Southern Utah University

Course Syllabus

Southern Utah University
Southern Utah University
Fall Semester 2026

Math Essentials II (Face-to-Face)

MATH 0990-05

Course: MATH 0990-05
Credits: 4
Term: Fall Semester 2026
Department: Mathematics
CRN: 31100

Course Description

Essential mathematical ideas with a focus on linear equations, inequalities, and graphs. Students will strengthen their skills in simplifying expressions involving integer exponents, integers, fractions, decimals, and other mathematical notations. Students will solve linear equations and inequalities. They will graph equations involving two variables. Additional topics include operations with polynomials and factoring polynomials. Credit is not counted towards graduation; this course will prepare students to be successful in college-level mathematics courses.(Fall, Spring, Summer - As Needed) [Remedial Graded] Prerequisite(s): MATH 0950 or adequate test score within the last two (2) years - Prerequisite Min. Grade: B- Prerequisite Test: ACT Math Subscore or Accuplacer Arithmetic or ALEKS PPL - Prerequisite Test Score: 15 or 065 or 15 Note: This course carries no credit applicable to a postsecondary certificate or degree.

Required Texts

McKeague’s Introductory Algebra & Online Access Code for XYZ Homework. 
You can purchase a hard copy book with the XYZ access code from the SUU Bookstore.
Or you can purchase the online e-text (which you will need) with XYZ Homework Access from the SUU Bookstore, or straight from XYZhomework.com.

Also Required:
There is a packet of Lesson Notes that you can purchase at the SUU Bookstore, or you may print them yourself from Canvas, or you can use a tablet to complete them electronically.

Suggested: Students may want to consider purchasing a notebook/binder to organize their work and notes in.

Learning Outcomes

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, other Apps, or even tutors, to do your thinking for you.  We will discuss in class more effective ways to study and even to use A.I. in your pursuit of understanding.

  • Perform arithmetic with real numbers. 
  • Simplify and evaluate algebraic expressions. 
  • Solve linear equations and inequalities. 
  • Graph lines and find the equations of lines. 
  • Simplify exponential expressions involving integer exponents. 
  • Perform operations on polynomials. 
  • Factor basic polynomial expressions. 

Course Requirements

This course requires XYZ Online Practice, Check Your Understanding Written Assignments, Five Unit Tests, and a Comprehensive Final Exam.
 
The components of your grade are described and weighted as follows:
15%     XYZ Online Practice: There will be several assignments due throughout each week. Late assignments will be docked, and assignments will not be available to do after the corresponding tests.
15%     Check Your Understanding Assignments: You will have approximately one due each week in class. Your goal is to see if you are learning and understanding the concepts, and make adjustments as needed.
50%     Unit Tests: These will be taken in the testing center at the end of each unit. You will have two days that each test will be open to take.  It is your responsibility to make sure you take it in that window, or contact the professor in the case of an Emergency. Retakes/Make-ups will be possible for up to 80% the last week before Finals.
20%     Comprehensive Final Exam: This will be taken in our classroom according to the Spring Final Exam Schedule on SUU.edu.

Do you get credit towards graduation for this class?
You do not receive college credit for this class, but for the purposes of financial aid, grants, and other requirements, it is counted as a 3-credit class.  You will, however, receive a grade on your transcript.  It is important that you receive a grade of B- or higher in order to be prepared for and move on to Math 0990.  You will be dropped from your next math class if this requirement is not met. 

Your letter grade will be based on the following percentages: 
A:  93-100       A-:  90-92       B+:  87-89       B:  84-86         B-:  80-83            C+:  77-79       C:  74-76         
C-:  70-73        D+:  67-69       D:  64-66         D-:  60-63       F:  Below 60  

Course Outline

1. Signed Numbers and Simplifying Expressions
 2. Solving Linear Equations and Applications
 3. Graphing Linear Equations and Inequalities
 4. Simplifying Expressions with Integer Exponents and Operations with Polynomials
 6. Factoring Polynomials and Applications 

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

Late assignments will be docked points and after 2 weeks will not be available to do.
 
Each test will be open two days.  It is your responsibility to make sure you take it in that window. If there is a reason you will not be able to take the test in that window you must email the professor BEFORE the testing window.  In the case of an Emergency during the testing window, contact the professor ASAP. In both cases you may be able to work out a way to take the test a day late.  If not, Retakes/Make-ups will be possible for up to 80% the last week before Finals. 

Attendance Policy

Attendance is extremely important, as is keeping up with your work and studying.  Class time will be beneficial to you and worth your time as you actively participate, helping you think about and learn the concepts better than you can on your own. Valuable instructions, problem solving practice, and CYU's will be given in class.  Students who miss class often (more than 5 times all semester) generally do not do well in the course.  They positively do not do as well as they would have if they came to class!

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.

Religious / Conscience Belief Accommodation

RELIGIOUS / CONSCIENCE BELIEF ACCOMMODATION: In accordance with SUU Policy 6.7 Student Belief Accommodation, students may request, in writing, that their faculty accommodate their sincerely held religious or conscience beliefs. Students should provide their faculty with sufficient advanced notice, if possible within the first five (5) business days of the semester or session, or thereafter with good cause for requesting an accommodation after the first five (5) business days.

Faculty must provide a schedule accommodation or excuse an absence, in any course, for students to observe or participate in religious holidays or an organized activity conducted under the auspices of the student’s religious tradition or religious organization.

In courses that are required for graduation or for an academic major, a faculty member may accommodate a religious or conscience belief by modifying an assignment or examination if its content conflicts with the student’s belief. Faculty may decline the accommodation if it would fundamentally alter the course requirements. If declined, the student may request review by a neutral arbiter using the Belief Accommodation Request Form: https://cm.maxient.com/reportingform.php?SouthernUtahUniv&layout_id=5

Questions go to Assistant Provost Jake Johnson at johnsonj@suu.edu.

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.