Southern Utah University

Course Syllabus

Southern Utah University
Southern Utah University
Fall Semester 2025

Math Essentials Combined (Face-to-Face)

MATH 0970-04

Course: MATH 0970-04
Credits: 4
Term: Fall Semester 2025
Department: MATH
CRN: 31576

Course Description

An accelerated course combining the content of MATH 0950 and MATH 0990. Using computers, students will work on individualized content to specifically target and overcome weaknesses in their mathematical background. Class will be held in a computer lab with a teacher and tutor available for instruction. Individual students may have the opportunity to develop proficiency in additional intermediate algebra topics. Credit is not counted toward graduation; this course will prepare students to be successful in college-level mathematics courses. (Fall, Spring, Summer) [Remedial Graded] Registration Restriction(s): None Note: This course carries no credit applicable to a postsecondary certificate or degree.

Required Texts

Textbook: Although there will be no physical textbook required for this course, each student will have access to an e-text through ALEKS, which has already been paid for by you through your student fees. There is no additional cost for you. Please be sure to check out the e-textbook and videos on ALEKS.

Lesson Notes and Check Your Understanding (CYU) Packets available from SUU Bookstore or you can print them from our Canvas Course.  The Lesson Notes go along with the videos in the Canvas Modules for this course.  CYUs are worksheets to give you a chance to evaluate your thinking and learning.

Learning Outcomes

In this class you will review, deepen your understanding, and become proficient with signed numbers, linear equations and inequalities, fractions, decimals, percent problems, geometry, graphing, integer exponents, polynomials, and factoring.  Also, an introduction to the concepts of sets, radicals, and factoring quadratic equations is included. This class prepares students and is a prerequisite for Math 1010, as well as Math 1030 and 1031.

You will have the chance to learn and improve your thinking skills, as well as review the math you need.  Please don't cheat yourself of this valuable experience by using generative AI to do your thinking for you.  


Course Requirements

**It is required that you receive a grade of B- or higher to move on to the next math course: Math 1010, 1030, or 1031.**  
Your letter grade will be based on the following percentages:
A:  93-100  A-:  90-92   B+:  87-89  B:  83-86     B-:  80-82   C+:  77-79  C:  73-76     
C-:  70-72   D+:  67-69  D:  63-66    D-:  60-62   F:  Below 60
Your course grade is weighted as follows:
Canvas Quizzes: Successful and Consistent Learning – 10% of your grade 
You will take a quiz each week that will ask you questions about what you have done that week, they may include, but are not limited to:
·         How many hours did you spend working on ALEKS this week? (Expected is 6)
          How many days did you attend class this week? (There are 3 class discussion days and 2 computer lab days.)
·         What is your pie progress percentage on ALEKS? (see schedule)
·         What module in ALEKS have you last completed? (see schedule)
·         Have you watched any of my videos in your module on Canvas this week?
·         Have you asked questions from the professor, a tutor, or another person?
You are expected to answer honestly and make changes where needed so that you can be successful.

Check Your Understanding (CYU) Written Assignments – 10% of your grade
These are the assignments from the packet you can pick up at the SUU Bookstore or print from Canvas. You will be required to complete a written assignment for each module demonstrating to me and more importantly to yourself, how well you understand the concepts presented within that module.  Take advantage of these assignments to truly ensure you understand the material and remember to show all your work, since the answer key will be given to you.  All CYUs will be submitted online through canvas and are due at the end of the corresponding module. Necessary work, showing steps, and thoughtful responses are required and will be graded. Generative AI of any kind should NOT be used on these assignments. 

Pie Progress from PKCs – Proctored Knowledge Checks to show mastery – 80% of your grade
ALEKS Proctored Knowledge Checks (PKCs) are used to determine your Pie Progress.  They demonstrate your comprehensive knowledge of the 0970 material throughout the semester.  Failure to take even one of these assessments may result in a UW course grade.  Contact me BEFORE the PKC if you need to take it on a different day, or immediately after, if there was an emergency or other situation. These will be proctored through the SUU Testing Center if you are on campus, or using our online proctoring software, Honorlock, if you need to be proctored online.  You are not allowed to use notes, calculators, other people, other websites, AI, etc. on a PKC. There will be 5 Proctored Knowledge checks (Including the Final) administered on the dates given in the Schedule and Due Dates document.  All PKCs will test your knowledge of 100% of the material outlined in the course. It is like taking the final exam 5 times, though the questions should be different each time as you learn and show mastery. Because Math 0970 is a progress-based class, each time you take a knowledge check, your new overall score will replace your previous Pie Progress Score.  You must receive at least 80% overall pie progress on a PKC (proctored knowledge check) to pass the class, and usually that is the Final one.  However, you may finish the course before the end of the semester by completing ALL your ALEKS Pie, getting over 95% on one of the first four Proctored Knowledge Checks (PKC), and completing all CYUs. If finishing early you will be exempt from all other PKCs and Canvas Quizzes on your progress. There is also an option to review Intermediate Algebra (Math 1010), if you finish Math 0970 early. Just let your professor know.



Course Outline

Module 1: Whole Numbers & Integers
Module 2: Fractions
Module 3: Solving Equations
Module 4: Decimals
Module 5: Percentages & Geometry
Module 6: Advanced Equations
Module 7: Sets & Inequalities
Module 8: Graphing linear equations
Module 9: Exponents & Polynomials
Module 10: Factoring Polynomials

Instructor's policies on late assignments and/or makeup work

Canvas Quizzes that are completed late will be docked points.
CYUs (written assignments) that are late will be docked points (but there is a grace period of 1-2 days)
Proctored Knowledge Checks need to be completed on time unless the student makes other arrangements with the professor and at the professor's discretion.

Attendance Policy

Students need to attend class 5-days per week as much as possible.  There is not a direct attendance grade, but those with low attendance rarely pass.

ADA Statement

Students with medical, psychological, learning, or other disabilities desiring academic adjustments, accommodations, or auxiliary aids will need to contact the Disability Resource Center, located in Room 206F of the Sharwan Smith Center or by phone at (435) 865-8042. The Disability Resource Center determines eligibility for and authorizes the provision of services.

If your instructor requires attendance, you may need to seek an ADA accommodation to request an exception to this attendance policy. Please contact the Disability Resource Center to determine what, if any, ADA accommodations are reasonable and appropriate.

Academic Credit

According to the federal definition of a Carnegie credit hour: A credit hour of work is the equivalent of approximately 60 minutes of class time or independent study work. A minimum of 45 hours of work by each student is required for each unit of credit. Credit is earned only when course requirements are met. One (1) credit hour is equivalent to 15 contact hours of lecture, discussion, testing, evaluation, or seminar, as well as 30 hours of student homework. An equivalent amount of work is expected for laboratory work, internships, practica, studio, and other academic work leading to the awarding of credit hours. Credit granted for individual courses, labs, or studio classes ranges from 0.5 to 15 credit hours per semester.

Academic Freedom

SUU is operated for the common good of the greater community it serves. The common good depends upon the free search for truth and its free exposition. Academic Freedom is the right of faculty to study, discuss, investigate, teach, and publish. Academic Freedom is essential to these purposes and applies to both teaching and research.

Academic Freedom in the realm of teaching is fundamental for the protection of the rights of the faculty member and of you, the student, with respect to the free pursuit of learning and discovery. Faculty members possess the right to full freedom in the classroom in discussing their subjects. They may present any controversial material relevant to their courses and their intended learning outcomes, but they shall take care not to introduce into their teaching controversial materials which have no relation to the subject being taught or the intended learning outcomes for the course.

As such, students enrolled in any course at SUU may encounter topics, perspectives, and ideas that are unfamiliar or controversial, with the educational intent of providing a meaningful learning environment that fosters your growth and development. These parameters related to Academic Freedom are included in SUU Policy 6.6.

Academic Misconduct

Scholastic honesty is expected of all students. Dishonesty will not be tolerated and will be prosecuted to the fullest extent (see SUU Policy 6.33). You are expected to have read and understood the current SUU student conduct code (SUU Policy 11.2) regarding student responsibilities and rights, the intellectual property policy (SUU Policy 5.52), information about procedures, and what constitutes acceptable behavior.

Please Note: The use of websites or services that sell essays is a violation of these policies; likewise, the use of websites or services that provide answers to assignments, quizzes, or tests is also a violation of these policies. Regarding the use of Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI), you should check with your individual course instructor.

Emergency Management Statement

In case of an emergency, the University's Emergency Notification System (ENS) will be activated. Students are encouraged to maintain updated contact information using the link on the homepage of the mySUU portal. In addition, students are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the Emergency Response Protocols posted in each classroom. Detailed information about the University's emergency management plan can be found at https://www.suu.edu/emergency.

HEOA Compliance Statement

For a full set of Higher Education Opportunity Act (HEOA) compliance statements, please visit https://www.suu.edu/heoa. The sharing of copyrighted material through peer-to-peer (P2P) file sharing, except as provided under U.S. copyright law, is prohibited by law; additional information can be found at https://my.suu.edu/help/article/1096/heoa-compliance-plan.

You are also expected to comply with policies regarding intellectual property (SUU Policy 5.52) and copyright (SUU Policy 5.54).

Mandatory Reporting

University policy (SUU Policy 5.60) requires instructors to report disclosures received from students that indicate they have been subjected to sexual misconduct/harassment. The University defines sexual harassment consistent with Federal Regulations (34 C.F.R. Part 106, Subpart D) to include quid pro quo, hostile environment harassment, sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, and stalking. When students communicate this information to an instructor in-person, by email, or within writing assignments, the instructor will report that to the Title IX Coordinator to ensure students receive support from the Title IX Office. A reporting form is available at https://cm.maxient.com/reportingform.php?SouthernUtahUniv

Non-Discrimination Statement

SUU is committed to fostering an inclusive community of lifelong learners and believes our university's encompassing of different views, beliefs, and identities makes us stronger, more innovative, and better prepared for the global society.

SUU does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, citizenship, sex (including sex discrimination and sexual harassment), sexual orientation, gender identity, age, ancestry, disability status, pregnancy, pregnancy-related conditions, genetic information, military status, veteran status, or other bases protected by applicable law in employment, treatment, admission, access to educational programs and activities, or other University benefits or services.

SUU strives to cultivate a campus environment that encourages freedom of expression from diverse viewpoints. We encourage all to dialogue within a spirit of respect, civility, and decency.

For additional information on non-discrimination, please see SUU Policy 5.27 and/or visit https://www.suu.edu/nondiscrimination.

Pregnancy

Students who are or become pregnant during this course may receive reasonable modifications to facilitate continued access and participation in the course. Pregnancy and related conditions are broadly defined to include pregnancy, childbirth, termination of pregnancy, lactation, related medical conditions, and recovery. To obtain reasonable modifications, please make a request to title9@suu.edu. To learn more visit: https://www.suu.edu/titleix/pregnancy.html.

Disclaimer Statement

Information contained in this syllabus, other than the grading, late assignments, makeup work, and attendance policies, may be subject to change with advance notice, as deemed appropriate by the instructor.