: MATH 120 or equivalent
Descriptive statistics, including organization of data, histograms and measures of central tendency and spread. Linear correlation and regression. Design of experiments. Introductory probability. Random variables, the normal distribution and Student's t-distribution, statistical inference, including confidence intervals and tests of significance. Use of a graphing calculator or computer for statistical analysis is required. CAN STAT 2 Ð CSU

MATH 170 - Topics in Mathematics
0.5 - 4 units, SC
Class Hours: variable
Note: R-OK - May be repeated three times when topics differ.
Selected topics in mathematics including, but not limited to, solution of equations, radicals and rational exponents, sets and logic, elementary probability, functions, polynomials, solutions of triangles, sequences, and math induction. CSU

MATH 181 - Finite Mathematics
3 units, Lr
Class Hours: 3 lecture
Prerequisite: MATH 120 or equivalent
Application of intermediate algebra and critical thinking to solving contemporary problems in business and the life sciences. Topics include linear models, systems of linear equations and inequalities, linear programming (with geometric method and the simplex method), matrix equations, sets and probabilities, Markov chains, game theory, and finance. Use of a graphing calculator or computer software to manipulate matrices. CSU


MATH 191 - Precalculus
4 units, Lr
Class Hours: 5 lecture
Prerequisite: MATH 121 or equivalent.
A thorough treatment of functions and their graphs, including polynomial, rational, logarithmic, exponential and trigonometric functions. Conic sections, non-linear systems, vectors and complex numbers. Use of a graphing calculator or a computer algebra system. CSU

Calculus and up:

MATH 182 - Calculus I for Management, Life Science, and Social Science
3 units, Lr
Class Hours: 3 lecture
Prerequisite: MATH 135 or equivalent.
Note: Not open to students who received credit for MATH 192.
The first in a two-term calculus sequence for management, life science, and social science majors. Topics include the derivative and its applications (including curve sketching, optimization, and rates of change), an introduction to the integral (including Riemann sums and the Fundamental Theorem of Calculus) and its applications. CAN MATH 30 Ð CSU

MATH 183 - Calculus II for Management, Life Science, and Social Science
3 units, Lr
Class Hours: 3 lecture
Prerequisite: MATH 182
Recommended: MATH 121
This is the second course in a two-term sequence in calculus for management, life science, and social science majors, and is a continuation of Mathematics 182. Topics include techniques of integration, applications of the integral, multivariable functions, differential equations, and Taylor polynomials. CAN MATH 32 - CSU

MATH 192 - Analytic Geometry and Calculus I
4 units, Lr
Class Hours: 5 lecture
Prerequisite: MATH 191 or equivalent
Elements of analytic geometry, differentiation and integration of algebraic and trigonometric functions with applications. Use of a graphing calculator or a computer algebra system is required. CAN MATH 18 Ð CSU

MATH 193 - Analytic Geometry and Calculus II
4 units, Lr
Class Hours: 5 lecture
Prerequisite: MATH 192
Recommended: Eligibility for ENGL 122
Continuation of Mathematics 192. Exponential, logarithmic, trigonometric, and hyperbolic functions, additional integration techniques, indeterminate forms and improper integrals, conic sections, infinite series, and polar coordinates. CAN MATH 20 Ð CSU

MATH 194 - Linear Algebra
3 units, Lr
Class Hours: 3 lecture
Prerequisite: MATH 192 and one of the following: MATH 193, 195, or 292
Recommended: Eligibility for ENGL 122
Introduction to linear algebra including vector spaces, matrices, determinants, and bases. Techniques of solving systems of equations and the use of transformations with applications. CAN MATH 26 Ð CSU

MATH 195 - Discrete Mathematics
3 units, Lr
Class Hours: 3 lecture
Prerequisite: MATH 193 or equivalent (may be taken concurrently)
Recommended: Eligibility for ENGL 122