Choosing the Right Course for 2012–2013

To assist students and DLs in planning schedules for the 2012-2013 school year.

Prepared by Dick Peller, Mathematics Department Head

 

Students who have not taken Geometry should select Geometry ( MAT 211).

Weaker students should be placed in Basic Geometry (MAT 201).
Students who have done very well in Algebra and who are especially interested in mathematics should consider Honors Geometry (MAT 221).

Students who have credit for geometry should take Algebra II:
* Those students who have done very well in Algebra I should consider Honors Algebra II (MAT 321).
* Most students should enroll in Algebra II (MAT 311).
* Students who have had considerable difficulty with Algebra I should take Basic Algebra II (MAT 301). 

 

Students who have not taken Geometry should select Geometry( MAT 211) or Basic Geometry (MAT201).

Students who have credit for geometry should take Algebra II:
* Most students should enroll in Basic Algebra II (MAT 301).
* Students who have had success with Basic Algebra I should take Algebra II (MAT 311).

All recommendations assume that the student has credit for one year of algebra.
If present course is:

201, Basic Geometry

These students will likely go to Basic Algebra 2 (MAT 301).

Students who have done well and show strength in algebra can take Algebra 2 (MAT311).

 

211, Geometry
Students who have done very well in geometry and who did well in Algebra I should choose Honors Algebra II (MAT 321).
Most students should choose Algebra II (MAT 311).
Students who have had trouble with Geometry and especially Algebra I should take Basic Algebra II (MAT 301).

 

221, Honors Geometry
Students who have done well should choose Honors Algebra II (MAT 321).
Students who have not done well should choose Algebra II (MAT 311).

It may be advisable for some students to do some work in algebra during the summer to strengthen their background for the coming work in algebra.

301, Basic Algebra II
Most students will enroll in Algebra Survey (MAT 410).
A student who has done very well might consider Precalculus (MAT 411), but should arrange to do further work in algebra over the summer.

 

311, Algebra II
Students who have done well and who wish to prepare for calculus should take Precalculus (MAT 411).
Students who have done especially well may consider Honors Precalculus (MAT 421).
Students who have had considerable difficulty should enroll in Algebra Survey (MAT 410). 
Students also have the option to select MAT413, Statistics.

 

321, Honors Algebra II
Students who have done well should take Honors Precalculus (MAT 421).
Others should choose Precalculus (MAT 411).
Students also have the option to select MAT413, Statistics, or MAT513, AP Statistics.

410, Algebra Survey
Students are probably done with math, but if they wish to continue and have done very well in 410, they may consider Precalculus (MAT411)  or Statistics (MAT413).

 

411, Precalculus
Students who have done well (grade not less than B+/A–) can consider AB Calculus (MAT 511).
This is a demanding AP course, and requires departmental approval.
Successful work on the AP examination in AB Calculus usually grants one semester of college credit.

Students who have had difficulty with Precalculus or who do not feel ready for the rigors of AP Calculus may consider Calculus (MAT 431) or AP Statistics (MAT 513).

 

421, Honors Precalculus
Students who have done consistently well (grade not less than B+/A–), who have a strong interest in mathematics, and who are willing to undertake a very demanding course should consider BC Calculus (MAT 521).
Success on the AP examination in BC Calculus usually results in two semesters of college credit.

Students who have had some difficulty should choose take AB Calculus (MAT 511).
Success on the AB AP examination usually results in one semester of college credit.

Students can also consider AP Statistics (MAT 513) or Calculus (MAT 431).

 

413, Statistics
Students may choose MAT 411, Precalculus, if they have not already have taken it.
These students may not take MAT 513, AP Statistics.

 

431, Calculus
Students who have done very well may elect to take an Advanced Placement Calculus course (either AB or BC Calculus), or AP Statistics (MAT 513). Students may also take Statistics, MAT413.

 

513, AP Statistics
Students can take Calculus (431) or AP Calculus course (MAT 511 or MAT 521), depending upon their performance in 513 and the recommendation of their teacher.

 

511, AB Calculus
Students who have done very well can take Multivariable Calculus (MAT 611).

Such students may also take Linear Algebra (MAT 612) or Number Theory (MAT 613), which are offered in alternate years.
AP Statistics (MAT 513) is also an option. 
Students may not take BC Calculus (MAT 521) after they have taken Math 511, because the courses share too many topics in common.

 

521, BC Calculus
Students who have done well can take Multivariable Calculus (MAT 611). 

Students may also take Linear Algebra (MAT612) or Number Theory (MAT613), which are offered in alternate years.
AP Statistics (MAT 513) is also an option.

 

Note: Math 511, 521, 513, 611, 612, 613 require the approval of the Department Head.

 

Math 611, Multivariable Calculus
 Students may take AP Statistics (MAT 513), or Linear Algebra (MAT 612) or Number Theory (MAT 613), which are offered in alternate years.
 

Math 612, Linear Algebra

Students may take either Multivariable Calculus (MAT 611) or Number Theory  (MAT 613)

 

Math 613, Number Theory