Mathematics & Computer Science
A strong background in mathematics is an essential part of the academic development of each Ursuline High School student. Members of the Mathematics Department believe that superior standards of academic achievement and varied methods of instruction and assessment are necessary for the total development of the individual student.
Students are initially placed in mathematics courses through a review of the students achievements in elementary mathematics courses, their performance on standardized tests, their group performance on the mathematics section of the EXPLORE Test used for admission to Ursuline High School and student/parent performance. All students are required to graduate with four credits in mathematics.
Pre-Algebra I
Grade 9
Elective | 1 Credit
Included in this course are: a review of the fundamental operations of addition, subtraction, multiplication and division of fractions, decimals and percents; an introduction to the basic concepts of whole numbers, integers and real numbers; the language and an investigation of the basic properties of Algebra involved in solving equations and inequalities. This course is recommended for those students who score below the 25th percentile on the math section of the Ursuline placement test.
Algebra I
Grade 9-10
Required | 1 Credit
Students who exhibit superior reading, vocabulary and language skills as evidenced on the High School Placement Test and through past performance will be invited by the department into Honors Literature and Composition. PREREQUISITE: 85th percentile or better on the READING and ENGLISH sections of the Ursuline Placement Test
Honors Algebra I
Grade 9
Required | 1 Credit
Students whose scores on the Mathematics section of the Ursuline Placement Test are at the 85th percentile or better will be invited into Honors Algebra 1. Students entering this program must have a high skill level in computation, logical reasoning, and problem solving. Topics covered are: operations with real number systems, sets, solving equations and inequalities, word problems, functions, the coordinate plane and graphing, polynomials and factoring, simultaneous equations, square roots and radicals. This course is the first step in preparation for the AP Calculus course.
PREREQUISITE: 85TH PERCENTILE OR BETTER ON THE MATHEMATICS SECTION OF THE URSULINE PLACEMENT TEST
Geometry
Grade 9-11
Required | 1 Credit
This course is designed to teach students the language of geometry: angle relationships, geometric proofs for both congruence and similarity, right triangle relationships, properties of various quadrilaterals and circle theory, parallels, measurement, area and volume, and the Pythagorean theorem.
PREREQUISITE: PASSING GRADE IN ALGEBRA I
Honors Geometry
Grade 9-10
Required | 1 Credit
Students who maintain a B or better average in Honors Algebra I will be eligible to take Honors Geometry. In addition to the material on geometric language, angle relationships, and geometric proofs for congruence and similarity, right triangle relationships, properties of various quadrilaterals and circle theory, the course will devote time to coordinate geometry and begin the study of trigonometry. This course is designed to provide a rigorous background in logic and proof – the language of mathematics and continues the preparation begun in Honors Algebra I for the AP Calculus course.
PREREQUISITE: “B” OR BETTER IN HONORS ALGEBRA I
Algebra II
Grade 11-12
Elective | 1 Credit
Extending the principles of Algebra I, this course will examine operations with polynomials, remainders and factor theorems, word problems, quadratic functions, conic sections, simultaneous equations, Cramer’s Rule, exponential equations, logarithms and sequences.
PREREQUISITE: “C” OR BETTER IN BOTH ALGEBRA I AND PASSING GRADE IN GEOMETRY
Honors Algebra II & Trigonometry
Grade 10-12
Required | 1 Credit
Students who maintain a B or better average in Honors Geometry will be eligible to take Honors Algebra II/Trig . This course is designed to provide the accelerated Math student with a more rigorous and widespread coverage of the material in Algebra II and to deal with some topics in Trigonometry. Topics include: solving single and multiple variable systems of equations, quadratic equations, some analytic geometry and selected trigonometry topics. This is essentially a precalculus course and constitutes the final preparation for AP Calculus.
PREREQUISITE: “B” OR BETTER IN HONORS GEOMETRY
College Prep Math
Grade 11 – 12
Elective | 1 Credit
This course is designed for students who need to improve their ACT score and require a comprehensive review of math skills needed for college level math. The course will reinforce concepts of number and quantity, algebra functions, geometry, and trigonometry, and statistics and probability. Emphasis will be placed on test-taking strategies and integration of the TI-84 graphing calculator. Computer software will be utilized for the application of all concepts learned.
PREREQUISITE: PASSING GRADES IN ALGEBRA I AND GEOMETRY. This course is NOT open to students passing Algebra II. Students who received an ACT math score of 18 or higher should not consider this course.
Statistics
Grade 12
Elective | 1 Credit
This course is appropriate for those students planning on careers outside of the Engineering/Science areas. Students interested in business, nursing, psychology, social studies and education will find this course interesting and useful. It will cover an introduction to basic probability, statistical methods and formulas, and the interpretation of statistical data. The first quarter of statistics will emphasize preparation for the math section of the ACT.
PREREQUISITE: PASSING GRADE IN ALGEBRA II
Precalulus
Grade 12
Elective | 1 Credit
This course is intended for those who are planning to pursue the study of Mathematics, Science or Engineering in college. During the first semester the emphasis is placed on Trigonometry and vectors. Among the topics studied in the second semester are complex numbers and analytic geometry.
PREREQUISITE: “C” OR BETTER IN ALGEBRA II
Calculus
Grade 12
Elective | 1 Credit
This course is an introduction to Calculus. The main concepts to be studied are limits, continuity, rates of change, derivatives, integrals and applications. This course is appropriate for students who have taken the honors math track, but do not wish or are not ready for AP Calculus, as well as students who have performed exceptionally well in Precalculus.
PREREQUISITE: PASSING GRADE IN HONORS ALGEBRA II & TRIG or “A” IN PRECALCULUS
AP Calculus AB
Grade 12
Elective | 1 Credit
This course will introduce students to the techniques of calculus, trigonometry and analytic geometry. Topics include: trigonometry, trig identities and graphs, analytic geometry in the plane, the derivative and its uses, the integral and its applications. This course will prepare students to take the Advanced Placement Calculus Test (AB). This course is dual credit eligible.
PREREQUISITE: “B” OR BETTER IN HONORS ALGEBRA II/TRIG or “A” IN PRECALCULUS FOR THE YEAR
AP Calculus BC
Grade 12
Elective | 1 Credit
Online/Independent Study Course
This course is the equivalent of an introductory college-level calculus course. In this course, students study functions, limits, derivatives, integrals, and infinite series. Calculus helps scientists, engineers, and financial analysts understand the complex relationships behind real-world phenomena. Students learn to evaluate the soundness of proposed solutions and apply mathematical reasoning to real-world models. Students also learn to understand change geometrically and visually (by studying graphs of curves), analytically (by studying and working with mathematical formulas), numerically (by seeing patterns in sets of numbers), and verbally. Students prepare for the AP Exam and further studies in science, engineering, and mathematics. AP Calculus BC requires use of a graphing calculator. There is a extra fee for this course. This course is not NCAA Clearinghouse eligible.
PREREQUISITE: “C” OR BETTER IN HONORS ALGEBRA II/TRIG
AP Statistics
Grade 12
Elective | 1 Credit
This course is the equivalent of an introductory college-level course. Statistics—the art of drawing conclusions from imperfect data and the science of real-world uncertainties—plays an important role in many fields. Students collect, analyze, graph, and interpret real-world data. They learn to design and analyze research studies by reviewing and evaluating examples from real research. Students prepare for the AP Exam and for further study in science, sociology, medicine, engineering, political science, geography, and business. There is an extra fee for this course. This course is not NCAA Clearinghouse eligible.
PREREQUISITE: CURRENT MATH TEACHER APPROVAL
AP Computer Science Principles
Grade 11-12
Elective | 1 Credit
AP Computer Science Principles introduces students to the foundational concepts of computer science and challenges them to explore how computing and technology can impact the world. With a unique focus on creative problem solving and real-world applications, AP Computer Science Principles prepares students for STEM college majors and careers. Although this is an AP class, the course is designed for all students with an interest in computers/technology and equivalent to an introductory computer science college course. Programming is introduced in the course, but it is not the primary focus of the course.
PREREQUISITE: C or better in Algebra I