Spring 2011
MA 112
Trigonometry
3 Credit Hours
Textbook
College Trigonometry, 6th ed.
Aufmann, Barker and Nation, Houghton-Mifflin
Division of Mathematics and Applied Science
Instructor: Mark Whisler
The learning outcomes and competencies detailed in this syllabus meet, or exceed, the learning outcomes and
competencies specified by the Kansas Core Outcomes Project for this course, as sanctioned by the Kansas
Board of Regents.
Trigonometry
Spring 2011
Course Number:
MA 112
Time & Day: 9:00 A.M. – 9:55 A.M., Monday, Wednesday & Friday
Location:
Room 207
Instructor:
Mark Whisler
Office:
F17, across from Rm. 222 in the yellow pod
Phone: 243-1435, x221 (work) or 243-2841 (home)
Email:
mwhisler@cloud.edu
Required Materials: The text, College Trigonometry, 6th edition, Aufmann, Barker and Nation, Houghton
Mifflin, 2008 and a scientific calculator that does not have a Computer Algebra System built in.
Office Hours:
10:00 – 10:55, MWF; 1:00 – 1:55 MWF; 3:00 – 4:00, MWF; 9:30 – 11:00 T - Th;
2:00 – 4:00 T –Th Or by appointment. If my door is open and I’m not with someone else, feel free to drop in as
well. If I’m not in my office, I often will leave a note on my door saying where I may be found.
Advisement Center: Not applicable
COURSE DESCRIPTION: This course is a study of trigonometric functions and their applications, solutions
to right and oblique triangles, trigonometric identities, inverse trigonometric functions, graphs of trigonometric
functions, and vectors.
PREREQUISITE: MA 111, College Algebra, with a grade of C or better.
SEQUENCING:
This course is normally offered only spring semesters. It may be offered during summer sessions at an
instructors’ discretion.
METHOD OF EVALUATION/GRADING: Grading is on a standard scale, so if you maintain an average of
90 or better, you will get an A in the course, between 80 and 90 is a guaranteed B, and so forth. My decision in
borderline cases hinges mainly upon the distribution of grades in the particular range, but also upon other
factors (class participation, attendance, general attitude, etc.).
Your grade will be determined in the following manner. I will find your average grade (in percentage
form) for each portion of the class (homework, in-class work and tests). I will then multiply these average
scores by the following weights:
Homework
10%
In-class work
20%
3 Tests
40%
Final Exam
20%
Classroom points 10%
TEACHING METHODS:
Most of the time in class you will be working either on your own or perhaps in pairs. The motto for this class
will be “You learn math by doing math.” I will work with you individually or in small groups as you need help.
If most of the class is at the same place and having the same difficulty I may lecture for a short time, but this
will not be a traditional lecture-style class.
ASSIGNMENT POLICY:
Homework
 I will give out homework assignments on an occasional basis, to help you review material and keep it fresh
in your mind. Please pay attention to when homework is due; the system will not accept late homework. If
you believe you have a special situation you may ask me for an extension, but I will not give these out
automatically.
 You may work together on these assignments if you wish (in fact I recommend it, as long as everybody is
contributing). Talking about the material with other people, including me, is often very useful.
 Homework may be submitted at any time before the due date, assuming it’s available.
In-class work
 Quizzes will only be available for a certain length of time, so you have to keep moving and you can’t skip
over any sections for very long. Any quizzes not attempted by 5 PM on the last day of class, Friday, May. 6,
will receive a grade of 0.
COURSE POLICIES
ACADEMIC INTEGRITY
It is imperative that each student does his/her own work. The following policy will apply to all students in
class.
Infractions of academic integrity (honesty) shall include:
 Using another student’s work without giving the student credit for the work. In other words, taking
someone else’s file and placing your name on it and claiming it is yours, using another student’s quiz, or
help on a quiz/exam.
 Giving another student your file(s) knowing that he/she intends to turn it in as his/her own creation,
giving another student your quiz, or help on a quiz/exam.
It is not an infraction of the policy to help another student understand how to do an assignment if he/she does
the work himself/herself with your assistance.
Cheating:
“Cheating means getting unauthorized help on an assignment, quiz or examination.”
1. You must not receive from any other students or give to any other students any information, answers, or
help during an exam.
2. You must not use unauthorized sources for answers during an exam. You must not take notes or books
to the exam when such aids are forbidden, and you must not refer to any book or notes while you are
taking the exam unless the instructor indicates it is an “open book” exam.
3. You must not obtain exam questions illegally before an exam or tamper with an exam after it has been
corrected.
Materials taken from “Academic Dishonesty in Our Classrooms.” Instructional Exchange, 1990, 2 (2), 1-4 (Newsletter available from the Office of
University Assessment and Intellectual Skills Program, Western Michigan University)
Plagiarism:
“Plagiarism” means submitting work as your own that is someone else’s. For example, copying material from a
book, the Internet, or another source without acknowledging that the words or ideas are someone else’s and not
your own is plagiarism. If you copy an author’s words exactly, treat the passage as a direct quotation and
supply the appropriate citation. If you use someone else’s ideas, even if you paraphrase the wording,
appropriate credit should be given. You have committed plagiarism if you purchase a term paper or submit a
paper as your own that you did not write.
PENALTIES FOR INFRACTIONS:
If I catch you cheating on a quiz or test, here is what I will do. The first incident will get you a 0 on the quiz, or
test. If there is a second incident, I will give you an F for the class.
ATTENDANCE POLICY:
Attendance is highly suggested! It will be difficult for you to have a good experience in this class if you don't
attend regularly. I will take attendance on a regular basis. I avoid scheduling appointments during classes, and
so should you. Also see the Classroom Points section below.
CONDUCT:
Mature behavior is expected. Please respect others by turning off pagers, cell phones, and other electronic
devices, and by being on time for class. Please dress appropriately for being in public. Getting involved in the
class will help make your experience better.
TESTS:
We will have 3 tests, given after you finish quizzes from chapter 1 and up through section 2.5 in chapter 2, after
you finish quizzes from the rest of chapter 2 and all of chapter 3, and after you finish quizzes from chapters 4
and 5. Tests will be like quizzes in terms of format; there will be a variety of questions. The final exam will be a
comprehensive 30 question multiple-choice exam. The date for the final exam has not yet been set.
EXAMINATION POLICY:
You must take exams either during class time or some arranged time when I can be present. Exams not taken by
the last day of classes, Friday, May 6, will receive a grade of 0.
CLASSROOM POINTS:
You start with 5 points per class. You lose all 5 points if you miss class, unless you have a valid reason, such as
an activity or field trip, in which case that class does not count. You lose all 5 points if I catch you at a website
other than the one for this class, unless it’s for a class purpose or to listen to music while you work. You will
lose three points for being late, which means you arrive after I start class, which is when I close the door. You
lose three points if you leave before 12:45 without a valid reason. If I have to say something about your
behavior or stop class because you’re creating a distraction, you lose three points. If your cellphone or IM
device rings during class, you lose three points. If you do not prepare for class, you will lose two points. By not
preparing for class, I mean that you come without your book and/or calculator.You can’t have a negative
number of points, either for a day or for the semester. At the end of the semester I will take the ratio of the
number of points you have earned to the total number of possible points. I reserve the right to add conditions
under which you may lose one or more points.
INSTRUCTOR ASSISTANCE:
As your instructor, I should be your main resource. I am here to help you! Please don’t wait if you’re having
difficulty with material. Speak up in class or come see me in my office.
TUTOR ASSISTANCE:
There may be peer tutors available in the Learning Skills Center; check for availability and schedule. There are
also web resources available for tutoring; just google “math tutoring” or something similar.
INCOMPLETE POLICY:
Students will not be given an incomplete grade in the course without sound reason and documented as described
in the Student Handbook. The incomplete must be made up with the instructor assigning the incomplete and
must be completed the semester immediately following the semester in which the class was taken. Refer to the
Student Handbook for a complete explanation.
ACADEMIC COMPLAINTS:
Cloud County Community College has an Academic Due Process Policy to address any student academic
complaints. For any unresolved complaints, the policy can be obtained from the Academic Affairs Office.
GENERAL EDUCATION GOALS:
Not applicable
CORE COMPETENCIES:
These are agreed upon at the state level, so that whereever you take this class at a public institution in this state,
you should study these topics at a minimum.
A. Use functional notation to evaluate and manipulate functions.
B. Demonstrate an understanding of the concepts of function composition and inverse functions by
finding and using composite and inverse functions.
C. Be able to work with trigonometric functions of any angle.
D. Demonstrate a knowledge of graphs of trigonometric functions, and be able to use
transformations (rigid and non-rigid) to describe the graph of a trigonometric function.
E. Verify various types of trigonometric identities, including sum, difference, cofunction, double,
and half-angle identities.
F. Demonstrate a knowledge of inverse trigonometric functions, their relation to the associated
trigonometric function.
G. Solve equations involving trigonometric functions.
H. Use trigonometric functions in applications, including the Law of Sines, Law of Cosines, and
vectors.
I. Understand and be able to use the trigonometric representation of a complex number.
J. Use DeMoivre’s Theorem to find the roots of a complex number.
COURSE OUTCOMES:
Students who complete this course, Trigonometry, at Cloud County Community College, will be assessed on
the following outcomes:
1. Understand and use trigonometric functions in various situations and applications.
2. Solve various types of triangles.
3. Analyze graphs of trigonometric functions.
4. Derive and verify trigonometric identities of various types.
5. Solve trigonometric equations.
6. Use inverse trigonometric functions in basic situations.
ASSESSMENT OF COURSE OUTCOMES:
Student learning is assessed every semester based on course outcomes. Each instructor measures student
performance on all course outcomes for each course section every semester. The instructor fills out an
electronic form, which populates a database. This information is reviewed by the Assessment Coordinator and
the Student Learning Outcomes Assessment Team. It is due to be completed by February 15th for the fall
semester and June 15th for the spring semester.
PROGRAM OUTCOMES:
1. Prepare students for future courses and for the mathematical requirements encountered in other disciplines
and future careers.
2. Define arithmetic, algebraic, geometric, spatial and statistical concepts.
3. Calculate arithmetic, algebraic, geometric, spatial and statistical quantities using appropriate technology.
4. Estimate arithmetic, algebraic, geometric, spatial and statistical quantities.
5. Simplify and/or solve arithmetic, algebraic, geometric, spatial and statistical expressions, equations and
problems using appropriate technology.
6. Represent mathematical information numerically, symbolically, graphically and verbally using appropriate
technology.
7. Develop mathematical and statistical models such as formulas, functions, graphs and tables using appropriate
technology.
8. Interpret mathematical and statistical models such as formulas, functions, graphs and tables using appropriate
technology.
ASSESSMENT OF PROGRAM OUTCOMES:
Student learning is also assessed each semester based on program outcomes. Program outcomes
accomplishment is measured through performance on course outcomes. Each program uses a matrix to match
course outcomes of individual courses to overarching program outcomes. The program outcomes are calculated
as an average of all the relevant course outcomes. This information is processed after each semester and then
immediately reviewed by the Assessment Coordinator and the Student Learning Outcomes Assessment Team.
ACCOMMODATION FOR DISABILITY:
If you need academic adjustments for any type of disability, contact the Director of Advisement and
Counseling, located in the Advisement Center.
INCLEMENT WEATHER POLICY:
In case of extremely severe weather, the college may close. The following radio and TV stations will be
notified:
KNCK
1390 AM
Concordia
KCLY
100.9 FM
Clay Center
KREP
92.1 FM
Belleville
KHCD
89.5 FM
Hutchinson
KVSV
1190 AM
Beloit
KSAL
1150 AM
Salina
WIBW (TV) Chan. 13
Topeka
KWCH (TV) Chan. 12
Wichita
KOLN (TV) Chan. 10
Lincoln, NE
Notification will also be placed on the internet at www.cancellations.com. A text message will also be sent out
on the Emergency Text Messaging System for the students who have signed up for it.
Students should call the switchboard at 800-729-5101 or 785-243-1435 if they are unable to attend class due to
hazardous conditions. Night class and off campus class cancellations are left to the discretion of the instructor.
EMERGENCY NOTIFICATION PROCEDURE:
When alarms are sounded or crisis conditions arise, you will be instructed to move to a designated safe area or
to remain in the classroom until the crisis has passed. If you are informed to leave the room, take as many of
your personal belongings as time permits. Cell phones and other electronic devices are only to be used once
you arrive in the safe area outside the building. Students requiring special assistance will be the responsibility
of the instructor or staff person.
Systems of alert for tornado or bomb threat: PA system, phone, or staff interruption of class. In case of fire, the
alarm will sound.
If directed to leave the building, evacuate to the soccer field unless an alternate safe location has been
designated.