Mathematics

MATHEMATICS DEPARTMENT

(1-27-17)

The Mathematics Curriculum is aligned with the Common Core Standards and focuses on problem solving, critical thinking, and real world applications. The Mathematics Department will continue to revise the curriculum as standards and assessments evolve.

General Prerequisites for Honors and AP Courses:

To remain in an Honors course in the next school year, the student must achieve a final grade of at least a ‘B’ and receive a positive teacher recommendation.

To move from a College Preparatory Enhanced to a Honors/AP course in the next school year, the student must achieve a final grade of ‘A’ and receive a positive teacher recommendation.

Recommended Calculators:

Students in all Mathematics courses are strongly encouraged to have their own graphing calculator. The recommended calculators are Texas Instruments models TI 84 - TI 84 Plus, as these will be the calculators used by all of our math teachers in class. The use of these calculators is permitted on district, state, and national assessments including the PARCC, SAT, SAT Subject Tests, ACT and Advanced Placement exams. Students will be using these tools in class and for assignments. In addition to high school math courses, they will be appropriate for undergraduate math courses at the college level.

Any concerns or questions regarding this policy should be addressed to the building Supervisor of Mathematics.

Summer Course Policy:

Given the high standards, pace, and content of our math curriculum, students are generally not encouraged to take summer courses in place of our year-long course offerings. However, a student who wishes to place out of a math course must have the summer course approved by the supervisor prior to registration. Further, the student is expected to earn at least a ‘B’ in the course. Taking summer courses to satisfy prerequisites for Honors or AP courses is not recommended. The supervisor reserves the right to administer an appropriate test before approving placement.

INTEGRATED ALGEBRA AND GEOMETRY CP

This course meets 7.5 periods per week and serves the needs of those ninth-grade students who are not fully prepared to succeed in Algebra. There will be an intensive review and extension of the basic skills; a preparation in the basics of Algebra and Geometry; and the re-enforcement of problem-solving skills.

 

ALGEBRA 1 CP

This course meets 7.5 periods per week and is an introduction to algebra, including topics such as linear equations, systems of linear equations, families of functions, polynomials, and quadratic functions. Elementary probability and statistics will also be introduced, and there is a strong emphasis on problem solving and real-world applications. Additional time will be provided for lab activities, a review and extension of skills, and detailed work on problem solving.

ALGEBRA 1 CPE

This course consists of an introduction to the study of algebra, including topics such as linear equations, systems of linear equations, families of functions, polynomials, and quadratic functions. Elementary probability and statistics will also be introduced, and there is a strong emphasis on problem solving and real-world applications.

Students who demonstrate superior achievement in Algebra 1 CPE may wish to study both Algebra 2 and Geometry during their sophomore year. These students should maintain an “A” average in Algebra 1 and have a positive teacher recommendation.

 

GEOMETRY H, CPE, CP

This course includes the properties of figures in a plane and in space as well as the use of real numbers in the measure of distances, angles, arcs, areas and volumes. Some topics for discussion and analysis are lines, planes, angles, triangles, direct and indirect proof, congruence, similarity, parallelism, perpendicularity, circles, areas of polygons and circles, areas and volumes of solids, and trigonometry related to triangles.  A coordinate approach or a transformational approach will be utilized in developing some units.

Prerequisite: Algebra 1

 

ALGEBRA 2 H, CPE, CP

This course continues the study of algebra, including topics such as quadratic functions, complex numbers, polynomial functions, rational functions, exponential and logarithmic functions, and trigonometric functions. Sequences and series are also introduced, and there is further study of statistics and probability.

Prerequisite: Geometry

 

PRECALCULUS MATHEMATICS H, CPE

This course in Precalculus Mathematics is centered about the study of relations and functions. Topics include circular functions, trigonometric functions, logarithmic and exponential functions, polynomials, conic sections, polar graphs, and sequences and series.

Prerequisite: Algebra 2 H, CPE

 

COLLEGE ALGEBRA AND STATISTICS CPE

This course is designed for students who have completed Algebra 2 CPE and who intend to pursue a liberal arts program in college. The topics include probability, systems, matrices, complex number system logic, consumer and financial management, and topics in statistics.

Prerequisite: Algebra 2 CPE

 

ADVANCED MATHEMATICS APPLICATIONS CP

This fourth year course reviews important Algebra and Geometry concepts and focuses on other topics such as matrices, trigonometry, consumer math, probability, and statistics.  Problem solving and critical thinking skills are stressed, as well as real-world applications.

Prerequisite:  Algebra 2 CP, CPE

ADVANCED PLACEMENT STATISTICS

The course content for AP Statistics is determined by the syllabus published by The College Board. Topics include experimental design, analysis of data, and methods of statistical inference. Students will be prepared to take the Advanced Placement Examination in Statistics upon completion of this course.

Prerequisite:  Students who have completed Algebra 2 or Precalculus must have received an “A” in CPE or a “B” in Honors, and have a positive teacher recommendation.

 

CALCULUS CPE

This course provides a thorough introduction to Calculus, while also reinforcing important concepts from prior math classes. Topics include functions, limits and continuity of functions, derivatives of algebraic and transcendental functions, and integration of algebraic and transcendental functions and applications of the derivative and the definite integral. This course is not intended to prepare students to take the Advanced Placement Examination in Calculus.

Prerequisite:  Precalculus Mathematics CPE, H

 

ADVANCED PLACEMENT CALCULUS AB

This course provides a thorough introduction to Calculus, similar to a first semester college level Calculus course. Topics include functions, limits and continuity of functions, derivatives of algebraic and transcendental functions, integration of algebraic and transcendental functions, and applications of the derivative and the definite integral. Students will be prepared to take the Advanced Placement Examination in Calculus AB upon completion of this course.

Prerequisite:  Precalculus Mathematics H or an “A” in PreCalculus Mathematics CPE

 

ADVANCED PLACEMENT CALCULUS BC

The content of this course is determined primarily by the BC level syllabus of the program in Advanced Placement Mathematics as published by The College Board. The topics include all topics from Calculus AB, as well as additional topics such as improper integration, area bounded by polar curves, advanced integration techniques, and the study of series. Students will be prepared to take the Advanced Placement Examination in Calculus BC upon completion of this course.

Prerequisite:  Precalculus Mathematics H

 

MULTIVARIABLE CALCULUS H

Multivariable Calculus extends the limit, differentiation, and integration concepts of first year calculus to functions of more than one independent variable, which occurs in economics, statistics, physics, chemistry, and biology. There is a more theoretical treatment of the limit, derivative, and integral. These concepts are applied to work, projectile motion, cycloids, optimization, related rate, volume, normal curve, mass, density, and moment of inertia problems. Vectors are used in three space for analytic geometry and for rates of change of functions in all directions. Topics include conic sections, parametric curves, polar coordinates, coordinate systems and vectors, arc length, curvature, velocity and acceleration, functions of several variables, partial derivatives, tangent planes and linear approximations, directional derivatives, double integrals, triple integrals in cylindrical and spherical coordinates, vector fields, line integrals, parametric surfaces, and surface integrals.

Prerequisite: AP Calculus BC or AP Calculus AB with teacher recommendation

COMPUTER SCIENCE H

This honors-level course is designed to give students an understanding of structured programming. Students will design, write and execute programs in modern computer languages. Specific topics include top down design, conditional statements, branching, looping, built-in and user defined functions, and elementary applications.  Students in this course may earn dual enrollment credit through Bergen Community College.

BCC CIS-165:  3 Credits

Prerequisite: Students must have achieved at least a ‘B’ in an accredited Algebra 1 program.

 

ADVANCED PLACEMENT COMPUTER SCIENCE A

This course is designed so students will code fluently in a structured computer language. Emphasis will be on programming methodology, algorithms, data structures and documentation. The course content is determined primarily by the syllabus in Advanced Placement Computer Science as published by The College Board.

Prerequisite:  Computer Science H or Supervisor Approval

 

ADVANCED PLACEMENT COMPUTER SCIENCE PRINCIPLES

This course is designed to introduce students to the main principles within computer science, utilizing computational thinking and problem solving skills. This course will also include concepts that open up the creative side of computer science for students. The course content is determined primarily by the syllabus for Advanced Placement Computer Science Principles as published by The College Board.

Prerequisite:  Students must have achieved at least a “B” in an accredited Algebra 1 program.