Mathematics

Vanessa Liveris, Department Chairperson - NVHS
Jackie Palmquist, Department Chairperson - WVHS

• Mathematics Department's User Guide

The Mathematics curriculum is designed to meet the needs of all our students. The curriculum is structured into four distinct sequences based upon student abilities. Any four semesters of Mathematics, successfully completed, will fulfill the two year requirement for graduation.

All Math classes are year-long unless noted. Each course builds on the courses before it. The typical sequence includes some level of Algebra, Geometry, Algebra II, Math Analysis, and Calculus.

Because honors and Advanced Placement (AP) course work is accelerated, that is, more sophisticated, upper level work of high quality in a compacted time frame is demanded of students, the Math Department has developed recommendations for student success. These criteria are indicators of performance levels or standards for the honors or AP courses and are available from the Math Department.

Mathematics Course Listings

Mathematics Course Descriptions

4600 Practical Mathematics I - Grade 9. Placement required. This course is designed to meet the needs of students who have experienced difficulty in learning mathematics in a traditional format. The content of the course develops basic computational skills using a variety of activities. Activities may include lab and group projects, guest speakers, field trips and the use of hand held calculators. Experiences are designed to show students the necessity of mathematics in occupations and life situations. It is the first course in a two course sequence.

4602 Practical Mathematics II - Grade 10. Placement required. This course stresses applications of skills developed in Practical Math I. Practical problems used in everyday "real life" situations are the basis of this class. Students work with problems and consumer situations they will face after high school. Calculators will be used to assist in solving problems.

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4606 Algebra I Part I (First year course of two-year sequence) - Grade 9. Placement required. This course is a two semester course devoted to the first half of Algebra I (#4612). It is designed for those who wish to study Algebra at a slower pace. Practice and reinforcement of Algebra-related arithmetic will be emphasized. Note-taking and study skills will be stressed and formalized.

4608 Algebra I Part II (Second year of two-year sequence) - Grade 10-12. Placement required. Part II is a two semester course devoted to the second half of Algebra I (#4612) This course completes Algebra I at a slower pace. Note-taking and study skills will be stressed and formalized.

Note: Students who have failed Algebra I, Semester 2 may not enroll in this course unless placement is indicated by standardized test scores and staff recommendations.

4612 Algebra I - Grade 9-10. Algebra I is a one year course that develops number and graphing systems and linear equations in one and two unknowns. Polynomial functions and related topics leading to a comprehension of quadratic equations are also covered. Note-taking and study skills are stressed and formalized. Graphing calculator is recommended.

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4620 Geometry Survey - Grade 10-12. Placement required. Geometry Survey covers basic geometry concepts. More emphasis is placed on informal proofs and numerical and algebraic applications rather than theoretical applications of theorems.

4622 Geometry - Grade 9-11. Emphasis is placed on problem solving and geometric proofs through inductive and deductive reasoning. Course includes topics such as geometry relative to the real number system, distance concepts, angles, triangles, geometric inequalities, parallel and perpendicular lines in space, planes, polygons and circles. Right triangle trigonometry is introduced. A graphing calculator is required.

4624 Honors Geometry - Grade 9-10. In addition to covering the topics listed above for Geometry (#4622), this course provides more rigorous and in-depth approach to covering geometric ideas and formal proofs. A graphing calculator is required.

4630 Honors Algebra II/Trigonometry - Grade 9-11. This course is more rigorous than Algebra II and Trigonometry. It covers all of the same topics in more depth with some additions including sequences and series. Starting with a brief review of some basic axioms and properties in algebra, the course moves quickly to newer topics, integrating real-life applications. A graphing calculator is required.

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4631 Algebra II & Trigonometry - Grade 10-11. This course expands on concepts covered in Algebra I (4612), but develops a deeper understanding, while introducing more advanced algebra topics. Trigonometry topics will be studied beyond what was previously studied in Geometry. A graphing calculator is required.

4632 Algebra II - Grade 10-12. This course is a one year course devoted to providing the college bound student with an understanding of advanced algebra topics and expanding on concepts of Algebra I (4612). If the student intends to take Math Analysis the following year, it is required that he or she takes Trigonometry during the summer. A graphing calculator is required.

4634 Trigonometry - Grade 11-12. One semester. Prerequisite is Algebra II. This is a one semester course which emphasizes an understanding of the theoretical and practical concepts of trigonometry, and their relationship to algebra. A graphing calculator is required.

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4635 Probability and Statistics - Grade 11-12. One semester. Prerequisite is Algebra II. This is a one semester course which emphasizes basic probability and statistical techniques. A graphing calculator is required.

4636 AP Statistics - Grade 11-12. Prerequisite is Algebra II/Trig or higher. The Advanced Placement course in statistics introduces students to the major concepts and tools for collecting, analyzing, and drawing conclusions from data. Students who successfully complete the course and AP examination may receive college credit and/or advanced placement. A summer reading assignment before the first day of class may be required. TI-83 PLUS graphing calculator is required.

4642 Math Analysis - Grade 11-12. This one year course serves as a prerequisite for calculus. A major emphasis is on an extended study of various functions, analytic geometry, elementary logic, mathematical induction, vectors, polynomial and transcendental functions. Trigonometric functions are utilized to solve real-world applications. A graphing calculator is required.

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4644 Honors Math Analysis - Grade 10-11. This one year course is intended as the next sequential course after Honors Algebra II/Trigonometry and serves as the prerequisite for AP Calculus. In addition to those topics covered in Math Analysis, the student will study polynomial and transcendental functions, polar coordinates, and limits. A graphing calculator is required.

4660 Computer Science I - Grade 9-12. Prerequisite is Algebra I. This one year course emphasizes structured computer programming using visual basic. Programming is emphasized as a tool to develop problem solving, encourage student creativity, and facilitate discovery learning.

4668 AP Computer Science JAVA - Grade 10-12. Prerequisites are Computer Science I and Geometry. This one year course is a continuation of Computer Science I. The major emphasis is on designing and implementing computer-based solutions to problems, learning well-known algorithms and data structures, coding fluently in a well-structured fashion using the JAVA programming language, and reading and understanding a large program. The JAVA programming language constitutes the vehicle for implementing the solutions to the problems. Students who successfully complete the course and AP examination may receive credit and/or advanced placement for a college course.

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4670 Calculus - Grade 12. This calculus course reviews Math Analysis concepts and introduces a study of limits, derivatives, and functions including trigonometric, exponential, and logarithmic functions. A graphing calculator is required.

4671 AP Calculus BC - Grade 11-12. Prerequisite is Honors Math Analysis. Topics covered will include an in- depth study of a variety of functions and a study of limits. In addition, differential and integral calculus with applications in related rates, area and volume will be covered. Further studies include sequences and series, elementary differential equations and proofs of theorems. This course demands analytical reasoning skills and disciplined study habits appropriate for continued success at the college level. Extensive independent study is required. Students who successfully complete the course and AP examination may receive credit and/or advance placement for a year of college level Calculus. A completed summer assignment packet is required on the first day of class. A graphing calculator is required.

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4672 AP Calculus AB - Grade 11-12. Prerequisite is Math Analysis. This course is similar to Calculus BC, with less emphasis on rigorous proofs and excludes some topics. The goal of this class is preparation for the AP Calculus AB Exam for college credit. The demands of this course are similar to Calculus BC and involve analytical reasoning skills and disciplined study habits. Students who successfully complete the course and AP examination may receive credit and/or advance placement for a semester of college level calculus. Some independent study is required. A completed summer assignment packet is required on the first day of class. A graphing calculator is required.

4676 Calculus III - (Math 242 @ University of Illinois) Calculus of Several Variables - Grade 12. Prerequisite is a 26 ACT score or higher, BC Calculus and a 3 or higher on AP exam. Contact the department. This course is the third course in Calculus and Analytic Geometry. Topics include three dimensional space, functions of several variables, partial derivatives and multiple integrals. This course uses Mathematica software.

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