Mathematics Department
Mission Statement
The mission of the Mathematics Department at St. Joseph High School is to ensure that all students attain a level of ability in mathematics which enables them to further their educational and career pursuits, and become productive citizens in today’s society. We further strive to help students develop an awareness and appreciation of the role of mathematics in the past, present, and future, since math touches most areas of human endeavor.
Goals
- To apply mathematical concepts, procedures, and computational skills at a level that corresponds to individual ability;
- To acquire and apply problem-solving skills and strategies;
- To collect, organize, and interpret data using appropriate statistical methods;
- To understand the concept of measurement, and to use appropriate measuring devices and techniques accurately;
- To develop estimation skills;
- To develop logical and critical thinking skills at all levels;
- To appreciate the role that mathematics has in the real world;
- To develop competence with available technological resources and appreciation for the appropriate use of technology in problem solving;
- To provide college-bound students with the necessary skills to be successful in college-
level coursework; - To provide non-college bound students with the necessary skills to be successful in chosen career paths.
Courses Available
Algebra IA/IB (2 year sequence)
Algebra I
Algebra I - Honors
Plane Geometry
Plane Geometry - Honors
Algebra II
Algebra II Honors
Transition to College Mathematics
Trigonometry
Statistics
Personal Finance
Pre-Calculus-Honors
AP Calculus-Honors
Algebra IA/IB
This is a two-year course sequence designed to satisfy the Algebra graduation requirement, but taken at a pace that allows time for necessary Pre-Algebra skill review, and more in-depth coverage and practice of required Algebra concepts. Upon completion of this two-year course, students will enter Geometry in their junior year.
Algebra IA
Required /Two Terms / 1 Credit
Topics studied include introduction to the language of Algebra, properties of real numbers, solving linear equations, graphing linear equations, writing linear equations, and the study of linear inequalities.
Prerequisite; Freshman standing and department approval.
Algebra IB
Required / Two Terms / 1 Credit
Topics studied include systems of linear equations and inequalities, exponents and exponential functions, quadratic equations, polynomial operations and factoring, rational equations, and radicals. If time allows, basic Trigonometry will be introduced.
Prerequisite: Successful completion of Algebra IA
Algebra I
Required / Two Terms / 1 Credit
Students learn the language, structure, and techniques of Algebra, and how to apply them in solving real world situations. Topics include operations within the real number system, solution of linear equations and inequalities, graphing of linear equations and inequalities, operations with exponents and radicals, and solution of linear systems, quadratic and exponential equations.
Prerequisite: Department approval.
Algebra I - Honors
Elective / Two Terms / 1 Credit / Honors
This course is designed for those highly motivated students who demonstrate by previous achievement a high level of competency and aptitude. Topics studied are the same as in the regular Algebra course, but the students will explore concepts in greater depth and difficulty level, and at an accelerated pace. Students will be expected to perform with a high degree of understanding and accuracy.
Prerequisite: Department approval.
Plane Geometry - Regular
Required / Two Terms / 1 Credit
The purpose of this course is to develop proficiency in geometric skills, to improve logical reasoning (particularly deductive), and to expand the understanding of geometric concepts. Students gain experience in the nature of proof and in the practice of logical reasoning. This course will satisfy a college entrance requirement for Geometry.
Prerequisite: Algebra I or Algebra IA/IB. Department approval.
Plane Geometry - Honors
Elective / Two Terms / 1 Credit / Honors
This course is designed for students who have demonstrated a high level of competency in previous math courses. The performance objectives will be similar to Plane Geometry - Regular, but developed to a higher degree. In addition, students will be more rigorous in proofs, gain experience in indirect proof, and come to an understanding of inductive reasoning.
Prerequisite: A or B in Algebra I Honors or A in Algebra I regular, department approval.
Algebra II
Elective / Two Terms / 1 Credit
This course is designed for the college-bound student. It will reinforce and build upon the basic concepts from Algebra I including solution of various types of equations and inequalities. Students will also study matrices, polynomial operations, exponential and logarithmic functions, and rational equations.
Prerequisite: Successful completion of Algebra I or Algebra IA/IB and Geometry and Department approval. A graphing calculator is required.
Algebra II Honors
Elective /Two Terms / 1 Credit / Honors
This course is designed for students whose college coursework will involve advanced level math and science courses. Students must have a strong Algebra I background. Topics include all those covered in Algebra II, as well as conic sections, sequences and series, and probability and statistics. Key concepts of trigonometry will be studied.
Prerequisite: A or B in Algebra I Honors or an A in Algebra I Regular, successful completion of Geometry, and department approval. A graphing calculator is required.
Personal Finance
Elective / One Term / 0.5 Credit
This course is designed to give students a fundamental understanding of financial topics which are essential for success in everyday life. Units of study will include charge cards, credit, loans, investments, mortgages, taxes, insurance, saving for retirement, and other financial matters related to daily living such as management of bills and bank accounts.
Prerequisite: Successful completion of Algebra I and Geometry and junior or senior standing.
Transition to College Mathematics
Elective / One Term / 0.5 credit
This course is designed for students who have completed Algebra II Regular and desire additional preparation for general college-level mathematics course requirements. It is a one-term course which provides reinforcement and enrichment of the algebra and geometry skills essential for placement into college credit courses including an introduction to the fundamentals of trigonometry. This course is not for students whose college goals will require mathematics or science courses beyond the minimum general college requirements.
Prerequisite: Successful completion of Algebra II Regular. Students who complete Algebra II Honors with a C- or less are eligible with Department approval.
Trigonometry
Elective / One Term / 0.5 Credit
Trigonometry is a one-half credit course which covers right triangle trigonometry, circular functions, graphing trigonometric functions, inverse trigonometric functions, trigonometric identities, Law of Sines, Law of Cosines, trigonometric form of a complex number, and applications of these in solving real life situations. This course is designed for college bound students who have a strong background of Algebra II and whose college plans may require math beyond the general requirements. A graphing calculator (TI-83 or 84 series is preferred) is required for this course.
Prerequisite: An A or B in Algebra IIR, or C or above in Algebra II Honors, and department approval.
Statistics
Elective / One Term / 0.5 Credit
Statistics is a one-half credit course covering descriptive and inferential statistics, topics in probability, and normal and binomial distributions. The course includes frequency distributions, measures of central tendency such as mean, median, mode, measures of variations such as range and standard deviations, Z-scores and measures of positions.
A graphing calculator (TI-83 or 84 series is preferred).
This course is designed for college bound students. It is appropriate for students pursuing careers ranging from the social sciences of psychology and sociology to areas such as education, allied health fields, business, economics, engineering, the humanities, the physical sciences, journalism, communications and liberal arts.
Prerequisite: C+ or above in Algebra II Regular, or C or above in Algebra II Honors, or C+ or above in Transition to College Mathematics, or successful completion of Pre-Calculus, and department approval
Pre-Calculus
Elective /Two Terms / 1 Credit / Honors
This course is designed for the college-bound student whose planned curriculum will require Calculus or other mathematics courses beyond the general requirement. A variety of advanced mathematics topics will be studied, some of which expand on concepts learned in Algebra II Honors. Principle units of study include various types of functions, the nature of graphs, extensive work in trigonometry, the conic sections, vectors, parametric equations, polar coordinates, logarithms, probability, statistics, and sequences and series. An intuitive understanding of limits, the derivative, and the integral is included.
Prerequisite: B average in Algebra II Honors or an A in Algebra II Regular, and department approval.
AP Calculus
Elective / Two Terms / 1 Credit / Honors
Calculus is a one-credit course designed to offer a “fifth year” of mathematics to students who have successfully completed the standard four-year college preparatory mathematics sequence of Algebra I through Pre-calculus. It is intended for students who are planning on pursuing college programs requiring the study of Calculus and beyond for degree certification. The one-credit course at St. Joseph High School is designed to be comparable to the first semester of college Calculus and will prepare students to take the AP Calculus AB exam in the spring of the year.
Prerequisite: Pre-Calculus and department approval. The mission of the Mathematics Department at St. Joseph High School is to ensure that all students attain a level of ability in mathematics which enables them to further their educational and career pursuits, and become productive citizens in today’s society. We further strive to help students develop an awareness and appreciation of the role of mathematics in the past, present, and future, since math touches most areas of human endeavor.