Mathematics
Four Year University Prep
Castro Valley High School students have the opportunity to meet university entrance requirements by completing the sequence of Integrated Math I, II and II.
Prerequisites for university prep courses: A grade of "C-" or better is required to enroll in a subsequent course and strongly recommended to continue to the second semester of a full year course.
Reasons for math prerequisites: Students who have not mastered the material in a prerequisite course are rarely able to improve their grades in the next course. Most students who take university prep math are trying to meet university entrance requirements of a "C-" or better each semester.
Scientific calculators will be used extensively in all university prep courses. Graphing calculators will be used regularly in Integrated Math 3, Integrated Math 3 Advanced, Pre-Calculus, Honors Pre-Calculus, Calculus, AP Calculus, and AP Statistics. Each student should have their own calculator. A list of recommended models is available.
Full year course, 5 units per semester, grades 9-12
Prerequisites: None
Description: This is the first course in the traditional Integrated Math I, II, III sequence. This sequence will provide students with the mathematical foundation they will need if they decide to go on to a 4-year university. This course includes topics from Algebra 1, Geometry and Algebra 2 such as linear and exponential functions, sequences, data analysis, solving equations, transformation, congruence and Coordinate Geometry.
INTEGRATED MATH II
Full year course, 5 units each semester, grades 9-12
Suggested Prerequisites: Students must have a grade of "C-" or better in each semester of Integrated I.
Description: This is the second course in the Integrated Math I, II, III sequence. This sequence will provide students with the mathematical foundation they will need if they decide to go on to a 4-year university. This course includes topics from Algebra 1, Geometry and Algebra 2 such as angle relationships, proofs, quadratic functions and modeling.
Full year course, 5 units each semester, grades 9-12
Note: This course is the prerequisite for Calculus AB.
Description: This is the third course in the Integrated Math I, II, III sequence. This sequence will provide students with the mathematical foundation they will need if they decide to go on to a 4- year university. This course includes topics from Algebra 1, Geometry, Algebra 2, Statistics and Pre-Calculus such as angle relationships, proofs, quadratic functions, and modeling. The advanced course will cover additional Pre-Calculus topics such as conics, matrices and trig prepares students for AP Calculus. This course is the equivalent of 2 years of math done in one year. Students are expected to devote extensive amounts of time outside of class to the coursework. Note: A graphing calculator will be used extensively as an integral part of this course.
Probability and Statistics
Full year course, 5 units per semester, grades 11-12
Prerequisites: Students must have a grade of “C” or better in each semester of Pre-Calculus, or be a senior who has taken Algebra 2 or Algebra 2 Advanced. A grade of “C-“ or better in the first semester is strongly recommended for enrollment in the second semester.
Description: This course exposes students to the topics of probability and statistics which will be covered in a first semester college course, including 1) exploring data, 2) planning a research study, 3) producing models to explain data, 4) testing the accuracy of these models, and 5) properties of probability and combinetrics.
Note: A graphing calculator will be used regularly as a part of this course.
Pre-Calculus
Full year course, 10 units, grades 10-12
Prerequisites: Students must have grade of "B-" or better in each semester of Algebra 2.
Description: The major goals of this course are for students to develop careful mathematical analysis, critical thinking, and problem solving skills, and logical reasoning. Students will explore a variety of topics that will serve as an in-depth preparation for Calculus. Topics include polynomial and trigonometric functions, matrix and vector algebra, exponential and logarithmic functions, complex numbers, and conics.
Note: A graphing calculator will be used extensively as an integral part of this course.
Honors Pre-Calculus
Full year course, 5 units each semester, grades 10-12
Prerequisites: A passing score on rubric. Rubric includes Algebra2/Advanced grade, math GPA, teacher recommendation.
Description: This course follows the same course outline as Pre-Calculus; however, the subject matter is treated in greater depth and at a faster pace. The major goals of this course are to develop careful mathematical analysis, critical thinking, problem solving skills, and logical reasoning. Students will explore a variety of topics that will serve as an in-depth preparation for Calculus. Topics include polynomial, rational, trigonometric and parametric functions, vector algebra, sequences and series, polar and complex numbers, and conics.
Note: A graphing calculator will be used extensively as an integral part of this course.
Calculus
Full year course, 5 units each semester, grades 11-12
Prerequisites: Students must have a “C” average or better in Pre-Calculus.
Description: The course follows the same course outline as AP Calculus, but is completed over the course of the full school year, and at a slower pace. Students may opt to take the AP Exam in May, but, unlike the AP Calculus course, it is not the goal of this class to prepare students for the AP Exam.
Note: A graphing calculator will be used extensively as an integral part of this course.
AP Calculus AB
Full year course, 5 units each semester, grades 11-12
Prerequisites: Students should have a "B" average or better in Honors Pre-Calculus, and The standard procedure for application for an AP course is used. See page 9.
Description: This course is an advanced placement course equivalent to college level Introductory Calculus. Students study the limit of a function and derivative of polynomial, trigonometric, logarithmic, and exponential functions. Also included are the techniques of integration and applications to problem solving. Students will be expected to take the national Advanced Placement exam in Calculus in May, and if the exam is passed with a grade of 3, 4, or 5, up to twelve units of college credit could be earned. However, AP credit policies vary widely, so contact your intended college(s) to be certain how AP scores will be treated at any particular university. Students are expected to devote extensive amounts of time outside of class to the coursework and are required to do an assignment over the summer.
Note: A graphing calculator will be used extensively as an integral part of this course.
AP Calculus BC
Full year course, 5 units each semester, grades 11-12
Prerequisites: Students should have a "C" average or better in AP Calculus AB, or a “B” average or better in Calculus. The standard procedure for application for an AP course is used. See page 9.
Description: The Calculus BC follows the Advanced
Placement Calculus AB course. The curriculum covers two semesters of college calculus. (Calculus AB, for comparison, is equivalent to a one-semester college course.) The course emphasizes a multi-representational approach to calculus, with concepts, results and problems being expressed geometrically, numerically, analytically and verbally Students will be expected to take the national Advanced Placement exam in Calculus in May, and if the exam is passed with a grade of 3, 4, or 5, up to twelve units of college credit could be earned. However, AP credit policies vary widely, so contact your intended college(s) to be certain how AP scores will be treated at any particular university. Students are expected to devote extensive amounts of time outside of class to the coursework and are required to do an assignment over the summer.
Note: A graphing calculator will be used extensively as an integral part of the course.
AP Statistics
Full year course, 5 units each semester, grades 11-12
Prerequisites: Students should have a grade of "B-" or better in Algebra 2 Advanced or a grade of A- or better in Algebra 2, or a B- in Probability and Statistics. The standard procedure for application for an AP course is used. See page 9.
Description: This course is an advanced placement course equivalent to college level Introductory Statistics. At least one statistics course is typically required for college students majoring in fields such as engineering, psychology, sociology, health science, and business. This course will prepare students for the Advanced Placement Exam by introducing the major concepts and tools for collecting, analyzing, and drawing conclusions from data. Students will be exposed to four themes: 1) exploring data, 2) planning a research study, 3) producing models to explain data, and 4) testing the accuracy of these models. Students are expected to devote extensive amounts of time outside of class to the coursework and are required to do an assignment over the summer. Students enrolled in the course will be expected to take the national Advanced Placement Exam in May.
Note: A graphing calculator will be used extensively as an integral part of this course.