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PRECALCULUS
MAT 187
COURSE SYLLABUS
Fall 2022
Paradise Valley Community College

18401 N. 32nd St.
Phoenix, AZ. 85032
INSTRUCTOR: Stephen J. Nicoloff, Ed.D.
e-mail: [email protected]
web page: http://www2.pvc.maricopa.edu/~nicoloff
Phone: 602-787-6676
Office Hours: M-R 12:30 - 1:45 PM
Friday By Appointment
Office: Building Q, Room 254
TEXT and REQUIRED MATERIALS:
 

Precalculus, 2nd Edition by Open Stax
MOER
MATERIALS & OTHER RESOURCES:
 

Texas Instruments TI-83, or TI-84 or suitable Graphing Calculator, (TI-Nspire, TI-89 and TI-92, Casio fx-CG500 PRIZM (or any calculator with a CAS) are not allowed)

Q Building Math Center Testing and Tutoring Hours
Monday and Wednesday 7:00 AM – 3 PM
Tuesday and Thursday 7:00 AM – 6 PM, Closed Friday

Learning Success Center (LSC) Building E, Room 180 (Drop-in and individual Tutoring)
Website: https://www.paradisevalley.edu/students/learning-success-center
Monday - Thursday 8:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Friday 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Khan Academy
Just Math Tutorials
Math is Power 4 U
COURSE NUMBER & FORMAT:
  MAT 187 Face-to-Face
CLASS TIMES:
  MW 8:00 AM - 10:15 AM
CLASS TITLE
  PRECALCULUS
CLASS NUMBER:
  35348
CREDIT HOURS:
  5 CREDIT HOURS
INSTRUCTOR TELEPHONE:
  602-787-6676
INSTRUCTOR E-MAIL:
  [email protected]
MATH DIVISION EMAIL:
  [email protected]
OFFICE HOURS & LOCATION:
  M-R 12:30 - 1:45 PM in Q254
FINAL EXAM TIME:
  Dec 12, 2022 7:30 AM
TEXTBOOK:
  College Algebra and Trigonometry
AUTHOR:
  Open Stax
EDITION:
  2nd Edition
PUBLISHER:
  OER
ISBN
  NONE
INSTRUCTIONAL HOURS & MINIMUM COURSEWORK EXPECTATIONS:
  4 hours and 10 minutes/week in class and 8 hours and 20 minutes/week outside of class
THIRD PARTY LEARNING TOOL:
  MOER
STUDENT MARICOPA E-MAIL POLICY:
  Your [email protected] e-mail account is the official form of communication. You are responsible for reading college messages and responding accordingly.
DRS Syllabus Statement:
 

Classroom Accommodations for Students with Disabilities

In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Maricopa County Community College District (MCCCD) and its associated colleges are committed to providing equitable access to learning opportunities to students with documented disabilities (e.g. mental health, attentional, learning, chronic health, sensory, or physical). Each class/term/semester that a student is in need of academic adjustments/accommodations, the qualified student is required to work with the Disability Resources & Services Office (DRS) at their individual college(s). Contact with the DRS should be made as soon as possible to ensure academic needs are met in a reasonable time. New and returning students must request accommodations each semester through DRS Connect online services. To learn more about this easy process, please contact your local DRS office.

 If you have not yet established services through DRS, but have a temporary health condition or permanent disability that requires accommodations, you are welcome to contact DRS by using the information listed on the following webpage: https://district.maricopa.edu/consumer-information/disability-resources/contacts.  The DRS offers resources and coordinates reasonable accommodations for students with disabilities and/or temporary health conditions qualifying for accommodations/academic adjustments.  Reasonable accommodations are established through an interactive process between you, your faculty, and DRS; and only those academic adjustments/reasonable accommodations granted by the DRS are recognized by the college and District.  It is the policy and practice of the MCCCD to create inclusive and accessible learning environments consistent with federal and state law.

 
Title IX Syllabus Statement:  
 

Addressing Incidents of Sexual Harassment/Assault, Dating/Domestic Violence, and Stalking

In accordance with Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, MCCCD prohibits unlawful sex discrimination against any participant in its education programs or activities. The District also prohibits sexual harassment—including sexual violence—committed by or against students, District employees, and visitors to campus. As outlined in District policy, sexual harassment, dating violence, domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking are considered forms of "Sexual Misconduct" prohibited by District policy.

 District policy requires all college and District employees in a teaching, managerial, or supervisory role to report all incidents of Sexual Misconduct that come to their attention in any way, including but not limited to face-to-face conversations, a written class assignment or paper, class discussion, email, text, or social media post. Incidents of Sexual Misconduct should be reported to the college Title IX Coordinator. MCCCD will provide on its Title IX Coordinators web page, a link to all the Title IX Coordinators in the district.  Reports may also be reported at:https://district.maricopa.edu/consumer-information/reporting.

 
HOW CAN I SET MYSELF UP FOR SUCCESS IN THIS COURSE?
 
  • Manage your time efficiently!  It is NOT advised to schedule all 5+ hours of the required time for this class in only 1-2 days a week.  We are typically covering multiple sections per week. 
  • Ask questions & attend office hours if needed
  • Visit the free tutoring centers virtually
  • Stay on schedule!
  • Revisit the video lessons, answer keys for notes, textbook, etc. for further clarification
  • Use your tests and quizzes to review for the next test or quiz
  • Manage your time efficiently!!
STUDENT CODE OF CONDUCT
  Make note of the district and college policy on the student code of conduct located here: Maricopa County Community College District Student Code of Conduct.

Students engaging in the following are subject to disciplinary sanctions outlined in the PVCC Catalog, Student Policies Section

  • Acts of Dishonesty; examples include:
    • Plagiarism
    • Furnishing false information
    • Falsifying records related to coursework
    • Forgery, alteration, misuse of any college document
    • Tampering with the election of any college-recognized official
  • Disruption or obstruction of teaching, research, administration, disciplinary proceedings, or college activities.  An instructor can remove a student from class for disciplinary reasons.
  • Physical abuse, verbal abuse, threats, intimidation, harassment, coercion and/or conduct that threatens the health or safety of any person.
  • Attempted or actual theft
  • Failure to comply with direction of college officials or law enforcement officers
  • Unauthorized possession, duplication or use of keys to any college premises
  • Violation of federal, state, or local laws on college campus or at college sponsored activities
  • Use, possession or distribution of narcotics or other controlled substances
  • Use, possession, or distribution of alcoholic beverages, or public intoxication
  • Illegal or unauthorized possession of firearms, explosives, weapons, or dangerous chemicals
  • Participation in a college demonstration that disrupts the normal operations of the college
  • Obstruction of the free flow of pedestrian or vehicular traffic on college premises
  • Conduct which is disorderly, lewd or indecent
  • Theft or other abuse of computer time
  • Abuse of the judicial system
THE HONORS PROGRAM:
 
  • The PVCC Honors Program challenges students with a GPA of 3.25 or higher while supporting them with scholarships. The program offers unlimited scholarships up to $1,290 per semester to eligible students.
  • Program benefits include smaller classes, enriching academic opportunities, trips, and social events, as well as transcript recognition.
  • To find out if you are eligible, please visit the Honors Office in K101, email [email protected], and our website https://www.paradisevalley.edu/students/honors
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
  Description: Topics in algebra and trigonometry in preparation for calculus.
Requisites: Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in MAT 15+, OR an appropriate district placement.
Course Notes: Students may receive credit for only one of the following: MAT182 OR MAT187.
COURSE COMPETENCIES: Upon Successful completion of this course, you will have mastered the following basic competencies:
 
  • Demonstrate conceptual understanding of asymptotes, continuity, end-behavior, rates of change of polynomial, absolute value, rational, radical, exponential, logarithmic, logistic, power, composite, and piecewise functions and complex roots of polynomial functions in preparation for Calculus.
  • Determine the length of an arc, area of a sector, and linear and angular velocity.
  • Use the unit circle to determine angle and reference angle measures in radians and degrees and convert between them.
  • Determine triangle measurements using trigonometric ratios and law of sines and law of cosines.
  • Analyze (graphically, numerically, algebraically, and verbally) the trigonometric functions and their inverses.
  • Use inverse trigonometric functions in solving equations.
  • Verify trigonometric identities.
  • Use identities in solving trigonometric equations.
  • Solve applications involving vectors, their components, and visual representations.
  • Model real world situations graphically, numerically, algebraically, verbally, and interpret solutions using a variety of mathematical techniques.


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PVCC MATHEMATICS DIVISION EXPECTED
STUDENT BEHAVIOR FOR SUCCESS AND STUDENT CODE OF CONDUCT
  • As a college student you need to discipline yourself as to your study habits and classroom behavior. Get to class at least a couple of minutes early. You are expected to at least be on time for each class and remain seated for the entire class. If you must leave early, it is considered only common courtesy to leave quietly and to have informed your instructor beforehand. Please leave iPads, iPods, tablets, laptop computers, cell phones and other electronic devices off. Inattentiveness, disruptiveness or extensive tardiness or absences may affect a student's grade.
  • If for some reason you decide to drop this course, you are advised to discuss it first with your instructor. If you are having difficulties, please see your instructor before giving up or dropping the class. A grade of W will be assigned if you drop before the withdraw date that is in your student center in my.maricopa.edu. After that date, you will be withdrawn from the class with a grade of W, for excessive absences, or by student request. Excessive absences will be the equivalent of missing 2 weeks of class without the instructor's knowledge. If you are still on the class roster at the end of the semester, you will be assigned a grade of A, B, C, D or F, based on your class average.
  • Undergraduate study is time consuming. You can anticipate spending two or more hours of study, reading and research for every hour you spend in the classroom. To earn three hours of academic credit, classes must meet for a minimum of forty-five (45) classroom hours. You should expect to spend an additional 6 hours per week outside of class for study, reading and research, for a total of (90) additional hours per semester. Take these demands seriously as you plan your academic schedule.
  • Have your homework completed before class starts. Please feel free to contact me whenever you run into difficulty, and make use of the LSC.
  • Have questions ready from the previous night's homework and be seated when class begins.
  • Continuously self-test.
  • Make it a goal to attend all classes and stay the entire class period. There is a high correlation between regular class attendance, punctuality, and good grades. Even though you are absent for any reason, you are still responsible for all homework and material covered in class. Get notes from another student for classes missed.
  • Ask questions – participate, don't wait for someone else to ask questions.
  • Be prepared as if you expect a quiz every day.
  • It is the student's responsibility to understand and follow all of the policies found in the Paradise Valley Community College Catalog and Student Handbook.
  • The student is responsible for all information contained in the syllabus.
  • Students are PROHIBITED from digitally recording classes without Dr. Nicoloff�s permission.
  • Your [email protected] e-mail account is the official form of communication between PVCC and you. You are responsible for reading college messages and responding accordingly.
  • Make note of Section 2.5.1, Section A, paragraph 4, pages 145 and 146 in the PVCC Student Handbook regarding the college’s policy on the misuse of computer technology.
  • Make note of the district and college policy on the student code of conduct located here: Maricopa County Community College District Student Code of Conduct.
  • Students with disabilities who believe that they need accommodations in this class are encouraged to contact Disability Resources and Services in the Gina Kranitz Student Center, Room 1207 or call 602–787–7171
ALL PROVISIONS IN THIS SYLLABUS ARE SUBJECT TO REVISION BY THE INSTRUCTOR. SUCH REVISIONS, IF ANY, WILL BE ANNOUNCED IN CLASS AND POSTED ON THE INSTRUCTOR'S WEBSITE AT THE FOLLOWING ADDRESS:
https://www2.paradisevalley.edu/~nicoloff/changes.html

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CLASS ATTENDANCE:
  Attendance and punctuality is required!! Read the school catalog to become familiar with policies on withdrawals and incompletes. There will be no make-up tests, students must be present on test days.
STUDY TIME:
  For this 4 Credit 16-week class, students should expect to spend 4 hours and 10 minutes/week in class and 8 hours and 20 minutes/week outside of class to complete assignments.
ASSIGNMENTS & IN CLASS WORK:
 
  • Assignments are required and will be due at the beginning of class. They will be worth 15% toward the final grade. The assignments will consist of the problems on the MOER Homework site. Late homework will not be accepted. Late homework is defined to be any homework that is completed after the beginning of class on the day it is due.
  • You should show detailed work on your assignments in your notebook, which will be a valuable resource for the class. Use that notebook regularly, and refer to it while studying for quizzes and tests. 
  • If you get an assignment problem wrong you are allowed to redo it. You will get three attempts per question version.  If you miss a question three times, you can regenerate a similar problem for full credit.  You can regenerate a new problem infinite times.  This means you can get a 100% on every assignment.  
  • It is important to spend time learning the concepts before you start the assignment.  You should read the textbook, and watch any required videos before you start your assignment. 
  • Each assignment has a due date on the calendar and listed in the gradebook.  Assignments are due at 8:30 am. 
  • Late Passes:
    • You will be given a number of late passes to use to complete late homework assignments for full credit. 
    • Late passes can be used on homework assignments only.  They may NOT be used on any pre-class work, quizzes, or tests. 
    • The late passes will extend any given due date by 5 days from the original due date.  You must use the late pass before the end of the 5-day late pass "window.”  For example, if you click on late pass on day 3 of the "window", you only have 2 extra days to complete the assignment. 
    • You may only use 1 late pass per assignment.
    • After you use all the late passes, you cannot submit any work late for credit.  It would still be recommended to complete the assignment for your learning, but you will not be receiving credit for that work.
    • To request a late pass, click on the late pass link next to the assignment. You may click on late pass EARLY. If you end up completing the test on time, you can UN-USE the late pass to get it back! PLAN AHEAD!
  • You can always review the correct answers to an assignment within each question or through your online grade book.

    Late homework will not be accepted. Late homework is defined to be any homework that is turned in after the beginning of class on the day it is due.
TESTING:
  There will be up to 10 unannounced quizzes worth 10% of the final grade and there will be 5 tests given during the semester to cover all chapters studied worth 60% of the final grade, and a final exam, worth 15%.
GRADING:
 
Category Percentage of Grade Grade
Quizzes 10% A=90-100%
Homework 15% B=80-89%
Tests 60% D=60-69%
Final Exam 15%  
Total 100%  
 
TENTATIVE SCHEDULE
DAY OF CLASS MEETING SECTIONS TO BE COVERED TOPICS TO BE COVERED ASSIGN # DUE DATE
(M) 8/22 Introduction
1A
 Introduction
Angles		 #1 8/24
(W) 8/24
 1B Right Triangle Trigonometry #2 8/29
(M) 8/29 1C Part 1 Unit Circle Part 1 #3 8/31
(W) 8/31 1C Part 2 Unit Circle Part 2 #4 9/7
(M) 9/5 NO CLASS LABOR DAY  
(W) 9/7 REVIEW REVIEW DUE 9/12
(M) 9/12 TEST UNIT 1 TEST 1 UNITS (1A - 1C) DUE 9/12
(W) 9/14

2A

 Sinusoidal graphs #5 9/19
(M) 9/19 2B Graphs of Other Trigonometric Functions #6 9/21
(W) 9/21
 2C Inverse Trigonometric Functions #7 9/26
(M) 9/26 2D Modeling with Trigonometric Functions #8 9/28
(W) 9/28 REVIEW REVIEW DUE 10/3
(M) 10/3 TEST UNIT 2 TEST 2 UNITS (2A - 2D) DUE 10/3
(W) 10/5 3A Fundamental Trigonometric Identities #9 10/10
(M) 10/10 3B Sum, Difference and Cofunction Identities #10 10/12
(W) 10/12 3C

Double Angle and Half Angle Identities

 #11 10/17
(M) 10/17 3D
 Solving Basic Trigonometric Equations #12 10/19
(W) 10/19 3E Solving Trigonometric Equations with Identities and Multiple Angles #13 10/24
(M) 10/24 REVIEW REVIEW DUE 10/26
(W) 10/26 TEST UNIT 3 TEST 3 UNITS (3A - 3E) DUE 10/26
(M) 10/31 4A Law of Sines #14 11/2
(W) 11/2
 4B Law of Cosines #15 11/7
(M) 11/7 4C Vectors
 #16 11/9
(W) 11/9 REVIEW REVIEW DUE 11/14
(M) 11/14
 TEST UNIT 4 TEST 4 UNITS (4A - 4C) DUE 11/14
(W) 11/16
 5A End Behavior #17 11/21
(M) 11/21

5B

 Continuity #18 11/23
(W) 11/23

5C

 Rates of Change #19 11/28
(M) 11/28 5D Modeling with Functions #20 11/30
(W) 11/30
 5E Solving Equations and Inequalities #21 12/5
(M) 12/5
 REVIEW REVIEW DUE 12/7
(W) 12/7 TEST UNIT 5 TEST 5 UNITS (5A - 5E) DUE 12/7
(M) 12/12

FINAL EXAM REVIEW
COMPREHENSIVE
FINAL EXAM

 REVIEW
EXAM TIME 7:30 AM - 9:20 AM		 DUE 12/12
DUE 12/12


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STUDENT INFORMATION/SYLLABUS ACKNOWLEDGEMENT FORM
Course Prefix & Number______________
Semester__________________________
Lecture Section Number______________
Phone # (_____)-___________________
e-mail address_________________________________
I have received a copy of the syllabus, and I understand the following:
 
A) The instructor contact information and the most appropriate way to use this information.
B) I am responsible for all course material and preparation for class.
C) All of the policies and procedures for this course, especially the Grading, Attendance and Withdrawal Policies.
D) I am responsible for knowing all of the information that pertains to my legal rights that are contained in the current Paradise Valley Community College (PVCC) Student Handbook and College Catalog.
E) In order to receive any special accommodations for this class I must register myself with the PVCC Disability Resource Center.
F) The class syllabus is subject to change, and it is my responsibility to know the changes.
 
__________________________________________________________________
Student Printed Name		  
__________________________________________________________________
Student Signature		 ____________________________
Date
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Last updated: Tuesday, August 16, 2022 12:14 PM
Paradise Valley Community College
URL-https://www2.paradisevalley.edu/~nicoloff/151_1syl20222.html
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