Room 31
Course Description
Mathematical studies is course available at SL only; it caters for students with varied backgrounds and abilities. More specifically, it is designed to build confidence and encourage an appreciation of mathematics in students who do not anticipate a need for mathematics in their future studies. Students taking this course need to be already equipped with fundamental skills and a rudimentary knowledge of basic processes.
The course concentrates on mathematics that can be applied to contexts related as far as possible to other subjects being studied, to common real-world occurrences and to topics that relate to home, work and leisure situations. The course includes project work, a feature unique within this group of courses: students must produce a project, a piece of written work based on personal research, guided and supervised by the teacher. The project provides an opportunity for students to carry out a mathematical investigation in the context of another course being studied, a hobby or interest of their choice using skills learned before and during the course. This process allows students to ask their own questions about mathematics and to take responsibility for a part of their own course of studies in mathematics.
The topics covered over two years are: Number and algebra;
Sets, logic and probability; Functions; Geometry and trigonometry; Statistics; Introductory differential calculus; Financial mathematics.
Course Requirements and Required Materials
TEXT:
Coad et al., Mathematics for the international student – Mathematical Studies SL, Haese & Harris Publications, 2004.
MATERIALS:
Every student is required to have the textbook at all times, a 3-ring binder, sheet graph paper, (or a graph-paper notebook designated specifically for Math Studies), a pen (black or blue), a sharpened pencil with an eraser, a ruler, a Graphing Display Calculator.
Goals and Objectives
The goals of this course (as stated by IB for all courses in group 5) are to enable students to:
• appreciate the multicultural and historical perspectives of all group 5 courses
• enjoy the courses and develop an appreciation of the elegance, power and usefulness of the subjects
• develop logical, critical and creative thinking
• develop an understanding of the principles and nature of the subject
• employ and refine their powers of abstraction and generalization
• develop patience and persistence in problem solving
• appreciate the consequences arising from technological developments
• transfer skills to alternative situations and to future developments
• communicate clearly and confidently in a variety of contexts.
At the end of the two-year course, students are expected to know and use mathematical concepts and principles. In particular, students must be able to:
• read, interpret and solve a given problem using appropriate mathematical terms
• organize and present information and data in tabular, graphical and/or diagrammatic forms
• know and use appropriate notation and terminology
• formulate a mathematical argument and communicate it clearly
• select and use appropriate mathematical strategies and techniques
• demonstrate an understanding of both the significance and the reasonableness of results
• recognize patterns and structures in a variety of situations, and make generalizations
• recognize and demonstrate an understanding of the practical applications of mathematics
• use appropriate technological devices as mathematical tools
• demonstrate an understanding of and the appropriate use of mathematical modeling.
Assessment and Grading Procedures
Quarter grades will be calculated as follows:
• Homework: 25%
• Classwork: 15%
• Tests: 60%
Semester grades will be calculated as follows:
• Each quarter: 40%
• Final Exam: 20%
Classroom management procedures
• Students are required to be in class on time everyday.
• Tardy students are expected to pick up a late slip before coming to class. Students must be in class before the bell rings.
• Repetition is an essential component in learning and retaining math skills. Homework assignments must be completed everyday to succeed in this class. Students coming to class without the Homework of the day done, will receive 0 for it.
• Homework must be done in pencil in order to receive credit for the assignment. Homework will be corrected in class in pen.
• If a student misses class, the homework assignment is due at the start of class the day the student returns.
• Students will not be penalized for an incorrect answer on their homework if they have tried to work out the problem and can show their work. Students will not be given credit for any homework assignment without showing their work.
• Tests will be announced 3 to 4 days prior to the test. If a student is absent on the day of a test s/he must make it up the day s/he returns to school. Exceptions will be made for students with serious illness or lengthy absences at the teacher’s discretion.
• Cheating is not tolerated at Newman. Zeros will be given for any work that is suspect.
• No extra-credit is offered in my class.
• Students missing one class should bring to class the HW of the missed class and the one for the day. For an absence of few days, students are expected to see me at the end of the day in which they’re back; for longer periods, students are expected to keep in touch with me via E-mail.