CORE MATH I
Length of Course: year Grade Level: 9 Prerequisites: none
Course Description: This is the first course of a three year integrated mathematical program. The course emphasizes mathematical modeling and modeling concepts drawn from algebra and functions (linear and exponential models), from geometry (visualization and space shapes and their properties), from statistics and probability (data analysis and simulation methods), and from discrete mathematics (vertex-edge graphs and recursion).CORE MATH II
Length of Course: year Grade Level: 10 Prerequisites: Core Math I
Course Description: This is the second course of a three year integrated mathematical program. This course emphasizes mathematical modeling and modeling concepts drawn from algebra and functions (power models including quadratic function and inverse variation), from geometry and trigonometry (coordinate models, transformational models, and trigonometric models), from statistics and probability (correlation and least squares linear models, geometric and binomial probability distribution), and from discrete mathematics (matrix models and network optimization).TRIGONOMETRY
Length of Course: semester Grade Level: 11,12 Pre-Requisites: Algebra II or Core Math III
Course Description: Trigonometric ratios and functions form the basis for this course in which students are introduced to many applications of trigonometry in real-life settings. After learning some basic definitions and properties, students are taught methods of solving trigonometric equations which model phenomena from physics, astronomy, navigation, aviation, and surveying. This course also includes the study of triangle trigonometry from the familiar Pythagorean Theorem to the law of sines and the law of cosines. Applications include solving triangles and finding the areas of a variety of figures. Navigation, surveying, and aviation problems are solved using these laws and properties. Another part of this course focuses on the sum, difference, double-angle, and half-angle formulas for sine, cosine, and tangent. A final topic of this trigonometry course includes the study of of polar coordinates and complex numbers. Students learn to express the location of a point in both rectangular coordinates and polar coordinates.PRE-CALCULUS
Length of Course: semester Grade Level: 11,12 Pre-Requisites: Algebra II or Core Math III
Course Description: This course is designed to review and extend concepts covered in Algebra II and Geometry with more emphasis on problem solving applications. This course could be appropriately described and titled "Functions and Applications". Functions studied include linear functions, quadratic and other polynomial functions, quadratic functions, exponential and logarithmic functions. Arithmetic and geometric sequences and series are also studied. An introduction to limits and derivatives is sometimes included in this course. Graphing calculators are used for a variety of explorations and calculations.
Updated 4-20-04