MATH 1720
PRECALCULUS II (TRIGONOMETRY)
3 Credit Hours

Course Information

Course Description:

Designed as a course for students who plan to major in mathematics and/or science and are not prepared to take calculus.  Topics include the trigonometric functions of the acute and general angle, applications of right triangles, identities, related angles and the reduction formula, radian measure, graphs and graphical methods of the trigonometric functions, applications, inverse trigonometric functions, and complex numbers.

Course Objectives:

As a result of successfully completing this course, students will have demonstrated an acceptable level of mastery of the basic concepts and principles of trigonometry and an understanding of mathematical logic necessary to apply these concepts and principles to problem solving.  Acceptable mastery of the course contents will indicate a trigonometry background necessary to pursue further course work in mathematics and other areas in which Pre-Calculus II is a prerequisite.
Prerequisites and Corequisites:
MATH 1710 with a grade of C or better and an acceptable placement score.  MATH 1130 will not substitute for the MATH 1710 prerequisite.
Course Topics:

The Trigonometric Functions
            Trigonometry
            Directed Segments
            Trigonometric Angles
            Standard Position of an Angle
            Trigonometric Functions of an Angle
 
Trigonometric Functions of an Acute Angle
            Cofunctions
            Variation of the Functions of an Acute Angle
            The Trigonometric Functions of             Approximations and Significant Figures
            A Table of Trigonometric Functions
            The Solution of Right Triangles
            Angles of Elevation and Depression
            Bearing of a Line
            Vectors
 
Trigonometric Identities
            The Fundamental Relations
            Algebraic Operations with the Trigonometric Functions
            Identities and Conditional Equations
            Trigonometric Identities
 
Related Angles
            Reduction to Functions of an Acute Angle
            Trigonometric Functions o 
Radian Measure
            The Radian
            Radians and Degrees
            Length of a Circular Arc
            The Circular Functions
            Linear and Angular Velocity
 
Graphs of the Trigonometric Functions
            Periodic Functions
            Variations of the Sine and Cosine
            Variation of the Tangent
            Graphs of the Trigonometric Functions
 
Functions of Two Angles
            Functions of the Sum of Two Angles
            sin (A + B) and cos (A + B)
            tan (A + B)
            sin (A - B), cos (A - B), and tan (A - B)
            Double-Angle Formulas
            Half-Angle Formulas
 
Trigonometric Equations
            Solving a Trigonometric Equation
 
Graphical Methods
            The Graph of y = a sin bx
            The Graph of y = a sin (bx + c)
            The Graph of y = sinn x
            Sketching Curves by Composition of y-Coordinates
            The Graph of y = a sin x + b cos x
 
Oblique Triangles
            The Law of Sines
            Applications of the Law of Sines:  SAA
            The Law of Cosines
            Applications of the Law of Cosines:  SAS and SSS
 
Inverse Trigonometric Functions
            Inverse Trigonometric Relations
            Inverse Trigonometric Functions
            Operations Involving Inverse Trigonometric Functions

Specific Course Requirements:
  • Connection to the web through a dependable Internet Service Provider (ISP)
  • "Internet Explorer" web browser (free download)
  • "PowerPoint Animation Player" plug-in (free download)
  • Required Textbook (see below)
  • Scientific or Graphing Calculator
  • Some proficiency in using the email, discussion board, chat, and whiteboard components of WebCT
  • A valid Picture ID (e.g., driver's license)
Textbooks, Supplementary Materials, Hardware and Software Requirements
Required Textbooks:

Please visit the Virtual Bookstore to obtain current textbook information for this course: http://rodp.bkstr.com

Supplementary Materials:
Please visit the Virtual Bookstore to obtain current textbook information for this course: http://rodp.bkstr.com
Hardware Requirements:
The minimum requirements can be found in the Course Orientation.  Log in to the course in WebCT, then click on [Orientation] in the Course Menu, scroll down, and click on [Hardware & Software Requirements].  Specific hardware requirements for this course include a scientific calculator or a graphing calculator. Hand-held computers and programmable computer-like calculators (like the TI-92) are not permitted.  You must also have a printer linked to your computer.
Software Requirements:
The minimum requirements can be found in the Course Orientation.  Log in to the course in WebCT, then click on [Orientation] in the Course Menu, scroll down, and click on [Hardware & Software Requirements].  Specific software requirements for this course include the following free downloads from Microsoft: the web browser, Internet Explorer; and the plug-in, PowerPoint Animation Player.
Instructor Information
Please see the separate page inside the course to find instructor contact information as well as a statement of virtual office hours and other communication information.
Assessment and Grading
Testing Procedures:
Quizzes:  All scheduled quizzes will be online (multiple choice and/or short answer).  Quiz problems must be worked on paper with answers submitted online to the instructor by the stated deadline.  The textbook, homework, and course notes may be used as a resource when doing a quiz, but assistance from another person is not permitted.  A score of zero will be assigned for each quiz not completed and submitted by the stated deadline.  Credit may be given for a late quiz at the discretion of the instructor, provided the student contacts the instructor to offer an explanation, preferably in advance to request an extension.

Tests:  There will be four major tests (non-cumulative) and a comprehensive final exam.  All tests will be taken on the campus of the student's "home school" (VSCC Gallatin or Livingston) or some other institution (such as a local college or community library), which must be approved by the instructor.  The student should arrive at least two hours before closing time at the testing center, and must show a picture ID.  The only materials allowed while taking a test are pencil, eraser, and calculator.  An appointment to take a proctored test must be made by the student a few days before the scheduled test.  Students who work ahead of the Course Calendar deadlines may be allowed to take tests early, provided instructor approval is acquired in advance.  A student who must miss a scheduled test due to an emergency should make every attempt to notify the instructor (and test proctor) prior to the test deadline.  All tests must be completed by the scheduled due date, and (except the Final Exam) will be returned to the student within a few days.  All tests must be done entirely by the enrolled student, with no assistance from another person.  Anyone caught cheating on a test will receive a grade of zero and may face other punitive measures.  There will be no exemptions from taking the Final Exam.
Grading Procedure:
The major test grades, the final exam grade, the quiz grades, and the homework grade (including homework, "Keywords," and "Extra Credit") will count in the final average as follows:

Tests = 60%          Exam = 15%          Quizzes = 15%          Homework = 10%

Grading Scale:
 

Letter grades will be assigned according to the following intervals:

90.00   -   100 +   =   A

80.00   -   89.99   =   B

70.00   -   79.99   =   C

60.00   -   69.99   =   D

00.00   -   59.99   =   F

Assignments and Participation
Assignments and Projects:
PowerPoint Presentations:  Students enrolled in this course are required to view the online PowerPoint presentation for each lesson before doing the homework.  Most presentations contain a "keyword" on a randomly selected slide.  Students are required to submit this keyword to the instructor.  Viewing the presentations diligently has proven to greatly increase the probability of success in this course! 

Homework:  Assigned homework must be completed and hand delivered, mailed (postmarked), faxed, or scanned and sent as an email attachment to the instructor by the due date.  Lessons to be hand delivered or mailed should be done in pencil; homework to be faxed or scanned should be done in black (erasable) ink.  To receive credit, homework must be neat, orderly, in proper notation, and written precisely.  All graphs must be done on graph paper (or copy paper, if done and printed from a graphing utility).  The student's name, instructor's name, course number, and lesson number must be written at the top of the first page.  Textbook pages and sections must be properly labeled, and problems must be correctly numbered with answers boxed, circled, or double-underlined.  Work must be shown where work is necessary.  At the top of the first page must also be written (as a fraction) the number of problems completed over the number of problems assigned in that lesson.  Inaccurate reporting of this homework grade may be penalized.  Randomly selected problems may be graded by the instructor.  Each page of homework faxed or scanned and emailed to the instructor should be labeled as the following example:  Lesson 3, page 1 of 4, ... Lesson 3, page 2 of 4, ... etc.  In most cases, no credit will be given for answers without the proper steps shown.  Homework papers will be returned via US Mail to the student within a few days.

Late homework (not delivered or postmarked by the due date) will receive half credit, provided it is delivered within one week after the due date.  Credit may be given for late homework at the discretion of the instructor, provided the student contacts the instructor in advance to offer an explanation and request an extension.  Homework may be handed in before the due date.  Any student who has not completed the assigned homework before a scheduled quiz or test will be at a distinct disadvantage, and will be graded more harshly.

Extra Credit:  Optional extra credit problems will count in the Homework Average and may be assigned on occasion by the instructor.

Class Participation:

Participation in the following components of the course is strongly recommended and will be considered when a student's final average is borderline between two letter-grades.

Online Communications Exercise:  The instructor may choose to conduct an Online Communications Exercise.  If so, it is strongly recommended that you participate in this important training session, which will be announced by the instructor in a message posted on the WebCT message board in the first few days of the semester.  All or most of the available communications tools will be utilized, beginning in a designated Chat Room.  At the designated time, log into the course and click on [Chat] in the Course Menu column on the left; then click on [Room 1].

Bulletin Board:  Important messages from the instructor will be posted in the [Main] folder on the course message board.  Students are urged to regularly read and post course-related messages.  Participation in online threaded discussions may be considered in your final grade.

Online Review Sessions:  On occasion, the instructor may choose to invite students to participate in an online review session using the chat and whiteboard components of WebCT.

On Campus Review Sessions:  A day or two before a scheduled test, the instructor may choose to conduct an optional review class on the main campus.  These review sessions will be done at a time that will best suit the majority of students who want to participate --- usually in the late afternoon or early evening on a weekday.  Cell phones must be turned off before coming to class.

TUTORIAL ASSISTANCE:  A student may get additional tutorial assistance from the instructor during regular office hours in W-100H or by calling (615)741-3215 or (615)452-8600 or 1-888-335-8722, extension 3386.  For online interaction with the instructor, use AOL Instant Messenger (AIM).  My screen name is ‘ondis’.  Instant Messenger and other communications tools may be accessed at the web address  http://www2.volstate.edu/OBible/communications.htm .  Trained tutors are also available in the Math Lab (W-125) or by calling extension 3387.  Lab hours are posted on the Math Lab web site at  http://www2.volstate.edu/MSD/M&Slab/index.htm .

Punctuality:
Homework assignments must be delivered on or before the due dates posted in the course Calendar.  Quizzes and tests must be completed on the scheduled date.  Any student who is unable to meet a stated deadline should contact the instructor before the deadline to request an extension. 
Course Ground Rules
Students are expected to participate in all interactive aspects of the course.  You should regularly communicate with other students and the instructor using the WebCT online communication tools, including email, message board, chat, and whiteboard.  View the online PowerPoint Presentation for each Lesson before attempting the homework.  Practice until you can navigate proficiently in WebCT.  Check "Instructor Messages" on the course bulletin board every day or two for new postings.  For this course, use the email component of WebCT, in lieu of your regular email address, such as one supplied by your Internet Service Provider.  When you have technical problems with your computer or the online components of this course, get the necessary assistance immediately.  Observe course netiquette at all times.
Guidelines for Communications
Email:
  • Always include a subject line.
  • Remember without facial expressions some comments may be taken the wrong way. Be careful in wording your emails. Use of emoticons might be helpful in some cases.
  • Use standard fonts.
  • Do not send large attachments without permission.
  • Special formatting such as centering, audio messages, tables, html, etc. should be avoided unless necessary to complete an assignment or other communication.
  • Respect the privacy of other class members.
Discussion Groups:
  • Review the discussion threads thoroughly before entering the discussion. Be a lurker then a discussant.
  • Try to maintain threads by using the "Reply" button rather starting a new topic.
  • Do not make insulting or inflammatory statements to other members of the discussion group. Be respectful of other’s ideas.
  • Be patient and read the comments of other group members thoroughly before entering your remarks.
  • Be cooperative with group leaders in completing assigned tasks.
  • Be positive and constructive in group discussions.
  • Respond in a thoughtful and timely manner.
Chat:
  • Introduce yourself to the other learners in the chat session.
  • Be polite. Choose your words carefully. Do not use derogatory statements.
  • Be concise in responding to others in the chat session.
  • Be prepared to open the chat session at the scheduled time.
  • Be constructive in your comments and suggestion.
Web Resources:

Scroll down to the bottom of the Course Menu and click on [References].

Students With Disabilities

Qualified students with disabilities will be provided reasonable and necessary academic accommodations if determined eligible by the appropriate disability services staff at their home institution. Prior to granting disability accommodations in this course, the instructor must receive written verification of a student's eligibility for specific accommodations from the disability services staff at the home institution. It is the student's responsibility to initiate contact with their home institution's disability services staff and to follow the established procedures for having the accommodation notice sent to the instructor.

Syllabus Changes

The instructor reserves the right to make changes as necessary to this syllabus. If changes are necessitated during the term of the course, the instructor will immediately notify students of such changes both by individual email communication and posting both notification and nature of change(s) on the course bulletin board.

Technical Support

If you are having problems logging into your course,
timing out of your course, using your course web site tools, or other technical problems, please contact the AskRODP Help Desk by calling
: 1-866-550-7637 or go to the AskRODP website for email/live chat support at:  http://help.rodp.org

ADA Statement

It is the student’s responsibility to self identify with the Office of Disability Services in order to receive accommodations.  Only those students with appropriate documentation will receive services.  Disability Services is located in the basement of the Wood Campus Center room 122.

Equal Opportunity Statement

Volunteer State Community College is an equal opportunity Affirmative Action Educational Institution. No person shall be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefit of, or be subjected to discrimination under any program or activity of the College because of race, color, national origin, age, or handicap.  The college also complies with the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967, as amended and with the Vietnam Era Veterans' Readjustment Act of 1974.  The commitment to equal opportunity applies to all aspects of recruitment, employment and education of individuals at all levels throughout the College.