Should College Algebra Exist?

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.]

“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).

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.

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.]

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).

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.

No, ‘college algebra’ should not exist. Let’s build something better in its place.

Developmental Mathematics Revival!

Bringing a new vitality to college mathematics 2011 to 2019