Santa Barbara City College Course Outline

MATH 138C - Support for Precalculus

MATH 138C
Support for Precalculus
Disciplines
Mathematics (Masters Required)
2.000
0 - May not be repeated
A review of core prerequisite skills, competencies and advanced concepts for precalculus. Intended for students who are concurrently enrolled in Math 138 Precalculus II at Santa Barbara City College. Review topics include skills developed in college algebra, with an emphasis on refining skills in algebraic manipulation, functions and geometry.
32.000-36.000 Total Hours
Total Hours
64.000-72.000 Total Hours
32.000-36.000 Total Hours
Prerequisite: MATH 137 or MATH 130 or equivalent based on SBCC's Assessment Center placement via multiple measures.
Prerequisite or Corequisite: None
Concurrent Corequisite: MATH 138
Course Advisories: None
Limitation on Enrollment: None
Course Objectives:
Develop study habits, such as the use of reading and metacognitive strategies to improve understanding and performance.
Apply geometric concepts to solve problems involving angles, triangles, and circles.
Demonstrate refined skills in algebraic manipulation and simplification of polynomial, radical, and rational expressions.
Solve linear, quadratic, and rational equations, as well as linear systems.
Identify properties of functions and their graphs, including symmetry, translations, expansions, contractions, the algebra of functions and composition, and inverse functions.
Student Learning Outcomes
MATH138C SLO1 - Use a problem solving process to extract relevant information and execute relevant geometric and advanced algebraic calculations/simplifications.
MATH138C SLO2 - Interpret results derived from geometric and advanced algebraic calculations relevant to the solution of a problem.

  1. Develop study habits that promote success in PreCalculus, such as the use of reading and metacognitive strategies to improve understanding and performance. (SLO?)

  2. Geometry

    1. Angles in degrees with vocabulary

    2. Triangle geometry

    3. Circle geometry

    4. Pythagorean theorem

    5. Similar triangles

  3. Algebra

    1. Solving linear equations

    2. Solving quadratic equations by square root method,  factoring, and the quadratic formula

    3. Unit analysis

    4. Simplifying polynomial and rational expressions

    5. 2x2 systems

    6. Complex numbers

  4. Functions

    1. Function notation

    2. Function evaluation

    3. Even and odd functions, both algebraic and graphical interpretations

    4. Domain and range

    5. Reading, analyzing and creating graphs

    6. Transformations: shifts, reflections, expansions and contractions

    7. Function composition

    8. Inverse functions

      1. notation

      2. numerically, algebraically, and graphically

      3. domain and range

Statement: Course will cover a SUBSET of these topics in just-in-time remediation for the “parent” course.



Methods of Instruction
Directed Study
Discussion
Lecture
Student activities, groupwork, and computer-facilitated instruction (optional).

1.      You got a new job at a store 17 miles from your house.  You will be earning $9 per hour, 5 days a week, for 40 hours a week. You plan on working 50 weeks out of the year. Your car can go 21 miles per gallon, and gas costs $1.26 per gallon. Your average speed when you drive to and from work is 45 miles per hour.

a.       What is your annual salary?

 

b.      How much will you spend on gas each week?

 

c.       How long will you spend commuting each week?


d.      How many miles will you drive commuting to and from work in a year?

 


A. Writing Assignments: Students must work on assigned mathematical problems requiring the manipulation of abstract symbols. B. Appropriate Outside Assignments: Students will be expected to spend a sufficient amount of time outside of class to practice techniques taught during class time, read assigned materials, and complete homework assignments. C. Appropriate Assignments that Demonstrate Critical Thinking: Students must demonstrate mathematical skills such as equation solving and graphing which involve analyzing information, recognizing concepts in new contexts, and drawing analogies. Critical thinking will also be emphasized through numerous treatments of word problems.
A grading system will be established by the instructor and implemented uniformly. Grades will be based on demonstrated proficiency in subject matter determined by multiple measurements for evaluation, one of which must be essay exams, skills demonstration or, where appropriate, the symbol system. 1)Independent exploration activities which measure students’ ability to analyze the connections between the numeric, algebraic, and verbal representations of various types of algebraic expressions, equations, graphs when applied to real-world problems and data analysis. 2)Quizzes and exams (including a comprehensive in-class final exam) which measure students’ ability to work independently using graphic, numeric, and algebraic techniques. 3)Homework in which students apply graphic, numeric and algebraic principles discussed in class to a series of practice problems to help them formulate questions and receive feedback from the instructor, tutors, or classmates. 4)(Optional) Computer laboratory assignments in which students apply algebraic principles and problem-solving techniques discussed in class to help students identify gaps in their skill attainment and concept mastery and to improve their symbolic manipulation abilities and problem-solving skills. Out-of-Class Assignments 1)Problem sets 2)Exploratory activities and/or projects 3)Reading and/or writing assignments
  • Projects/activities created by SBCC Math faculty.
09/28/2018
Board of Trustees: 12/13/2018
CAC Approval: 11/19/2018