Final Exam Review Information

Revised: Fall 2007

MATH 0300 STUDENT SYLLABUS

 

---

Course:   MATH 0300 (Beginning Algebra)

Prerequisite:  Students are placed in MATH 0300 based on placement test results, taken at UH-Downtown.

Textbook:  Beginning and Intermediate Algebra: An Integrated Approach, 4th edition, for University of Houston-Downtown Math 0300 & Math 1300 by R. David Gustafson and Peter D. Frisk, Brooks/Cole Publishing Company, Pacific Grove, California, 2004.

Why You Are in this Course:  Like many students at UHD, your placement test results indicate that your arithmetic and algebra skills are not sufficiently developed for you to pass one of the core college level mathematics courses required of all students at UHD (these core courses are MATH 1301 or MATH 1310). MATH 0300 is a developmental course intended to strengthen and build your mathematical skills up to the college level. Upon completion of this course, you will also need to complete or test out of MATH 1300 before enrolling in a college level math course.

Where to Find Course Resources:  The first place to seek assistance and resources is from your instructor, both inside and outside of class. Your instructor will provide the times and locations where he or she is available for office hours to work with you outside of class. Next, students enrolled in MATH 0300 at UHD have access to the Math Lab in the Academic Support Center (925-N) where they may obtain additional tutoring with understanding concepts or improving their skills. The Center is staffed with mathematics faculty and student assistants, and offers tutorial help, videotapes, calculators, and computer access on a walk-in basis. The Math Lab maintains extensive hours which are published each semester. You are encouraged to visit the Math Lab throughout the semester whenever you feel you have time to work there, no appointment required. It is also an excellent place to study the textbook and work on homework problems, so that you can receive immediate answers to your questions as necessary. The CD that comes with text also contains video instruction corresponding to examples in the text, as well as practice quizzes and chapter tests. A copy of this CD is available in the Math Lab for use in the lab or for check out.

Goals/Objectives:  At the completion of this course, a student should be able to: (1) identify different types of real numbers, including integer, rational, and irrational; (2) identify the basic properties of real numbers; (3) plot numbers on the real number line; (4) execute the correct order of operations to simplify real-valued expressions; (5) determine the absolute value of a real number and interpret its geometric meaning; (6) simplify algebraic expressions (combine like terms, multiply with the distributive law, combine like powers for integer exponents); (7) factor the greatest common factor from a polynomial, particularly in the context of reducing fractions or solving equations; (8) solve linear equations; (9) solve linear inequalities and graph their solutions on the real number line; (10) plot points and determine the coordinates of points in the cartesian coordinate system; (11) translate a relationship between quantities stated in words to an algebraic expression; (12) solve various meaningful application problems.

Department Grading Policy:  The final exam for this course is comprehensive and counts 1/3 of your course average. Your instructor will provide complete information as to how your course average will be computed. Your final course average will be used assign your final course grade according to the formula shown here. Since MATH 0300 is considered a pre-college course, this grade will appear on your transcript but will not be calculated into your GPA.

90-100	“A”
80-89	“B”
70-79	“C”
0-69	“IP” [not a passing grade]
The following cases are exceptions: 1. If your final exam score is less than 50, you will receive an “F” or “IP” for the course regardless of your average. 2. If you violate the MATH 0300 Attendance Policy (see item below), you will receive an “F” for the course regardless of your average. 3. If you are attending class but are not making a genuine effort to pass (as evidenced by not handing in assignments, not participating in class, not seeking help outside of class, etc.), you will receive an “F” for the course regardless of your average.

You cannot receive the grade “I”-Incomplete unless you have a documented personal emergency that prevents you from completing the last fraction of the course, such as the last test and/or the final exam. You must have a passing average based on the work you have already completed to receive an “I.”

Calculator Policy:  Students are not required to purchase calculators and will not be allowed to use them on the final exam. Your instructor will give you more information about the use of calculators in your class.

Excess Course Attempts:  In accordance with state law, effective Fall 2004 the University of Houston-Downtown is charging an additional fee for each credit hour for enrollment in a developmental course after 18 hours of developmental work has already been attempted. Once 18 attempted hours of developmental course work has been accumulated, registration in a developmental course will result in the additional charge. An attempt is defined as an enrollment that results in a letter grade (including “S”, “U”, “IP”, and “W”). A developmental course is defined as MATH 0300, MATH 1300, ENG 1300, ENG 130A, and RDG 1300.

Statement on Reasonable Accommodations:   UHD adheres to all applicable federal, state, and local laws, regulations, and guidelines with respect to providing reasonable accommodations for students with disabilities. Students with disabilities should register with Disabled Student Services (409-S) and contact the instructor in a timely manner to arrange for appropriate accommodations.

MATH 0300 Attendance Policy:  An attendance policy is enforced for this course. See the separate sheet MATH 0300 Attendance Policy for details.

Satisfactory Progress Policy:  Students are required to demonstrate satisfactory progress toward completing their developmental course requirements. MATH 0300 is a developmental course. See the separate sheet Satisfactory Progress Policy for Developmental Courses for details.

General University Policy: All students are subject to UHD Academic Honesty Policy and to all other university-wide policies and procedures as they are set forth in the UHD University Catalog and Student Handbook.

Course Content:  The course covers the following sections of the textbook. In some cases, not all pages from a section are covered.

Chapters	Sections
Chapter 1	1.1 Real numbers and their graphs 1.2 Fractions 1.3 Exponents and order of operations 1.4 Adding and subtracting real numbers 1.5 Multiplying and dividing real numbers 1.6 Algebraic expressions 1.7 Properties of real numbers
Chapter 2	2.1 Solving basic equations 2.2 Solving more equations 2.3 Simplifying expressions to solve equations 2.4 Introduction to problem solving 2.6 Formulas 2.7 Solving inequalities
Chapter 3	3.1 The rectangular coordinate system 3.2 Graphing linear equations
Chapter 4	4.1 Natural-number exponents 4.2 Zero and negative-integer exponents 4.3 Scientific notation 4.4 Polynomials 4.5 Adding and subtracting polynomials 4.6 Multiplying polynomials 4.7 Dividing polynomials by monomials
Chapter 5	5.1 Factoring out the greatest common factor

Tips for Becoming a Successful College Student:

1. Come to class.
2. Read your book.
3. Do your homework.
4. Listen and ask questions.
5. Contribute to classroom discussions.
6. Interact with your teachers, either face to face or using the phone or email.
7. Form study groups with your classmates.
8. Meet with your advisor.
9. Get involved in campus activities.
10. Share new ideas with your friends and family.

VISIT THE UHD ALGEBRA STUDENT WEB PAGE FOR MORE INFORMATION:

http://www.uhd.edu/academic/colleges/sciences/cms/QEP/index.html

 

 

Page maintained by CST Web Support Technician

Last updated or reviewed on 7/7/09