Math Department Course Offerings

Three years (30) credits of Mathematics are required for graduation. Most colleges and universities require Algebra 1, Geometry and Algebra 2 with grades of C or better.

---

ENGLISH LANGUAGE DEVELOPMENT (E.L.D.) MATH

Grade: 9-12
Duration: Year
Credits: 10
University of California (U.C.)/California State University (C.S.U.): No
Prerequisite: None

A mathematics course that introduces integers, coordinate graphs, fractions, pattern recognition, and basic Algebra. It is supported by a review in arithmetic and an introduction to technology as well as including English support for the learning of mathematics vocabulary.

 

INTENSIVE ALGEBRA 1

Grade: 9-12
Duration: Year
Credits: 10
U.C./C.S.U.: Yes; “c” - Mathematics
Prerequisite: Participation in E.L.D. 1 or 2

This course covers the Algebra 1 material to English Language Learners during two periods. This course is the foundation for upper level mathematics courses. Students will gain an understanding of real number properties. They will also formalize the language of functions and explore their behavior graphically, analytically, numerically and verbally. They will write expressions, equations and inequalities from physical models and communicate their understanding. Technology will be used to discover relationships, test conjectures and solve problems.

 

ALGEBRA 1

Grade: 9-12
Duration: Year
Credits: 10
U.C./C.S.U.: Yes; “c” - Mathematics
Prerequisite: None

This course is the foundation for upper level mathematics courses. Students will gain an understanding of real number properties. They will also formalize the language of functions and explore their behavior graphically, analytically, numerically and verbally. They will write expressions, equations and inequalities from physical models and communicate their understanding. Technology will be used to discover relationships, test conjectures and solve problems.

 

GEOMETRY

Grade: 9-12
Duration: Year
Credits: 10
U.C./C.S.U.: Yes; “c” - Mathematics
Prerequisite: A grade of C or better in Algebra 1 is strongly recommended, or a passing grade in Integrated Math 1

Geometry is the study of angles 2- and 3-dimensional figures, area, perimeter and volume. Other major topics include logical reasoning and formal proofs, congruency and similarity, quadrilaterals, trigonometry, probability, and transformations. The geometric principles are developed through a variety of learning modalities including hands-on discovery lessons, pairs and small group work, lecture, and projects. Students use and develop their algebra skills throughout the course, preparing them for Algebra 2 the following year. Scientific calculators are used throughout the course.

 

INTEGRATED MATH 2

Grade: 10-12
Duration: Year
Credits: 10
U.C./C.S.U.: Yes; “c” - Mathematics
Prerequisite: A student who earns a passing grade of a D- or better in both Geometry and Algebra 1

This course is designed for use as a bridge course between Geometry and Algebra 2.  This class will support students who passed both Algebra 1 and Geometry, but want to further develop their problem solving skills before moving on to Algebra 2.  The course will provide a strong foundation in Algebra while also reinforcing Geometry skills and introducing financial literacy.  Algebraic topics will include: solving equations, factoring, linear functions, exponent and radical properties,  exponential functions, quadratic functions, systems of equations.  Geometric topics will include work with transformations and right triangles.  Modules from Next Gen Personal Finance will also be included in the class.

 

ALGEBRA 2

Grade: 9-12
Duration: Year
Credits: 10
U.C./C.S.U.: Yes; “c” - Mathematics
Prerequisite: A grade of C or better in Algebra 1 and in Geometry are recommended

This course is designed to prepare students for the upper level mathematics courses of Precalculus and Calculus. Topics include: solving equations and inequalities, factoring, analytic geometry, pattern recognition, graphing higher order equations, logarithmic and exponential functions, probability sequences and series. Applications and problem solving are highly emphasized to develop the higher order thinking skills necessary to succeed in more complex subsequent course. Fundamental ideas are developed through activities, explorations, and the use of a graphing calculator. Students use graphing calculators daily to complete both class work and homework assignments. The Texas Instruments (T.I.) 84 (or T.I.83 plus) calculator is highly recommended.

 

FINITE MATH AND STATISTICS

Grade: 11-12
Duration: Year
Credits: 10
U.C./C.S.U.: Yes; “c” - Mathematics
Prerequisite: A grade of C or better in Algebra 2

The Finite Math and Statistics course is a full year college preparatory course and is an alternative to Precalculus or Calculus. It is designed for students who are not planning to major in the sciences and will help those college-bound students maintain and continue to develop their math skills. Topics covered include set theory, logic, graph theory, finance, descriptive statistics and combinatorics.

 

PRECALCULUS

Grade: 9-12
Duration: Year
Credits: 10
U.C./C.S.U.: Yes; “c” - Mathematics
Prerequisite: Solid foundation of Geometry & Algebra 2, with a grade of C or better and manipulation of square root-radical expressions and solid graphing skills

This is a rigorous course designed to develop the skills necessary to advance to Calculus. The approximate homework commitment for this course is 1 hour/day, 5 days/week, but allow for extra hours of weekend homework and assignments. The course includes the following topics: relations and functions, circular functions, trigonometry, limits, logarithmic and exponential functions, vectors, and conic sections. This course extensively utilizes the graphing calculator to further supplement the understanding of these advanced skills.  While this course does not have an official AS/Honors designation, it requires an equivalent amount of work in order to prepare students for AP Calculus.

 

ADVANCED PLACEMENT (A.P.) CALCULUS A.B.

Grade: 9-12
Duration: Year
Credits: 10
U.C./C.S.U.: Yes; “c” - Mathematics
Prerequisite: A grade of C or better in Precalculus

Approximate Homework: 1 hour/day, 5 days/week; extra hours for weekend homework and assignments

This course is designed to prepare the students for the Calculus Advanced Placement Examination (Mathematics A.B.). With successful performance on this test, the student may place out of a Calculus course at some colleges and universities. The course covers differential calculus (derivatives and their applications including graphing, optimization and related rates) and integral Calculus (anti-derivatives and their applications including area, volumes and simple differential equations) of polynomial and transcendental functions of a single variable. The students use an advanced graphing calculator such as the T.I. 84+ or T.I. 89. Students should be prepared to do at least one hour of homework every night.

 

A.P. CALCULUS B.C.

Grade: 9-12
Duration: Year
Credits: 10
U.C./CSU: Yes; “c” - Mathematics
Prerequisite: A grade of C or better in A.P. Calculus A.B., or A+ in Precalculus

Approximate Homework: 1 hour/day, 5 days/week; extra hours for weekend homework and assignments

This course is designed to prepare the student for the Calculus Advanced Placement Examination (Mathematics B.C.). With successful performance on this test, the student may place out of 2 Calculus courses at some colleges and universities. This course covers differential Calculus (derivatives and their applications including graphing optimization and related rates) and integral Calculus (anti-derivatives and their applications including area, volumes and simple differential equations) of polynomial and transcendental functions of a single variable. Additionally, the B.C. course covers techniques of integration, parametric equations, polar coordinates, conic sections, Taylor polynomials and Taylor’s formula and infinite series. The students should use an advanced graphing calculator such as the T.I. 84+ or T.I. 89. Students should be prepared to do at least one hour of homework every night.

 

A.P. STATISTICS

Grade: 9-12
Duration: Year
Credits: 10
U.C./C.S.U.: Yes; “c” - Mathematics
Prerequisite: A grade of B or better in Algebra 2 or C or better in Precalculus

Approximate Homework: 1 hour/day, 5 days/week; extra hours for weekend homework and assignments

This course is designed to prepare the student for the Advanced Placement Examination in Statistics. With successful performance on this test, the student may place out of a Statistics course at some colleges and universities. This course presents the basic concepts underlying statistical methods and covers descriptive statistics, probability, distributions, hypotheses testing, estimate and sample sizes, correlation and regression chi-square tests, analysis of variance and nonparametric statistics. Computer analysis of statistical data integrated into the course. Applications of statistics to business, life sciences and other areas are included.

 

PRINCIPLES OF COMPUTER SCIENCE

Grade: 10-12
Duration: Year
Credits: 10
U.C./C.S.U.: Yes; “g” – Elective
Prerequisite: Algebra 1

This course is an introduction to computer science. Students learn algorithms and use programming techniques to solve problems. The course covers the history and social implications, great principles, future of computing, beautiful applications that have changed the world, and progress in other fields that has resulted from computers and programming. Relevance of computing to the student and society will be emphasized. Students will complete a number of substantial programming projects. Students will learn about logical structures and algorithms that will help prepare them to take more advanced science, math, and technology courses.

 

A.P. COMPUTER SCIENCE A

Grade: 10-12
Duration: Year
Credits: 10
U.C./C.S.U.: Yes; “g” - Elective
Prerequisite: A grade of B or better in Algebra 2 or C or better in Precalculus. Prior programming experience is recommended. Example: basics of procedural programming in a language similar to Java (example Python).

Approximate Homework: 1 hour/day, 5 days/week; extra hours for weekend homework, assignments and semester projects

This course is designed to prepare the student for the Advanced Placement Examination in Computer Science. It is a computer programming course. The major emphasis in this course is on programming methodology, algorithms, and data structures. The programming language used will be Java. Applications of computing provide the context in which these subjects are treated. Applications are used to develop student awareness of the need for particular algorithms and data structures, as well as to provide topics for programming assignments to which students can apply their knowledge. Treatments of computer systems and the social implications of computing are integrated into the course. Students should understand that this course is designed to be a fourth-year math course, and the equivalent of an introductory, one-semester, non-calculus based, college-level statistics course. The course requires a working knowledge of Algebra 2 and quantitative reasoning. This course requires more reading and writing than most traditional math courses.