Mathematics
The Mathematics Department provides a challenging and varied curriculum that is strongly rooted in the fundamentals of algebra. A full array of college preparatory and honors courses from algebra through two levels of Advanced Placement calculus and statistics is available. The fostering of critical and analytical thinking is a basic element of all classes. Emphasis is placed upon bridging the academic study of mathematics to “real world” applications. A drop-in mathematics tutorial center, staffed by faculty, is available to students throughout the day. Additionally, after completing Algebra II, students have the opportunity to take Computer Science AP as an elective.
Algebra I - Grade 9 - Year-long course
This first year course in Algebra covers operations with variables. Linear and quadratic equations and inequalities are solved, graphed and used to solve word problems. Problem solving skills are emphasized.
Algebra I Accelerated - Grade 9 - Year-long course
The course will cover content of a first year algebra class at an accelerated pace. This will allow for extended work and exploration of other topics found in algebra. Content will include all concepts stated in the course goals. Emphasis will be placed on application and development of problem solving skills.
Prerequisite: Successful completion of Algebra I challenge exam on April 19, 2008 and department approval.
Geometry - Grade 10 - Year-long course
This course is an investigation of the properties and relationships of points, lines and planes, and of two and three dimensional figures and their applications in area, volume, and proportion. It includes an introduction to analytic geometry, a study of the structure of logic and deductive, inductive and intuitive reasoning, and the development of proof and construction.
Geometry Honors - Grades 9-10 - Year-long course
The course is an honors course in plane Euclidean geometry. Constructions and proofs will be highly stressed. In addition, beginning algebra will be reviewed to prepare for the PSAT examination.
Prerequisite: Algebra I Accelerated with A both semesters and department approval. Incoming freshmen: successful completion of the.Algebra I challenge exam on April 19, 2008 and department approval.
Algebra II - Grades 9-11 - Year-long course
This course will review and extend those concepts introduced in Algebra I. New topics will include complex numbers, polynomial functions, analytic geometry, exponential and logarithmic functions, sequences and series, and development of problem solving skills.
Algebra II Honors - Grades 9-11 - Year-long course
Algebra II Honors is a course designed to introduce advanced topics of Algebra II in addition to the basic topics. The basic topics include quadratics, complex numbers, polynomial functions, exponential and logarithmic functions, and the development of problem solving skills. The advanced topics include; functional analysis of higher degree polynomials; analysis interpretation, and graphing of rational functions, including asymptotic behavior; analysis of conic sections and equations; arithmetic and geometric sequences and series; binomial expansions; statistics and probability.
Prerequisite: Geometry Honors with B in both semesters and department approval.
Algebra II/Trigonometry Honors - Grades 9-11 - Year-long course
Algebra II/Trigonometry Honors is an honors course and the second course in the Algebra sequence. This course involves reading and analyzing material and problems. Much of the theoretical work is supported by "real world" examples. In this class an emphasis is placed on developing mathematical models which allow a solution to be found to an involved problem. The course also deals with functions (linear, quadratic, higher degree functions, inverse functions), systems of equations, series and sequences, and trigonometry. All topics are supported by applications of the theories involved.
Prerequisite: Geometry Honors with A both semesters and department approval
Pre-Calculus - Grades 10-12 - Year-long course
Pre-calculus is a course designed to prepare students for calculus. The course will begin with an extensive study of trigonometry. Students will be introduced to trigonometric identities, graphing, and solving equations. The course will continue with a study of vectors, polar coordinates, and analytic trigonometry. In addition, the following topics will be covered: functions; analytic geometry; arithmetic and geometric sequences and series; polynomial equations; and a review of calculus. The review of calculus will introduce students to the limit, derivative, and integral of a function.
Prerequisite: Algebra II with B+ both semesters and department approval.
Pre-calculus Honors - Grades 10-12 - Year-long course
Pre-calculus Honors is a course designed to prepare students for calculus. The course will begin with analysis of functions and their graphs. The different types of functions include; polynomial; rational; exponential; logarithmic. The course will then continue the study of functions by introducing trigonometry, and analytic trigonometry. In addition, the following topics will be covered; polar coordinates; vectors; analytic geometry; systems of equations and inequalities; arithmetic and geometric sequences and series; counting and probability. Students will be introduced to the limit, derivative, and integral of a function.
Prerequisite: Algebra II Honors with A- and department approval
Calculus - Grades 10-12 - Year-long course
This course is a two-semester course that covers the elements of beginning college calculus. Topics to be studied include limits, differentiation and integration of polynomial, trigonometric, logarithmic, exponential and other functions, and their applications to area, volume, arc length and optimization problems. This course does not follow the curriculum needed to take the Advanced Placement Exam in Calculus.
Prerequisite: Pre-Calculus with B and department approval
Calculus AB AP - Grades 9-12 - Year-long course
Calculus ABAP is a two-semester course covering the topics prescribed by the College Board/Advanced Placement Program for advanced placement in Calculus AB. This course is designed for students who have completed the regular four-year college preparatory mathematics sequence through Pre-Calculus or Algebra II/Trig Honors.
Students enrolled in this course are required to take the AP examination in May. No final exam is administered in this course in the spring semester.
Prerequisite: Algebra II/Trig Honors with an A and department approval; Pre-Calculus with an A and department approval; Pre-calculus Honors with an A- and department approval
Calculus BC AP - Grades 10-12 - Year-long course
This course will cover the topics prescribed by the College Entrance Examination Board for advanced placement in Calculus. This course is designed for students who have completed the Calculus AB AP curriculum. Methods of integration, applications of the integral, convergence/divergence of series and sequences, Taylor and Maclaurin series, derivatives of functions in polar and parametric form, vector calculus and elementary differential equations are studied.
Students enrolled in this course are required to take the AP examination in May. No final exam is administered in this course in the spring semester.
Prerequisite: Calculus AB AP with B and department approval
Computer Science AP - Grades 11-12 - Year Long Course
The purpose of the class is to introduce students to object- oriented programming using JAVA. Students will study concepts such as classes, objects, inheritance, polymorphism, and code reusability. Hands- on programming is always emphasized, and students will complete at least one functional program component each class such that they have immediate feedback for their work. Students will be asked to employ critical thinking in searching for multiple solutions or for the most efficient solution. Students will be given the tools and time to explore numerous challenging problems from not only programming, but math, economics, and game theory. In addition, students will have the opportunity to propose, outline, and develop an independent, long- term project that will be presented to their peers. This course teaches students to use the standard Java library from the AP Java subset in the AP Computer Science Course Description.
Students enrolled in this course are required to take the Computer Science A AP examination in May. No final exam is administered in this course in the spring semester.
Prerequisite: Algebra II with B and department approval. This course may be taken in addition to another Mathematics course with department approval.
Statistics - Grades 11-12 - Semester course
This course in statistics and probability provides an introduction to the process of analyzing random variables. The topics covered include analyzing data using graphs and histograms, recognizing and using collected data to estimate population parameters, and understanding the confidence intervals. A course in statistics is required for many college degrees; business, marketing, social science, nursing, medicine, and math. This course prepares students for college study in statistics and probability.
Prerequisite: Algebra II with C both semesters and department approval. Senior elective/Juniors with department approval
Statistics AP - Grades 11-12 - Year-long course
This is a year-long course covering the topics prescribed by the College Board/Advanced Placement Program. The course focuses on graphical and numerical methods of describing and analyzing data sets, probability, discrete and continuous random variables, linear regression and correlation, hypothesis testing and confidence intervals.
Students enrolled in this course are required to take the AP examination in May. No final exam is administered in this course in the spring semester.
Prerequisite: Pre-Calculus or Algebra II/Trig with B and department approval. This course may be taken simultaneously with another math course with department approval.
Trigonometry - Grades 10-12 - Semester course
Trigonometry is a semester course presenting topics intended to prepare the student for future study of Analytic Geometry and Calculus. The course emphasizes the basic trigonometry relationships of sine, cosine and tangent functions and their graphs, and solving trigonometric equations. Application of each topic is also studied. This course is not needed if the student plans to take Statistics in the second semester.
Prerequisite: Algebra II with B both semesters
