Your preparation for Math after acceptance into your program
As you are planning to attend BCIT you should evaluate your preparedness in mathematics. If you have been out of school for a while or had only average grades in math during high school, you could be at risk in some of your courses at the Institute. There are several tests available to help you assess your skills and provide you with the information you need to arrive at BCIT ready for the mathematics in your program
- If you are planning on entering the Fish, Wildlife and Recreation Program or the Sustainable Resource Management Program, the Technical Mathematics for Renewable Resources Assessment for Success, will give you the details you need and the appropriate test for these programs.
- If you are planning to enter the Technology Entry Program then the Math Assessment for Technology Entry will give you the details you need.
- For all other BCIT Technology Programs, the general Self Assessment Mathematics Test will give you the information you need to assess your readiness.
Math self-assessment for:
When you take the Forest and Natural Areas Management or the Fish, Wildlife and Recreation Technology programs at BCIT, you will be required to take both a mathematics and a statistics course, plus other technology courses such as measurement, photo and map interpretation and engineering in which you will need to apply your mathematical skills. You will be using algebra, trigonometry and geometry that you have already learned in high school to do practical problems in your field.
Although the instructor will briefly review the mathematics fundamentals (see below), it will be assumed that you are familiar with these concepts before you arrive for our first semester.
We want you to have a rewarding and successful experience at BCIT. This is more likely to happen if you are adequately prepared in basic mathematical skills. The more mathematics training you have (see the FWR Entry requirement page for the minimum math level required), and the more recently you have taken this training, the better off you will be. In order to test just how much you do remember of the basics, please try the provided self-diagnostic test [PDF] . When you are done, check your answers against the answer page provided and use the score sheet to record the number of correct answers. Then total your score.
If you score:
- more than 45, You should be just fine;
- from 25 to 45, You should borrow a book (see Suggested References on the last page), and review the concepts you missed with a knowledgeable friend;
- less than 25, You should definitely take advantage of one of the refresher opportunities listed below.
Mathematics fundamentals that you should know:
- signed numbers: e.g. 7- (-9)
- the order of mathematical operations: e.g. a(7+2(5+b))
- exponents or powers
- solving for x or another unknown in an equation
- solving for two unknowns in two equations
- percentages and ratios
- basic geometry, e.g. sum of angles of a triangle = 180 degrees, rules for similar triangles, areas of circles, rectangles, triangles.
- the three basic trigonometric functions (Sine, Cosine and Tangent)
- functional notation, e.g., y=f(x)
- graphing points and lines on regular (Cartesian) graph paper
- formula for a straight line and a quadratic equation
Mathematics fundamentals that would be desirable:
- the rules of logarithms.
The self-diagnostic assessment test [PDF] is available and includes the answer key.
How to refresh or enhance your skills:
- Pre-calculus 11(preferred choice) or Foundations of Math 11 through the B. C. Department of Education. These are offered through Distance Education (Correspondence) or at night school at high schools around the province. Information can be obtained from your local high school; all community colleges will offer equivalent courses.
- Mathematics at BCIT. A variety of options are available although the last 4 may be a higher level than is required by the program:
MATH 0007 This is a BCIT Pre-calculus 11 level math course and is considered equivalent for the purposes of Admissions. It is taken through Part-Time Studies at the Burnaby campus of BCIT. Note it does not transfer to other schools.
MATH 0001 This is a BCIT Pre-calculus 12 level math course and is considered equivalent for the purposes of Admissions. It is taken through Part-Time Studies (night school or day school) at the Burnaby campus of BCIT. Note it does not transfer to other schools.
MATH 0040 Mathematics Workshop: This non-credit mathematics workshop is designed to help students meet the challenges of the math courses in the BCIT program they have been accepted into. The focus will be on bringing those rusty math skills to the forefront to better prepare students for their program. Topics include algebra, functions, graphs, equations, word problems, geometry, trigonometry, logarithms and exponents. It is a non-credit course that runs for two weeks in late August.
MATH 0060 Introduction to BCIT Mathematics: This non-credit self-paced online course is designed to help students meet the challenges of the math courses in their BCIT programs. Math 0060 is customizable depending on your pathway. Topics include algebra, functions, graphs, equations, word problems, geometry, trigonometry, logarithms, exponents, intro stats topics and intro linear algebra. Further information on registering is available at Distance Education. This course will help you refresh the skills you once had, in preparation for beginning your technology program at BCIT.
Technology Entry Program: This is a 15-week full-time day school program that provides academic upgrading in a wide variety of subjects to students wishing to enroll in engineering-based programs at BCIT. For information and registration go to the Technology Entry Program page.
When you take the Forest and Natural Areas Management or the Fish, Wildlife and Recreation Technology programs at BCIT, you will be required to take both a mathematics and a statistics course, plus other technology courses such as measurement, photo and map interpretation and engineering in which you will need to apply your mathematical skills. You will be using algebra, trigonometry and geometry that you have already learned in high school to do practical problems in your field.
Although the instructor will briefly review the mathematics fundamentals (see below), it will be assumed that you are familiar with these concepts before you arrive for our first semester.
We want you to have a rewarding and successful experience at BCIT. This is more likely to happen if you are adequately prepared in basic mathematical skills. The more mathematics training you have (see the FWR Entry requirement page for the minimum math level required), and the more recently you have taken this training, the better off you will be. In order to test just how much you do remember of the basics, please try the provided self-diagnostic test [PDF] . When you are done, check your answers against the answer page provided and use the score sheet to record the number of correct answers. Then total your score.
If you score:
- more than 45, You should be just fine;
- from 25 to 45, You should borrow a book (see Suggested References on the last page), and review the concepts you missed with a knowledgeable friend;
- less than 25, You should definitely take advantage of one of the refresher opportunities listed below.
Mathematics fundamentals that you should know:
- signed numbers: e.g. 7- (-9)
- the order of mathematical operations: e.g. a(7+2(5+b))
- exponents or powers
- solving for x or another unknown in an equation
- solving for two unknowns in two equations
- percentages and ratios
- basic geometry, e.g. sum of angles of a triangle = 180 degrees, rules for similar triangles, areas of circles, rectangles, triangles.
- the three basic trigonometric functions (Sine, Cosine and Tangent)
- functional notation, e.g., y=f(x)
- graphing points and lines on regular (Cartesian) graph paper
- formula for a straight line and a quadratic equation
Mathematics fundamentals that would be desirable:
- the rules of logarithms.
The self-diagnostic assessment test [PDF] is available and includes the answer key.
How to refresh or enhance your skills:
- Pre-calculus 11(preferred choice) or Foundations of Math 11 through the B. C. Department of Education. These are offered through Distance Education (Correspondence) or at night school at high schools around the province. Information can be obtained from your local high school; all community colleges will offer equivalent courses.
- Mathematics at BCIT. A variety of options are available although the last 4 may be a higher level than is required by the program:
MATH 0007 This is a BCIT Pre-calculus 11 level math course and is considered equivalent for the purposes of Admissions. It is taken through Part-Time Studies at the Burnaby campus of BCIT. Note it does not transfer to other schools.
MATH 0001 This is a BCIT Pre-calculus 12 level math course and is considered equivalent for the purposes of Admissions. It is taken through Part-Time Studies (night school or day school) at the Burnaby campus of BCIT. Note it does not transfer to other schools.
MATH 0040 Mathematics Workshop: This non-credit mathematics workshop is designed to help students meet the challenges of the math courses in the BCIT program they have been accepted into. The focus will be on bringing those rusty math skills to the forefront to better prepare students for their program. Topics include algebra, functions, graphs, equations, word problems, geometry, trigonometry, logarithms and exponents. It is a non-credit course that runs for two weeks in late August.
MATH 0060 Introduction to BCIT Mathematics: This non-credit self-paced online course is designed to help students meet the challenges of the math courses in their BCIT programs. Math 0060 is customizable depending on your pathway. Topics include algebra, functions, graphs, equations, word problems, geometry, trigonometry, logarithms, exponents, intro stats topics and intro linear algebra. Further information on registering is available at Distance Education. This course will help you refresh the skills you once had, in preparation for beginning your technology program at BCIT.
Technology Entry Program: This is a 15-week full-time day school program that provides academic upgrading in a wide variety of subjects to students wishing to enroll in engineering-based programs at BCIT. For information and registration go to the Technology Entry Program page.
When you take the Forest and Natural Areas Management or the Fish, Wildlife and Recreation Technology programs at BCIT, you will be required to take both a mathematics and a statistics course, plus other technology courses such as measurement, photo and map interpretation and engineering in which you will need to apply your mathematical skills. You will be using algebra, trigonometry and geometry that you have already learned in high school to do practical problems in your field.
Although the instructor will briefly review the mathematics fundamentals (see below), it will be assumed that you are familiar with these concepts before you arrive for our first semester.
We want you to have a rewarding and successful experience at BCIT. This is more likely to happen if you are adequately prepared in basic mathematical skills. The more mathematics training you have (see the FWR Entry requirement page for the minimum math level required), and the more recently you have taken this training, the better off you will be. In order to test just how much you do remember of the basics, please try the provided self-diagnostic test [PDF] . When you are done, check your answers against the answer page provided and use the score sheet to record the number of correct answers. Then total your score.
If you score:
- more than 45, You should be just fine;
- from 25 to 45, You should borrow a book (see Suggested References on the last page), and review the concepts you missed with a knowledgeable friend;
- less than 25, You should definitely take advantage of one of the refresher opportunities listed below.
Mathematics fundamentals that you should know:
- signed numbers: e.g. 7- (-9)
- the order of mathematical operations: e.g. a(7+2(5+b))
- exponents or powers
- solving for x or another unknown in an equation
- solving for two unknowns in two equations
- percentages and ratios
- basic geometry, e.g. sum of angles of a triangle = 180 degrees, rules for similar triangles, areas of circles, rectangles, triangles.
- the three basic trigonometric functions (Sine, Cosine and Tangent)
- functional notation, e.g., y=f(x)
- graphing points and lines on regular (Cartesian) graph paper
- formula for a straight line and a quadratic equation
Mathematics fundamentals that would be desirable:
- the rules of logarithms.
The self-diagnostic assessment test [PDF] is available and includes the answer key.
How to refresh or enhance your skills:
- Pre-calculus 11(preferred choice) or Foundations of Math 11 through the B. C. Department of Education. These are offered through Distance Education (Correspondence) or at night school at high schools around the province. Information can be obtained from your local high school; all community colleges will offer equivalent courses.
- Mathematics at BCIT. A variety of options are available although the last 4 may be a higher level than is required by the program:
MATH 0007 This is a BCIT Pre-calculus 11 level math course and is considered equivalent for the purposes of Admissions. It is taken through Part-Time Studies at the Burnaby campus of BCIT. Note it does not transfer to other schools.
MATH 0001 This is a BCIT Pre-calculus 12 level math course and is considered equivalent for the purposes of Admissions. It is taken through Part-Time Studies (night school or day school) at the Burnaby campus of BCIT. Note it does not transfer to other schools.
MATH 0040 Mathematics Workshop: This non-credit mathematics workshop is designed to help students meet the challenges of the math courses in the BCIT program they have been accepted into. The focus will be on bringing those rusty math skills to the forefront to better prepare students for their program. Topics include algebra, functions, graphs, equations, word problems, geometry, trigonometry, logarithms and exponents. It is a non-credit course that runs for two weeks in late August.
MATH 0060 Introduction to BCIT Mathematics: This non-credit self-paced online course is designed to help students meet the challenges of the math courses in their BCIT programs. Math 0060 is customizable depending on your pathway. Topics include algebra, functions, graphs, equations, word problems, geometry, trigonometry, logarithms, exponents, intro stats topics and intro linear algebra. Further information on registering is available at Distance Education. This course will help you refresh the skills you once had, in preparation for beginning your technology program at BCIT.
Technology Entry Program: This is a 15-week full-time day school program that provides academic upgrading in a wide variety of subjects to students wishing to enroll in engineering-based programs at BCIT. For information and registration go to the Technology Entry Program page.
Calculator recommendations
The following table presents the current calculator recommendations in the Technology Programs for which the Math department teaches courses. As such, it is only intended as a guideline to buying calculators unless there is a particular requirement by the technology, which will be indicated in the additional notes column. Please note that these recommendations are based on the information provided by the current Math instructors and it may vary from year to year.
If you wish to be certain about the use of a particular calculator you should wait until starting your program to determine the current policy of your instructors.
Note: This information only represents the opinions of the BCIT Math Department instructors and different restrictions may exist with other departments at BCIT.
| Program | Math Department Recommendations | Additional Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Biomedical Engineering | Sharp EL 516 | |
| Building Engineering Technology | ||
| Business | Contact your instructor for information regarding calculator requirement. | |
| Chemical Sciences Technology | Sharp EL-520 Sharp El-546 |
|
| Civil Engineering | Some restrictions to a very simple non-programmable calculator for tests. | Contact the Civil Department for the currently acceptable calculator models. |
| Computer Systems Technology Computer Information Technology |
Trigonometric functions required. | |
| Electrical Engineering | Calculator with complex (imaginary numbers) functions such as Sharp EL-546, EL-520 or Casio 991 series | |
| Technology Entry (TE) | ONLY the following Sharp advanced (D.A.L) scientific calculator models are acceptable for TE chemistry, mathematics and physics courses: EL520X and the EL546X | |
| Biotechnology and Food Technology | Require log/ln/exp and basic statistics functions | It is recommended that unless they have good reason to do so, students do not buy a programmable calculator. |
| Fish, Wildlife and Recreation | Sharp EL-520 or Sharp EL-546, but other scientific calculators are fine (see additional note). | Need a calculator which can do trigonometric functions, logarithms, powers, univariate and bivariate statistics such as regressions and correlations |
| Geomatics Technology | Scientific Calculator with statistical functions | |
| Mechanical Engineering | Requires one of Sharp EL-520 Sharp El-546 HP 33S HP 35S |
No graphing calculator allowed by Mechanical Program. |
| Mining Diploma | Scientific calculator with statistical functions including linear regression | Some restriction on graphing calculators for tests. |
| Nuclear Medicine | Any calculator that does linear and quadratic regression (typical cost = less than $30) | Programmable calculators are not permitted on the national examinations. |
| Occupational Health and Safety | TI 83 | Check with Occupational Health and Safety Program for their requirement |
| Prosthetics and Orthotics | ||
| Plastics Technology | ||
| Mechatronics and Robotics | Requires one of Sharp EL-520 Sharp El-546 HP 33S HP 35S342 |
Need a calculator that can handle complex numbers and matrix operations (up to 4×4). |
| Technology Teacher Education | Check with program |
Miscellaneous notes:
Non-programmable calculators
There are quite a number of models on the market for under $35 typically. The following two are merely ones that instructors at BCIT have found to be good choices and as such are just personal recommendations.
- The Sharp EL-546 or EL-520 combines standard scientific and statistical functions with a good complex algebra mode making it a popular choice. It also does two-variable statistics such as regression and correlation. More information on this calculator can be found at the Sharp website.
- The Casio 991 series is also a good choice with similar features: Casio Canada website This may have a different model number in the United States.
Programmable/graphing calculators
Programmable calculators may include all the same functions although typically are more expensive.
Programmable and graphing calculators tend to have more restrictions placed on their use in tests due to their ability to record information in them. Since they are generally quite expensive it is recommended that they not be purchased unless there is a definite requirement.
At this time, few of the courses taught by the BCIT Math Department require a graphing calculator in any significant way. As graphing calculators are becoming mandatory in secondary school their use can be expected to become more acceptable in the future.