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The Estelle M. Black Library at Rock Valley College features nearly 75,000 volumes and more than 650 periodicals, and access to the interlibrary loan system. It also features spaces for individual and group study, and if you get thirsty, there's a coffee shop in the lobby!
It is recommended that you talk to an RVC advisor to determine which math classes are best for you to take for your program of study. The flowcharts linked to below may also be helpful when planning your schedule.
Flowchart with College-Level Math Courses
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MTH-086
Basic Math Skills IAI: None Basic Math Skills is designed for students who need a review of basic mathematical skills in preparation for further studies in mathematics courses. Topics include operations with whole numbers and fractions. Emphasis is placed on accurate calculations; no calculators will be used through the entire module. Study skills will be incorporated throughout the course. Placement into MTH 086 is according to placement test scores or on a voluntary basis. Credit earned does not count toward any degree, nor does it transfer. Prerequisite: None Credit: 2 semester hours Lecture: 2 Lab: 0
MTH-088
Prealgebra Part I IAI: None Prealgebra Part I includes a review of basic arithmetic skills while introducing algebra concepts. Topics include operations with integers, signed fractions and mixed numbers, solving equations, and problem solving. No calculators will be used through the entire module. Study skills will be incorporated throughout the course. Placement into MTH 088 is according to placement test scores or on a voluntary basis. Credit earned does not count toward any degree, nor does it transfer. Prerequisite: MTH 086, or equivalent, with a grade of C or better, or appropriate placement score. Credit: 2 semester hours Lecture: 2 Lab: 0
MTH-089
Prealgebra Part II IAI: None Prealgebra Part II continues work in prealgebra concepts. Topics include operations with decimals, ratio, proportion, percent, graphing ordered pairs, introduction to graphing linear equations, geometry, and measurement. Study skills will be incorporated throughout the course. Credit earned does not count toward any degree, nor does it transfer. Prerequisite: MTH 088 with a grade of C or better. Credit: 2 semester hours Lecture: 2 Lab: 0
MTH-091
Beginning Algebra Part I IAI: None Beginning Algebra Part I will cover real numbers, solving linear equations and inequalities including applications, and graphing linear equations and inequalities. Study skills will be incorporated throughout the course. Placement into MTH 091 is according to placement test scores or on a voluntary basis. Credit earned does not count toward any degree, nor does it transfer. Prerequisite: MTH 088 and MTH 089, or equivalent, with a grades of C or higher in both or appropriate placement score. Credit: 2 semester hours Lecture: 2 Lab: 0
MTH-092
Beginning Algebra Part II IAI: None Beginning Algebra Part II continues work in basic algebra concepts. It will cover operations on systems of equations in two variables, polynomials, factoring, dimensional analysis, ratio and proportion. Study skills will be incorporated throughout the course. Credit earned does not count toward any degree, nor does it transfer. Prerequisite: MTH 091 with a grade of C or higher. Credit: 2 semester hours Lecture: 2 Lab: 0
MTH-093
Intermediate Algebra Part I IAI: None Intermediate Algebra Part I includes a review of factoring from beginning algebra. The course will also cover rational expressions and equations, linear equations, and an introduction to functions. Placement into MTH 093 is according to placement test scores or on a voluntary basis. Credit earned does not count toward any degree, nor does it transfer. Prerequisite: MTH 091 and MTH 092, or equivalent, with grades of C or higher in both or appropriate placement score. Credit: 2 semester hours Lecture: 2 Lab: 0
MTH-094
Intermediate Algebra Part II IAI: None Intermediate Algebra Part II covers systems of equations, radicals, and quadratic equations. Credit earned does not count toward any degree, nor does it transfer. Prerequisite: MTH 093 with a grade of C or higher. Credit: 2 semester hours Lecture: 2 Lab: 0
MTH-096A
Mathematical Literacy-College Students IAI: None PCS: Mathematical Literacy for College Students is a one semester course for non-math and non-science majors integrating numeracy, proportional reasoning, algebraic reasoning, and functions. Students will develop conceptual and procedural tools that support the use of key mathematical concepts in a variety of contexts. Throughout the course, college success content will be integrated with mathematical topics. Credit earned does not count toward any degree, nor does it transfer. Upon successful completion of the course, students may take MTH 115, MTH 220, or MTH 096S. Prerequisite: MTH-089, or equivalent with grade of C or higher, or an appropriate math placement score, or consent of instructor. Credit: 6 semester hours Lecture: 6 Lab: 0
MTH-096S
Combined Beg & Intermediate Algebra Combined Beginning and Intermediate Algebra is a one semester course covering both beginning and intermediate algebra. The topics included are real number operations and properties, linear equations and inequalities, graphing, functions, polynomials, factoring, rational expressions, systems of equations, radical expressions, and quadratic equations. The course will introduce exponential and logarithmic functions if time permits. Credit earned does not count toward any degree, nor does it transfer. Prerequisite: MTH 088 and MTH 089, or equivalent, with grades of A in both, or a sufficiently high placement test score, or consent of instructor.
MTH-097
Elementary Plane Geometry IAI: None Elementary Plane Geometry is a course in the fundamental concepts of geometry intended for students who lack credit in one year of elementary geometry or desire a review of this subject matter. This course is considered equivalent to a one-year course in high school geometry. The topics included are deductive reasoning and proof, congruent triangles, parallel and perpendicular lines, parallelograms and other polygons, ratio and proportion, similarity, right triangles and the Pythagorean Theorem, circles, perimeter, area, volume, and construction. Credit earned does not count toward any degree, nor does it transfer. Prequisite: MTH 092, or equivalent, with a grade of C or higher. Credit: 3 semester hours Lecture: 3 Lab: 0
MTH-100
Technical Mathematics IAI: None Technical Mathematics is primarily for technology students. It is designed for students with a good algebraic preparation and includes basic study and applications of trigonometry. The course includes a study of exponents, radicals, and logarithms. Prerequisite: MTH 094 and MTH 097 or equivalent of both courses with a grade of C or higher in each course. Credit: 5 semester hours Lecture: 5 Lab: 0
MTH-115
General Education Mathematics IAI: M1 904 General Education Mathematics focuses on mathematical reasoning and the solving of real-life problems, rather than on routine skills and apprecation. Three or four topics are studied in depth, with at least 3 chosen from the following list: geometry, counting techniques and probability, graph theory, logic/set theory, mathematics of finance, and statistics. The use of calculators and computers is strongly encouraged. Prerequisite: MTH 094 and MTH 097 or equivalent of both courses with a grade of C or higher in each course. Credit: 3 semester hours Lecture: 3 Lab: 0
MTH-120
College Algebra IAI: None College Algebra includes a review of intermediate algebra, though it covers the overlapping material more quickly and at a deeper level. The course also develops the concept of a function and its graph, inverse functions, exponential and logarithmic functions and their applications, and systems of linear equations and the matrix methods useful in solving those systems. The course will also cover the theory of equations. Prerequisite: MTH 094 and MTH 097 or equivalent of both courses with a grade of C or higher in each course. Credit: 3 Lecture: 3 Lab: 0
MTH-125
Plane Trigonometry IAI: None Plane Trigonometry is a study of trigonometric functions of acute and general angles, inverse functions, graphs, radian measure, trigonometric identities and equations, solutions of right and oblique triangles, powers and roots of complex numbers, and may include analytic geometry. Prerequisite: MTH 120 or equivalent with a grade of C or higher. Credit: 3 semester hours Lecture: 3 Lab: 0
MTH-132
Precalculus Mathematics IAI: None Precalculus Mathematics is intended for students preparing for MTH 135 and it covers the material of MTH 120 and MTH 125 at a more rapid pace than those individual courses. Among the topics covered in this course are functions and graphs, including linear, polynomial, rational, exponential, and logarithmic functions; complex numbers and theory of equations; trigonometric functions, their basic properties and graphs; identities; inverse trigonometric functions; trigonometric equations; Law of Sines, Law of Cosines; systems of linear equations and the matrix methods useful in solving those systems; and conics. Students may not earn more than six credits for any combination of MTH 120, 125, and 132. Prerequisite: MTH 094 and MTH 097, or equivalent of both courses with a grade of C or higher in each course. Credit: 5 semester hours Lecture: 5 Lab: 0
MTH-135
Calculus W/Analytic Geometry I IAI: M1 900,MTH 901 Calculus with Analytic Geometry I is a first course in calculus. Topics included are: a review of functions, trigonometric functions, inverse functions, and exponential/logarithmic functions: limits, continuity, derivatives, applications of derivatives, and integrals. Prerequisite: MTH 120 and MTH 125, or MTH 132, or equivalent with a grade of C or higher. Credit: 5 semester hours Lecture: 5 Lab: 0
MTH-160
Topics From Finite Mathematics IAI: M1 906 Topics From Finite Mathematics is for students enrolled in computer and information systems, business, or the social sciences. Topics include simultaneous equations, matrices, linear programming, mathematics of finance, sets, probability and statistics. This course is not intended to apply toward a major or minor in mathematics. Prerequisite: MTH 120 or equivalent with a grade of C or higher. Credit: 3 semester hours Lecture: 3 Lab: 0
MTH-164
The Computer in Mathematics C/C++ IAI: None The Computer in Mathematics C/C++ is a problem-oriented approach using the computer in the study of mathematics. Programs will be written and run to aid understanding of such topics as infinite series, logical relations, approximations, interpolation, graphing, and matrices. Problem formulation, algorithm development, and aspects of program testing and debugging will be discussed. Prerequisite: MTH 135 or equivalent with a grade of "C" or higher Credit: 4 semester hours Lecture: 4 Lab: 0
MTH-211
Calculus for Business & Social Science IAI: M1 900- 1.1 Calculus for Business and Social Sciences is an elementary treatment of topics from differential and integral calculus, with applications in the social sciences and business. Topics included are polynomial and exponential functions and their derivatives, as well as integration. Each of these topics is explored with an eye on its usefulness as a tool to answer questions in those fields of major interest to the students. This course is not intended to apply toward a major or a minor in mathematics. Prerequisite: MTH 120 or equivalent with a grade of "C" or higher. Credit: 4 semester hours Lecture: 4 Lab: 0
MTH-216
Math for Elementary Teachers I IAI: None Mathematics for Elementary Teaching I is for students intending to major in elementary education. This course focuses on mathematical reasoning and problem solving using manipulatives, calculators, and microcomputers. Topics include sets, the origin of numbers and numerals, systems of numeration, functions, whole numbers, number theory, integers, rational numbers, and irrational numbers and the real number system. The MTH 216-217 course sequence fulfills the two-course mathematical content requirement for Illinois state certification in elementary teaching. Prerequisite: MTH 094 and MTH 097, or equivalent of both courses with a grade of C or higher in each course. Credit: 3 semester hours Lecture: 3 Lab: 0
MTH-217
Math for Elem Teaching II IAI: M1 903 Mathematics for Elementary Teaching II is for students intending to major in elementary education. The course focuses on mathematical reasoning and problem solving using manipulatives, calculators, and microcomputers. Topics include statistics, probability, basic geometric shapes and their properties, measurement, triangle congruence and similarity, coordinate geometry, and transformational geometry. The MTH 216-217 course sequence fulfills the two-course mathematical content requirement for Illinois state certification in elementary teaching. Prerequisite: MTH 216 or equivalent with a grade of "C" or higher. Credit: 3 semester hours Lecture: 3 Lab: 0
MTH-220
Elements of Statistics IAI: M1 902 Elements of Statistics is intended primarily for students enrolled in life science or social science, or others interested in elementary statistics. This course uses the graphing calculator extensively to place emphasis on conceptual understanding instead of hand calculations. Topics included are measures of central tendency and variability, graphical presentation of data, normal and binomial distributions, t- and chi-square distributions, sampling, and correlation. This course is not intended to apply toward a major or minor in mathematics. Prerequisite: MTH 094 and MTH 097, or equivalent of both courses with a grade of C or higher in each course. Credit: 3 semester hours Lecture: 3 Lab: 0
MTH-235
Calculus W/Analytic Geometry II IAI: M1 900,MTH 902 Calculus with Analytic Geometry II is a continuation of MTH 135. Topics included are applications of the definite integral, techniques of integration, parametric equations, polar coordinates and infinite series. Prerequisite: MTH 135 or equivalent with a grade of "C" or higher. Credit: 4 semester hours Lecture: 4 Lab: 0
MTH-236
Calculus W/Analytic Geometry III IAI: M1 900, MTH 903 Calculus with Analytic Geometry III is a continuation of MTH 235. Topics included are analytic geometry of three-dimensions, vectors, partial derivatives, multiple integrals, vector calculus, and differential equations. Prerequisite: MTH 235 or equivalent with a grade of "C" or higher. Credit: 4 semester hours Lecture: 4 Lab: 0
MTH-240
Differential Equations IAI: MTH 912 Differential Equations is a course in the formulation, solution, and application of first- and simple higher-order differential equations. Topics included are first- and second-order ordinary differential equation with applications; simultaneous differential equations with applications; solution of differential equations by varied techniques, including Laplace transforms, numeric and/or series methods. Other optional topics include an introduction to partial differential equations, boundary value problems and Fourier series. (Offered spring semester) Prerequisite: MTH 236, or equivalent, with a grade of C or higher, or concurrent enrollment in MTH 236. Credit: 3 semester hours Lecture: 3 Lab: 0
MTH-250
Modern Linear Algebra IAI: MTH 911 Modern Linear Algebra is a study of elementary topics of linear algebra, in which systems of equations and matrices are used as vehicles for the discussion of vector spaces, subspaces, independence, bases, dimension, linear transformations, and similarity. The study will also consider applications of these ideas and techniques to selected areas such as linear differential equations, approximation problems (least-squares best fit to data; Fourier series), linear programming (the simplex algorithm), Markov chains, Leontief economic models, genetics, and computer graphics. Prerequisite: MTH 236 or equivalent with a grade of "C" or higher, or concurrent enrollment in MTH 236. Credit: 3 semester hours Lecture: 3 Lab: 0 |