Algebra 1 is a traditional course in elementary algebra with an emphasis on solving problems. The course falls into four basic parts: 1) the four operations on real numbers and their use in the solution of simple equations and related problems; 2) polynomials, factoring, and fractions, leading to the solution of more complicated problems; 3) inequalities, functions and relations, and systems of open sentences; and 4) irrational numbers and quadratic functions and equations. A Texas Instruments TI-83 or TI-84 series graphing calculator is required.
AP Calculus AB
This course is designed for the student who is interested in pursuing a college major with a strong emphasis in mathematics. The course will cover three main topics of Calculus: limits, derivatives, and integrals. The course will emphasize a multi-representational approach to calculus with concepts and solutions expressed graphically, numerically, and analytically. The course emphasizes conceptual understanding of derivatives, integrals, and limits, as well as applications of these concepts. In order to develop these concepts, functions and graphs are a fundamental part of this course. A Texas Instruments TI-83 or TI-84 series graphing calculator is required.
*Class receives honors weighting in SI weighted GPA and UC/CSU GPA calculations
Calculus
This course is designed for the student who is interested in pursuing a college major with a strong emphasis in mathematics. In the first part of the course, the elementary properties of functions and their inverses are reviewed, as well as specific types of functions (exponential, logarithmic, trigonometric). Subsequently, the student is introduced to the concepts of limits and continuity; differentiation and its applications to problems of extrema and related rates of change; anti-differentiation and its application to the solution of differential equations; definite integrals and their application to finding areas, volumes, and length of curves. A Texas Instruments TI-83 or TI-84 series graphing calculator is required.
Precalculus
This course is designed to give a thorough preparation for college Calculus. The course content is the same as Precalculus Honors, but is presented at a slower rate and with additional algebra review. Most of the course is an analysis of families of functions and relations – polynomials; rational functions; radical functions; trigonometric functions, including an intense study of right triangle trigonometry, its applications to vectors, circular functions, and trigonometric identities; logarithmic functions; and exponential functions — and their graphs both algebraically and through the graphing calculator, including an introduction to the fundamental aspects of Calculus and an introduction to limits, derivatives, and general curve sketching. A Texas Instruments TI-83 or TI-84 series graphing calculator is required.
Precalculus Honors
Precalculus mathematics is a course designed for the student who intends to continue the study of mathematics in the direction of the natural or physical sciences and is an intensive preparation for Calculus. Most of the course is an analysis of families of functions and relations – polynomials; rational function; radical functions; trigonometric functions, including an intense study of right triangle trigonometry, its applications to vectors, circular functions, and trigonometric identities; logarithmic functions; and exponential functions — and their graphs both algebraically and through the graphing calculator, including an introduction to the fundamental aspects of Calculus. Significant independent work is considered a requirement for this course – students will be asked to perform independent study tasks, including (but not limited to) viewing and taking notes from screencasts, taking online quizzes, and collaborative learning. A Texas Instruments TI-83 or TI-84 series graphing calculator is required.
*Class receives honors weighting in SI weighted GPA and UC/CSU GPA calculations
Precalculus Accelerated
Precalculus mathematics is a course designed for the student who intends to continue the study of mathematics in the direction of the natural or physical sciences and is a preparation for Calculus. Traditional analytic trigonometry is taught at the beginning of the course which includes an intense study of right triangle trigonometry, its applications to vectors, circular functions, and trigonometric identities, and solving trigonometric equations. The rest of the course is an analysis of families of functions and relations – polynomials, rational functions, radical functions, trigonometric functions, logarithmic functions, and exponential functions — and their graphs both algebraically and through the graphing calculator, including an introduction to the fundamental aspects of Calculus. A Texas Instruments TI-83 or TI-84 series graphing calculator is required.
Algebra 2
The first part of the course reviews basic terminology, notation, concepts, skills, and application of elementary algebra by examination of the real number system. This part includes real number concepts and skills involving operations with positive and negative numbers and zero, solution of linear equations and inequalities, one and two variable equations, solving verbal problems, properties of polynomials and rational expressions. Ideas such as set, variable, number line, open sentence, ordered pair, equivalent sentences, and Cartesian coordinate system are studied and the student is required to demonstrate ability to solve problems involving these concepts.
The course also includes the concepts of function and relation and emphasizes linear and quadratic relations and functions. The text chapters discussing this material employ symbols, concepts, and methods presented in the earlier chapters. Thus, the course continually grows and builds on learned material. The course also includes discussions on exponential functions and logarithms, and a short look at trigonometry. A Texas Instruments TI-83 or TI-84 series graphing calculator is required.
Geometry Honors
This course follows generally the description of the traditional geometry course but provides extensive experience from early stages with the devising, presentation, and defense of student proofs and the theoretical consideration of the nature of proof (direct and indirect; in two-column, flow, and analytical paragraph form). The Honors course includes a more extensive coverage of solid geometry, an introduction to analytic geometry and trigonometry, and opportunities for curricular enrichment in problem-solving. Additional topics include vectors, trigonometric identities, conic sections, and the study of trigonometric and circular functions. Within the context of Geometry, the Honors course includes more challenging algebraic applications, such as solving quadratic, rational, irrational, logarithmic, and exponential equations. This course is designed for the student who successfully completed Algebra 2H as a freshman, but any student may apply. A Texas Instruments TI-83 or TI-84 series graphing calculator is required.
*Class receives honors weighting in SI weighted GPA
Geometry Accelerated
This course follows generally the description of the traditional geometry course but also includes more proof (direct and indirect; in two-column, flow, and paragraph form). This course is designed for the student who successfully completed Algebra 1Acc as a freshman, but any student may apply. Within the context of Geometry, the Accelerated course includes more challenging algebraic applications, such as solving quadratic equations. It also includes an introduction to analytic geometry and trigonometry, helping to prepare students for Precalculus. A Texas Instruments TI-83 or TI-84 series graphing calculator is required.
Geometry
The course reviews the basic concepts, terminology, and notation involved in geometry, and is designed for the student who successfully completed Algebra 1 as a freshman, though any student may apply. Both abstract and practical aspects are covered. Conditional statements, conjectures, theorems, and written justifications are systematically brought into the course, along with the subjects to which they pertain, in the context of problem solving as well as in the context of the preparation of formal proofs. Students construct an understanding by spending some of their class time working in collaborative learning groups. Review of algebraic and geometric concepts is employed throughout the course. In this way, algebra skills are maintained and the students are better prepared to enter into the geometric aspects of advanced algebra, math analysis, precalculus, and calculus courses. A Texas Instruments TI-83 or TI-84 series graphing calculator is required.