Course Descriptions for Mathematics

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Mathematics

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Mathematics

CREDITS REQUIRED FOR GRADUATION

6 credits are required for graduation from the Dubuque Community School District.
Credits earned beyond the requirement are automatically counted as Elective credits.

ALGEBRA I
MTH161 (Sem 1), MTH162 (Sem 2)

DURATION: year course
CREDITS: 2
OPEN TO: all students
NCAA: approved
PREREQUISITE: instructor recommendation

In Algebra I, equations and inequalities will be interpreted by using tables and graphs and will be solved through algebraic transformations. Students will experience extensive work with linear equations, including systems of equations. Exponential and quadratic functions will be introduced. By being asked to apply algebraic methods to solve a variety of real world and mathematical problems, students will grow in their ability to use abstraction and symbolism. Scientific or graphing calculators will be used throughout the course and are necessary for homework completion. Successful completion leads to Geometry.

Alignment to the Iowa Core Curriculum: Relationships between quantities and reasoning with equations, linear and exponential relationships, descriptive statistics, expressions and equations, and quadratic functions and modeling.

GEOMETRY
MTH171 (Sem 1), MTH172 (Sem 2)

DURATION: year course
CREDITS: 2
OPEN TO: all students
NCAA: approved

Geometry usually follows Algebra I and precedes Algebra II. In Geometry, many of the concepts from Algebra I are employed to present, develop and use concepts involving figures in a plane (such as triangles, squares and other polygons), in space (such as cubes, rectangular solids and prisms), and other solid figures. The entire course is a development of a logical approach to reasoning and recognition of patterns that can be applied to daily life. Successful completion leads to Algebra II.

Alignment to the Iowa Core Curriculum: Congruence, proof, and constructions; similarity, proof, and trigonometry; extending to three dimensions; circles with and without coordinates; and applications of probability.

HONORS GEOMETRY
MTH181 (Sem 1), MTH182 (Sem 2)

DURATION: year course
CREDITS: 2
OPEN TO: freshmen and sophomores
NCAA: approved
PREREQUISITE: minimum grade of B- in 8th grade Algebra or instructor / GT facilitator recommendation

Honors Geometry is intended primarily for students who have done well in Algebra I and enjoy the challenge of mathematics. It is designed to meet the needs of students desiring a strong mathematical background. Students will explore the topics of Geometry (MTH171/MTH172) at a greater depth, with some additional topics addressed. Successful completion leads to Honors Algebra II.

ALGEBRA II
MTH271 (Sem 1), MTH272 (Sem 2)

DURATION: year course
CREDITS: 2
OPEN TO: sophomores, juniors, seniors
NCAA: approved
PREREQUISITE: minimum grade of C- in Algebra I and Geometry or instructor recommendation

Algebra II is a two-semester, two-credit course. Topics include graphing of equations and inequalities, systems, polynomials, quadratic systems, logarithms, trigonometry, and the application of these concepts to real-life. This course is needed to meet the entry requirements for many colleges. It is a prerequisite for many advanced math courses. A graphing calculator is necessary. Successful completion leads to Pre-calculus with Trigonometry or Foundations of College Math.

Alignment to the Iowa Core Curriculum: Polynomial, rational and radical relationships; trigonometric functions; modeling with functions; and inferences and conclusions from data.

HONORS ALGEBRA II
MTH281 (Sem 1), MTH282 (Sem 2)

DURATION: year course
CREDITS: 2
OPEN TO: all students
NCAA: approved
PREREQUISITE: Honors Geometry or Geometry with instructor recommendation

Honors Algebra II is a two-semester, two-credit course with topics similar to Algebra II. This course will cover topics in greater depth than Algebra II (MTH271) and with less time spent in review. It meets college entry requirements and successful completion leads to Pre-Calculus with Trigonometry. A graphing calculator is necessary.

Alignment to the Iowa Core Curriculum: Polynomial, rational and radical relationships; trigonometric functions; modeling with functions; and inferences and conclusions from data.

PRE-CALCULUS WITH TRIGONOMETRY
MTH331 (Sem 1), MTH332 (Sem 2)

DURATION: year course
CREDITS: 2
OPEN TO: sophomore, juniors, seniors
NCAA: approved
PREREQUISITE: Honors Algebra II or a minimum grade of C- in Algebra II and instructor recommendation

Pre-Calculus with Trigonometry is a higher-level course for students taking AP Calculus in high school or Calculus as college freshmen. To be successful, students must have a very strong background in algebra and geometry. Topics include: functions, analytic geometry, trigonometry, parametric and polar equations and the introduction to calculus. The graphing calculator is used to provide a rich array of representation. Real world problem situations are used. A graphing calculator is necessary. Successful completion leads to AP Calculus.

Alignment to the Iowa Core Curriculum: Polynomial, rational and radical relationships; Trigonometric functions; Modeling with Functions; and Inferences and conclusions from data.

ALGEBRA II READINESS
MTH341 (Sem 1), MTH342 (Sem 2)

DURATION: year course
CREDITS: 2
OPEN TO: juniors and seniors
PREREQUISITE: Algebra I
RECOMMEND: Geometry

Algebra II Readiness has been designed for students who have completed Algebra I and Geometry and would like additional math preparation before Algebra II. This course helps solidify students’ understanding of Algebra I and Geometry concepts and introduces Algebra II topics.

Alignment to the Iowa Core Curriculum: Quadratics, Polynomial, rational and radical relationships; Trigonometric functions; Modeling with Functions; and Inferences and conclusions from data.

COMMENT: This course may not fulfill admission requirement for four-year institutions.

APPLIED MATH I – NICC Concurrent College Class (MAT:772)
MTH351 (Sem 1)

DURATION: semester course
CREDITS: 1
OPEN TO: juniors and seniors
PREREQUISITE: none
RECOMMEND: Algebra I and Geometry

Applied Math I is a course designed for students who want to build their mathematical skills for technical fields. Topics include fundamental operations with whole numbers, fractions, decimals, percentages; basic geometry; and measurement. This course has college pacing and rigor. It will require work to be completed outside of class time.

Alignment to Standards: This course is aligned with the unit objects of the NICC Applied Math Course.

COMMENT: This is a concurrent enrollment course. In addition to high school credit, students will earn 3 NICC college credits. This course would count towards the following NICC programs: Auto Mechanics Diploma, Auto Technology AAS, Avionics Elect Tech diploma, Diesel Mechanics diploma, Gas Utility Diploma, Industrial Maintenance AAS, HVAC diploma, Renewable Energy diploma, Welding diploma. Applied Math is not a transferable course.

APPLIED MATH II – NICC Concurrent College Class (MAT:773)
MTH352 (Sem 2)

DURATION: semester course
CREDITS: 1
OPEN TO: juniors and seniors
PREREQUISITE: must have one of the following: ALEKS Math score of 14, ACT Math score of 16, high school cumulative GPA of 2.0, or minimum grade of C- in Applied Math I recommend: Algebra I and Geometry

Applied Math II is a course designed for students who want to build their algebra and trigonometry skills for technical fields. Topics include polynomials, equations and formulas, graphing linear equations, systems of linear equations, factoring quadratic equations and trigonometry. This course has college pacing and rigor. It will require work to be completed outside of class time.

Alignment to Standards: This course is aligned with the unit objects of the NICC Applied Math Course.

FOUNDATIONS OF COLLEGE MATH
MTH361 (Sem 1)

DURATION: semester course
CREDITS: 1
OPEN TO: juniors and seniors
PREREQUISITE: Algebra II

This course is intended to prepare college-bound students for further study in a non-STEM field. This course addresses a variety of topics which will engage students in mathematical decision making. This course will reinforce and expand on topics from prior math courses as well as introduce a variety of topics to prepare students for the Math for Liberal Arts course (MTH362).

Alignment to the Iowa Core Curriculum: Understands and applies concepts of functions, quantities, and statistics and probability.

MATH FOR LIBERAL ARTS – NICC Concurrent College Class (MAT:110)
MTH362 (Sem 2)

DURATION: semester course
CREDITS: 1
OPEN TO: juniors and seniors
PREREQUISITE: must have one of the following: ALEKS Math score of 30, ACT Math score of 19, high school cumulative GPA of 2.8, or minimum grade of C in Algebra I recommend: Algebra II and Foundations of College Math

This course is intended for college-bound students who plan to pursue a non-STEM field. During this course, students will solve problems from many different topics of mathematics. Topics included are: set theory, logic, algebra, graphs, counting techniques, probability, statistics, personal finance, and number representations. The pace and content of this course are college level.

Alignment to Standards: This course is aligned with the unit objects of the NICC Math for Liberal Arts course.

COMMENT: This is a concurrent enrollment course. In addition to high school credit, students will earn 3 NICC college credits. Contact your school counselor and/or the admissions office of the postsecondary institution you plan to attend for more information on the transferability of the credits.

HONORS PRE-CALCULUS WITH TRIGONOMETRY
MTH391 (Sem 1), MTH392 (Sem 2)

DURATION: year course
CREDITS: 2
OPEN TO: sophomores, juniors, seniors
NCAA: approved
PREREQUISITE: B- or higher in Honors Algebra II or instructor / GT facilitator recommendation

Students in Honors Pre-Calculus are taught in-depth Pre-Calculus topics with connections to physics concepts. Honors Pre-Calculus is a higher-level course for students taking AP Calculus in high school or Calculus as college freshmen. To be successful, students must have a very strong background in Algebra, Geometry, and Algebra 2. Topics include: functions, analytic geometry, trigonometry, parametric and polar equations and the introduction to calculus. The graphing calculator is used to provide a rich array of representation. Real world problem situations are used. A graphing calculator is necessary. Successful completion leads to AP Calculus.

Alignment to the Iowa Core Curriculum: Polynomial, rational and radical relationships; trigonometric functions; modeling with functions; and inferences and conclusions from data.

ADVANCED PLACEMENT CALCULUS AB
MTH511 (Sem 1), MTH512 (Sem 2)

DURATION: year course
CREDITS: 2
OPEN TO: juniors and seniors
NCAA: approved
PREREQUISITE: Pre-Calculus instructor recommendation; completion of, or simultaneously enrolled in, Physics or Honors Physics strongly recommended

AP Calculus AB is designed for students who have successfully completed three years of math including Honors Geometry and Honors Algebra II. This course reviews elementary functions with 90% of the instruction focused on differential and integral calculus and related applications. This course will prepare students to take the Advanced Placement Examination in May. Students may earn college credit depending on the results of the examination. A graphing calculator is necessary.

Alignment to the Iowa Core Curriculum: Understands and applies concepts of algebra and trigonometric relationships.

ADVANCED PLACEMENT STATISTICS
MTH521 (Sem 1), MTH522 (Sem 2)

DURATION: year course
CREDITS: 2
OPEN TO: sophomores, juniors, seniors
NCAA: approved
PREREQUISITE: Algebra II with instructor recommendation

Statistics is required for many college majors. The major topics in this course include exploring data, planning a study, anticipating patterns, and statistical inference. The course offers the student the opportunity to take the Advanced Placement Examination with the chance to earn college credit depending on the results of the examination. A graphing calculator is necessary.

Alignment to the Iowa Core Curriculum: Understands and applies concepts of statistics, probability and systematic counting.

ADVANCED PLACEMENT CALCULUS BC
MTH541 (Sem 1), MTH542 (Sem 2)

DURATION: year course
CREDITS: 2
OPEN TO: juniors and seniors
NCAA: approved
PREREQUISITE: Honors Pre-Calculus or Pre-Calculus instructor recommendation; completion of, or simultaneously enrolled in, Physics or Honors Physics

AP Calculus BC is the most advanced course in the mathematics curriculum offered in high school. It is a full-year course in the calculus of functions of a single variable and is comparable to calculus courses in colleges and universities. Topics include all Calculus AB topics plus additional topics such as series and parametric, polar and vector calculus. This course will prepare students to take the Advanced Placement Exam in May. Students may earn college credit depending on the results of the examination. The content is designed to qualify the student for placement and credit in a course that is one course beyond that granted for Calculus AB. A graphing calculator is necessary.

Alignment to the Iowa Core Curriculum: Understands and applies concepts of algebra and trigonometric relationships.

PRACTICAL MATH 1
XSM121 (Sem 1), XSM122 (Sem 2)