Southern Utah University

Course Syllabus

Southern Utah University
Southern Utah University
Fall Semester 2026

Algebraic Reasoning (Face-to-Face)

MATH 2000-01

Course: MATH 2000-01
Credits: 3
Term: Fall Semester 2026
Department: Mathematics
CRN: 31152

Course Description

An exploration of fundamental concepts underlying algebra and algebraic thinking. Students will investigate, discuss, and apply foundational ideas such as variable, equation, solution, function, and graph in multiple algebraic settings. Topics include the integers modulo n, inverses and inverse functions, growth in dynamical systems, polynomial and exponential models. Recommended for prospective elementary school teachers but open to all majors. Graphing calculator required; this course does not serve as a prerequisite for Calculus I. (Fall, Spring) [Graded (Standard Letter)] Prerequisite(s): MATH 1010 or adequate test score within the last two (2) years - Prerequisite Min. Grade: C Prerequisite Test: ACT Math or Accuplacer Elementary Algebra or ALEKS PPL - Prerequisite Test Score: 23 or 100 or 50 Registration Restriction(s): None General Education Category: Quantitative Literacy

Required Texts

Students will work from notes received during class and will not need to purchase a textbook.  Students will need a scientific, non-graphing calculator.

Learning Outcomes

Math 2000 satisfies the Quantitative Literacy requirement for General Education: Upon successful completion of the General Education Quantitative Literacy requirement, students will be able to:
  1. Communicate: Use correct terminology and proper notation to explain quantitative or mathematical relationships (equations, graphs, diagrams, tables, data) and to support an argument, assertion, or purpose using quantitative or mathematical evidence;
  2. Mathematization: Convert quantitative or mathematical information into appropriate mathematical representations and/or models such as equations, graphs, diagrams, or tables, including making and evaluating important assumptions as needed;
  3. Calculation: Use algebraic skills and techniques to solve problems, including the ability to identify and correct errors in calculations and understanding the role and proper use of technology in assisting with calculations;
  4. Analysis: Draw appropriate conclusions through quantitative or mathematical analysis of data or models, including understanding and evaluating important assumptions in order to recognize the limits of the analysis; and
  5. Application / Creation: Solve concrete and abstract problems across multiple disciplines.

Course Requirements

Grading:
15% Participation
15% Assignments
10% Reflections on Engagement Activities
60% Exams

Participation: Regular attendance and full participation is expected at all class meetings. At the end of each class, a short participation report will be collected. Participation for up to three missed classes can be made up, but only in case of emergency or if arrangements are made prior to a missed class.

Assignments: Homework will typically be collected on Tuesdays and Thursdays and will be submitted in Canvas. Unexcused late homework will not be accepted. Your three lowest homework scores will be dropped.

You are strongly encouraged to do your homework as independently as possible. Try and think about a problem several times before looking for outside help. Struggling through a problem is the only way to make connections that allow for better understanding, higher test performance and retention. Everything you turn in should be in your own words and you should thoroughly understand everything you write down.

Because of the course materials and format, you are strongly encouraged to bring questions to office hours.

Reflections on Engagement Activities: A key aspect of this course is thinking about how we think about the fundamental concepts of mathematics. As a class, we will discuss ways students can show engagement with the course material at a deeper level. Examples include tutoring elementary and middle school children at the Paiute Center or logging AI usage for the course. All activities will include a reflection component which will be submitted in Canvas, at a frequency we will determine as a class.

Exams: There will be three exams available in the testing center. Books, notes, calculators, computers and other aids are NOT allowed on the first two exams. The third exam will be available during finals week. No books or notes are allowed for the third exam, but a graphing calculator will be allowed and use of a testing center computer will be required. For exams, as with all submissions for this class, it is important that you submit your own authentic work.  Late exams are available only in case of emergency.

Course Outline

In Unit 1, the focus is on the terminology and notations of sets of numbers and mathematical operations, with an emphasis on the algorithms and techniques of combining quantities using binary operations (like addition and subtraction) and solving one-step equations.  (GE QL ELOs 1,3,5)
In Unit 2, the focus is on the terminology and notations of relations and functions, with an emphasis on multiple representations and function operations.  Modelling of dynamical systems will be introduced. (GE QL ELOs 1,2,4)
In Unit 3, the focus is on using models to draw appropriate conclusions and solve concrete problems in multiple disciplines, including biology and finance.  Technology, including spreadsheets and calculators, will be used where appropriate. (GE QL ELOs 3,4,5)

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

Unexcused late homework will not be accepted. Your three lowest homework scores will be dropped.
Late exams are available only in case of emergency.

Attendance Policy

Regular attendance and full participation is expected at all class meetings. At the end of each class, a short participation report will be collected. Participation for up to three missed classes can be made up, but only in case of emergency or if arrangements are made prior to a missed class.

Course Fees

The course fee is $3.75.

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.