The purpose of all Developmental Math Courses at Virginia Western Community College is to assist students in developing competency in the skills that are necessary to succeed in college-level mathematics courses. These courses do not count as credit for any degree at VWCC but may be required as prerequisite courses depending on student placement. Please meet with your advisor to determine if you need to take Developmental Math courses.
Please contact Lauren LaVenture for further information:
Lauren LaVenture
Developmental Math Program Head
Math Faculty
Virginia Western Community College
STEM ST409F
(540) 857-6521
llaventure@virginiawestern.edu
Types of Courses
Stand-Alone Developmental Math Courses: MDE 10 and MDE 60
MDE 10: Introduction to Algebra
3 credits, semester long course offered in Fall, Spring and Summer semesters in both in-person and Zoom modalities. Covers topics in arithmetic through introduction to variables and equations.
General Course Purpose: Prepares students for enrollment into MDE 60, MTH 101-133 or direct enrollment into MTH 154 or MTH 155 with co-requisite.
Course Objectives:
- Demonstrate comprehension of the major topics.
- Apply learned concepts and success skills toward continued progress in MDE 60, MTH 101-133 or direct enrollment in MTH 154 or MTH 155 with co-requisite.
Major Topics to be Included
- Whole numbers (addition, subtraction, multiplication, division)
- Fractions (addition, subtraction, multiplication, division)
- Decimals (addition, subtraction, multiplication, division)
- Scientific notation
- Percentages (addition, subtraction, multiplication, division)
- Real Number Systems
- Basic Algebraic Equations (One-Step/Two-Step equations)
- Introduction to Graphing (without graphing calculators)
- **Slope and Graphing Lines
MDE 60: Intermediate Algebra
3 credits, semester long course offered in Fall, Spring and Summer semesters in both in-person and Zoom modalities. Covers topics in algebra.
General Course Purpose: Prepares students for enrollment into MTH 161 with co-requisite or MTH 167.
Course Objectives:
- Demonstrate comprehension of the major topics.
- Apply learned concepts and success skills toward continued progress in MTH 161 with co-requisite or MTH 167.
Major Topics to be Included:
- Properties of exponents
- Polynomials
- Factoring
- Solving quadratics and Pythagorean theorem
- Complex numbers
- Graphing (lines and quadratics)
- Linear equations and inequalities
- Linear systems
- Functions
- Rational expressions and equations
- Radical expressions and equations
Co-Requisite Learning Support Courses: MDE 54, MDE 55 and MDE 61
These are 3 credit, semester long, co-requisite Learning Support courses that pair with a parent credit-level math course. We offer Co-Requisite Support Courses that pair with MTH 154, MTH 155 and MTH 161.
- MDE 54: Learning Support Course with MTH 154: Quantitative Reasoning
- MDE 55: Learning Support Course with MTH 155: Statistical Reasoning
- MDE 61: Learning Support Course with MTH 161: Precalculus 1
Placement and Pathways to Credit Level Math Courses:
High School GPA and your highest math course are used to determine placement if you are less than 6 years since graduating high school. If you are 6 or more years since high school graduation, you will need to meet with your New Student Advisor to determine placement.
Placement into non-STEM Courses
MTH 161 Placement
MTH 167 Placement
Placement into Upper-Level Courses
Already have MTE Credit?
If you have previously taken MTE/MTT classes or have satisfied MTE Units from Placement Tests or other methods, then the chart below will show your placement in MDE and/or MTH classes.
| Student Course/Placement History | Course Placement |
|---|---|
| MTH 101-133 Pathway | |
| Student has satisfied two or more MTE/MTT competencies | MTH 101-133 |
| Student has satisfied fewer than two MTE/MTT competencies | MDE 10 |
| MTH 154/155 Pathway | |
| Student has satisfied four or more MTE/MTT competencies | MTH 154 or MTH 155 |
| Student has satisfied three MTE/MTT competencies | MDE 10 |
| Student has satisfied two or fewer MTE/MTT competencies | MDE 10 |
| MTH 161 Pathway | |
| Student has satisfied eight or more MTE/MTT competencies | MTH 161 |
| Student has satisfied six or seven MTE/MTT competencies | MTH 161 + MDE 61 |
| Student has satisfied three to five MTE/MTT competencies | MDE 60 |
| Student has satisfied two or fewer MTE/MTT competencies | MDE 10 |
| Student has completed MTH 154/155 with C or higher | MTH 161 + MDE 61 |
| Student has completed MTH 154/155 with D or lower | MDE 60 |
| MTH 167 Pathway | |
| Student has satisfied eight or more MTE/MTT competencies | MTH 167 |
| Student has satisfied three to seven MTE/MTT comptencies | MDE 60 |
| Student has satisfied two or fewer MTE/MTT competencies | MDE 10 |