Math Across the Curriculum
Foundational math skills (like angles, percentages, ratios, measurements, and more) are used in classes across the curriculum, are part of all career paths, and support critical thinking. These foundational math skills are not taught at the college level in any specific math class, but faculty notice that students can be weak in these areas, and that weakness makes classes harder at all levels, whether a class is English, Fitness, Painting, Economics, Biology, Computer Science, History, and even Math classes (yes, even Calculus students can be weak in these basic skills).
See the Handouts and Resources page for materials developed to inspire students to review, practice, and master these foundatoinal math skills, so they can be more successful in their educational and career goals.
Examples of Math Across the Curriculum
In an English class, you’re assigned a paper to write. It needs to be 4,000 words. You’ve be instructed to include an introduction that is approximately 10% of the paper, and a conclusion that is also approximately 10%. How many words should each of those sections be?
On a sports field, you’re trying to improve your running speed. If you time yourself running ½ mile in 4 minutes, what is your speed?
You are offered a job at $30/hour. If 15% of your pay goes to taxes and fees, how much do you really earn per hour? With that new hourly rate, how many hours will you need to work to earn $1000?
For Faculty: Prescription Pad
Open the Prescription Pad Google Doc and make your own copy. Print it out and give to your students to encourage them to go to the MRC for tutoring help on specific topics.
Project Support
Initial support of this project provided by:
Katryn Wiese, Geosciences
Yvette Butterworth, Math
Hellen Pacheco, Computer Sciences
Derek Vargas, Math Resource Center
Philip Tran, Business
Jesenia Diaz, Counseling
Anupriya Vysala, Computer Sciences
Susan Khan, Professional Development
Additional supporters of this project include:
Beth LaRochelle, Dental Assisting
Alyssa Wong, Math
Elisha Polomski, Astronomy
Olivia Viveros, MESA Program
Krista Bailey, Biology (Anatomy and Physiology)
Sarah Mangin, English
Chiara Ojeda, Dean Language Arts Division
Page Bigelow, Business
November 7-9, 2026
November 26-29, 2026
December 13-19, 2026