MATH 138 - Trigonometry

Credit Hours: 3
Lecture Hours: 3 or 4
Laboratory (or Other) Hours: 0

General Education Code(s): 23MA

Prerequisite(s): MATH 128 or OM3 placement
Restriction(s): None

Corequisite(s): None

This course will explore the properties of triangles and the functions which result from the analysis of the right triangle. Using this foundation, study will be extended to the following topics: the unit circle, graphs of trigonometric functions, trigonometric identities, the law of sines and law of cosines, vectors, polar coordinates, and direct applications of these topics.

Student Learning Outcomes of the Course: The General Education requirement for Mathematics and Quantitative Reasoning is satisfied by MATH 138. To meet this General Education requirement, students will be able to demonstrate mathematical skills and quantitative reasoning, including the ability to:

interpret and draw inferences from appropriate mathematical models such as formulas, graphs, tables, or schematics;
represent mathematical information symbolically, visually, numerically, or verbally as appropriate; and
employ quantitative methods such as arithmetic, algebra, geometry, or statistics to solve problems.

Course Specific Learning Outcomes for MATH 138:

Students will demonstrate the ability to predict and describe the behavior of trig functions based on the parameters of an equation.
Students will demonstrate the ability to identify and graph common trigonometric functions, as well as write equations when presented with trigonometric graphs or other relevant information (amplitude, period, frequency, vertical and horizontal shifts).
Students will demonstrate the ability to apply the concepts of similar triangles, common trigonometric ratios, the law of sines, and law of cosines, to find missing dimensions of a triangle, with an emphasis on applied problems and force vector problems.
Students will demonstrate the ability recognize the appropriate situations in which to apply common trigonometric ratios, the law of sines, and the law of cosines, and other methods to solving applied problems requiring trigonometry.

Repeatable: No