Math 36

Trigonometry

Fall 2016

Professor Bob Prior

 

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Course Menu:

What do you want to know about this course?

 Professor Contact Info

 Important Dates

 The Textbooks

 Calculators

 Student Learning Outcomes

 Topics of Study

 Homework

 Quizzes and Tests

 Final Exam

 Grading

 Classroom Rules

Attendance/Dropping the Course

Student Services

Disabled Student Services

 Learning Resource Center (Math Lab)

 Tutorial Services

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PROFESSOR CONTACT INFORMATION:

e-mail: bob.prior@NorcoCollege.edu
Office Phone:
(951) 372-7035
Office: ATEC 217/212

OFFICE HOURS:

T/Th 9:20-10:20 AM

Wed 9:00-12:00 PM

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Important Dates:

Last day to add the course Friday, September 9
Last day to drop with a refund Sunday, September 11
Last day to drop without a "W" Sunday, September 11
Last day to drop with a "W" Friday, November 18
Thanksgiving Day Thursay, November 24
Final Exam, Tuesday, December 13 AM Class: 11:00 - 1:30 PM

PM Class: 2:00 - 4:30 PM

 

 

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THE TEXT BOOK:

Trigonometry, 3rd Edition, by Robert Prior.

 

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CALCULATORS:

An inexpensive scientific calculator with scientific notation and trig function keys (SIN, COS, TAN) will be required at the end of the semester for Chapters 7 and 8 only. Graphing calculators are okay but will not be allowed on tests that require graphing.

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STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES:

Upon successful completion of the course, students should be able to:

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TOPICS OF STUDY:

The course begins with the elements of geometry important to the foundation of trigonometry. We then study the six trigonometric functions, their inverses and their graphs; identities and proofs related to trigonometric expressions; solving trigonometric equations; solving right triangles; and solving oblique triangles using the law of cosines and the law of sines.

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HOMEWORK:

Homework in a math class is more than just doing practice exercises. It also includes reading the material in the book, handouts, or other resources, including on-line resources such as watching videos. It is expected that a college math student will spend twice as much time outside of class as inside on learning the material. For a class that meets 4 hours per week, this means 8 hours of outside homework per week.

Much of the out-of-class work will be reading. Students will read the assigned textbook sections and come to class prepared to ask questions. Lecture time will be for clarifying what was read; only occasionally will new material be discussed in class.

 

Homework exercises will be assigned on a regular basis, nearly every day. Daily homework assignments will be posted on-line at my website, bobprior.com. (Look for the Math 36 link). It is expected that each homework assignment will be completed before the next class session. At the beginning of each class session, some time will be spent reviewing a few questions. All other homework questions can be discussed at the break or after class.

A single day's homework might be collected at random; no late homework will be accepted, not even for a reduced grade.

Note: If I collect a homework assignment, I will not grade it for accuracy of answers. Instead I look for

(1) completeness: Did you do all of the exercises?

(2) neatness: Is it readable to the instructor or to a classmate?

(3) thoroughness: Did you show all of the required work (steps)?

Homework will be graded on these three criteria.

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QUIZZES AND TESTS:

There will be some quizzes throughout the semester, typically worth 5 - 10 points each.

There will be five or six chapter tests and a final exam. Each test covers one or two chapters. The final exam is comprehensive; it covers material from the whole course.

 

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GRADING:

The following percentages are approximate.

Test 60%
Quizzes/Homework 15%
Final Exam 25%

Really, your percentage is calculated by adding up all the points you get on homework, quizzes, and tests, and dividing that by the number of points possible.

The following grading scale is used to assign grades. Students are encouraged to keep track of their ongoing course percentage.

91.0% - 100% A
81.0% - 90.4%
B
71.0% - 80.4%
C
55.0% - 70.4%
D
00.0% - 54.9%
F

 

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CLASSROOM RULES:

Be respectful of and courteous to classmates. This means being supportive of someone asking a question to which you know the answer. Also, keep conversation to a whisper and “on task.”

Be respectful of and courteous to the professor. This includes not playing with your cell phone (texting, games, music, etc.) or other electronic devises. If you have an earplug in your ear, you will be asked to remove it. This rule also applies to laptop computers, tablet computers, etc. Splitting your attention between an electronic device and the class work is rude and unproductive

Be respectful to yourself. Come to class prepared: (1) be on time, (2) have all materials at hand, including completed homework, and (3) strive to always do your best, asking questions when needed.

 

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ATTENDANCE:

Attendance is required. The instructor reserves the right to drop any student who misses four or more total class sessions or 3 consecutive class sessions. Please be on time! If possible, be early! Any student not returning to class after the break may be counted absent for 1/2 day.

 

DROPPING THE COURSE:

I reserve the right to drop any student missing 3 consecutive class sessions or 4 or more classes total. If you do miss class and intend to remain enrolled, then write to me to let me know why you are absent.

However, don't depend on me to drop you. If you plan to drop the course, you should do so on your own through WebAdvisor or by filling out a drop card. Be aware of the two drop deadlines, shown in the calendar. Also, please e-mail me if this is your intention.

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STUDENT SERVICES:

Please consider the following free services available to all students.

 

DISABLED RESOURCE CENTER (DRC)

If you have a physical, psychiatric/emotional, medical, or learning disability that may impact your ability to carry out assigned course work, I urge you to contact the staff in Disabled Resource Center (DRC) Office (see map). You can find information about contacting them on the campus of your choice by going to their webpage: DRC. All information and documentation is confidential.

 

TUTORIAL SERVICES (one-on-one appointments and drop-in tutoring)

Free one-on-one tutorial help is also available by scheduling an appointment through Norco's Tutorial Services, (951) 372-7143. You may schedule an appointment in person in the Learning Resource Center (LRC), located in the bottom floor of the Library Building (see map).

 

STEM Center (Drop-in tutorial)

The STEM Center offers drop-in tutoring and other services for STEM majors (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) or for any students taking STEM classes, such as MAT-36. The STEM Center is located across the street from JFK High School (at the first stop sign coming into campus, see map). Please visit the STEM Center to find out more about the services they offer to students. Phone: 951-739-7806.

 

Note: Please refer to the official course syllabus (at the top of the Math 36 page) for more information about student services.

 

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