Course

Mathematics for Liberal Arts

Faculty
Science & Technology
Department
Mathematics
Course code
MATH 1234
Credits
3.00
Semester length
15 weeks
Max class size
28
Method(s) of instruction
Lecture
Course designation
None
Industry designation
None
Typically offered
Fall
Summer
Winter

Overview

Course description
This course for liberal arts students explores mathematics topics in order to improve quantitative reasoning and decision-making in everyday life, as well as to develop an appreciation for the power and beauty of mathematics in the world around us. Topics of study vary by term and by instructor. Good English writing and communications skills are recommended.
Course content

The course is intended as an opportunity for students to be exposed to a survey of interesting mathematics. As such, instructors will generally be free to choose the topics they think will most engage students, usually from the following: 

  1. Attitudes about mathematics and why they matter
  2. Critical thinking and logic
  3. Problem solving
  4. Units and measurement
  5. Accuracy and precision
  6. Percentage, ratio, and number sense
  7. Statistical reasoning
  8. Probability
  9. Linear and exponential growth and modelling
  10. Mathematics in art and music
  11. Mathematics in sport and sport science
  12. Financial mathematics
  13. Other topics as determined by the instructor
Learning activities

Lectures, group work, assignments

Means of assessment

Assessment will be carried out in accordance with the Douglas College Evaluation Policy. 

Instructors may use a student’s record of attendance and/or level of active participation in a course as part of the student’s graded performance. Where this occurs, expectations and grade calculations regarding class attendance and participation must be clearly defined in the Instructor Course Outline.  

The instructor will present a written course outline with specific evaluation criteria at the beginning of the semester. Evaluation will be based on the following:

Homework/quizzes 0-30%
Participation/in-class assignments 10-20%
Term project, portfolio, and/or paper   10-30%
Term tests  20-50%
Final exam 0-30%
Total 100%

Note: Students may be required to pass the final exam to be eligible to receive a final grade of D (or higher) in the course.

Learning outcomes

Upon successful completion of the course, students will be able to:

  • reflect on the role that mathematics has played in their lives, both past and present;
  • explore the potential role of mathematics in their future;
  • discuss the importance of mathematical literacy in modern society and the pitfalls of mathematical illiteracy;
  • identify and discuss common misconceptions about mathematics;
  • apply mathematical knowledge, techniques, and critical thinking skills to solve a variety of mathematical problems;
  • apply technology effectively in the completion of mathematical tasks;
  • identify contributions made to mathematics by cultures other than one's own;
  • reflect on mathematics as a universal language, used to communicate between otherwise diverse communities;
  • use mathematics as a lens through which global issues can be examined.
Textbook materials

Consult the Douglas College bookstore for the latest required textbooks and materials. Example textbooks and materials may include:

Bennett and Briggs. (Current Edition). Using and Understanding Mathematics:  A Quantitative Reasoning Approach. Pearson.

Lippman, David. Math in Society. Open Education Resource.

Requisites

Prerequisites

One of Precalculus 11

or

Precalculus 12

or

Foundations of Math 11 with a C or better

or

Foundations of Math 12

or

MATU 0410

Corequisites

No corequisite courses.

Equivalencies

No equivalent courses.

Course Guidelines

Course Guidelines for previous years are viewable by selecting the version desired. If you took this course and do not see a listing for the starting semester / year of the course, consider the previous version as the applicable version.

(Current)

Course Transfers to Other Institutions

Below are current transfer agreements from Douglas College to other institutions for the current course guidelines only. For a full list of transfer details and archived courses, please see the BC Transfer Guide.

Institution Transfer details for MATH 1234
Camosun College (CAMO) CAMO MATH 1XX (3)
Capilano University (CAPU) CAPU MATH 123 (3)
College of the Rockies (COTR) COTR MATH 1XX (3)
Coquitlam College (COQU) COQU MATH 197 (3)
Kwantlen Polytechnic University (KPU) KPU MATH 1XXX (3)
Langara College (LANG) LANG MATH 1162 (3)
Simon Fraser University (SFU) SFU MATH 197 (3)
Thompson Rivers University (TRU) TRU MATH 1XXX (3)
Trinity Western University (TWU) TWU MATH 1XX (3)
University of British Columbia - Okanagan (UBCO) UBCO MATH_O 1st (3)
University of British Columbia - Vancouver (UBCV) UBCV MATH_V 2nd (3)
University of Northern BC (UNBC) UNBC MATH 1XX (3)
University of the Fraser Valley (UFV) UFV MATH 1XX (3)
University of Victoria (UVIC) No credit
Vancouver Island University (VIU) VIU MATH 1st (3)

Course Offerings

Fall 2025

CRN Days Instructor Status
Maximum seats
28
Currently enrolled
28
Remaining seats:
0
On waitlist
9
Building
Coquitlam - Bldg. A
Room
A2050
Times:
Start Time
14:30
-
End Time
16:20
Section notes

Open lab as per posted schedule. The tentative schedule is available at:
https://www.douglascollege.ca/programs-courses/explore-programs-courses…

CRN Days Instructor Status
Maximum seats
28
Currently enrolled
28
Remaining seats:
0
On waitlist
13
Building
New Westminster - South Bldg.
Room
S1717
Times:
Start Time
10:30
-
End Time
12:20
Section notes

Open lab as per posted schedule. The tentative schedule is available at:
https://www.douglascollege.ca/programs-courses/explore-programs-courses…