NORTHWEST-SHOALS COMMUNITY COLLEGE

GENERAL COURSE SYLLABUS

 

TITLE OF COURSE:  Pre-Calculus Trigonometry (MTH 113)

 

DIVISION:  Mathematics, Science, and Technology

 

COURSE DESCRIPTION:  This course includes the study of trigonometric (circular functions) and inverse trigonometric functions, and includes extensive work with trigonometric identities and trigonometric equations. The course also covers vectors, complex numbers, DeMoivre's Theorem, and polar coordinates. Additional topics may include conic sections, sequences, and using matrices to solve linear systems.

HOURS:              Credit:  3     Contact:  3     Lecture:  3     Clinical:  0      Lab:  0     

 

PREREQUISITE(S):  All core mathematics courses in Alabama must have as a minimum prerequisite high school Algebra I, Geometry, and Algebra II with an appropriate mathematics placement score. An alternative to this is that the student should successfully pass with C or higher (S if taken as pass/fail) Pre-Calculus Algebra, MTH 112.

 

COREQUISITE(S): None

 

REQUIRED TEXTBOOK(S):  Precalculus; 7th Edition; R. E. Larson and R. P. Hostetler with David C. Falvo, Houghton-Mifflin, 2007.

 

SUPPLIES:  Scientific or graphing calculator is highly recommended.

 

GENERAL EDUCATION OBJECTIVE:   All associate degree graduates should be able to use the mathematical concepts, notations, and manipulations needed in their field of study or occupation. (3)

 

COURSE OBJECTIVE(S):  Upon successfully completing Pre-Calculus Trigonometry, MTH 113, the student should be able to:

1.      Graph an angle in standard position; evaluate the six trigonometric functions for a given angle.

 

2.      Convert between radian and degree measure.

 

3.      Recall the six basic trigonometric functions for the common angles.

 

4.      Solve right triangles.

 

5.      Solve triangles using the Law of Cosines and the Law of Sines.

 

6.      Recall the fundamental trigonometric identities and apply these to prove other identities or to solve trigonometric equations.

 

7.      Evaluate and graph the six basic trigonometric functions and their inverses.

 

8.      Write the trigonometric form of a complex number; represent complex numbers graphically; perform operations with these complex numbers (including multiply, divide, and find roots); apply DeMoivre’s Theorem.

 

9.      Use polar coordinates and graph polar equations.

 

10.  Perform the basic operations on vectors in a plane; find the dot product

of two vectors; use vectors to solve related applications.

 

METHODS OF EVALUATION: 

 

  1. Course Grade Evaluation: (Minimum of 4 measurements)

A comprehensive final exam will be given and counted toward the student’s final average.  Make-up examinations, as such, will not generally be given. 

                        

  1. Evaluation of General Educational Objectives:  Student success on the General Educational Objective (3) is measured by student performance on each of the course objectives, which require use of mathematical concepts, notations, and manipulations.  Performance on each course objective will be evaluated using appropriate problems from the final exam.  Results will be tallied for each course objective.

 

  1. Use of Findings: Instructors will analyze data gathered from the assessment(s) for each course objective and changes will be made based on identified weaknesses.  The math department will meet once every two years to discuss findings and implement strategies to improve department and student performance.

OUTLINE OF COURSE TOPICS:

I.          Trigonometry

            A.  Angles: Radian and Degree Measure

            B.  Trigonometric Functions:  The Unit Circle

            C.  Right Triangle Trigonometry

            D.  Trigonometric Functions of Any Angle

E.      Graphs of Sine and Cosine Functions

F.      Graphs of Other Trigonometric Functions

            G.  Inverse Trigonometric Functions

            H.  Applications and Models

 

 II.        Analytic Trigonometry

            A.  Using Fundamental Identities

            B.  Verifying Trigonometric Identities

            C.  Solving Trigonometric Equations

            D.  Sum and Difference Formulas

            E.  Multiple-Angle Formulas and Product-to-Sum Formulas

            F.  Inverse Trigonometric Functions

 

III.       Additional Topics in Trigonometry

            A.  Law of Sines

B.     Law of Cosines

C.     Vectors in the Plane

D.     Vectors and Dot Products

E.      Trigonometric Form of A Complex Number

F.      De Moivre’s Theorem and nth Roots of Complex Numbers

 

IV.              Topics from Analytic Geometry

A.     (Optional) Plane Curves and Parametric Equations

B.     (Required) Polar Coordinates

C.     (Optional) Polar Equations of Conics

 

AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT POLICY: It is the policy of Northwest-Shoals Community College to comply with the Americans with Disabilities (ADA) Act. Any student covered under this act needing and desiring reasonable accommodations for this class should notify Linda Waide at 331-5321. See NWSCC catalog for additional details.

 

ATTENDANCE POLICY: Because class attendance is considered to be essential to the accomplishment of course objectives, excessive absences are discouraged. At no time should a student miss more than 20% of the class meetings for a course. These absences also include any absences accrued during late registration. Failure to adhere to the 20% policy may result in a failing grade based on academic performance. Students should discuss with the instructor what is considered “excessive” for a particular course. Any variation of this policy must be approved through the Chief Instructional Officer. A student who is absent due to required participation in a school activity must be allowed to make up work, according to guidelines issued by individual instructors.

 

 

WITHDRAWAL POLICY:  A student who is unable to complete a course is expected to withdraw from that course by the end of 60% of class meetings.  A student who withdraws by the date published in the schedule will receive a grade of “W” for the course.  This withdrawal is done only by student request.  The grade of “W” is allowed regardless of the student’s grades to the point of withdrawal. 

 

After the designated date of class withdrawal, the approval of the Chief Instructional Officer is required prior to allowing a student to withdraw. The determination of “WP” (withdrawal passing) or “WF” (withdrawal failing) will be made by the instructor for the course and is based on the student’s grades to the point of withdrawal.