MATH 117 – 35366 3 credit hours Trigonometry M W F 12:40 – 1:35 Fall 2010 COHH 3119 Prerequisite Enrollment in the Gatton Academy of Mathematics and Science. Professor Dr. David K. Neal COHH 4136 745-6213 [email protected] Office Hrs MWF 11:40 – 12:35; TR 12:00 – 1:30 Text Save your money. No text is required. Course notes will be provided in pdf format at http://people.wku.edu/david.neal/117/ Course Description Gen. Ed. Disclaimer MATH 117 is an introduction to the theory and application of trigonometry. Topics include unit circle and right triangle trig, trigonometric functions and graphs, laws of sines and cosines, angular velocity and orbital motion, projectile motion, vectors, and various applications. This section of MATH 117 is designated for students in the Gatton Academy. In addition to the standard trig material, there will be special homework assignments throughout the semester. The course does not count as credit toward a math major or minor, but it does satisfy the General Education Math requirement in Category D–II. Together, MATH 116 and 117 are equivalent to MATH 118. The General Education goal of this course is to provide students with the ability to understand and apply mathematical skills and concepts. After completing MATH 117, students should be able to use fundamental mathematical reasoning principles; use graphical, symbolic, and numeric methods to solve practical problems; and interpret information presented in tables or graphical displays. Calculator A scientific calculator with the standard trig functions will be needed. No graphing calculators will be allowed on tests. Homework Some routine exercises will be assigned for practice, but these will not be graded. There will be other Academy assignments that are to be turned in for a grade and on which students are expected to do their own work. Plagiarism and allowing plagiarism are not allowed and will result in a grade of 0 for the assignment. A repeat offense will result in the offending students being dismissed from the class. All homework to be turned in should be neat and properly written in a formal mathematical style. Complete sentences of explanation are required. Do not simply write an equation; you must explain what the equation is giving and/or why it is being used. Moreover, all equations must be properly aligned with no scratch outs. Late homework will not be accepted for credit. A few computer assignments with Mathematica simulations and exercises will also be assigned. Files will be provided for download online and should be turned in by email.Attendance Policy Registration in this course obligates you to be regular and punctual in class attendance. Therefore, every student is expected to attend every class. If you miss a class, then you must provide a legitimate, documented, written excuse upon returning to class in order for the absence to be excused. If you accrue two unexcused absences, then you will automatically receive an F in this course if you do not withdraw on your own. Please be aware that a note stating that you visited Student Health Services does not guarantee an excused absence unless it specifically states that you had a serious ailment that prevented you from attending class such as a heart attack, stroke, burst appendix, broken femur, seizure, coma, spontaneous combustion, etc. Tests Each test will be based on class lectures and distributed study sheets. A practice test with solutions will be provided about a week and a half in advance of each test. The tests will be closed-book with no formula sheets allowed. A certain portion of each test may be so that no calculators are allowed. Test Dates Test 1: Mon Sep 20 Test 2: Wed Oct 13 Test 3: Wed Nov 3 Test 4: Mon Nov 22 Final Exam: Tuesday Dec 14 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM. On test days, the classroom is a testing zone. Do not bring any open notes into the classroom. If you do so, then you will be asked to leave and you will not be given a test. Do not at any time look at or use your cell phone in the classroom. If you do so, then you will be asked to leave and your test will not be graded. Make-Up Policy Students are expected to take all tests in class on the days that they are scheduled. No rescheduling will occur. All requests for taking tests at other times will be denied. Your desire to attend another event will not be cause for me to give you a make-up because this class takes priority over all other events scheduled at this time including travel to or from other activities. If you desire to attend another event, then you should cancel, re-schedule, or request to be excused from that event so that you can take your scheduled exam. Make-ups exams will be given only to students who miss due to a documented physical ailment, such as those described in the Attendance Policy, or due to some other documented calamity such as an earthquake, tornado, abduction by Aliens, being stranded on a desert island after a three-hour tour, etc. But the make-up will have to be scheduled at my convenience due to the time required for me to draft a new exam and due to the block of time required of me to proctor a make-up.Grading Policy In order to receive a passing grade for this class, you must demonstrate that you have learned the material and that you have learned it well. The grades will be weighted as follows: Assignments: 20% Four Tests: 16% each Final Exam: 16% If you score below 75% on any test or on your overall assignment average, then you will automatically receive an F. Otherwise, grades will be determined as follows: A: Average ≥ 95% B: 87.5% ≤ Avg < 95% C: 80% ≤ Avg < 87.5% F: Avg < 80% Curves to this grading scale will be reserved solely for students who have zero unexcused absences. Withdrawal Date October 20, 2010 is the last day to withdraw from the course with a grade of W or to change enrollment from credit to audit. Mathematics Tutor Lab For free extra help in the class, tutors are available in the Math Lab in COHH and in the Student Learning Center. Please check at these facilities for the specific times and availability of tutors.