Area B4: Quantitative Reasoning

Goal 1. Students will be competent in algebraic manipulations.

Outcome 1A. Students will understand and perform requisite mathematical calculations, with competency beyond the level of Common Core high school year 3 in the California Framework.

Goal 2. Students will be competent in processing mathematical information.

Outcome 2A. Students will produce, explain, interpret, and summarize numerical, graphical, and symbolic information.
Outcome 2B. Students will use the above information to draw reasonable conclusions, possibly in the presence of uncertainty, as well as identify deceptive or erroneous reasoning.

Goal 3. Students will demonstrate an understanding of the uses of mathematics.

Outcome 3A. Students will apply mathematics to model natural, social & behavioral processes, possibly in the presence of uncertainty, that they encounter in professional and everyday settings.

Goal 4. Students will use appropriate technological tools.

Outcome 4A. Students will use appropriate technology, including calculators and/or computers, as tools to assist with numerical and graphical analyses.
Outcome 4B. Students will recognize the limitations of technology.

  1. The course must be lower division and open to all students who have passed or are exempt from the Entry Level Mathematics Examination (ELM).
  2. The course is graded on an A/B/C/NC basis (contingent on Senate approval).
  3. At least 80% of the course grade must be based on assignments related to quantitative reasoning.
  4. Assignments accounting for approximately 20% of the course grade are related to the themes: (a) Quality of Life, (b) Revolutionary Ideas and Innovations, or (c) Sustainability and Justice.
  5. The course must have an explicit intermediate algebra prerequisite (which could have been met before coming to CSUB), and students shall develop skills and understanding beyond the level of intermediate algebra.
  6. The course syllabus must list the university-approved student learning outcomes for Mathematics/Quantitative Reasoning (B4) and link them to activities and/or assignments that students complete to demonstrate they have met the outcomes.
  7. The course must address students’ ability in computational skills, and students must be introduced to explaining and applying basic mathematical concepts and solving problems through quantitative reasoning.
  8. Instructors must give timely developmental feedback to students on their quantitative reasoning skills.
  9. Rubrics used to evaluate quantitative reasoning will be made available to students and incorporate the essential dimensions identified by GECCo.

Quantitative Reasoning Reinforcement

Goal 1.

Outcome 1A: Students will correctly utilize mathematical calculations and estimation skills.
Outcome 1B: Students will demonstrate quantitative reasoning skills.
Outcome 1C: Students will successfully apply quantitative reasoning skills to the real world.

  1. The course must have satisfaction of A4 as a pre-requisite.
  2. Assignments intended to reinforce the foundational skills (collectively, if more than one) must account for at least 30% of the course grade.
  3. The course syllabus must include the university-approved student learning outcomes for reinforcing quantitative reasoning and link them to activities and/or assignments that students complete to demonstrate they have met the outcomes.
  4. Rubrics used to evaluate quantitative reasoning will be made available to students and GECCO; they will include those dimensions identified by GECCo as essential.
  5. Instructors must give timely developmental feedback to students on their quantitative reasoning skills.
  6. Rubrics used to evaluate quantitative reasoning will be made available to students and incorporate the essential dimensions identified by GECCo.