I agree with Oct. 28 letter writer Tory Wiedenkeller from Los Osos that it is hard to understand how Cuesta could consider cutting classes such as physical science and geology.

However, basic math literacy is crucial to understanding science and totally relevant. As a Cuesta science/math student (and a reluctant math learner), I came to realize that math really is the language of science. I had wonderful and patient teachers and academic support that helped me get through it.

That said, the state, not Cuesta, determines what the math requirements are for an associate’s degree, and the state increased the math requirement a few years ago (up to intermediate algebra, from elementary algebra), which I feel creates an unnecessary barrier for nonscience, nonbusiness majors. For the early childhood development, art, drama or English major, Math 7 (pre-algebra) is as much as they’ll ever need to know. Are you listening, Sacramento?