2013 lhs course selection guide - Longview Independent School ...

Mathematics
Longview High School offers Math Studies,
Mathematics SL, and Mathematics HL as
International Baccalaureate group 5 subjects. The
aim of the mathematics program is to provide an
important key to understanding the world in which
we live. Mathematics is central to our
understanding of events that occur in the natural
world and is studied from the perspectives of a
consumer and individual chosen professions.
These courses are designed for different types of
students: those who wish to study mathematics in
depth; those who wish to gain a degree of
understanding and competence better to
understand their approach to other subjects; and
those who may not as yet be aware how
mathematics may be relevant to their studies and
daily lives.
Longview High School offers Computer Science as
a group 5 subject elective. The aim of the computer
science program is to promote an understanding of
logical problem solving as well as a detailed
knowledge of how computers operate.
Mathematics
Algebra I (International Scholars) 9 1
Prerequisite: IB Admission
This course is designed to prepare the student who
did not take Algebra I in the eighth grade for IB
mathematics in the 11th and 12th grades. The
course content will be the same as Algebra I but at
an accelerated rate and greater depth. Emphasis is
placed on higher-level thinking skills and making
connections between the concepts.
Geometry (International Scholars) 9-10 1
Prerequisite: IB Admission
The use of manipulatives, problem solving
situations, current events, and application to
careers/daily living underscores geometry’s role in
the field of mathematics and as an integral part of
the sciences. Exposure to the historical context of
geometry, significant mathematicians, language
derivatives, etc. pervades the course. Students
should anticipate a minimum of ½ hour of study or
project of homework per evening.
Algebra II (International Scholars) 9–10 1
Prerequisite: IB Admission
This course will cover all the essential elements of
Algebra II, and a number of topics in trigonometry.
Applications will be cross-discipline with a “real
world” project each six weeks, allowing students to
research career options and apply math in a
broadened life contest. Students should anticipate
a minimum of 1/2 hour of study or homework on
most evenings.
Group 5
Precalculus (International Scholars) 10 1
Prerequisite: IB Admission
This course is designed for the advance
mathematics student who has completed both
Algebra I and Geometry in middle school and
Algebra II as a ninth grader. Students, who intend
to pursue college majors in engineering,
mathematics, physics or related field, will be
prepared to take Mathematics HL during their 11 th
and 12 th grade years.
Math Studies SL (IB) 11-12 1
Prerequisite: IB Admission
This course covers the topics of precalculus. It also
includes a study of probability and statistics, and it
has business applications throughout. The students
are required to choose a project topic and develop
it throughout the year. Their work will include
research, original problems, and/or applications,
suitable for IB internal assessment. Students may
take the standard level IB exam at this level. Thus,
emphasis on testing format and preparation will be
intrinsic to the course. Students should plan on a
minimum of 1/2 hour of homework most evenings.
Mathematics SL I (IB) 11-12 1
Prerequisite: IB Admission
This course covers the topics of precalculus. This
course prepares students for further study in areas
requiring a significant amount of mathematical
knowledge, such as economics, psychology,
business administration and chemistry. IB
Candidates will be prepared to take the Standard
Level Mathematical Methods IB Exam during their
senior year of study. The focus of the course is the
use of mathematical techniques to introduce
mathematical concepts in order to provide a sound
mathematical background for the student. The
course covers a broad range of mathematical
topics, thus it is demanding. Students will prepare a
portfolio of problems consistent with the topics
covered and utilizing modeling, investigation and
problem solving techniques as well as technology.
This portfolio determines the internally assessed
portion of the Mathematics SL IB Exam.
Mathematics SL II (IB) 12 1
Prerequisite: Mathematics SL I (IB)
This course continues the study of the topics begun
in Mathematics I SL. IB Candidates will be
prepared to take the Standard Level Mathematical
Methods IB Exam during their senior year of study.
Students will continue to prepare a portfolio of
problems consistent with the topics covered and
utilizing modeling, investigation and problem
solving techniques as well as technology. This
portfolio determines the internally assessed portion
of the Mathematics SL IB Exam.
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