Math Springboard
Bridging the Way to College Math
Are you eager to complete the math or chemistry you need in college, but your high school math skills could use a refresher? Our Math Springboard Program may be for you.
Springboard is an intensive summer mathematics bridge program designed to help first-year students prepare for college-level math and chemistry. This program offers you an opportunity to review mathematical concepts you might be rusty on or fill in some gaps in mathematical knowledge you may have missed, so you can move forward with the mathematics and/or science classes in your degree pathway, sooner.
Who should participate in the Math Springboard Program?
Springboard is designed for students who place into Math 10 or Math 20, as well as students who place into Math 50 and who need Chem 151 or Chem 105/106. Your advisor will inform you of your math placement at your summer orientation appointment.
Students complete an online curriculum over the summer, and then take an exam on-campus before classes start. Students who earn a satisfactory score on the exam qualify to take Math 104, 106, 109, 201, 246, or Chem 151 or 105/106 in fall semester.
How is the program structured?
The Math Springboard Program consists of three parts. Springboard participants participate in all three parts:
- Independent review using videos and sets of practice problems we provide. Refresh your skills on your own schedule. Our online system for practice problems will give you immediate feedback, and provide extra practice on the topics where you need some extra help.
- Weekly study sessions with a tutor who can answer your questions and support you in your independent review. We offer a choice of time slots so you can choose the one that fits your schedule (or even attend at different times each week). If you’re looking for additional support, you’ll have access to additional online tutoring—at no extra cost—through the UWEC Math Lab.
- Springboard exam to show what you’ve learned and accomplished this summer! The exam will be held on-campus on Sunday, August 31 (right after move-in for new students). Students who earn a satisfactory score on the exam qualify to take Math 104, 106, 109, 201, 246, or Chem 151 or 105/106 in fall semester. To participate in the Springboard exam, you must attend at least 4 weekly study sessions and complete 100% of the independent review practice problem assignments.
How much does it cost?
The fee to participate in Math Springboard is $200. This pays for the exam, access to the computer program used for videos and practice problems, and the time of the professor and tutors who support the program. This is a considerable savings compared to taking Math 10 or 20 as a full online course during the summer.
We offer fee waivers for students with a qualifying SAI (Student Aid Index). See the application for more information.
How do I register?
Fill out the Math Springboard Application below.
The Springboard program uses rolling admissions from June 16-July 21, 2025. We recommend registering for Springboard sooner rather than later, to secure your spot and give yourself more time for independent review during the summer.
Questions about the program?
Please check out the FAQ below. If your question isn’t answered there, please send an email to mathematics@uwec.edu.
To enroll in the program:
- Click the registration link.
- Complete the full application and submit.
- There is a $200 enrollment fee
- Check or money order:
- Make payable to UW-Eau Claire. Notation: Math Springboard
- Mailing Address: UW-Eau Claire Math Department | 105 Garfield Ave. | Eau Claire, WI | 54702
- Drop off in Math Department Office: UW-Eau Claire | Hibbard Hall | Room 508 o Electronic payments: https://commerce.cashnet.com/UWECBGC
- There is a processing fee for electronic payments. o Economic hardship or inability to pay? See fee waiver details on the application.
- Check or money order:
The $200 fee coversthe cost of the online software, the Credit by Exam fee, and the time of the professor and tutors who support the program.
You can register anytime between June 16-July 21, 2025. We recommend registering for Springboard sooner rather than later, to secure your spot and give yourself more time to complete the required work during the summer. Once we have received both your application and registration fee (or your fee waiver has been confirmed), you can start doing independent review and participating in weekly study sessions right away. If the program reaches capacity before your application and payment are received, we will notify you and return your registration fee.
An in-state student pays over $1500 in tuition to take a four-credit summer class. If you are a full-time student and take Math 10 or 20 in a fall semester, then it counts toward the 12-18 credits that you take as a full-time student, and which are covered by your semester’s tuition. By participating in Math Springboard, you have the potential to use those credits on a math or chemistry class that directly contributes to your major.
Fees cover the cost of the Knewton Alta online program which offers both instructional resources and mastery-based problem sets.
Yes, the fee will be waived for students who qualify. By requesting a fee waiver, you give permission for Financial Aid to verify your SAI (Student Aid Index). If you do not know what your SAI is, you can locate it in your MyBlugold CampS Student Center or call the Blugold Central at 715-836-3000. To request a fee waiver, please complete the financial waiver information form found within the online application.
If you decide not to complete the program, you may receive a 50% refund if you notify the Math department in writing by August 15. Unfortunately, credit card processing fees are not refundable.
In the fall, you will take the math class you enrolled in during your summer orientation.
Yes!! We encourage you to work ahead. Look at your summer schedule, manage your time, and set "future" goals. Maybe your goal will be to:
- Have all the Knewton assignments completed by August 15, which is two weeks before the deadline of August 29 for finishing your assignments.
- Work ahead because you know you have a family vacation the first week of August, and you’d rather not have to rush to catch up and complete assignments after you get home.
- Set aside at least one hour each day to work on math. If you need to increase this time to keep up, you do.
Because everyone will begin the Independent Review at different times, there is not a set pacing for you to complete your work, and there is only one deadline: you must have all assignments completed by Friday, August 29, 2025. Therefore, it will be important for you to create your own schedule that will help you get things done at a comfortable pace that allows you to get support from tutors as you work, and get all assignments done by the deadline. One of the first assignments in Springboard is to make this schedule, so make sure you stick to the schedule you propose! The instructors are happy to help you create or revise a schedule, especially if you feel you are falling behind. Don’t wait until the end of August to do the bulk of the assignments! Give yourself time to get support from tutors and instructors, and time to move through the instruction and practice thoughtfully so that you can succeed on the exam at the end.
That’s OK! Students who don’t earn a satisfactory score on the Math Springboard exam will continue in their scheduled math class during the fall semester. The Springboard exam will only show up on your transcript if you earn credit for Math 20 on the exam. So if you don’t earn credit, it doesn't count against you. You’ll be able to take your scheduled math class (Math 10, 20, or 50) in fall semester and have a whole semester to master the material. Many students find that the independent review they did during Springboard helps them feel more confident and prepared when they’re learning the same material in a more structured environment with a professor in the fall.
Needing to take Math 10, 20, or 50 (instead of your major’s required MATH or CHEM course) in fall semester of your first year can slow down your progress toward graduation. This might mean that you need to take some classes in summer or winterim to earn extra credits, or it might mean that you will need to take more than 15 credits in some fall or spring semesters. (At UWEC, students pay extra tuition for summer and winterim courses. However, in fall or spring semester, you can take any number of credits from 12-18 credits for the same semester tuition cost. If you’re taking 18 credits, you still only pay the 12-credit price!)
If your major has a very structured set of prerequisites, then taking Math 10, 20, or 50 in fall semester might mean that it takes you 4.5 or 5 years to graduate, instead of 4 years. Talk with your advisor if you’re not sure whether this applies to your major. Taking an extra semester or two to graduate means paying extra tuition. However, it can also give you extra time to explore your interests, take additional classes that will strengthen your preparation for your career, and participate in resumestrengthening activities like internships and research. Typically, employers don’t care how long it takes you to graduate. So, you can still have a very successful and satisfying college experience and career, regardless of how you do on the Springboard exam.
- Not checking their UWEC email! Check your UWEC email regularly for important college information, news, announcements, and reminders. Make sure it is easily accessible on your phone or smart device.
- Don't let other tasks interfere with the assignment schedule you create to successfully complete Math Springboard. Prioritize it if you want to earn Math 20 credit before Fall.
Students should register for the course they have been placed in. Advisors at summer orientation will assist with this. Those seeking to enroll in a non-math class requiring Math 20 as a prerequisite will not be able to register for those courses and should build their schedules without those courses entered. Successful Math Springboard exam takers will receive guidance on adjusting their schedules. Reserved spots are available in math, chemistry, and computer science classes for Math Springboard participants based on majors.
In late July and early August, the mathematics department will work with your advisor to determine which math or chemistry class you need for your major. For example, Business majors need Math 109, Nursing majors need Chem 151, and Psychology majors need Math 246. Once your required class is identified, we will review your Fall schedule, reserve a seat in a suitable section which does not conflict with your other classes, and assist in swapping Math 10 or Math 20 if you earn a satisfactory score on the Springboard exam.
Yes. By participating in the Springboard program, you commit to taking the Math or Chem class that we have matched you with during the Fall 2025 semester. You must at least stay enrolled in this class for the first two weeks of the Fall semester. At that time, we will check to see that you are enrolled, and then give you credit-by-exam for Math 20. If you do not follow up with enrollment in the Math or Chem class in the Fall, then you will not get credit for Math 20, and you will have to take the full course that you placed into during a future semester.
We welcome your questions! If you have questions prior to or at your summer orientation, please contact Dr. Abra Brisbin, Math Chair at brisbia@uwec.edu or 715-836-3778.