{"id":150473,"date":"2026-01-14T11:41:12","date_gmt":"2026-01-14T16:41:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ucf.edu\/news\/?p=150473"},"modified":"2026-01-14T11:41:12","modified_gmt":"2026-01-14T16:41:12","slug":"math-launch-program-accelerates-student-success-at-ucf","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ucf.edu\/news\/math-launch-program-accelerates-student-success-at-ucf\/","title":{"rendered":"Math Launch Program Accelerates Student Success at UCF"},"content":{"rendered":"

UCF is breaking down barriers to STEM success with Math Launch,<\/a> an accelerated program designed to prepare incoming students for Calculus I<\/em> \u2014the critical starting point for engineering, computer science and other science majors.<\/p>\n

By strengthening skills in algebra, trigonometry and pre-calculus, Math Launch enables students to become calculus-ready in just one semester through a boot camp-style course.<\/p>\n

\u201cMath Launch is removing barriers and helping more STEM students stay on track,\u201d says UCF Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs John Buckwalter. \u201cThis unique program aligns analytics, instruction and coaching to meet students where they are and move them faster toward earning their degrees.\u201d<\/p>\n

Math Launch changes students’ trajectory. In Fall 2023, 64% of Math Launch participants became calculus-ready in a single semester.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

For engineering and STEM disciplines, Calculus I<\/em> is the expected entry point. Yet, in 2019\u201320, 43% of aspiring engineers and scientists needed one to four prerequisite math courses (intermediate algebra, college algebra, precalculus or trigonometry) before qualifying.<\/p>\n

Students who were not calculus-ready had only a 15.9% four-year graduation rate, with many deciding to leave their engineering major altogether. In contrast, calculus-ready students graduated in four years at nearly 48%.<\/p>\n

A Supportive Pathway to Student Success<\/h2>\n

The program builds on the proven EXCEL Math Boot Camp<\/a> model, expanding it into a full academic term. Students benefit from dedicated faculty and peer learning assistants who provide personalized guidance. They use an adaptive learning platform that tailor instruction to each student\u2019s needs. The flexible pacing allows students to progress at their own speed. And, the program is cost efficient for students, since multiple prerequisite courses are condensed into one Math Launch class.<\/p>\n

\u201cStudents becoming calculus-ready sooner increases retention and decreases time to degree,\u201d says UCF\u2019s Executive Director for iSTEM <\/a> Melissa Dagley. \u201cThey are more likely to remain in their STEM major, saving both time and money, and are prepared sooner to enter the workforce.\u201d<\/p>\n