Thanks for inquiring about Math 150, Topics in Geometry.
This course is a distance learning web course offered through the Extended Learning Institute (ELI).  If you register for the course, please send me an email to introduce yourself.   The course is accessed through the software Blackboard and I will let you know how to get started shortly before the semester begins.

If you want further information, call or email me.

Dan Riley
 
 
 

Purpose of Course

This course is designed primarily to provide the student with a review of the fundamentals of plane and spherical geometry, and to give the student an appreciation for the uses of geometry in a  variety of applications, with particular emphasis on visualization, earth geometry, and trigonometry.  It is designed to improve the geometry background of elementary and secondary school teachers and to provide the geometry necessary to understand certain principles in geometric design.
 

Course Format

Math 150 is a World Wide Web course.  Lessons will be presented on the web.  Assignments can be faxed, mailed, or sent through the digital drop box in Blackboard to the instructor as soon as they are completed. There are 3 tests that must be taken in a campus testing center. 

 

Entry Level Competencies

A first course in high school Geometry and Algebra.
 

Required Text

Elementary Geometry for College Students, 3rd edition, by Alexander and Koeberlein, Houghton Mifflin, 2003

This book can be purchased at any campus bookstore. 

 

Course Objectives

Upon completion of this course the student should be able to
1.  present geometric definitions.
2.  use visualization as a first step in solving a geometric problem.
3.  recognize the fundamental properties basic to any geometry.
4.  apply right and oblique triangle trigonometry to various applications.
5.  utilize a scientific or graphing calculator in solving geometry or
     trigonometric problems.
6.  learn basic constructions.
 

Major Topics

A.  Terminology necessary to understanding all aspects of the course.
B.  Visualizing line/angle relationships in different dimensions.
C.  Ratio, proportion, similarity, and congruence.
D.  Basic Constructions.
E.  Right and oblique triangle trigonometry.
F.  Non-Euclidean geometry.
 
 

Catalog Description

Prerequisites are a satisfactory score on an appropriate proficiency examination and MTH 003 and MTH 006 or equivalent.  Studies the fundamentals of plane and solid geometry.  Topics include visualization, ratio, right triangle geometry, and non-Euclidean geometry.  Applications will aid students in aviation, teaching, and other fields.  Lecture 3 hours per week.
 

More Information:

Dan Riley, course instructor:
 Phone:  703-257-6531
 email:  driley@nvcc.edu
 fax:      703-257-6577
 
 

Supplies:  protractor, compass, straightedge,
     scientific or graphing calculator
 
 

Grading: A: 90 - 100
  B: 80 - 89
  C: 70 - 79
  D: 60 - 69
  F: 0 - 59
 

Assignments:  25%
Test 1:   25%
Test 2:   25%
Test 3:   25%
 

•Assignments are to be submitted by drop box or fax.

•Tests will be taken in a testing center.
 
 

Content:

 Terminology
  definitions, undefined terms, descriptions
 Visualization
  dimensions, illusion
 Parallels
  plane, spherical, earth geometry
 Ratio
  proportion, similarity
 Tessellations

 Area / Perimeter

 Right triangles
  Pythagorean Theorem, trigonometry
 Oblique triangles

 Constructions

 Non-Euclidean geometry