Course Essentials

MiraCosta College | MATH 131| Online | Course Number 2636 | 1/24/22 - 5/27/22

Course Description

This course covers basic concepts of analytic geometry and trigonometry, including definitions and properties of trigonometric functions. Topics include solutions of applied problems involving right triangles; graphs of trigonometric functions; trigonometric identities; trigonometric equation solving; evaluation of inverse trigonometric functions and polar coordinates. The course also covers conics, systems of non-linear equations, and sequences and series.

REQUIRED MATERIALS AND MINDSET

MyLab Math (MLM): (Student Access Kit). This kit contains the MyMathLab software as well as an electronic version of the text. You may purchase the kit online at www.mymathlab.com using a credit card, or purchase an access code from the College Bookstore and then log on using the access code. Detailed instructions about logging onto MyLab Math will be sent to you via email.

The access code will give you access to MyLab Math website where you will submit your homework and quizzes and be able to access the electronic textbook and videos. In order to purchase the pass, please go to www.mymathlab.com. Your MyLab Math Access Code must be purchased by the end of the first week of classes. The access code gives you access to the eBook contents, homework, quizzes and many supplemental resources.

Computer/tablet with internet access and webcam. Since this course is fully online, you will be required to have internet access. You will be submitting assignments everyday, Mondays through Fridays. You will also be required to have a webcam so you can take proctored exams via my Virtual Office (Zoom).
Graphing & Scientific Calculators: A graphing calculator is required; a TI-83, TI-83 Plus or TI-84 Plus is strongly recommended. For the scientific calculator, a TI-30Xa-Solar is recommended. You might be able to use a scientific and/or graphing calculator on some parts of the exams and final. Cell phones are not permitted to be used as calculators during exams. Please refer to the exam announcements emailed or announcements posted in MyLab Math.
Determination, positive attitude, hard work, and desire to succeed!

Information on homework and quizzes in MyLab Math

All homework assignments and quizzes are in http://www.mymathlab.com.

Keep an organized notebook in which you write out all homework, and quiz problems in order and solve them showing all steps and using correct algebraic notation. You will be asked to "present your work" in Canvas on "Post in Canvas" days as "Participation."
You must submit the correct answers in MLM to receive credit. Always write all your work on paper and keep it organized so you can easily re-submit your answers if you have to.
Start your assignments early and allow plenty of time to redo them or ask questions before the due date. Keep in mind that the Internet or MyLab Math might be slow or not working properly sometimes, so plan ahead.
Homework assignments must be completed with a 70% or higher in order to take your quizzes. You are permitted to work on your homework as many times as you wish until the due date. That means you can get 100% on every homework assignment. Your highest grade will be used in your grade computation. You can continue to work on your homework after the due date, until the first day of the exam is given. However, you will incur a late penalty (-10%).
For quizzes, you have only 3 chances to take each quiz on MyLab Math. Please make sure that you click on the quizzes when you’re ready to complete and submit them. Your highest grade out of 3 tries will be used in your grade computation. You can continue to work on your quiz a day after the due date. However, you will incur a late penalty (-10%).
You can print homework assignments but you must still submit your answers online.
In MyLab Math, you have access to the electronic version of the textbook and lecture videos.
Use the “Video”, “eText”, or “Discussions” options when you need help with a homework problem. Please note that not all questions might have the “video” option. If you are having difficulty with a lot of the exercises, it’s best to go to tutoring or office hours.

MATH 131 course STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOME

For a given set of problems the student will demonstrate quantitative reasoning by developing a problem-solving strategy, performing appropriate analysis and computation, and critically assessing the meaning of the conclusion or outcome.

Core Competencies

Intellectual and practical skills, including quantitative literacy and problem solving, will be practiced extensively across the curriculum in the context of progressively more challenging problems, projects, and standards for performance.

Tips on how to be successful in this class:

Complete the current lesson's written and online homework by due dates listed
Be prepared to turn in homework everyday, Monday through Friday
Keep pace with the posted due dates to aid with deeper understanding
Engage in practice opportunities and read in a timely manner
Email me right away at lnakamura@miracosta.edu if you have any questions or get 'stuck' on a problem
Attend my Happy Hours
Reach out to your teammates!

Time commitment

Studying Math: The State of California accreditation standard requires that 1 unit of Academic Credit represents a minimum of 48 total hours of student work. More info from the State of California can be found (see page 10and 11) by clicking this link. A 4 unit (17 week) class requires about 12~13 hours a week: attending class (and/or watching videos or reading materials for an online class), re-reading, completing homework, reviewing, etc. A 6 weeks class requires about at least 32 hours a week.

You can expect to spend a minimum of 12 hours per week in this class. Yes, I know this sounds traumatic and it is a lot, but please note that studying math requires a lot of practice which requires a lot of your time. In a typical week this semester, you can expect to have to spend about 2 hours reading, 3~4 hours watching videos, 5~6 hours working in MyLab Math, and 1~2 hours completing other assignments, such as participation, extra credit, going over the practice exams, etc. There will be assignments due every day of the week Monday through Friday. You will be allowed to work ahead. Also, I plan to open up the course a few days early, although I may not be checking my emails until the starting day, January 23.

Do not allow yourself to fall behind in your work. Catching up before a test is an extremely difficult task!!

FINAL NOTE:

In mathematics, there are many ways to learn concepts. At the first stages, we are told things by parents or teachers and we take them as fact. Later, we may grow to begin to see patterns and ideas that we think are true but aren’t sure why. The final stage is knowing something and being able to show why it is true. We summarize these options as 3 following levels of knowledge:

Someone told me so. (teacher/parent/friend/etc)
I think it is true, and I can find examples to demonstrate my thinking.
I know something either is or is not true and I can show evidence to support my claim.

We should push for level 3 with evidence and support for statements made. With “why” vs. “how” in this course, while both are important, this course will emphasize concepts over process.

Welcome to Math 131 Online! I hope you have a great learning experience!

Home

Resources

Grading

Schedule

Policies

Report abuse