MAT 166 – PRE-CALCULUS

Spring 2015 Course Syllabus

Description

This course is designed primarily for students continuing into the calculus sequence. This course examines trigonometric functions and their graphs, identities and equations, and solutions of triangles. It also contains further study of some algebra topics, which may include conic sections, complex numbers, sequences and series, polar coordinates and functions, and parametric equations.

Course Competencies

  • Illustrate a knowledge of algebraic concepts through algebraic manipulations.
  • Solve first and second degree equations and inequalities.
  • Demonstrate a knowledge of the concepts of functions and graphing.
  • Use analytic geometry techniques in problem solving, including graphing conics using transformations, rotation of axes in conics, and the polar form of conics.
  • Illustrate a variety of techniques used to solve linear and non-linear systems of equations.
  • Demonstrate a knowledge of various topics related to sequences and series.
  • Demonstrate an understanding of proof by mathematical induction.
  • Use Trigonometric Functions in conjunction with right triangles including the Law of Sines and the Law of Cosines.
  • Use Trigonometric Functions in conjunction with the unit circle.
  • Use the six trigonometric functions in problem solving.
  • Demonstrate the ability to graph the six trigonometric functions and their transformations.
  • Analyze and graph the six inverse trigonometric functions.
  • Model Harmonic Motion.
  • Prove trigonometric identities.
  • Solve trigonometric equations.
  • Convert between the polar and rectangular systems.
  • Graph polar equations.
  • Use DeMoivre’s Theorem and find complex roots.
  • Analyze and graph parametric equations.

Instructional Philosophy

The instructor believes that mathematics should be related to experience, and that collaboration and active involvement creates more opportunity for learning. The content, learning resources, assessment procedures, and grading reflect these beliefs by incorporating a variety of activities in addition to traditional lecture methods.

Prerequisite

You should have successfully completed the College Algebra course (MAT 121) with a grade of C or better within the last 2 years or have a placement score of CLM 63-102.

Attendance and Class Participation

We expect you to attend every class session, to arrive on time, and to stay through the end of the class period. We expect you to think seriously about problems, questions, and concepts presented in class and to contribute actively and constructively to class discussion. You are expected to bring your calculator to every class session and be ready and willing to use it. You are expected to recognize when you need help and to ask questions. You MUST BE PRESENT to receive credit for any graded classroom activity, for example: group projects, class discussions, quizzes, etc.

Calculator

A graphing calculator is required for this course. The Texas Instruments TI-83 and TI-84 PLUSare recommended for this course. Cell phones may not be used as calculators.

Group Activities

Learning mathematics is best achieved by doing mathematics. Some concepts of the book will be taught or enhanced by in-class group activities. These activities allow you to actively apply mathematical concepts and communicate these concepts to your peers. Missed group activities CANNOT be made up for any reason.

Writing Assignments

The ability to communicate mathematically is an important objective of this course. Writing assignments will be assigned throughout the course.

Homework/Quizzes

One of the best methods for learning mathematics is practice. Therefore, you should make a concerted effort to complete all the assigned exercises and understand each of the concepts that these exercises illustrate. Quizzes may be given covering assigned material and selected homework may be collected. Missed quizzes CANNOT be made up for any reason.

Study Time

For a college course, you should expect to spend two hours studying outside of class for each hour of class. This “two hour rule” is a reasonable rule of thumb for students who have a good command of the prerequisite skills and who use effective study strategies. Students who need to improve their prerequisite skills or who have not learned study strategies will simply need to spend more time studying than that specified by the “two hour rule”.

Tests

There will be four 85-minute in-class tests designed to evaluate your understanding of the material. Make-up tests will be given only at the instructor's discretion. You must contact theinstructor prior to the absence, except in the case of an extreme emergency.

Textbooks

Pre-calculus, 6thed. by Stewart(Required) ISBN 9780840068071; Student Study Guide (Optional) ISBN 9780840069170

Course Change

You may change to another section of MAT 166 or to a lower level ONLY if there are seats available and before the end of the 2nd day of the semester.

Final Exam

The final exam will be comprehensive and include key concepts and techniques learned throughout this course. The final exam will ONLY be given at the scheduled time. This is an 85 minute exam.

Extra Credit

No extra credit assignments will be given. It is to the students’ advantage to spend any extra time in careful study of the required course material. Since math courses are sequential it is vital that all required concepts be mastered for a passing grade.

Grading Scale

Group Activities ...... 5% 90 - 100 ...... A

Writing Assignments ...... 5%80 - 89 ...... B

Homework/Quizzes ...... 10%70 - 79 ...... C

Four Tests ...... 60%60 - 69 ...... D

Final Exam ...... 20%00 - 59 ...... F

Recording Lectures

Except where a student is entitled to make an audio or video recording of class lectures and discussions as an educational accommodation determined through the student’s interactive process with college disability services, a student may not record lectures or classroom discussions unless written permission from the class instructor has been obtained and all students in the class as well as guest speakers have been informed that audio/video recording may occur.

A student granted permission to record may use the recording only for his or her own study and may not publish or post the recording on YouTube or any other medium or venue without the instructor’s explicit written authorization.

Math Help Center

You can receive FREE help for this course in the Math Help Center which is located in Blanca Peak 102 D. Hours of operation and additional help center locations are posted on the bulletin boards in the back of your class room.

Academic Honesty

Refer to the student code of conduct in theStudent Handbook, Planner, or the FRCC website:

Academic Misconduct

Behavior violating a student’s rights and freedoms includes but is not limited to:

  1. Fraudulent representation of student work
  2. Copying the work of another student
  3. Unapproved use of electronic devices, calculator programs, notes, or information
  4. Communication of any kind between students during an exam
  5. Helping someone else violate standards of academic behavior

This behavior will call for disciplinary action at the discretion of the instructor. The instructor may give a zero on any assignment or exam where a violation has occurred. A report of the incident will be filed in the office of the Dean of Student Services. Repeated offenses may result in a failing course grade and/or dismissal from the college.

Cell Phones

Non-emergency use of cell phones is prohibited in class. Cell phones should be set to “vibrate” mode for reverse 911 calls.

Important Dates

Last day to drop a class and receive a refund (Census Date) for 15-week courses………February 4, 2015

Last day to withdraw and receive a “W” for 15-week courses…………………………………..April 18, 2015

No Registrations after the Census (Drop) date will be allowed.

NOTE: You must use your ONLINE account to complete an official “drop” or “withdraw”.

Policy on Non-Attendance

Any student who does not attend a class by January 26th will be dropped from that class on January 27th. If a student is dropped for non-attendance, and wishes to re-enroll in a course, he or she must go through the late add appeal process, which includes securing the signatures of the Course Instructor, the Instructional Dean, and the Campus Vice President. Course re-enrollment is at the discretion of the instructor, and it is unlikely that a student will be re-enrolled in a course which they have not attended.

Financial Aid Recipients

The following actions have implications for financial aid recipients: non-attendance, dropping courses, withdrawing from courses, repeating courses, academic progress, and the number of credit hours attempted and completed. You are strongly encouraged to seek financial aid advising throughout the term if you have any questions about eligibility implications.

Disability Support Services (DSS)

Students with a disability are encouraged to contact the learning resources and support programs on each campus to arrange accommodations and support services. Larimer Special Services website:

Students of Concern

Front Range Community College provides faculty, staff, and students a resource to report their concern about any member of the FRCC community. If you are concerned about yourself or someone else, please go to and report.

NOTE: All students must activate their new FRCC student email accounts. Please see instructions located on the Front Range Community College Website: FRCC Website:

Spring 2015 Course Outline

Pre-Calculus

MAT 166-601

Instructor: Alan Dinwiddie
E-mail: / Office: CP216 PHONE: 204-8163
Fax: (970)204-8486
MWF: 12:10 -1:35PM
Room: CP 224 / Office Hours: MWF 2:00pm – 3:00pm
TR 10:30-11:30am
Tentative Course Outline
Refer to the specific section in your textbook for the lesson objectives to be assessed.
MONDAY / WEDNESDAY / FRIDAY
01/19 / NO CLASS / 01/21 / Syllabus, Aleks, Review Equations and Inequalities / 01/23 / Review Exponents and Polynomials
01/26 / Review Lines and Systems of Equations / 01/28 / Review Functions and Complex Numbers / 01/30 / Review Conic Sections Section 11.4
02/02 / Review Geometry
Section 10.8 / 02/04 / Section 5.1 / 02/06 / Section 5.2
02/09 / Review / 02/11 / Test 1 / 02/13 / Section 5.3
02/16 / Section 5.4 / 02/18 / Section 5.5 / 02/20 / Section 5.6
02/23 / Section 6.1 / 02/25 / Section 6.2 / 02/27 / Sections 6.2, 6.3
03/02 / Section 6.3 / 03/04 / Review / 03/06 / Test 2
03/09 / Section 6.4 / 03/11 / Section 6.5 / 03/13 / Section 6.6
SPRING BREAK – NO CLASS (03/15/15 – 03/22/15)
03/23 / Section 7.1 / 03/25 / Section 7.2 / 03/27 / Section 7.3
03/30 / Section 7.3, 7.4 / 04/01 / Section 7.4 / 04/03 / Section 7.5
04/06 / Review / 04/08 / Test 3 / 04/10 / Section 8.1
04/13 / Sections 8.1, 8.2 / 04/15 / Section 8.2 / 04/17 / Section 8.3
04/20 / Sections 8.3, 8.4 / 04/22 / Section 8.4 / 04/24 / Section 11.6
04/27 / Section 12.1 / 04/29 / Section 12.2 / 05/01 / Section 12.3
05/04 / Review / 05/06 / Test 4 / 05/08 / Review
05/11 / Final Exam