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COURSE SYLLABUS FALL 2009

COURSE NUMBER: MAT 1313

COURSE TITLE: Precalculus

SEMESTER HOURS: Three (3)

PREREQUISITES: MAT 1312 or satisfactory score on the mathematics placement test

INSTRUCTOR: Dr. W. Patterson

OFFICE HOURS: MW 2-3; TTH 12-3

OFFICE LOCATION/PHONE NUMBER: CH 141

COURSE DESCRIPTION
This course, a continuation of MAT 1312, helps to prepare a student for Calculus I. The following
are among the topics studied: trigonometric functions and identities, solutions of trigonometric equations
and triangles, graphs of trigonometric functions, and verbal problems involving applications of trigonometric
functions. Also included are sequences, series, and mathematical induction.

RATIONALE:
This course is intended for the student who plans to study calculus. It is designed to sharpen critical
thinking skills and explore mathematical concepts which are used heavily in the study of calculus.
Trigonometric functions will be critical to the study of calculus and its applications and are essential for the
understanding of many scientific and mathematical concepts. Sequences and series are used in calculus,
statistics, business and many other areas.

Shared Vision: Critical and creative thinkers evolving teachers who facilitate learning for all students in
a diverse, technologically dynamic world.

MODES OF INSTRUCTION
The course will usually be taught to students in groups of 20-25. In an effort to meet the needs of
each student, a variety of instructional methods will be used in the classroom and students will be
encouraged to work in groups and seek supplementary assistance to complete the required homework
assignments.

MATERIALS OF INSTRUCTION
Required Course Supplement: MyMathLab by CourseCompass (coursecompass.com) is required
in order to submit solutions to the required homework assignments. You must be registered with
MyMathLab via coursecompass.com no later than Monday, August 31, 2009. See the Course Documents
section of the course BlackBoard site to get details.
Textbook: Precalculus Functions and Graphs, 2nd edition, by Mark Dugopolski, Pearson/Addison
Wesley Publishing (Recommended but not required: the text can be viewed through the required
MyMathLab supplement). If you do not purchase a textbook, you must print, from MyMathLab, and bring
to class a copy of the section plus the exercise set being covered for each class period.
Required: Graphing Calculator : TI-83. The use of a graphing calculator is a useful tool for many
applications and an aid in graphing functions. Calculators may be disallowed for tests on some units;
however, it will be needed for some homework and some of the exams. .
Supplementary Assistance:
1. Computer lessons, workbooks, math tapes and videos, and reading materials are available via
MyMathLab course management system. You will need to purchase an access code.

2. Free tutorial assistance is provided by the Mathematics Department. See Ms. Hairston in Carolina
Hall 148 for tutorial schedule.

3. Your instructor will be available in his/her office during scheduled office hours and by appointment
to assist students with their course work.

EVALUATION

3 Tests @ 15%.....................45%
Weekly Quizzes…………….20%
MyMathLab HW…………..10%
Final Exam………………....25%

Your final course average will be computed as follows:


.15(Test 1) +.15(Test 2) +.15(Test 3) +.2(Quiz Ave) +.1(MML HW) +.25(Final Exam)

Your final grade will be awarded according to the following percentages (course average x 100):
Final Average  Grade
90-100 A
80-89 B
70-79 C
60-69 D
Below 60 F

TENTATIVE TEST DATES:

A student wishing to drop should complete the official procedure before the deadline which is
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 29, 2009 for FALL 2009. Those who simply stop attending class and do not drop
before the deadline will receive an “F”.
Examinations are required and expected to be taken when scheduled. No make-up tests will be
given. If a student misses one exam its weight will be consumed by the final exam. If a student misses more
than one exam, all those after the first missed exam will be recorded with a score of zero. If other campus
responsibilities (such as athletic teams, band trips, etc.) cause you to miss a test, arrangements should be
made by you with the instructor before the in-class test date .

COURSE OUTLINE OF UNITS OF INSTRUCTION


Unit I: Trigonometric Functions and Graphs - Textbook Chapter 5
Students should be able to:
1. Evaluate the trigonometric functions and give the exact value for the “special angles”.
2. Solve right triangles and applied problems using right triangle trigonometry concepts.
3. Verify basic trigonometric identities.
4. Graph trigonometric functions and give their periods and amplitudes.
Unit II: Trigonometric Identities and Conditional Equations - Textbook Chapter 6
Students should be able to:
1. Use identities to simplify expressions in trigonometric functions
2. Prove trigonometric identities
3. Use the sum, difference, double and half angle formulas
4. Evaluate inverse trigonometric functions.
5. Solve trigonometric equations
Unit III: Applications of Trigonometry – Textbook Sections 7.1-7.3, 7.7
Students should be able to:
1. Use the Law of Sines and the Law of Cosines appropriately to solve triangles.
2. Add/Subtract vectors algebraically and graphically.
3. Compute the magnitude, direction, vertical component and horizontal component of a vector.
4. Construct a graph from parametric equations.
5. Convert parametric equations to rectangular coordinate equation and vice versa.
Unit IV: Sequences, Series and Mathematical Induction
Students should be able to:
6. Interpret and use the notation for sequences and infinite sums.
7. Recognize and find the sum of a geometric series.
8. Expand a binomial raised to an rational power.
9. Construct a proof using mathematical induction.

Professional Standards for Teacher Education


NCPTS: North Carolina Professional Teaching Standards
Standard III: Teachers know the content they teach.
• Relate content to other disciplines
TESAS: Teacher Educatioin Specialty Area Standards
Standard 2: Spatial sense, measurement and geometry
High School
• Understand core concepts and principles of Euclidean geometry in the plane and space.
• Understand and apply the use of coordinates in 2- and 3-dimensional geometry and vectors.

Standard 3: Patterns, relationships, and functions


High School
• Understand and move flexibly among algebraic representations (e.g. tables, graphs, or
formulas).
• Use functions to solve problems in calculus

Standard 5: Mathematical process skills


High School
• Judge the reasonableness of numerical computations and their results.
• Judge the meaning, utility, and reasonableness of the results of symbolic manipulations,
including those carried out by technology.
Standard 6: Mathematical tools
High School
• Understand appropriate use of technology (e.g. graphing calculators and computer algebra
systems) to explore algebraic and geometric concepts.

ISTE Standards and Indicators


Standard 2
Indicator 4: Teachers plan for the management of technology resources within the context of learning activities.
Standard 5
Indicator 3: Teachers apply technology to increase productivity.
Standard 6
Indicator 1: Teachers model and teach legal and ethical practice related to technology use.

INTASC Standards
3. Diverse Learners – understands how students differ in their approaches to learning.
4. Multiple Instructional Strategies – understands and uses a variety of instructional strategies.

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