MATH 0300 – BEGINNING ALGEBRA

 

Textbook: Beginning and Intermediate Algebra, by Elayn Martin-Gay, 4th edition, 2008. ISBN-13: 978-0-13-600732-6.

 

Catalog Description: Students are places in MATH 0300 based on placement test results taken at UHD. This course is intended to build and reinforce the essential geometry, arithmetic and algebra skills needed for MATH 1300. Topics include real numbers and their properties, the order of operations and simplifying real-valued expressions, simplifying algebraic expressions, factoring the common factor from a polynomial, solving linear equations and inequalities, an introduction to the Cartesian coordinate system and stated problems. This course may not be used to satisfy degree requirements.

 

Purpose: This course provides students with the basic background in geometry, arithmetic and algebra needed for business, liberal arts, social and behavioral sciences, natural sciences, engineering, computer science and mathematical courses.

 

Prerequisite: Students are placed in MATH 0300 based on placement test results taken at UHD.

 

Grading policy:

Online HW 10%

Three exams, each 20%

Each exam will consist of 25 multiple choice questions.

Final exam 30%

The final exam will consist of 50 multiple choice questions.

 

A=90-100, B=80-89, C=70-79

In order to pass this course, you need to maintain average of at least 70% throughout the course and to achieve at least 50% on the final exam.

 

Office hours: Tuesdays and Thursdays 2:30-3:30pm

 

Help: There will be short reviews before each exam and the final exam. You are encouraged to ask questions in class and come to the office hours. Additional help is available at the Math Lab in the Academic Support Center (925-N). They can help you improve your reading, writing and math skills.

 

Attendance: required

 

Online HW:

HW 1 (Sections 1.1-1.8) due 9/21

HW 2 (Sections 2.1-2.8, 3.1-3.4, 3.6) due TBA

HW 3 (Sections 4.1-4.3, 4.5, 5.1-5.6) due TBA

 

Course content:

Unit I: Real Numbers and Their Basic Properties

Unit II: Equations, Inequalities and Problem Solving

Unit III: Graphs and Introduction to Functions

Unit IV: Solving Systems of Linear Equations

Unit V: Exponents and Polynomials

Unit VI: Factoring Polynomials

 

Exams: (there are no make-up exams)

- please bring a scantron form and #2 pencil; no scracth paper is allowed; calculators are not permitted

Exam 1 on 9/21

- covers Chapter 1

Exam 2 TBA

- covers Chapters 2 and 3

Exam 3 TBA

- covers Chapters 4 and 5

Final exam:

- TBA

- covers all sections

- review problems (with solutions) are available at http://cms.dt.uh.edu/Faculty/WallerW and will soon be available in the Copy Center (at the back of the bookstore)

- review session for all math 0300 sections is on (TBA); students who attend the review session will obtain extra points of 2% of their grade

- no calculators are permitted

- you must bring a scantron form and #2 pencils

- no scratch paper is allowed

 

Important: A student who passes Math 0300 first attempt can retest to move past Math 1300 onto Math 1301 or Math 1310. Please e-mail me for more information.