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.)
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
Course Policies
•
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!
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.
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.
• 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.
• 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.