MATH 1803 Trigonometry Syllabus 810 Fall 2026

Credit Hours 3.00 Lecture Hours 3 Clinical/Lab Hours 0
Type of Credit
CIP Code
27.0101
Course Meeting Time

TTh 5:30-6:45 pm, Room D327

Course Description

Definitions of trigonometric functions are defined using the unit circle then extended to the solution of right triangles. Content includes radian measure, trigonometric functions and their inverses, identities, graphs, equations, triangles, the Laws of Cosines and Sines and applications of trig functions. Skills for success in more advanced courses are emphasized. Consequently, the student must have a strong working knowledge of algebra before entering the course. AAS: Mathematics elective.

Prerequisites

Appropriate assessment score or MATH 1424 with a grade of C or better and completion of geometry requirement (MATH 1453 or one year of high school geometry with a grade of C or better) or High School Transitional Math: STEM pathway

General Education Outcomes

General Education Outcomes are the knowledge, skills, abilities, attitudes, and behaviors that students are expected to develop as a result of their overall experiences with any aspect of the college, including courses, programs, and student services, both inside and outside of the classroom. The General Education Outcomes specifically learned in this course are:

  1. Critical Thinking

Faculty Contact Information

Faculty Name
Ruth Fabbro
Faculty Email
Faculty Phone
815-802-8762
Faculty Office Number
L346
Faculty Student Support Hours

MW 11am-12pm, TTh 11:30am-12pm and 2-3pm
I will be available in my office during those times without making an appointment. Other times availble by appointment.

Faculty Information

Email: rfabbro@kcc.edu

Course Information

Course Outcomes

At the end of this course, students will be able to:

  1. Evaluate the six trigonometric functions using a right triangle and unit circle.
  2. Graph trigonometric functions and identify the period, amplitude, phase shift, and location of asymptotes.
  3. Prove a trigonometric identity.
  4. Evaluate inverse trigonometric functions.
  5. Solve trigonometric equations.
  6. Apply the sum and difference, double angle, and half-angle identities.
  7. Solve any oblique triangle by applying the Law of Sines or Law of Cosines.
  8. Apply trigonometry concepts to solve application problems.
Topical Outline
  1. Graphs of Equations in Two Variables
  2. Circles
  3. Functions and Their Graphs
  4. Properties of Functions
  5. Graphing Techniques
  6. Transformations
  7. One-to-One Functions
  8. Inverses
  9. Angles and Their Measure
  10. Trigonometric Functions; A Unit Circle Approach
  11. Properties of the Trigonometric Functions
  12. Graphs of the Sine and Cosines Functions
  13. Graphs of the Tangent, Cotangent, Cosecant, and Secant Functions
  14. The Inverse Sine, Cosine, and Tangent Functions
  15. The Inverse Trigonometric Functions (continued)
  16. Trigonometric Equations
  17. Trigonometric Identities
  18. Sum and Difference Formulas
  19. Double-angle and Half-angle Formulas
  20. Product-to-Sum and Sum-to-Product Formula
  21. Right Triangle Trigonometry Applications
  22. The Law of Sines
  23. The Law of Cosines
  24. Area of a Triangle
  25. Polar Coordinates
  26. Polar Equations and Graphs
  27. The Complex Plane
  28. De Moivre’s Theorem
Textbook/s and Course Materials

Trigonometry: A Unit Circle Approach, 12th ed. by Sullivan and Sullivan; Pearson Publishing
(book is optional code is required and comes automatically with tuition)

Calculator – A scientific calculator is required (TI-30XS or TI-36X). A graphing calculator (TI-84) is recommended but not required.

Methods of Evaluation

This course will be evaluated by performance on homework, quizzes, tests, and a comprehensive final exam.

  • Homework = 25% of grade
  • Tests = 50% of grade
  • Quizzes = 5% of grade
  • Final Exam = 20% of grade

Grading Scale:

Percentage

Final Grade

90-100%

A

80-89%

B

70-79%

C

60-69%

D

0-59%

F

Academic Division

Liberal Arts & Sciences

Dean, Jennifer Huggins; 815-802-8484; R310; jhuggins@kcc.edu; Division Office- W102; 815-802-8700

Course Policies

Attendance Policy: Attendance is expected and is recorded daily. As with any class, attendance is vital to success. It is understood that conflicts arise forcing students to miss class from time to time. If a student must miss class, the student is responsible for the material covered during the missed period. There will be no extensions of deadlines. Since a large amount of material is covered in each class meeting, frequent absences, late arrivals, or early departures will affect performance.

Homework: Homework will be assigned and completed using Pearson MyLab. As many opportunities as necessary are granted to achieve full credit, thus, persistence is the key. Homework is your opportunity to practice and master the material. Homework is due on the time and date listed in MyLab and is completed on your own time. No late work is accepted. Exceptions to this is at the discretion of the instructor. Your two lowest homework grades will be dropped.

Quizzes: There will be two or three take-home quizzes per chapter. You will upload the work to your quizzes by the due dates in Canvas. The morning after the quiz is due, I will upload an answer key and you are expected to write an analysis of your quiz after checking the answer key. This analysis should be provided in sentence form. Look at each problem that you got incorrect and explain what mistake you made and whether or not you now understand how to do the problem. You are not simply stating that you were incorrect or correct. Your lowest quiz score will be dropped.

Tests: Tests will be taken in class. If you are absent for a test, you will not be allowed to make it up. There are exceptions for this so communicating with me is very important. I will replace your lowest test grade with your final exam grade if it is higher.

Calculator Usage Policy: A scientific calculator is required and a graphing calculator is recommended. You can borrow one from the library for the semester.

Course Calendar
WeekMaterial
1-4Graphs and Functions (Chapter 1-2), Test 1
5-7Trigonometric Functions (Chapter 3), Test 2
8-11Analytic Trigonometry (Chapter 4), Test 3
11-13Applications of Trigonometric Functions (Chapter 5)
13-15Polar Coordinates (Chapter 6), Test 4
16-17Review, Final Exam, Thur., Dec. 10, 4-5:50 pm

Course syllabus/calendar is subject to change.

College Policies, Resources and Supports

College Policies

For information related to the Student Code of Conduct Policy, Withdrawal Policy, Email Policy, and Non- Attendance/Non-Participation Policy, please review the college’s Code of Campus Affairs and Regulations webpage, which can be found at catalog.kcc.edu under the Academic Regulations & Conduct Guide. 

Resources

KCC offers various academic and personal resources for all students. Many services are offered virtually, as well as in person. Please visit Student Resources - Kankakee Community College to access student resources services such as:

  • Clubs and organizations
  • Counseling and referral services
  • Office of disability services
  • Student complaint policy
  • Transfer services
  • Tutoring services, etc.