College-Wide Student Learning Outcomes for Course/Program

Outcomes Assessment

Course Program

Check only one of the boxes above. Complete one form for each course or program in your academic area.

Course or Program Name:MA 180, Precalculus

Course or Program Description: (from 2006-2007 Catalog)

An examination of topics from advanced algebra, trigonometry, conics, and functions and applied problems. This course designed to prepare students for MA 181. PREREQUISITES: A grade of C or better in MA 100 or MA 103 and a grade of C or better in MA 105, appropriate score on mathematics assessment test, or consent of department. Assessment levels: EN 101/101A, RD 120. For computation of tuition, this course is equivalent to five semester hours. Five hours lecture each week.

Date Completed:April, 2007

Faculty Workgroup: O. Robert Brown, Nancy Shaw, Ellen Terry

# / Outcome
Topic: Graphing Calculator
A1 / The student will be able to perform the arithmetic and numerical operations customarily found on a scientific calculator. This includes finding powers and logarithms, and the values of trigonometric functions and inverse trigonometric functions.
A2 / Given the formula for a function, the student will be able to evaluate it for a given value of x; construct a table of function values.
A3 / Given the equation of a function, the student will be able to select an appropriate graphing window so as to display the complete graph of the function.
A4 / The student will be able to use features of the graphing calculator to estimate zeros and relative extrema of a function.
A5 / The student will be able to solve non-linear systems graphically.
A6 / The student will be able to produce a parametric graph on a graphing calculator.
Topic: Algebra
B1 / The student will be able to solve inequalities containing quadratic or rational expressions by algebraic or graphic means.
B2 / The student will be able to solve an inequality involving absolute value algebraically and graphically.
B3 / The student will be able to convert second degree equations between the forms
and .
B4 / The student will be able to identify the center-radius equation for a circle and use it in sketching the graph. The student will be able to complete the square to find the center and radius.
Topics: General Properties of Functions and Graphs
C1 / The student will be able to identify a function from a verbal, algebraic, graphical or numerical representation.
C2 / The student will be able to use function, f (x), notation.
C3 / The student will be able to define domain and range. Given a formula,table or graph, the student will be able to determine the domain and range graphically and algebraically.
C4 / The student will be able to add, subtract, multiply and divide functions. The student will be able to calculate and simplify a difference quotient.
C5 / The student will be able to compose and decompose functions.
C6 / The student will be able to apply and interpret the general algebraic and graphic properties of functions and their inverses. Given a function, the student will be able to find its inverse, if it exists, and to graph its inverse.
C7 / The student will be able to identify and graph (without a graphing calculator) these basic functions: linear, square, cubic, reciprocal, square root, cube root, absolute value, exponential, logarithmic, and trigonometric.
C8 / Given the graph of a function, y = f (x), the student will be able to graph the following transformations of y = f (x): vertical stretch/shrink, horizontal stretch/shrink, horizontal shift, vertical shift, reflection across y-axis, reflection across x-axis, and any combination of these. The student will be able to write an equation of the transformed function.
C9 / The student will be able to determine whether or not the graph of a given equation has symmetry about the x-axis, the y-axis, or the origin
C10 / The student will be able to define even and odd functions, test for symmetry algebraically, and identify graphs of even and odd functions.
C11 / The student will understand examples and solve applied problems, including those that apply geometric formulas (distance, perimeter, area, surface area, volume, etc.) as they occur throughout the course.
Topic: Polynomials and Rational Functions
D1 / The student will be able to define a polynomial.
D2 / The student will be able to use algorithms for polynomial division.
D3 / The student will be able to identify and apply the rational zeros, factor and remainder theorems. The student will be able to use a graph and these theorems to find the real zeros of a polynomial.
D4 / The student will be able to describe the general behavior of the graphs of odd-degree and even-degree polynomials.
D5 / The student will be able to determine the end behavior of polynomials, andverify using a graphing calculator.
D6 / The student will be able to determine the end behavior of a rational function,and find any horizontal asymptotes.
D7 / The student will be able to determine the local behavior of a rational function, and find any vertical asymptotes.
D8 / Given the graph of a polynomial function, the student will be able to produce its equation.
Topic: Exponential and Logarithmic Functions
E1 / The student will be able torecognize and write the domain, range and basic graph of exponential and logarithmic functions.
E2 / The student will be able torecognize and utilize the function/inverse relationship between logarithmic and exponential functions. This includes translating a logarithmic statement into an exponential statement, and vice versa.
E3 / The student will be able touse the properties of exponents and logarithms to solve a variety of logarithmic and exponential equations. This includes settingup and solving growth/decay applications.
E4 / The student will be able toidentify and apply the rules for , and .
E5 / The student will be able toidentify and apply the change of base formula. This includes producing the graph of a logarithmic function (any base) on a graphing calculator.
E6 / The student will be able to use a calculator to evaluate , , and .
E7 / Given the graph of an exponential function, the student will be able toproduceits equation.
Topic: Trigonometry
F1 / The student will be able to identify the equation of the unit circle and the unit circle definitions of sine and cosine.
F2 / The student will be able to compute the xy-coordinates of trigonometric points
Where or or multiples in the second, third or fourth quadrants.
F3 / The student will be able todefine the tangent, cotangent, secant and cosecant functions.
F4 / The student will be able to convert an angle or arc in radians to degrees and vice versa.
F5 / The student will be able to identify the Fundamental Trigonometric Identities and apply them in proving other identities and in simplifying expressions.
F6 / The student will be able to identify the sum and difference formulas for sine and cosine, and toapply the double angle and half angle formulas.
F7 / The student will be able to graph the sine, cosine and tangent functions by hand and all six trigonometric functions on a graphing utility. The student will be able to produce a graph of a sine or cosine function that has been transformed by a change in amplitude, period or phase.
F8 / The student will be able to solve a trigonometric equation graphically and algebraically. [Algebraic solutions should include finding both exact and approximate solutions using the calculator.]
F9 / The student will be able to define each of the inverse trigonometric functions,and to identify the domain, range and graph of the inverse sine, inverse cosine and inverse tangent.
F10 / The student will be able to solve oblique and right triangles by using the Law of Sines, the Law of Cosines, and/or right triangle trigonometry.

Please return electronically to . For additional information please contact Ken Weiner or Samantha Veneruso, College-wideOutcomes Assessment Coordinators

Revised 10/06