Foundations courses in the Department of Mathematics at GVSU

Foundations

The Foundations curriculum area refers to all the pre-calculus math offered here at Grand Valley. To some extent all our faculty are involved in this area, and some work at it exclusively. Great efforts have been and are being made to make these courses as applicable and current as possible. Graphing calculators, other technology and cooperative techniques are all used in these courses. Four areas of interest to students taking these classes are below: GVSU's basic mathematics requirement, placement test information, the graphing calculator clearinghouse and the Math Lab.

GVSU's Basic Mathematics Requirement

The basic mathematics requirement is successful completion of MTH 110. The mathematics requirement should be fulfilled within the first two years, or the first sixty semester hours of undergraduate work. Based upon ACT scores and mathematics courses taken in high school, new students receive a placement score. There are three possible placements:
1) If the placement is MTH 097, it is strongly advised that 097 be taken during the first semester. Upon the successful completion of MTH 097, the student will enroll in MTH 110. Any student who disagrees with the placement in MTH 097 can take a Math 110 placement exam. Contact Testing Services for test scheduling. More information on the Math 110 placement exam including a practice test, and the contact information for the Testing services can be found at their web page.
2) If the placement is MTH 110, completion of MTH 110 with a grade of D or better will fulfill the mathematics basic skill requirement. Any student placed into MTH 110 can instead take the Math 110 placement exam to have the MTH 110 requirement satisfied. Again, check the Testing Services webpage for more information.
3) If a student places out of MTH 110, the basic mathematics requirement is satisfied. Any such student who wishes to take advanced math courses can take the Advanced Placement Test to determine which class to take next. Again, check the Testing Services webpage for more information.

The course descriptions are as follows:
MTH 097 -Elementary Algebra
Introduction to topics covered in MTH 110. Designed for students who are unprepared for MTH 110. Four (non-graduation) credits.
MTH 110 -Algebra
A symbolic, numeric, and graphic approach to intermediate algebra with an emphasis on applications. Topics include operations, equations, and inequalities of linear, exponential, logarithmic, quadratic, rational, and radical functions. May not count toward a group science major or minor. Prerequisites: MTH 097 or assignment through GVSU math placement test. Four credits.

Placement Test

To ensure that students begin their study of mathematics at the appropriate level, all entering students will be advised to enroll in MTH 097, 110, or waive MTH 110 based on the individual's ACT math score and high school units of mathematics earned. If this placement is disputed, the student may take the Mathematics Placement Test once. If the ACT math score or units of high school mathematics earned is not available, the student must complete the Mathematics Placement Test. This test covers pre-algebra and algebra. A sample is available in the library or on-line in any GVSU computer lab. Students in this category may take the placement test twice, but no more than two times. Students who waive MTH 110 have satisfied the basic skills requirement for mathematics. Those who expect to take additional mathematics courses should contact the Testing Services webpage for information about the Advanced Placement Test to determine whether to enroll in MTH 122, 123, or 201.

The Graphing Calculator Clearinghouse

is a place for students to buy and sell their graphing calculators. It is located on the bulletin board inside the Math Lab.