Course Syllabus

Southeast Missouri State University

Department of Mathematics Course No.: MA135

Title of Course: Precalculus Revision: Fall 2012

I.  Catalog Description and Credit Hours of Course:

Integrated course of College Algebra and Plane Trigonometry. Credit may not be received for MA 133 or MA 134 and MA 135. (5 hours)

II.  Prerequisite(s):

MA 102 with a grade of ‘CR’ or a grade of ‘C’ or higher or MA 095 with a grade of 'C' or higher or ACT Math score of 18-20 with required score on appropriate COMPASS placement test, or ACT Math score of 21 or higher.

III.  Objective of Course:

This course is for the students who will take calculus courses in the future. The primary purposes of the course are to develop their problem solving capabilities requiring a logical structure and to provide the essential algebraic and trigonometric background for work in other fields or courses. The students will be given problems in many disciplines that use algebra in their solutions, thus giving insights into the importance of mathematical skills in almost all aspects of society. The students also learn the basic knowledge of trigonometric functions and their relationships, and the applications of trigonometry.

IV.  Student Learning Outcomes:

A.  Students will be able to construct and simplify a difference quotient.

B.  Students will be able to interpret, set up, and solve word problems that are useful in other disciplines outside of mathematics.

C.  Students will be able to graph some basic functions in the Cartesian plane.

V.  Expectations of Students:

A.  Attend classes

B.  Participate in classroom activities

C.  Be able to use graphing calculators

D.  Do assigned homework

E.  Pass quizzes and tests

VI.  Course Outline:

Chapter / Sections / Topic / Class Hours
1 / 1.3 – 1.4 / Quadratic Equations and Complex Numbers / 3
2 / 2.1 – 2.4 / Coordinates and Graphs / 4
3 / 3.1 – 3.7 / Functions / 9
4 / 4.1 – 4.5 / Polynomial and Rational Functions / 8
5 / 5.1 – 5.4 / Exponential and Logarithmic Functions / 7
6 / 6.1 – 6.5 / Trigonometric Functions of Angles / 7
7 / 7.1 – 7.4 / Trigonometric Functions of Real Numbers / 6
8 / 8.1 – 8.5 / Analytic Trigonometry / 10
9 / 9.3 – 9.4 / Polar Form of Complex Numbers and Vectors / 3
10 / 10.2 / Linear Systems / 2
11 / 11.1 – 11.4 / Analytic Geometry / 4
12 / 12.1 / Sequences and Binomial Theorem / 2
- / --- / Examinations / 5
- / --- / Review / 4
Total / 74

V. Textbook:

Stewart, J., Redlin, L., and Watson, S. (2007) Algebra and Trigonometry (2nd Ed.), Belmont, CA, Thomson Brooks/Cole.

VII.  Basis of Student Evaluation:

A.  Hour examinations – 65%

B.  Quizzes, homework, and class participation – 15%

C.  Final – 20%