Can I Succeed in College with Dyscalculia?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the challenges faced by students with dyscalculia in pursuing college education, particularly regarding math requirements. Participants explore the implications of this learning disability on course selection, accommodations provided by colleges, and the specific math requirements for various majors, including business and non-science fields.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Technical explanation

Main Points Raised

  • One participant expresses concern about the necessity of taking advanced math courses despite having dyscalculia, questioning if exemptions are possible.
  • Another participant suggests that colleges typically do not require advanced math for non-science majors, often allowing for courses like College Algebra.
  • Some participants propose that colleges may provide accommodations such as extended test times and tutoring for students with documented disabilities.
  • There is mention of specific math requirements for business majors, including applied calculus and statistics, which some participants believe may be manageable.
  • A participant notes that math requirements can vary significantly by institution and major, with some non-science majors potentially facing less rigorous math courses.
  • Concerns are raised about the perception of business majors among engineering and physics students, with some participants sharing anecdotes about the social dynamics in academic settings.
  • Several participants reiterate the importance of directly consulting with schools to understand specific requirements and accommodations available for students with learning disabilities.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree that colleges will not exempt students from all math courses but may provide accommodations. However, there is no consensus on the exact nature of math requirements across different majors, particularly for business students, leading to multiple competing views.

Contextual Notes

Participants highlight that the math requirements can depend heavily on the specific college and major, with some noting that certain courses may be more advanced than high school math. There is also mention of varying perceptions of difficulty among different academic disciplines.

FishmanGeertz
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I have a mild case of dyscalculia. A specific learning disability in mathematical comprehension. Most colleges and universities require their students to take college-level math courses as part of the general education curriculum regardless of their major/minor. Because of my disability, I won't be taking any math-intensive studies like physics, engineering, or any of the other hard sciences. But is there a chance that much of the extremely difficult and advanced-level math could be omitted?

Within a few months time, I'll probably be going to either a community college or technical school. I can't afford a university (yet). I am concerned that my learning disability in math could make my college experience extremely difficult and unpleasant. In high school, I excelled at every other subject but math. I graduated with a 3.6 GPA.

How will a school help me if I have a disability in a certain subject?
 
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No college is going to require you take advanced math classes if you don't need them for your major. Most will let you get away with College Algebra, which is 9th grade math. They can give you some extra time on exams and maybe a tutor, but not more. They will not excuse you from taking math.
 
I would talk to the schools. If you can show medical evidence of your disorder, I don't see why they wouldn't do everything in their power to accommodate you. That having been said, I've never seen any school require extremely difficult and advanced mathematics for non-science majors. The most I've ever seen them require is college algebra, which is a breeze IMO. Of course, take that with a grain of salt. I'm an engineering major, so math comes easy for me.
 
I think your question was answered quite well in your last two topics. No offense but I don't see the need for multiple topics of the same things just worded differently.

Good luck with your future academics though.
 
Angry Citizen said:
I would talk to the schools. If you can show medical evidence of your disorder, I don't see why they wouldn't do everything in their power to accommodate you. That having been said, I've never seen any school require extremely difficult and advanced mathematics for non-science majors. The most I've ever seen them require is college algebra, which is a breeze IMO. Of course, take that with a grain of salt. I'm an engineering major, so math comes easy for me.

What about business majors?
 
FishmanGeertz said:
What about business majors?
Again, find out from the schools. For instance, at my alma mater, all business majors are required to take one semester of applied calculus and one semester of business statistics. I don't know if those would still be too difficult for you to handle.
 
FishmanGeertz said:
What about business majors?

Business majors need at least Business Calc. Perhaps Statistics, too.
 
FishmanGeertz said:
I have a mild case of dyscalculia. A specific learning disability in mathematical comprehension. Most colleges and universities require their students to take college-level math courses as part of the general education curriculum regardless of their major/minor. Because of my disability, I won't be taking any math-intensive studies like physics, engineering, or any of the other hard sciences. But is there a chance that much of the extremely difficult and advanced-level math could be omitted?

Within a few months time, I'll probably be going to either a community college or technical school. I can't afford a university (yet). I am concerned that my learning disability in math could make my college experience extremely difficult and unpleasant. In high school, I excelled at every other subject but math. I graduated with a 3.6 GPA.

How will a school help me if I have a disability in a certain subject?

Didn't you ask this same question, like, a week ago?

I imagine universities will accommodate you with tutors, extended time for tests, etc. But it's unfathomable to me that they would exempt you from all math courses.
 
Last edited:
I heard business majors also typically benefit greatly from a watered down linear algebra course. Now that is edging its way into 'advanced mathematics'.
 
  • #10
Angry Citizen said:
I heard business majors also typically benefit greatly from a watered down linear algebra course. Now that is edging its way into 'advanced mathematics'.

Most of the math in the business world can be done with a pocket calculator.
 
  • #11
FishmanGeertz said:
What about business majors?
Angry Citizen said:
I heard business majors also typically benefit greatly from a watered down linear algebra course. Now that is edging its way into 'advanced mathematics'.
FishmanGeertz said:
Most of the math in the business world can be done with a pocket calculator.
I'm mightily confused now. So you worryingly ask how hard Maths is for business majors, get a response, and then snarkily respond how easy it is? Is this a joke?
 
  • #12
What level of math is required for non-science majors in college? How much more advanced is it when compared to high school?
 
  • #13
As far as my school goes (Ontario, Canada), math is not required at all for arts students (poly sci., history etc). Business students take a business calc class which is basically grade 12 calculus plus 2 weeks of integration. They also take watered down linear algebra, which if you put in a tiny bit of effort it will be easy.
 
  • #14
About half of the conversation among engineering students is making fun of business students.
 
  • #15
FishmanGeertz said:
What level of math is required for non-science majors in college? How much more advanced is it when compared to high school?

Are you not reading our replies? Once again, I tell you, it depends on the school you are in. At the college I went to:

... for Business & Economics majors, you need a semester of Applied Calculus ("regular" Calculus, which is more advanced, is ok) and a semester of Business Statistics (which has Applied or "regular" Calculus as a prerequisite). Both are more advanced than high school courses.

... for Sociology & Psychology majors, you need a semester of "Intro to Statistical Methods," which sounds like it has high school Algebra 2 as a prerequisite, so this class is somewhat more advanced than high school.

... for most other non-science majors, you have to take one math course. But some of these departments may suggest a course (the "Intro to Statistical Methods" is a common suggestion). Otherwise, you could take one of those math survey courses for liberal arts majors ("Topics in Modern Math," "Mathematics, Numbers and the Real World") which have no prerequisites listed.
 
  • #16
brushman said:
About half of the conversation among engineering students is making fun of business students.

About half of the conversation among physics graduate students is making fun of pre-med students.
 
  • #17
Geezer said:
About half of the conversation among physics graduate students is making fun of pre-med students.
About half of the conversation in my Calculus I class is making fun of College Algebra students.

I don't get the point, but I don't care. I'm one to follow the crowd.
 

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