Math readiness: the implications for engineering majors

Good Math skills are essential to obtain academic success in engineering majors in college. Timing of when these skills are developed, while not a requirement for success is highly correlated with success in engineering programs. At Texas Tech University, Calculus III is a required course for all programs in the College of Engineering except for degrees in the engineering technology department. Success of a "C" or better grade in Calculus III is usually associated with a future engineering graduate. An analysis was made to determine the probability of completing a "C" or better grade in Calculus III as a function of starting position in math as an incoming freshman. Texas Tech University has a well established math placement process that regulates the starting position based on math skills. The results of over 4,000 engineering students are presented.