Program of Studies Program of Studies 2018-19 | Page 34

Honors Pre-Calculus (1 credit)
Prerequisite: Honors Algebra II and
Honors Geometry
Students will study the unifying
nature of functions with an
emphasis on trigonometric,
exponential and logarithmic
functions. Visualization and
analysis of graphs will help
students develop insight into
mathematical ideas. The
course will encourage students
to appreciate the importance
of mathematics in daily life
by connecting mathematical
principles to situations in the
natural world (e.g., the periodic
nature of ocean tides). Study
of sequences and series and
probability will be incorporated.
Honors Statistics (1 credit)
Prerequisite: Honors Pre-Calculus
Statistics is used more commonly
than any other kind of math.
Students will see clearly the answer
to the question “When are we
ever going to need this?” Honors
Statistics is a yearlong course that
will focus on collecting, organizing,
analyzing, and interpreting data.
Topics will include exploratory
data analysis, study planning,
probability, and statistical
inference.
AP Statistics (1 credit)
Prerequisite: Honors Pre-Calculus
The 21st century is the age
of information. Advertisers,
businesses, and politicians
all make decisions based on
research. “Data-driven” is the new
catchphrase. Statistics is often a
general requirement for college
majors. This demanding AP course
in statistics will introduce students
to the major concepts and tools for
collecting, analyzing and drawing
conclusions from data. Students
will be exposed to four broad
conceptual themes: exploring
data, planning a study, anticipating
patterns, and statistical inference.
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All students are required to take
the AP exam.
Honors Calculus A (1 credit)
Prerequisite: Honors Pre-Calculus
Since the underlying mathematical
basis of many technical fields relies
on calculus, many college majors
require students to study calculus.
This course is the equivalent
of one semester of a college
calculus curriculum. Studies will
include topics of limits, continuity,
differential and integral calculus.
AP Calculus AB (2 credits)
Prerequisite: Honors Pre-Calculus
Calculus is the mathematics of
change. It can be used to explain
the spread of epidemics or the path
of a curveball. AP Calculus AB is
the equivalent of a 1-½ semesters
of a college calculus curriculum.
In this demanding course, the
student will study the cornerstones
of calculus: the derivative, the
definite, and the indefinite integral.
Students will approach ideas
through the concept of function,
so the class will spend some time
reviewing and extending student’s
knowledge of trigonometric,
logarithmic, exponential and
polynomial functions. Students will
also study continuity and limits,
the differential and advanced
techniques of integration as well
as learn applications of these
concepts. All students are required
to take the AP exam.
AP Calculus BC (1 credit)
Prerequisite: Successful completion
of AP Calculus AB
This course is the continued
study of calculus of functions of
a single variable. Students will
work with functions graphically,
numerically, analytically, and
verbally. Their understanding of
functions will expand to polar and
parametric equations. Derivatives
and definite integrals will be
studied in greater depth to solve a
variety of application problems. In
www.thorntonacademy.org
addition, other advanced topics in
mathematics may be introduced
(e.g., differential equations and
linear algebra). All students are
required to take the AP exam.
MATHEMATICS
ELECTIVES
Introduction to Logic (0.5 credit)
Grades 11 and 12
Prerequisite: Successful completion
of a Geometry course
College bound students who plan
to study mathematics or computer
programming will find this course
most valuable. Logical thinking
is the basis behind mathematics,
computer programming, and
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