Students studying in the park blocks

Math Start Initiative

Program Overview

The Math Start program is a series of classes designed to help students who need extra math support and to shift towards being student-ready regarding math competence. The program is here to offer vital assistance to students as they begin their math college experience. With multiple classes offered and a focus on teamwork, we help you build confidence in math and prepare for future math courses. This program is also designed to help students meet PSU's math proficiency requirements. Students can expect educators with specialized training in building foundational math skills and math confidence and the benefits of small class sizes.

Summer Term Courses Offered Through Math Start

FREE UNST 199: Qualities in Math Confidence

  • We offer 3 completely free sections of UNST 199: Qualities in Math Confidence this Summer, starting July 14th through September 5th
  • This 4-credit class is offered over the summer for FREE to help students reach their desired math course by the fall term.
  • Classes take place twice a week for 2 hours and 20 minutes each session.
  • Students must allocate extra time beyond class hours to independently finish homework assignments. Additional support is offered through the Learning Center. 
  • If your orientation date is on the same date as your class, your instructor will let you out to attend
  • If you are attending the Summer Scholars Program, your instructors will work with you to ensure you can attend both seamlessly, regardless of the program overlap.
  • PLEASE NOTE:  These courses do not apply toward enrollment for financial aid.

Summer UNST 199: Qualities in Math Confidence Schedule 

UNST 199 in-person Class Times July 14th - September 5th 

  • Section 1: MW  9:00 - 11:20 in-person
  • Section 2: MW   2:00 -  4:20 in-person
  • Section 3: Tu/Th 5:30 - 7:50 in-person

 

How to Join UNST 199: Qualities in Math Confidence


Fill out this form to register for a UNST 199: Qualities in Math Confidence
Please note ** you must be logged into your Odin account to receive access to the form

 

STATS 199: FREE Stats Support Class (1 Credit)

  • This one-credit in-person FREE course empowers your mathematical journey with a participation-based approach, with activities designed to foster success in STAT 243Z. 
  • The course is offered to support students who test into MTH 095 via the ALEKS Math Placement Assessment at PSU but wish to enroll in STAT 243Z. 
  • In this participation-based course, we will discuss and learn math topics in MTH 095 topics that students need to excel in STAT 243Z. 
  • We will cover activities to make sense of topics like systems of equations, polynomials and factoring techniques, rational expressions, radicals and exponents, and quadratic equations.

     

Summer STATS 199 Schedule

STATS 199 in-person Class Times June 23rd - August 31st

  •  MW 10:30 AM - 1:00 PM FMH | Room 419 | Instructor Naghmeh Daneshi, Ph.D.

Summer STATS 199 Prerequisites

STATS 199 in-person Class Times June 23rd - August 31st

  • Placement into MTH 095 within the last year or completion of MTH 095 with a grade not exceeding C-.
  • Co-enrollment in STAT 243Z (STATS 243Z CRN: 84461 or  CRN:84460  : 06/23/2025 - 08/31/2025.)

How to Join STATS 199: 

Email to Register: sboyce@pdx.edu  
 

Why Does it Benefit Me to Join Math Start?

  • Math Start was created to help you work on increasing your math confidence, decreasing your math anxiety, all while you practice fundamental math skills aimed to propel you to the next appropriate math course for your academic major.  

Contact Us!


Have questions? Let us hear them at mathstart@pdx.edu

Fall 2025 Math Start Program

UNST 199 Math Start

 

 

UNST 199: Qualities in Math Confidence (4 credits)

This course is designed for any student placed into Math 95 or below interested in working on their math confidence.  Additionally, we will work on problem-solving and ALEKS modules to prepare you for either Stat 243Z, Math 105Z, or Math 111Z.  This class does not count towards your BA or BS math requirement.

CRN #13453 meeting on Tues/Thurs 1:30 PM - 3:10 PM. Questions? email mathstart@pdx.edu

Math 199 PreCalc

 

 

Math 199: Precalculus Support (1 credit)

This course is designed to empower your mathematical journey with a strengths-based approach. This course is tailored to reinforce foundational skills and concepts from MTH 095, fostering success in MTH 111Z. Our interactive environment provides the perfect setting to develop, practice, or refresh algebraic and study skills. Prerequisites include placement into MTH 095 within the last year or completion of MTH 095 with a grade not exceeding C-, and co-enrollment in an MTH 111Z course with in-person lecture delivery.

 CRN 14424 meeting on Tues/Thurs 1:30 PM - 2:45 PMKarl Miller Center | Room 495.  email sboyce@pdx.edu to register

STATS 199 Coreq

 

 

STAT 199: Stats Support (1Credit)


This course is offered to support students who test into MTH 095 via the ALEKS Math Placement Assessment at PSU but wish to enroll in STAT 243Z. In this participation-based course, we will discuss and learn math topics in MTH 095 topics that students need to excel in STAT 243Z. We will cover activities to make sense of topics like systems of equations, polynomials and factoring techniques, rational expressions, radicals and exponents, and quadratic equations.

CRN: 14418 on Tues/Thurs 9:00 AM - 10:15 AM Fariborz Maseeh Hall | Room 416. email sboyce@pdx.edu to register
 

A chart describing how ALEKS scores place you into math classes

What Will my Math Journey Look Like?

This graphic that we call Mathways is a visual representation of your process with the ALEKS assessment tool, the classes you will take as a result and your potential to work within placement system to improve your score.