College Readiness Courses
North Mankato/Mankato and Faribault Campuses
Admissions Dates: Fall, Spring, and Summer Semester
College Readiness Courses are designed to improve reading, writing, mathematics and computer skills. Developing these skills provides students with the opportunity to achieve academic success and enhance life-long learning, personal and academic goals.
Students will receive a letter grade and credits for each course. These credits do not count toward graduation, but they are included in the calculation of the student's GPA. A grade of “C” (2.0) or better is required to advance to the next level.
Some courses are designed to be taken in sequence. College Readiness courses are prerequisites for many courses in both Liberal Arts & Sciences and Technical Career education.
Course Descriptions
MATHEMATICS
Basic Mathematics MATH0075 / 4 Credits (Lecture)
This course centers around essential concepts of arithmetic and elementary algebra. It is designed for students who need to strengthen their computational abilities. It begins with a review of basic arithmetic, which includes dealing with expressions containing whole numbers, fractions and decimals, interpreting graphs and setting up and solving proportions. Also included are elementary topics leading to algebra such as solving simple linear equations and inequalities, graphing linear equations, carrying out arithmetic operations on polynomials, factoring polynomials, simplifying rational expressions and solving equations containing rational expressions. (Prerequisites: None)
Essentials of Algebra MATH0085 / 4 Credits (Lecture)
Essentials of Algebra begins with a general review of linear equations and inequalities. Then the notion of function (which forms the heart of the course) is introduced, leading to a treatment of linear, quadratic, general polynomial and rational functions. Expressions and functions defined by radicals, rational exponents and absolute values are also considered. Along the way, various methods of applying linear and quadratic equations will be developed. (Prerequisites: MATH 0075, or 56 or higher on the Arithmetic portion of the Accuplacer test)
READING
Reading and Critical Thinking I READ0080 / 4 Credits (Lecture)
This beginning reading course offers a step-by-step approach to improving reading comprehension and developing critical thinking skills. Students practice basic reading skills and then apply them to college textbook readings. Students also work on improving their vocabularies by studying words typically found in college textbooks. In addition, they begin developing critical thinking skills such as making inferences and determining the point and support of an argument.
Reading and Critical Thinking II READ0090 / 4 Credits (Lecture)
This intermediate level reading course provides students with the opportunity to strengthen the basic reading and critical thinking skills needed for a successful college experience. The critical thinking skills include the following: distinguishing between fact and opinion, making inferences, discovering the purpose and tone of a reading selection, and determining the point and support of an argument. Practical application of these skills takes place when students apply the skills to reading selections taken from various college textbooks. In addition, students study college-level vocabulary words.
WRITING
Writing and English I ENGL0080 / 4 Credits (Lecture)
This course offers an overview in the use, basic study, and review of the Standard English language and an introduction to writing paragraphs. The course emphasizes English usage, sentence structure, punctuation, grammar, and spelling as they are applied throughout the writing process.
Writing and English II ENGL0090 / 4 Credits (Lecture)
This course consists of a review of Standard English grammer, including English usage, sentence structure, punctuation, grammar, and spelling. Students will also study the writing process as it applies to writing both paragraphs and essays. The final project for this class will consist of developing, writing, and editing a persuasive essay.