MAT 166 – PRE-CALCULUS
Fall 2014 Course Syllabus
Description
This course is designed primarily for students continuing into the calculus sequence. This course
examines trigonometric functions and their graphs, identities and equations, and solutions of triangles.
It also contains further study of some algebra topics, which may include conic sections, complex numbers,
sequences and series, polar coordinates and functions, and parametric equations.
Course Competencies
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Illustrate a knowledge of algebraic concepts through algebraic manipulations.
Solve first and second degree equations and inequalities.
Demonstrate a knowledge of the concepts of functions and graphing.
Use analytic geometry techniques in problem solving, including graphing conics using
transformations, rotation of axes in conics, and the polar form of conics.
Illustrate a variety of techniques used to solve linear and non-linear systems of equations.
Demonstrate a knowledge of various topics related to sequences and series.
Demonstrate and understanding of proof by mathematical induction.
Use Trigonometric Functions in conjunction with right triangles including the Law of Sines and the
Law of Cosines.
Use Trigonometric Functions in conjunction with the unit circle.
Use the six trigonometric functions in problem solving.
Demonstrate the ability to graph the six trigonometric functions and their transformations.
Analyze and graph the six inverse trigonometric functions.
Model Harmonic Motion.
Prove trigonometric identities.
Solve trigonometric equations.
Convert between the polar and rectangular systems.
Graph polar equations.
Use DeMoivre’s Theorem and find complex roots.
Analyze and graph parametric equations.
Instructional Philosophy
The instructor believes that mathematics should be related to experience, and that collaboration and
active involvement creates more opportunity for learning. The content, learning resources, assessment
procedures, and grading reflect these beliefs by incorporating a variety of activities in addition to
traditional lecture methods.
Prerequisite
You should have successfully completed the College Algebra course (MAT 121) with a grade of C or better
within the last 2 years or have a placement score of CLM 63-102.
Attendance and Class Participation
We expect you to attend every class session, to arrive on time, and to stay through the end of the class
period. We expect you to think seriously about problems, questions, and concepts presented in class and
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to contribute actively and constructively to class discussion. You are expected to bring your calculator to
every class session and be ready and willing to use it. You are expected to recognize when you need help
and to ask questions. You MUST BE PRESENT to receive credit for any graded classroom activity, for
example: group projects, class discussions, quizzes, etc.
Calculator
A graphing calculator is required for this course. The Texas Instruments TI-83 and TI-84 PLUS are
recommended for this course. Cell phones may not be used as calculators.
Group Activities
Learning mathematics is best achieved by doing mathematics. Some concepts of the book will be taught
or enhanced by in-class group activities. These activities allow you to actively apply mathematical
concepts and communicate these concepts to your peers. Missed group activities CANNOT be made up
for any reason.
Writing Assignments
The ability to communicate mathematically is an important objective of this course. Writing assignments
will be assigned throughout the course.
Homework/Quizzes
One of the best methods for learning mathematics is practice. Therefore, you should make a concerted
effort to complete all the assigned exercises and understand each of the concepts that these exercises
illustrate. Quizzes may be given covering assigned material and selected homework may be collected.
Missed quizzes CANNOT be made up for any reason.
Study Time
For a college course, you should expect to spend two hours studying outside of class for each hour of
class. This “two hour rule” is a reasonable rule of thumb for students who have a good command of the
prerequisite skills and who use effective study strategies. Students who need to improve their
prerequisite skills or who have not learned study strategies will simply need to spend more time
studying than that specified by the “two hour rule”.
Tests
There will be four 85-minute in-class tests designed to evaluate your understanding of the material.
Make-up tests will be given only at the instructor's discretion. You must contact the instructor prior to
the absence, except in the case of an extreme emergency.
Textbooks
Pre-calculus, 6th ed. by Stewart (Required) ISBN 9780840068071; Student Study Guide (Optional) ISBN
9780840069170
Course Change
You may change to another section of MAT 166 or to a lower level ONLY if there are seats available and
before the end of the 2nd day of the semester.
Final Exam
The final exam will be comprehensive and include key concepts and techniques learned throughout this
course. The final exam will ONLY be given at the scheduled time. This is an 85 minute exam.
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Extra Credit
No extra credit assignments will be given. It is to the students’ advantage to spend any extra time in
careful study of the required course material. Since math courses are sequential it is vital that all required
concepts be mastered for a passing grade.
Grading Scale
Group Activities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5%
Writing Assignments . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5%
Homework/Quizzes . . . . . . . . . . . . 10%
Four Tests . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .60%
Final Exam . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20%
90 - 100 . . . . . . . A
80 - 89 . . . . . . . . B
70 - 79 . . . . . . . . C
60 - 69 . . . . . . . . D
00 - 59 . . . . . . . . F
Recording Lectures
Except where a student is entitled to make an audio or video recording of class lectures and discussions as an
educational accommodation determined through the student’s interactive process with college disability
services, a student may not record lectures or classroom discussions unless written permission from the class
instructor has been obtained and all students in the class as well as guest speakers have been informed that
audio/video recording may occur.
A student granted permission to record may use the recording only for his or her own study and may not publish
or post the recording on YouTube or any other medium or venue without the instructor’s explicit written
authorization.
Math Help Center
You can receive FREE help for this course in the Math Help Center which is located in Blanca Peak 102 D.
Hours of operation and additional help center locations are posted on the bulletin boards in the back of
your class room.
Academic Honesty
Refer to the student code of conduct in the Student Handbook and Planner
http://web1.frontrange.edu/catalog/5994.htm
Academic Misconduct
Behavior violating a student’s rights and freedoms includes but is not limited to:
a. Fraudulent representation of student work
b. Copying the work of another student
c. Unapproved use of electronic devices, calculator programs, notes, or information
d. Communication of any kind between students during an exam
e. Helping someone else violate standards of academic behavior
This behavior will call for disciplinary action at the discretion of the instructor. The instructor may give a
zero on any assignment or exam where a violation has occurred. A report of the incident will be filed in
the office of the Dean of Student Services. Repeated offenses may result in a failing course grade and/or
dismissal from the college.
Cell Phones
Non-emergency use of cell phones is prohibited in class. Cell phones should be set to “vibrate” mode for
reverse 911 calls.
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Important Dates
Last day to drop a class and receive a refund (Census Date) for 15-week courses………September 2, 2014
Last day to withdraw and receive a “W” for 15-week courses…………………………………..November 15, 2014
No Registrations after the Census (Drop) date will be allowed.
NOTE: You must use your ONLINE account to complete an official “drop” or “withdraw”.
Policy on Non-Attendance
Any student who does not attend a class by August 25th will be dropped from that class on August 26th. If
a student is dropped for non-attendance, and wishes to re-enroll in a course, he or she must go through
the late add appeal process, which includes securing the signatures of the Course Instructor, the
Instructional Dean, and the Campus Vice President. Course re-enrollment is at the discretion of the
instructor, and it is unlikely that a student will be re-enrolled in a course which they have not attended.
Financial Aid Recipients
The following actions have implications for financial aid recipients: non-attendance, dropping courses,
withdrawing from courses, repeating courses, academic progress, and the number of credit hours
attempted and completed. You are strongly encouraged to seek financial aid advising throughout the
term if you have any questions about eligibility implications.
Disability Support Services: Students with a disability are encouraged to contact the learning resources
and support programs on each campus to arrange accommodations and support services. The link to these
programs is http://www.frontrange.edu/Current-Students/Learning-Resources-and-Support -Programs/.
Students of Concern
Front Range Community College provides faculty, staff, and students a resource to report their concern about
any member of the FRCC community. If you are concerned about yourself or someone else, please go to
www.frontrange.edu/care and report.
NOTE: All students must activate their new FRCC student email accounts. Please see instructions located
on the Front Range Community College Website: FRCC Website: http://frontrange.edu
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Fall 2014 Course Outline
Pre-Calculus
MAT 166-601
Instructor: Alan Dinwiddie
E-mail: Alan.Dinwiddie@frontrange.edu
MWF 11:10 -12:35PM
Room: CP 224
Office: CP216 PHONE: 204-8163
Fax: (970)204-8486
Office Hours: MWF 1:00-2:00pm
TR 10:30-11:30am
Tentative Course Outline
Refer to the specific section in your textbook for the lesson objectives to be assessed.
MONDAY
WEDNESDAY
FRIDAY
8/18
Syllabus, Review
8/20
Pre-requisite Quiz
Section 6.1
8/22
Section 6.2
8/25
Sections 6.2, 6.3
8/27
Section 6.3
8/29
Section 6.4
9/1
NO CLASS
9/3
Section 6.5
9/5
Section 6.6
9/8
Section 5.1
9/10
Section 5.2
9/12
Review
9/15
TEST 1
9/17
Section 5.3
9/19
Section 5.4
9/22
Section 5.5
9/24
Sections 5.6, 5.3
9/26
Section 7.1
9/29
Section 7.2
10/1
Section 7.3
10/3
Sections 7.3, 7.4
10/6
Section 7.4
10/8
Section 7.5
10/10
Review
10/13
TEST 2
10/15 Section 8.1
10/17
Sections 8.1, 8.2
10/20
Section 8.2
10/22 Section 11.4
10/24
Section 10.8
10/27
Section 11.6
10/29 Sections 11.6, 8.4
10/31
Section 8.4
11/3
Review
11/5
11/7
Sections 3.5, 8.3
11/10
Section 8.3
11/12 Section 12.1
11/14
Section 12.2
11/17
Section 12.3
11/19 Section 12.5
11/21
Activity on Complex
Numbers
TEST 3
Thanksgiving Break 11/24 to 11/28
12/1
Review
12/8
FINAL EXAM
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12/3
TEST 4
12/5
Review
Fall 2014 Course Outline
Pre-Calculus
MAT 166-602
Instructor: Alan Dinwiddie
E-mail: Alan.Dinwiddie@frontrange.edu
MWF 02:20-03:45 PM
Room: CP 224
Office: CP216 PHONE: 204-8163
Fax: (970)204-8486
Office Hours: MWF 1:00-2:00pm
TR 10:30-11:30am
Tentative Course Outline
Refer to the specific section in your textbook for the lesson objectives to be assessed.
MONDAY
WEDNESDAY
FRIDAY
8/18
Syllabus, Review
8/20
Pre-requisite Quiz
Section 6.1
8/22
Section 6.2
8/25
Sections 6.2, 6.3
8/27
Section 6.3
8/29
Section 6.4
9/1
NO CLASS
9/3
Section 6.5
9/5
Section 6.6
9/8
Section 5.1
9/10
Section 5.2
9/12
Review
9/15
TEST 1
9/17
Section 5.3
9/19
Section 5.4
9/22
Section 5.5
9/24
Sections 5.6, 5.3
9/26
Section 7.1
9/29
Section 7.2
10/1
Section 7.3
10/3
Sections 7.3, 7.4
10/6
Section 7.4
10/8
Section 7.5
10/10
Review
10/13
TEST 2
10/15 Section 8.1
10/17
Sections 8.1, 8.2
10/20
Section 8.2
10/22 Section 11.4
10/24
Section 10.8
10/27
Section 11.6
10/29 Sections 11.6, 8.4
10/31
Section 8.4
11/3
Review
11/5
11/7
Sections 3.5, 8.3
11/10
Section 8.3
11/12 Section 12.1
11/14
Section 12.2
11/17
Section 12.3
11/19 Section 12.5
11/21
Activity on Complex
Numbers
TEST 3
Thanksgiving Break 11/24 to 11/28
12/1
Review
12/8
FINAL EXAM
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12/3
TEST 4
12/5
Review