Course Syllabus

Instructor Information

Dr. Eddie Kim, ekim@uwlax.edu

Mathematics and Statistics Department, University of Wisconsin-La Crosse

Description: The College Readiness FastTrack Online Course is an online program designed to enhance your mathematics skills in the areas of algebra and geometry. This program is designed to help develop the skills needed to be successful in college mathematics.

Course Goals

• Enhance algebraic knowledge and skills in areas related to Ratios and Proportional Relationships, Expressions and Equations, Geometry, and solving a variety of equations and inequalities
• Determine college mathematics readiness

Course Material

This online course will be conducted online. Log-in information will be sent prior to the start of the program.  

Diagnostic Test

Before the online program officially begins, participants are asked to complete an online diagnostic test (pre-test).  At the end of the program, a similar diagnostic test will be given.  These tests are used to show participant growth over the course as well as provide information related to college mathematics readiness.

Course Overview

This online program is comprised of 10 modules that have been aligned to specific learning objectives. These modules all have similar components as outlined below. The course components are also designed for you to select the learning tools that are best suited to your needs. Although it is highly recommended that you examine all course components below, each component (excluding the module quiz) is optional.

• Introductory video (Minute of Math)
• Lecture PowerPoints and podcasts
• Learning objects (LOs)
• WeBWorK (online homework)
• Weekly Online Review Session (See schedule on the course home page)
• Quiz

There are 10 modules in this course. Each module allows you to interact with the course content through the components listed above. All course content has been developed by the FastTrack instructional team in order to scaffold your understanding of key mathematical concepts and skills aligned with college readiness. The course components are also designed for you to select the learning tools that are best suited to your needs. The course components are also constructed to enhance course interactivity. These components include an interactive question in each of the introductory videos, self-check questions in each of the learning objectives, and automated feedback on the WeBWorK homework. You may also attend a weekly online review session (see the schedule on the course home page) where you can work synchronously with online math tutors to further support your learning. If you have a question relating to the course content or course components, please review FAQs, the posts in the discussions area, or email the instructor. 

Assessment

In order to meet the course objectives (see below), it is recommended that you complete the module components listed above. The mandatory quizzes are designed to measure your progress towards the stated module learning objectives. To move on to the next module you must score at least 75% on the module quiz. These assessment instruments are constructed to assess your understanding of the course material and you will have unlimited opportunities to demonstrate your mastery of the specified learning objectives for each module. As such, the answers related to the quiz items will not be provided. If you want feedback regarding these assessment instruments, please visit the online review sessions or email the instructor. Upon completion of this course, you will receive a certificate for your level of achievement based on your total quiz scores.

Course Objectives

Upon completion of this course, students will be able to:

Module 1: Fractions, Ratios, and Percents

• Perform operations with real numbers
• Use rates, ratios, and percents to solve real-world and mathematical problems

Module 2: Geometry and Measurement

• Use measurement formulas to model and solve geometric problems
• Solve problems involving special triangles including the relationship between sides and angles of these special triangles
• Apply the Pythagorean’s Theorem to solve real-world and mathematical problems related to right triangles
• Solve problems involving geometric figures using the distance and midpoint formulas

Module 3:  Solving Linear Equations, Inequalities, and Absolute Value

• Create and solve linear equations and inequalities in one variable related to real-world and mathematical problems
• Solve equations and inequalities involving the absolute value

Module 4: Graphing Linear Equations

• Graph linear equations in two variables
• Construct the equation of a line in point-slope and slope-intercept form to solve real-world and mathematical problems
• Determine the relationship between the slopes of parallel and perpendicular lines

Module 5: Systems of Linear Equations

• Solve systems of equations algebraically and graphically related to real-world and mathematical problems

Module 6: Exponents and Radicals

• Apply the laws of exponents to simplify expressions involving to rational exponents and solve problems involving scientific notation
• Apply the properties of radicals to simplify expressions involving square roots

Module 7: Polynomial Operations

• Perform operations with polynomial expressions
• Identify a relationship between two quantities that satisfies the definition of a function
• Use function notation to analyze mathematical situations

Module 8: Factoring

• Factor polynomial expressions including quadratic expressions

Module 9: Solving Quadratic Equations

• Apply factoring concepts and the quadratic formula to solving quadratic equations related to real-world and mathematical problems

Module 10: Rational Expressions

• Simplify rational expressions
• Add, subtract, multiply, and divide rational expressions

Grades

This course is intended to better prepare participants to engage in college level mathematics.  There are no college credits offered through UW-La Crosse for this course. 

Pacing

The course is designed to

• allow you to move at your own pace and
• provide you with the support that you need to achieve your goals.

The following schedule provides a general timeline for pacing of the course. The pacing is similar to that found in a college mathematics course. Course materials can be accessed at any time during the program period.

Sample Schedule

	Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday
Week 1	Introduction Module with Pre-Diagnostic Test	Begin Module 1	Lecture, LOs & WeBWorK	Lecture, LOs & WeBWorK	Complete Module 1 Quiz
Week 2	Begin Module 2	Lecture, LOs & WeBWorK	Lecture, LOs & WeBWorK	Complete Module 2 Quiz Begin Module 3	Lecture, LOs & WeBWorK
Week 3	Lecture, LOs & WeBWorK	Complete Module 3 Quiz Begin Module 4	Lecture, LOs & WeBWorK	Lecture, LOs & WeBWorK	Complete Module 4 Quiz
Week 4	Begin Module 5	Lecture, LOs & WeBWorK	Lecture, LOs & WeBWorK	Complete Module 5 Quiz Begin Module 6	Lecture, LOs & WeBWorK
Week 5	Lecture, LOs & WeBWorK	Complete Module 6 Quiz Begin Module 7	Lecture, LOs & WeBWorK	Lecture, LOs & WeBWorK	Complete Module7 Quiz Begin Module 8
Week 6	Lecture, LOs & WeBWorK	Lecture, LOs & WeBWorK	Complete Module 8 Quiz Begin Module 9	Lecture, LOs & WeBWorK	Lecture, LOs & WeBWorK
Week 7	Complete Module 9 Quiz Begin Module 10	Lecture, LOs & WeBWorK	Lecture, LOs & WeBWorK	Complete Module 10 Quiz	Complete Diagnostic Test