Course Offerings: Mathematics

Mathematical analysis involves a number of skills, many of which only begin to be stressed in the formal study of algebra and geometry. These skills continue to be introduced and developed at least through two years of a normal college program in the calculus. Both natural sciences and, increasingly, the social sciences require understanding and competence in applications of the calculus. Most of the courses offered by the Department are designed to bring the student to, or through, the beginning study of the calculus. Students who may want or need to study the calculus must complete the study of prerequisite courses at the secondary level. To fulfill the graduation requirement in mathematics, a student must take one course (or its equivalent at another school) from each of the following groups: MA120; MA220 or MA230; MA320 or MA330. All honors courses and courses above the 330 level require permission of the department.

Course ID

Course Title (click on title for course description)

Term

CS730

AP Computer Science A

This college-level course is taught using Java programming language. The objective of this course is to cover the topics required to prepare a student to take the Advanced Placement Examination in Computer Science. After the A.P. exam, students will participate in a group project covering a relevant topic in applied computer science. Permission of the Department is required.

CS991

Independent Tutorial in Computer Science

This is an opportunity for an individual or a group of students to work with a member of the Department on a project in which they share a common interest. It may entail an advanced programming topic involving robotics, artificial intelligence, genetic programming, or other.

CS992

Independent Tutorial in Computer Science

EC830

AP Economics

This course introduces the principles of micro- and macroeconomics and prepares students for the Advanced Placement Examinations in both subjects. The dual goals of the course are for students to be able to use economic thinking appropriately in their own lives and to understand current economic topics. The first half of the course concentrates in microeconomics, examining how individuals and corporations make decisions. The material then builds to a study of the market system and the role of government in taxation and regulation. The second half of the course focuses on macroeconomics, examining the American economy as a whole. Topics include unemployment, inflation, Gross Domestic Product, economic growth, fiscal and monetary policy, the financial system, and international economic interactions. Evaluation is based on quizzes, period tests, papers, and an examination at the end of the first semester. Students are expected to take both Advanced Placement Examinations. Finally, students who sign up for this course are expected to read "Naked Economics" by Charles Wheelan over the summer. Open to Upper Middlers and Seniors with the approval of the Department.

MA120

Algebra I

This first course in algebra is quite comprehensive. It stresses the fundamental properties of real numbers, solving linear equations and inequalities, multiplying and factoring a variety of polynomials, and roots and radical notation. Topics also include absolute value, systems of equations, and algebraic fractions. A primary goal is ease and accuracy in all sorts of algebraic manipulations. If students cannot solve quadratic equations both by factoring and formula, then they may need to take this course. Required for ninth graders who have not had a full year of Algebra I, recommended for those whose background in algebra is not strong, and required for those who score below 65% on the placement test.

MA220

Geometry

Euclidean geometry is covered in a standard sequence recommended by the Commission on Mathematics of the College Entrance Examination Board. Emphasis is placed on the deductive nature of this branch of mathematics, and on the use of algebra in solving a variety of geometry problems. Open to students who have completed a full year of high school algebra and score above 65% on the Algebra I placement test (see MA120 description).

MA230

Honors Geometry

This honors course follows the same syllabus as MA220, but concepts are covered in much more depth. Open to students who earned a 93 or higher in MA120 or scored exceptionally well on the placement test.

MA310

Algebra II & Trigonometry

This is a standard second course in algebra, geared to prepare students for MA 410—Precalculus. It continues the work of MA120. Algebraic facility and the concept of function are stressed. Additional topics include complex numbers, basic trigonometry, conic sections, polynomials, rational functions, exponentials, and logarithms. Open to students, with permission of the department, who have completed a full year of algebra and geometry, as determined by the placement test (see the descriptions of MA120 and MA220).

MA320

Accelerated Algebra II & Trigonometry

This is a faster paced second course in algebra, geared to prepare students for MA 420—Accelerated Precalculus. It continues the work of MA120. Algebraic facility and the concept of function are stressed. Additional topics include complex numbers, basic trigonometry, conic sections, polynomials, rational functions, exponentials, and logarithms. Open to students, with permission of the department, who have completed a full year of algebra and geometry (see the descriptions of MA120 and MA220).

MA330

Honors Algebra II & Trigonometry

The honors course covers many of the same topics as MA320, but concepts are explored in much more depth. Open to students who earned an 87 or higher in MA230 or the equivalent.

MA410

Precalculus

This course is designed for students who have completed a second year algebra course but who may not be ready for the challenges of the Accelerated Precalculus course. Many of the critical topics from algebra are reviewed with an eye towards enhancing the students' skills. While many of the topics do overlap with the Accelerated Precalculus syllabus, the pace in MA420 is more relaxed and flexible. Graphing, polynomials, exponentials, logarithms, trigonometric and inverse trigonometric functions will be studied. Students who successfully complete this course will be ready to take Calculus (MA520) the following year. Open to students who have completed MA310, MA320, or the equivalent.

MA420

Accelerated Precalculus

This course continues the work begun in MA320 but at a much more sophisticated level. The topics include the theory and graphs of functions and their inverses, exponentials, logarithms, trigonometric functions, analytic trigonometry, and rational functions. Well into the second semester, the course will introduce basic topics of differential calculus such as limits, continuity, the definition of the derivative, and techniques of differentiation. This course is a prerequisite for students planning to take Advanced Placement Calculus AB (MA830) or Advanced Placement Statistics (MA730). Open to students who have earned an 83 or higher in MA320 or the equivalent.

MA430

Honors Accelerated Precalculus

The honors division covers many of the same topics as MA420, but concepts are explored in much more depth. The pace of this course is also notably faster than that of MA420. This faster pace also allows MA430 to introduce topics from calculus sooner in the second semester. Limits, continuity, the definition of the derivative, and techniques of differentiation are studied as well as applications of the derivative. This challenging course prepares students to take Advanced Placement Calculus BC (MA840). Open to students who have earned an 87 or higher in MA330 or the equivalent.

MA510

Statistics

In the world today, more and more decisions affecting the course of our lives are based, at least in part, on the results of statistical analysis. This course will examine data analysis and probability theory, which underlies statistical analysis. It will also consider distributions, statistical inference, and hypothesis testing. The course will move beyond statistics in the spring into other areas of discrete mathematics like election theory, fair division and graph theory. This course is intended as an alternative to the Calculus (MA520) elective. Open to seniors who have completed a 400 level course or the equivalent or by departmental permission.

MA520

Calculus

This course is designed for those students who wish to continue with calculus but do not wish to prepare for the Advanced Placement Examination. The pace of the class is more relaxed without compromising a full consideration of the theory and application of differential and integral calculus. Open to students who have earned an 80 or higher in MA410 or the equivalent.

MA730

AP Statistics

Statistics is the branch of mathematics which studies how to collect and interpret data. This course will examine probability which is the theory behind data analysis. It will also consider distributions, statistical inference, hypothesis testing, regression, and modeling. Students will be prepared to take the Advanced Placement examination in May. Open to students who have earned an 80 or higher in MA420, a 97 or higher in MA410, or the equivalent.

MA830

AP Calculus AB

This course follows the development of ideas started in MA420. In the fall, the course will closely examine the theory behind and the applications of the derivative. A sure grasp of elementary functions and analytic geometry is required. The second half of the course focuses on the integral calculus. There will again be a mix of theory and applications. Students in MA830 will be well prepared for the Advanced Placement Calculus AB examination in May. Open to students who have earned an 85 or higher in MA420 or the equivalent.

MA832

AP Calculus AB/C

This course allows students who have completed AB Calculus to learn the remaining topics from the BC Calculus syllabus. This one semester course will prepare students to take the Advanced Placement BC Calculus exam in May. Open to students who earned a 4 or higher on the Advanced Placement AB exam.

MA840

AP Calculus BC

This course prepares students for the Advanced Placement Examination in Calculus BC, which is designed to lead to a college sophomore honors course in the second-year calculus. Students may take the Calculus BC examination on May. Open to students who have earned an 87 or higher in MA430 or the equivalent.

MA990

Multivariable Calculus and Linear Algebra

This course first introduces and explores the differentiation and integration of functions of more than one variable. Topics include vectors, partial derivatives, directional derivatives, gradients, optimization, Lagrange multipliers, double and triple integrals, vector fields, line integrals, flux integrals, and Green’s, Gauss’s, and Stoke’s theorems. The remainder of the year is devoted to the study of Linear Algebra. Topics include systems of linear equations, matrices, vector spaces, determinants, eigenvalues, eigenvectors, and linear transformations. Open to students who earned a 5 on the Advanced Placement BC exam.

MA991

Independent Tutorial in Mathematics

This is an opportunity for an individual or group of students to work with a member of the department on a project in which they share a common interest.