Noncredit
NMAT 255

MATH 55 CAN BE TAKEN FOR NONCREDIT!

What does this mean?

• NMAT 255 is the *exact same* course as MATH 55.

• NMAT 255 is pass/fail (no letter grade, not counted in GPA) 

• You don't pay for the 5 units. Noncredit courses are "tuition-free".

• It doesn't show up on your transcript. You will have a "noncredit transcript" for noncredit courses.

• You are expected to do the same assignments as MATH 55, and you're in the same Canvas course with MATH 55 students.

• It doesn't count in your overall unit load. So, if you're taking 14 units (where 5 is MATH 55), if you switch to NMAT 255, you would only be taking 9, plus the noncredit course. Even though you'd have the same workload, it wouldn't seem like that from the outside because only your credit classes are captured in your unit load.

Which should you take?

• It depends!  You should always talk with a counselor first about your educational plan, but some general guidelines:

  • If you are part of a special population (Veterans, EOPS, Financial Aid, International Students, CalWorks, or on your parents' insurance), you may want to take the CREDIT MATH 55 to maintain your credit units.

  • If you are NOT part of a special population, and you don't need the units for an associate degree, you may want to take the NONCREDIT NMAT 255 to save some money.

Both MATH 55/NMAT 255 satisfies an Associate Degree’s math requirement.  

This Intermediate Algebra level course is specifically designed to prepare students with the rigorous algebraic foundation required by economics, science, technology, engineering and math fields require.