Trig Syllabus Fall 2007 – O’Brien
NORTHWEST ARKANSAS COMMUNITY COLLEGE
COURSE SYLLABUS
Course: MATH 1213 Plane Trigonometry TR 2:30 – 4:00 p.m. Fall 2007 SC 313 Line number: 11410
Instructor: Dr. Teresa O’Brien
Office: SC 349 Work Phone: 479-986-6917 Fax: 479-986-6928 Home Phone: 479-936-7419
E-mail: Website: http://faculty.nwacc.edu/tobrien
Office Hours: MWF: 10:50 a.m. – noon, 1:20 – 2:00 p.m., and by appointment
TTh: 10:30 a.m. – noon, 1:30 – 2:30 p.m., and by appointment
Placement Info: To demonstrate academic preparedness for placement in Trigonometry, all students must verify that
they have met one of the following placement criteria: a grade of “C” or better in College Algebra
(MATH 1204); a score of 24 or higher on the math portion of the ACT; a score of 46 - 100 on the
College Algebra section of the COMPASS; or a score of 0-45 on the Trigonometry section of the
COMPASS.
Course Objectives: Upon completion of this course, you should be able to:
1. Analyze and classify angles, convert between units, use the Arc Length Formula,
and use the relationship between linear and angular speed.
2. Define and find the exact values of the six trigonometric functions.
3. Apply the six trigonometric functions.
4. Graph the six trigonometric functions by hand.
5. Analyze and write equations of simple harmonic motion.
6. Verify and apply trigonometric identities.
7. Solve trigonometric equations.
8. Define, use, and apply inverse trigonometric functions.
9. Define, use, and apply the Law of Sines and Law of Cosines.
10. Perform operations with and apply vectors.
11. Convert complex numbers into trigonometric form & vice versa, perform operations
with complex numbers, and find roots and powers of complex numbers.
12. Convert between rectangular & polar coordinates and graph polar coordinates and
equations.
Required Topics: Chapters 1 – 9, excluding 1.2, 6.4, 8.6
Required Materials: Trigonometry, 8th Ed. Lial, Hornsby, and Schneider. Pearson, Addison Wesley. 2005.
A graphing calculator - preferably a TI-82, TI-83, or TI-84.
TI-89s, TI-92s, and comparable calculators may not be used in Trigonometry.
Note: You can rent a TI-82 for one semester by paying $15 to the cashier and then bringing your
receipt to the Math Department secretary, Jill Witt, in SC 351. You will need 4 AAA batteries.
A folder or 3-ring binder to keep your homework, notes, and other papers neat & organized.
Please bring your textbook, folder, notes, homework, and calculator to class every day.
Additional Resources: Lecture notes, homework assignments, exam reviews, and other resources prepared by
Dr. O’Brien are available online at http://faculty.nwacc.edu/tobrien. Videotapes (content, graphing
calculator, math anxiety, time management) are available for check-out from the NWACC
Library. An interactive tutorial is available at the Learning Lab. Free tutoring is available at the
Math Café (SC 312), at the Learning Lab (BH 1109), and online at
http://www.nwacc.edu/labs/learninglab/online/index.php. Tutoring schedules are posted at
http://faculty.nwacc.edu/llab/LLSched.rtf and http://faculty.nwacc.edu/llab/MCSched.rtf.
Counseling & other support services are available through the Learner Development Center.
Resources available through Addison-Wesley and / or the NWACC bookstore include:
Student’s Solutions Manual, Graphing Calculator Manual, Digital Video Tutor, Additional Skill &
Drill Manual, and MathXL Tutorials on CD. The Addison-Wesley Math
Tutor Center is accessible by telephone, fax, e-mail, and the internet at www.aw-bc.com/tutorcenter.
The InterAct Math Tutorial Web Site is located at www.interactmath.com. If you purchased
MyMathLab, either bundled with your text or separately, you can access a wide variety of
resources by going to http://students.pearsoned.com and using your student access code to enroll in
obrien05791.
Grading: Putting Math in Context (Interview) 10 points
Conference with Dr. O 10 points
Attendance / Participation 20 points
Ten best 14 point homework checks (HC) 140 points
Two 140 point comprehensive exams 280 points
One 140 point comprehensive final exam 140 points
600 points
Note: Please keep a list of your grades and all graded papers in your notebook.
Grade Replacement: You may replace your lowest exam grade OR your HC total grade
with your grade on the final exam.
Grading scale: A = 540-610; B = 480-539; C = 420-479; D = 360-419; F = 0-359
My Expectations: I expect you to bring your notes, homework, textbook, graphing calculator, paper and pencil to
every class; to read the text and work through examples before class; to attend every class for the
full 1 hour and 30 minutes; to actively participate in class; to take notes; to ask and answer
questions; to complete all assigned homework, including cycle-back problems and concept
questions; to study 2 to 3 hours outside of class for every hour you spend in class; to use all the
resources available to you when you need help; to properly prepare for exams by working every
problem on the review sheet and reviewing the text and your notes; and to take responsibility for
your learning by doing all that you can to be successful with this class.
Rights and Every person in this class (whether a student, a teacher, or a visitor) has the right to be treated
Responsibilities: courteously and respectfully. Every person has the right to ask questions or to make comments
without being put down or made to feel stupid. Every person has the right to say I don’t
understand and to ask for help. Every person has the right to feel relaxed and capable and to be
successful. In turn, every person has the responsibility to treat others with kindness,
consideration, and respect and to do his/her assigned tasks diligently and to the best of his/her
ability. I hope you will assist me in creating and maintaining a positive learning / teaching
environment.
Putting Math in Context:
Interview someone who is now doing the job that you would like to have some day. See the
Putting Math in Context handout for details. Due date: Tues Sept 25.
Conference with Dr. O:
At least once during the semester you must meet one-on-one with Dr. O, for at least 15 minutes, to
discuss your progress and any concerns you have regarding the class. This conference must be
completed before the drop deadline which is Friday November 2.
Attendance / Participation:
Regular attendance and participation in class is crucial to your success in this course and as such
is mandatory. Missing class, coming to class late, leaving class early, coming to class unprepared,
and/or not participating in class activities will result in a loss of attendance / participation points.
Homework checks: Homework checks (HC) will require you to turn in problems, as is, from your homework. In general,
you will not be permitted to work the problems in class.
Exams: All exams are comprehensive and each is worth 140 points.
Make-up Policy: No late homework checks will be accepted and no makeup exams will be given. You will be allowed
to drop your lowest 3 homework checks and to replace one missed exam or your HC total with your
grade on the final exam. If you have to miss class on the day of a homework check, you may turn
your homework in early, have someone slide it under my office door, e-mail or fax it to me.
Extra Credit Points: You may earn up to 10 extra credit points by:
• writing an essay on some aspect of math history or an application of math
• writing a review of a math-related article or a section of a math-related book
• writing a review of one of the For All Practical Purposes application videos available for
check-out from the NWACC library
• creating a math-related mobile, poster, or other decoration
• participating in a math-related service learning project
• keeping a math journal about your experiences in this class
• reviewing math-related resources such as tutorials, web-sites, workbooks, etc.
All written projects must be 300 words minimum, typed or neatly printed.
Grading Criteria: Depth; Length; Content; Your Opinion; References; Grammar &
Spelling. All extra credit must be turned in by Tuesday December 4.
Withdrawal If at some point in the semester you are having difficulty and you are thinking about dropping this
Policy: course, I would strongly urge you to see me first. I will do everything that I can to help you. If in
the end you do decide to withdraw, you must fill out the appropriate form from the registrar. Not
attending class is not the same as withdrawing. To officially withdraw and avoid an “F” on your
transcript, you must fill out a drop slip. The deadline for dropping is Friday November 2.
Disability Services: If you are a student with a disability, and if you will be requesting accommodations, it is your
responsibility to contact Amy Robertson-Gann, Coordinator of Disability and VA Services, either
by phone (619-2660) or email () or in person (SC 225).
After you submit the required documentation, Amy will provide you with specific information on
accommodations, services, and related resources. She will also give you a laminated card and a form
indicating what accommodations are appropriate for you. Please bring these to me as soon as you
receive them.
Bad Weather Policy: On days when the weather is bad, you may call the Student Information Line at 619-4377 or visit
the NWACC website at http://www.nwacc.edu to find out if classes are canceled. Announcements
are usually posted by 6 to 6:30 a.m. for day classes and by 3 to 3:30 p.m. for evening classes. If
classes are not canceled, I will be here. If you feel the journey to class could put you in peril, you
will not be penalized if you choose not to attend.
Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act:
NWACC is committed to your right to privacy as outlined in the Family Educational Rights and
Privacy Act (FERPA). This means I can only communicate with you about your grade in person or
via your NWACC e-mail account.
Academic Dishonesty: Plagiarism, cheating, and any other form of academic dishonesty will be dealt with according to the
college policy as stated in the catalog.
Additional Policies: Cell phones, pagers, PDAs, and similar devices should be on silent mode during class.
You should not make calls, receive calls, nor send or receive text messages during class unless
you are on-call for work or you have a family emergency.
You may not use a cell phone or similar device for any purpose during an exam. This is a
departmental policy.
You may not leave the classroom and return during an exam. This is also a departmental policy.
Tentative Schedule
Date Section to be Overviewed HW Assignment HW Check / Deadline
Tues Aug 21 1.1, 1.3 A1
Thurs Aug 23 1.3, 1.4 A2
Tues Aug 28 2.1 A3
Thurs Aug 30 2.2, 2.3 A4 HC 1: A1, A2
Tues Sept 4 2.4, 2.5 A5
Thurs Sept 6 3.1, 3.2 A6 HC 2: A3, A4
Tues Sept 11 3.3 A7
Thurs Sept 13 3.4 A8 HC 3: A5, A6
Tues Sept 18 Catch-up / Review Day
Thurs Sept 20 Exam 1: 1.1, 1.3 – 3.4
Tues Sept 25 4.1, 4.2 A9 Putting Math in Context due
Thurs Sept 27 4.2, 4.3 A10 HC 4: A7, A8
Tues Oct 2 4.3, 4.4 A11
Thurs Oct 4 5.1, 5.2 A12 HC 5: A9, A10
Tues Oct 9 5.3, 5.4 A13
Thurs Oct 11 5.5, 5.6 A14 HC 6: A11, A12
Tues Oct 16 6.1 A15
Thurs Oct 18 6.2, 6.3 A16 HC 7: A13, A14
Tues Oct 23 Catch-up / Review Day
Thurs Oct 25 Exam 2: 1.1, 1.3 – 6.3
Tues Oct 30 7.1 A17 Nov 2 is deadline for meeting with Dr. O.
Thurs Nov 1 7.2, 7.3 A18 HC 8: A15, A16
Tues Nov 6 7.4 A19
Thurs Nov 8 7.5 A20 HC 9: A17, A18
Tues Nov 13 8.1 (self-study), 8.2, 8.3 A21
Thurs Nov 15 8.3, 8.4 A22 HC 10: A19, A20
Tues Nov 20 8.5 A23 HC 11: A21
Thurs Nov 22 Thanksgiving Break NO CLASS
Tues Nov 27 9.1, 9.2 A24
Thurs Nov 29 9.2, 9.3 A25 HC 12: A22, A23
Tues Dec 4 Catch-up/Review Day HC 13: A24
Thurs Dec 12 Final Exam: 1.1, 1.3 – 6.3, 7.1 – 8.5, 9.1 – 9.3 All extra credit is due by Tues Dec 4.
Important Dates:
August 27 Last Day to Drop and Receive 100% Refund.
September 3 Labor Day – No Classes; College Offices Closed.
September 4 Last Day to Drop and receive 80% Refund.
September 4 Last Day to Drop and Not Receive "W" on Transcript.
November 2 Last Day to Withdraw with "W" on Transcript with 0% Refund.
November 2 Last Day to Change Schedule (Withdraw) on the Web with 0% Refund.
November 21-24 Thanksgiving Break for Faculty & Students.
November 22-24 Thanksgiving Break for All Staff - College Offices Closed.
December 5 Last Day of Classes.
December 6-12 Final Exams.
December 14 Grades due to Registrar by 12:00 Noon.
December 18 Grades available to students online.
For the complete Academic Calendar for Fall 2007, go to http://www.nwacc.edu/calendar.php
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