Welcome to Math 055


Welcome to Math 055, Beginning Algebra.  Most of you are taking this course for competency or to meet a requirement in your major.  Even if math isn't your favorite subject, you should be able to succeed in Math 055 providing you attend class every day, do all the homework problems, go to your instructor's office hours, and take advantage of the tutoring opportunities provided by the Mathematics department and the Academic Assistance Program.  If you have scored 9 or 10 on the Pre-algebra / Elementary Algebra portion of the ACT test AND 8 or 9 on the Intermediate Algebra / Coordinate Geometry portion of the ACT test, or had a score of 25% or better on CMU's Basic Math Placement Test (given free of charge at CLAS in Robinson Hall), you may register for MTH 105 instead of MTH 055.  Credit in MTH 055 will satisfy the University Competency requirement only if you are using a bulletin prior to 2005-2006 for graduation requirements.  It will not give you 3 hours of credit toward graduation.




UNIVERSITY MATH COMPETENCY

 

There are three ways in which a student may satisfy the Mathematics Competency Requirements:

 

1)   Pass the Mathematics Competency Examination.  A student must have completed fewer than 36 credit hours at CMU to be eligible to take the test. Transfer students in their first semester at CMU are also eligible to take the test. To register for the test, call the Computer-Based Test Center (774-1092). The cost is $20.00. Information and a sample test may be downloaded by accessing the Computer-Based Test Center web site at: www.cmich.edu/cbptc/mathcomp.htm and linking to:  Sample Math Competency Test

 

2)  Earn a C or better in a mathematics course numbered 100 or higher (excluding Math 200, MTH 151, & MTH 152).

 

3)   Earn credit in MTH 055. (Credit does not count towards graduation).  This only applies to students who are using a bulletin prior to 2005-2006 for graduation requirements.

 

**The placement for 100-level Mathematics classes is determined by ACT scores and high school GPA.

 



ACT MATH PLACEMENT SUGGESTIONS


 

SEE MATH ADVISOR before enrolling in math at CMU:

                         Score on Pre-Algebra/Elementary Alg:  6 or below

               AND   Score on Intermediate Algebra/Coord. Geometry :  6 or below

 

PLACEMENT INTO 055:  Score on Pre-Algebra/Elementary Alg:  7 or 8

               AND   Score on Intermediate Algebra/Coord. Geometry :  7 or 8

 

PLACEMENT INTO 105:  Score on Pre-Algebra/Elem. Alg:   9 or 10

               OR   Score on Intermediate Alg/ Coordinate Geometry:    9 or 10

 

PLACEMENT INTO 106/107:  Score on Pre-Alg/Elem. Alg:   11, 12, 13, 14

               OR   Score on Int. Alg/ Coord. Geometry:   11, 12

               (If you meet just one of these, see a math advisor.)



 

ORIENTATION PLACEMENT SUGGESTIONS



 

Students Studying Non-Business Majors:

               Placement Score:         0-15                SEE MATH ADVISOR before enrolling in a math class

                                                   16-35               recommended to take MTH  055

                                                   36-50               recommended to take MTH 105

                                                   51-65               recommended to take MTH 107, 106, or 203

                                                   66-80               recommended to take MTH 130 (if one full semester                                                                                                 of trigonometry in high school);  or MTH 203

                                                   >   80               recommended to take MTH 132

                                                                           (if one full semester of trigonometry in high school)


Business Students Only:

                                            

               Placement Score:          0-15               SEE MATH ADVISOR before enrolling in a math class

                                                   16-35               recommended to take MTH  055

                                                   36-50               recommended to take MTH 105

                                                   51-65               recommended to take MTH 107 or STA 282
                                                   66-80               recommended to take MTH 217 or 130 or STA 282

                                                >   80               recommended to take MTH 217 or 132 or STA 282


                           

Course Policies                                                          




Textbooks and Supplies

 

• Angel:  Elementary Algebra for College Students, (early graphing), 2nd edition, 2004.  Available at both bookstores.  Includes CD-ROM disk tutorial free of charge.  If you did not get a CD with your book, tell your instructor, and he/she will notify you about getting a disk to use.   Note:  The CD-ROM disk must be returned with the textbook when you turn in your books at the end of the semester.  You will not get a textbook refund without the disk!!

 

Math 055 Course Packet.  Available at both bookstores.  

  If you’re reading this, you have it.

 

Scientific Calculator: You MUST purchase this before the second week of class. Be sure to bring your calculator to all exams. DO NOT plan on borrowing a calculator from your instructor or a classmate during exams. Calculators are available at both bookstores or any discount store. You DO NOT need a graphing calculator, but if you have one you may use it.  A TI-83 graphing calculator is the recommended choice.  A TI-30X-IIS is an excellent scientific calculator at a reasonable ($15.00) price and will be sufficient for this course.

 

***Be sure you obtain a scientific calculator, not simply a 4-function calculator.

 

Use this simple test.   Enter the sequence:    2  +  3  ´  4  =       If the answer your calculator gives is "14" then it is a scientific calculator.  If the answer you get is "20" then you have a 4-function calculator which is not suitable for this course.

 

•You may also want to purchase a tablet of graph paper. This is optional.

 

NOTE: You should bring your book, your course packet, and your calculator to class every day!



 

Grading Scale

 

Points will be accumulated as follows:

 

   •4 exams – 100 points each – 60% of total grade          

   •comprehensive final exam – 20% of total grade           

   •daily work grade – 20% of total grade       

 

Math 055 is graded as CREDIT/NO CREDIT  (CR/NC).  To receive a Credit (CR) grade, you must attain a 70% average; this is in accordance with the University Mathematics Competency requirements.

Reminder:  Credit (CR) in Mth 055 will satisfy the University Competency requirement only for those students using a bulletin prior to 2005-2006 for graduation requirements, but it WILL NOT give you 3 credits toward graduation.  MTH 055 does count into your total hours toward making you a full-time student the semester you are taking the course.



Homework/Quizzes

 

You are responsible for the homework problems listed on the assignment sheet. Sometimes your homework will be collected and checked.  Your instructor may give a short quiz which is announced or unannounced.  Some quizzes may come directly from homework problems.  If you do not do a substantial part of the homework, you will probably not pass the course.

 


Attendance                                                               

 

You are expected to be in class EVERY day for the entire class period.  Be ON TIME, and do not leave class early unless you've asked your instructor's permission in advance.  If you feel that this material is very easy for you, then you should enroll for a higher-level math class.  If you miss quizzes or homework assignments because of poor attendance, this will impact your grade. There is no “easy A” without effort.  Remember, if you have fewer than 36 hours earned, you may take the competency exam to receive math competency without taking Mth 055.

 

 

Daily Work Grades

 

• A daily work grade will be assigned to you by your instructor. Daily work grades are NOT extra credit. They are part of your regular course grade. Your daily work total counts as much as the Final Exam ( approximately 20% of the final grade). A daily work grade may be given for any of the following: homework assignments, quizzes (may be scheduled or unannounced), attendance, in-class activities, projects, class participation. Most instructors will use a combination of several of these types of daily work grades. Be aware that some instructors will NOT ALLOW any make-ups on daily work. Your instructor will tell you what her/his policy is on daily work.  Some instructors will figure the daily work grade using point totals, while others will use a percentage system.  Both methods will equate to about 20% of your total grade.

 

 

Exams

 

  You MUST bring a PICTURE ID to EVERY exam!

 

  No scratch paper is allowed on exams, except for that which is provided by your instructor.

 

• Calculator use is allowed on all exams. Remember to bring your own calculator to all exams--do not plan on sharing a calculator with another student or borrowing one from your instructor.  BE SURE TO REMOVE ANY PAPER OR CARDS FROM YOUR CALCULATOR COVER.  FINDING SLIPS OF PAPER, ETC. IN YOUR CALCULATOR WILL BE INTERPRETED AS CHEATING BY YOUR INSTRUCTOR.

 

 

  All exams will be administered in your classroom.  You will have the entire 50-minute period to take the exam.


 


Make-up exams

 

There will be NO early takes on ANY exams for ANY reason. DO NOT ask your instructor to let you take an exam early. This includes the final exam.

            

If you have an excused absence (excused absences will be determined by your instructor, and might, depending on your instructor, include serious illness or injury of the type that would require hospitalization or resting in bed, death in your immediate family, or participation in CMU-sponsored academic or athletic events) and miss ONE exam day, you will be eligible for a make-up exam, providing you notify your instructor ON OR BEFORE the day the exam was scheduled. If you can't locate your instructor, call the Math Department Office (774-3596) and leave a message for your instructor. Note that minor illnesses, going home for the weekend, and needing more time to study for the test will NOT be excused absences!  If you miss an exam and do not notify anyone, you will receive a zero (0) for that exam.

 

  Make up exams MUST be taken on Friday, December 17, 2004.  This is the Friday of final exam week. Do not ask to take a make-up at an earlier date. You must bring a picture ID. Your instructor will give you a permission ticket that states the location of the make-up room and the time that the make-up will be given.




Tutoring Opportunities (Student Support Services)

 

Academic Assistance Tutoring is offered on three evenings to be announced (Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday Thursday) evenings at no charge (rooms and times to be announced).  Students must sign up in Foust 150 if they wish to participate in this program. This tutoring usually begins about the 3rd week of the semester.

 

Walk-in daytime tutoring is run in conjunction with Math 461 (Secondary Teaching Methods).  Math majors hold tutoring hours at no charge (times to be announced) especially for Math 055 and Math 105 students, but will also help students in other 100-level classes. This tutoring usually begins about the 3rd week of the semester.

 

  Paid Individual Tutors are available; a list of names of tutors is available in Pearce 214, the Mathematics Department Office.  Students arrange private tutoring directly with the tutor.

 

  Videotapes for Mth 055 and Mth 105 are available from Media services.  Students can request a particular section of the book on video and watch the material being presented in this lab.  Ask at the information desk at Park Library for the location of the tapes. These videotapes are also available from the Academic Advisor at the Indoor Athletic Complex. 

 

  Tutorial Software covering basic math concepts is installed on the computers at Woldt Computer Lab, Pearce Macintosh Lab (4th floor) and the Academic Center of the Indoor Athletic Complex (for use by CMU athletes).  Any student can take advantage of this program to practice and review basic math skills to prepare for Mth 055 or to get extra drill on math problems.  In addition, the tutorials specific to Math 055, following the textbook material, will be available at the same locations.  You will see an icon on the computer screen called “Math Pro Explorer.”  Your instructor will have more information about these tutorials.