The final is cumulative and comprehensive, and can only be taken once. This course provides preparation and background for college algebra and calculus. The topics covered, such as signed numbers, equations and inequalities, polynomials, factoring, algebraic fractions, graphing linear equation and inequalities, and exponents and radicals are the basic requirements for the success in college math study. Being placed in this course, the students come with quite different math background. To help students most efficiently, the method of delivery the course materials is a combination of lecturing, self-paced studying with the help of the instructor and an interactive tutorial software, practicing and testing.
Students read the chapters to be taught beforehand.
In the classes, instructor presents the materials, goes over examples, answers questions, and do some exercises together with students, and then students do exercises, discuss problems with instructor and classmates, and use Math Works to do self-paced study. After classes, students continue doing their homework and finish self-tests before Wednesdays. They are encouraged to go to the Math Center and their instructor to get help. Math Works is available in the network, so students are able to use it to practice and finish self-tests. The Wednesdays' classes are the time when students take tests.