Math >> Courses

Here are the courses offered at Monte Vista, along with course descriptions.

PRE-ALGEBRA
(9-11)
Year
Prerequisite: Recommendation of counselor or failure to pass the math portion of the Cal ifornia High School Exit Exam.
This course covers math fundamentals in preparation for students to pass the math portion of the California High School Exit Exam. The content will include the math standards on the HSEE.
Note: This course is NOT U.C. and C.S.U. certified.

ALGEBRA STANDARDS
(11-12)
Year
Prerequisite: Recommendation of math teacher and counselor.
This course is designed to satisfy the State of California and San Ramon Valley Unified School District graduation requirement of passing a year long course covering the California Algebra 1 Standards. This standards basecourse does not satisfy the prerequisite for High School Geometry.
Note: This course is NOT U.C. and C.S.U. certified.

ALGEBRA IA
(9-12)
Year
Prerequisite: Recommendation of math teacher.
This is the first year of a two-year high school algebra course. The course content includes work with number properties, variables, basic algebraic simplifications, solving equations, applications of formulas and equations, operations with polynomials and quotients, factoring polynomials, solving second degree equations, and applications to problem solving. Calculators are not allowed; all calculations are to be student generated.

ALGEBRA IB
U.C. and State University Certified
(9-12)
Year
Prerequisite: 8th grade teacher recommendation (for freshmen); grade of C or better in Algebra 1A (for non-freshmen).
This course is designed to give the student a better understanding of elementary algebra and its applications. The course content includes operations on real numbers and polynomials, simplification of expressions, factoring, solving equations (including quadratic equations), algebraic fractions, solving proportions and fractional equations, percentage problems, equations of lines, functions, direct and indirect variations, systems of linear equations, inequalities, rational and irrational numbers, quadratic functions, and applications of problem solving.

GEOMETRY
U.C. and State University Certified
(9-12)
Year
Prerequisite: grade of C or better in Algebra IB and teacher recommendation.
The objec tive of this course is to help the student understand plane and space relationships. Topics covered in the course are: basic spatial concepts, deductive proofs, parallelism, perpendicularity, congruence, quadrilaterals, ratio and proportion, similar polygons, the Pythagorean Theorem, right triangle trigonometry, circles, coordinate geometry, regular polygons, areas, volumes, compass and straight edge constructions, and optional subjects as time allows.

ALGEBRA 2
U.C. and State University Certified
(9-12)
Year
Prerequisite: Grade of C or better in Geometry and teacher recommendation.
Algebra 2 is a college prep course which emphasizes review of Algebra I, the Real and Complex Number Systems, solving equations and inequalities, and functions including linear, quadratic, exponential, logarithmic, and rational. Sequences and series, determinants, conic sections, the Binomial Theorem, permutations, combinations, and probability w ill also be covered. A scientific (non-graphical) calculator is allowed but not required. This course will spend more time on the initial review chapters than Advanced Algebra II will.

ALGEBRA 2 ADVANCED
U.C. and State University Certified
(10-12)
Year
Prerequisite: Teacher recommendation only.
All students interested in this course should sign up for Algebra 2. Following the screening process counselors will place qualified students into Algebra 2 Advanced. Prior testing and teacher recommendation will determine enrollment in this course. Students may not have the option of switching from this course to regular Algebra 2 once the year begins. Advanced Algebra 2 is a rigorous college prep course which emphasizes the Real and Complex Number Systems, solving equations and inequalities, and functions including linear, quadratic, exponential, logarithmic, and rational. Sequences and series, determinants, conic sections, the Binomial Theorem, permutations, combinations, and probability will also be covered. This advanced course will spend less time on the initial review chapters, and investigate later chapters in greater depth.

TRIG/MATH ANALYSIS
U.C. and State University Certified
(10-12)
Year
Prerequisite: Grade of B or better in Algebra II is strongly recommended. Graphical calculator required (TI-83+ recommended).
This is a course in functions, development of the trigonometric functions through the use of the concept of circular functions, graphical characteristics of the trigonometric functions-including translations, amplitude, change of period, domain, range, and sums and differences of functions, inverse trigonometric functions-notations and graphs, trigonometric identities, including addition and double-angle and half-angle formulas, use of degree and radian measures, solution of trigonometric equations, polar coordinates and vectors; solution of problems related to force and nav igation, matrices and determinants, higher degree equations, logarithmic functions, rational functions, summation notation, mathematical induction, the conic sections (parabola, ellipse, hyperbola), translations and rotations of the axes and curve sketching.

TRIG/MATH ANALYSIS HONORS
U.C. and State University Certified
(10-12)
Year
Prerequisite: Teacher recommendation only. Graphical calculator required (TI-83 recommended).
All students interested in this course should sign up for Trig/Math Analysis. Following the screening process counselors will place qualified students into Trig/Math Analysis Honors.
This course covers a more in-depth study of topics covered in Trig/Math Analysis and additional topics in limits, divergence and the derivative, as time allows. Instruction in the use of and applications of the graphical calculator will be included in the course.

CALCULUS
U.C. and State University Certified
(11-12)
Year
Prerequisites: Grade of C of better in Trig/Math Analysis and/or teacher recommendation. Graphical calculator required (TI-83 recommended).
A course in limits, differential calculus, differentiation of algebraic functions and applications of differentiation. The topics covered are: functions, limits, continuity, the derivative, rectilinear motion, minima-maxima problems, related rates, the indefinite integral, the definite integral, applications of the definite integral (area between curves, distanc e, volume, arc length, areas of surfaces of revolution, etc.), transcendental functions-differentiation and integration, and methods of integration.

CALCULUS AB AP
U.C. and State University Certified
(12)
Year
Prerequisites: Grade of B or better in Trig/Math Analysis Honors and/or teacher recommendation. Graphical calculator required (TI-83 recommended).
All students interested in this course should sign up for Calculus. Following the screening process, counselors will place qualified students into Calculus AB AP.
This course includes the following topics: absolute value and inequalities; relations, functions and graphs, the line; limits, derivative, continuity and sequences; differentiation of algebraic functions; and applications of differential calculus; Rolles and Mean Value Theorems, graphing applied minima- maxima, concavity, differentials, related rates, anti-derivatives, the theory and applications of integral calculus, methods of integration, differentiation and integration of transcendental functions. Problems requiring the use of graphical calculators will be included in the curriculum. Graphical calculator problems will also be on the AP Exam. Time is spent in preparing for the AP Exam in Calculus.

STATISTICS AP
U.C. and State University Certified
(11-12)
Year
Prerequisite: B- or better in Algebra 2 AND teacher recommendation. Graphical calculator required (TI-83 recommended).
Advanced Placement Statistics is for students who wish to complete studies in secondary school equivalent to an introductory, non-calculus based, college course in statistics.
The purpose of the AP Statistics is to introduce students to the major concepts and tools for collecting, analyzing and drawing conclusions from data.
Students are exposed to four broad conceptual themes:
1. Exploring Data: Observing patterns and departures from patterns.
2. Planning a Study: Deciding what and how to measure.
3. Anticipating Patterns: Producing models using probability and simulation.
4. Statistical Inference: Confirming Models.
Students who successfully complete the course and examination may receive college credit and/or advanced placement for a one-semester introductory college statistics course.