INTRODUCTION TO COLLEGE MATHEMATICS

COURSE DESCRIPTION: This course provides a review of basic and
in termediate algebra and computational skills necessary for success in GE 115
College Algebra. The topics emphasized are operations on real numbers, ratio
and proportion, decimals and percents, scientific notation, first-degree
equations and inequalities with applications, polynomials and exponents,
rational expressions , rational exponents and radicals , and graphing linear
equations. THIS COURSE DOES NOT GIVE CREDIT TOWARDS
GRADUATION.

REQUIREMENTS FOR THE STUDENT:

1. Attendance of the Mathematics Laboratory is required by all students
enrolled in the course.

2. This course also requires that the math skills of each student be reevaluated
towards the completion of the course. Therefore, all students
enrolled in this course must take the Mathematics Test that will be
administered during the Interim Testing for Freshman. Failure
to do so may result in a grade of Incomplete (I) for the course.

3. The student should prestudy new material before it is presented in class.
Your are expected to complete homework assignments on the previous
lecture before the class meets again. The instructor will use a portion
of the classroom time to clear up remaining questions on “troublesome”
exercises. Also, additional help may be obtained through the laboratory.

4. A notebook should be maintained which contains lecture notes and all
homework exercises properly labeled. The instructor will collect and
review homework assignments before each major test.

5. Carefully complete all homework assignments. For every hour spent in
class, a minimum of two hours should be spent outside of class for
proper understanding of material.

6. Students are strongly encouraged to participate in classroom discussions
and to work with other students in preparation for class.

7. Tests will be administered during the course and random quizzes may be
expected. A comprehensive final exam will also be given.

ATTENDANCE POLICY: The sequential nature of mathematics deems it
necessary for students to attend every class period, otherwise a learning gap
may occur. However, the University attendance policy (attached) will be
enforced for regular class meetings.

EVALUATION: The final grade for the course will be determined as indicated
be low .

LETTER - GRADE EQUIVALENTS

BIBLIOGRAPHY AND RESOURCE MATERIALS

Intermediate Algebra Student Solutions Manuel, Aufman, Barker
Lockwood, Houghton-Mifflin Company. (Available in Bookstore)

Videotapes and Computer Software accompanying the text are
available in the laboratory.

College Algebra and Trigonometry, David Stevens, West Publishing

Beginning Algebra, Aufman, Barker, Lockwood, Houghton-Mifflin Co.

SPECIFIC COMPETENCIES

Chapter 1 - Review of Real Numbers
Upon completing this course, the student should be able to:

1. Perform operations of real numbers
2. Use absolute value and additive inverses
3. Simplify numerical expressions by using the order of operations
4. Simplify exponents
5. Evaluate variable expressions
6. Simplify variable expressions
7. Translate verbal expressions into variable expressions and simplify
the resulting expression
8. Define union and intersection of sets
9. Graph the solution set of an inequality in one variable

Chapter 2 - First Degree Equations and Inequalities
Upon completing this course, the student should be able to:

1. Solve equations using the addition and multiplication properties of equations
2. Solve equations using the distributive property
3. Solve coin, stamp, and integer problems
4. Solve inequalities in one variable and graph the solution sets
5. Solve compound inequalities and graph the solution sets
6. Solve absolute value equations
7. Solve absolute value inequalities and graph the solution sets

Chapter 5 - Polynomials and Exponents
Upon completing this course, the student should be able to:

1. Identify types of polynomials
2. Add and subtract polynomials
3. Multiply polynomials
4. Simplify expressions containing integer exponents
5. Multiply a polynomial by a monomial
6. Multiply two polynomials
7. Multiply polynomials that have special products
8. Divide polynomials using long division
9. Divide polynomials using synthetic division
10. Find the Greatest Common Factor (GCF) of a polynomial
11. Factor by grouping
12. Factor trinomials of the form x² + bx + c
13. Factor trinomials of the form ax² + bx + c
14. Factor difference of two perfect squares
15. Factor perfect square trinomials
16. Factor sum and difference of cubes
17. Solve equations by factoring

Chapter 7 - Simplifying Rational Expressions
Upon completion of this course, the student should be able to:

1. Simplify rational expressions
2. Multiply and divide rational expressions
3. Add and subtract rational expressions
4. Simplify complex rational expressions

Chapter 6 - Rational Exponents and Radicals
Upon completion of this course, the student should be able to:

1. Simplify expressions with rational exponents
2. Write exponential expressions as radical expressions
3. Write radical expressions as exponential expressions
4. Simplify expressions of the form

Chapter 3 - Rectangular Coordinate System
Upon completion of this course, the student should be able to:

1. Identify points in a rectangular coordinate system
2. Determine a solution of a linear equation in two variables
3. Graph a linear equation in two variables