Courses

The goal of the mathematics department at Harwich High School is to provide the highest quality mathematics education to the students of Harwich High School. The following flow chart of common sequences is provided to assist students and parents in the selection of the most appropriate program to provide the best learning situation for each student. Each course is designed to be appropriate for the ability of the student as outlined in the course description and allows for continuation in mathematics.

PRE-ALGEBRA   GEOMETRY   AP CALCULUS

PRE-ALGEBRA 1 Credit
(Grade 9)
This course is designed to provide the guidance for a full year of practice in the fundamentals of arithmetic while basic concepts of beginning algebra are introduced and practiced. This course provides practice in using fractions, mixed numbers, and decimal numbers in the four basic operations for the entire year. Area, volume, and perimeter are given considerable emphasis, as are word problems. Major emphasis is placed on problems that deal with both percents and fractional parts of a number, which go hand in hand. Simple algebraic equations containing fractions are introduced and provide practice in adding, subtracting, multiplying, and dividing fractions at the same time that the two basic rules for solving equations are being introduced.

ALGEBRA 1 Credit 1
(Grade 9) This course is the first in a series of three algebra courses designed for the college-bound student. Students will study signed numbers, evaluation of expressions, solutions of equations, adding like terms, number word problems, natural number exponents, factoring, percent word problems, value word problems, addition of rational expressions, simplification of radicals, linear equations and their graphs, simultaneous equations, and uniform motion word problems. Students will also study the geometric concepts of angles, polygons, triangles, quadrilaterals, perimeter, circumference, area, lateral surface area, total surface area and volume.

GEOMETRY 1 Credit
(Grade 10) Prerequisite: Algebra I
This course in Euclidean Geometry places emphasis upon a vigorous treatment of topics from plane and solid geometry and continues to reinforce and expand all of the topics outlined in the Algebra I course. This course will prepare students for the May MCAS exams.

GEOMETRY HONORS 1 Credit
(Grade 9 & 10)
Prerequisite: Recommendation of the middle school/high school math departments and exemplary performance in Grade 8 Algebra I.
This course is the foundation of the honors program. It is the first course in a three-course series designed to prepare students for AP Calculus. In addition to the standard topics of Algebra I (see course description for course 415 Algebra I), this book begins the study of Geometry by concentrating on the concepts of area and volume.

(It is the recommendation of the high school math department that a student select this course only if he/she intends on completing the honors program, culminating with AP Calculus in the 12th grade.)

ALGEBRA II Credit 1
(Grade 11)
Prerequisite: Geometry
This course is the second in a series of three algebra courses designed for the college-bound student. This course includes a review of the fundamentals covered in Algebra I and Geometry and begins our study of trigonometry. We will practice the topics of Algebra I as we weave in more advanced concepts. Students will learn how to complete the square, derive the quadratic formula, simplify radicals, and work with complex numbers. Equations, graphs, word problems, percents, ratios, exponents, functions, complex numbers, quadratic equations and their graphs, and right triangle trigonometry will also be emphasized.

ALGEBRA II HONORS 1 Credit
(Grade 10)
Prerequisite: Algebra I/Geometry Honors
This Algebra II course is designed to complete the fundamental skills of Algebra I. Uniform motion problems, boat-in-the-river problems, and chemical mixture problems are heavily emphasized. Systems of two linear equations in two unknowns, three linear equations in three unknowns, and systems of non-linear equations are constantly practiced. Also heavily emphasized are area and volume, unit conversion problems, right triangle trigonometry, rectangular and polar coordinates, vectors, similar triangles, equations of lines, complex numbers, completing the square, and deriving and using the quadratic formula.

PRE-CALCULUS HONORS 1 Credit
(Grade 11)
Prerequisite: Algebra II/Geometry Honors
This college-level course is designed to prepare students for AP Calculus, as it continues the development begun in Algebra I/Geo. Honors and Algebra II/Geo. Honors. Prahttp://www.gaiaonline.com/profile/index.php?view=profile.ShowProfile&item=7056687ctice in the fundamental skills of algebra, geometry, and trigonometry is provided while advanced topics are introduced and practiced. Logarithms, trigonometric equations and identities, equations and graphs of sinusoids, matrices, determinants, arithmetic and geometric series, conic sections, roots of higher order polynomial equations, functions, curve sketching, concepts of functions and limits, and in-depth development of rate problems are all topics that are heavily emphasized in this course.

AP CALCULUS (AB) 1 credit
(Grade 12)
Prerequisite: Pre-Calculus Honors
This college-level course is specifically designed for those students planning to take Calculus in college. It includes limits and continuity, differentiation and integration with applications in plane and solid geometry. Solutions to and from symbolic, tabular and graphic modes are extensively used. Students may receive college credit with successful Advanced Placement test scores.

ADVANCED MATHEMATICS 1 Credit
(Grade 12)
Prerequisite: Pre-Calculus or Algebra III/Trig.
This course is designed for students who wish to continue their studies in advanced mathematics in preparation for college but are not ready for AP Calculus. This course covers a variety of important topics to lay the groundwork for further study of mathematics at the college level. Practice in the fundamental studies of Algebra I, Geometry and Algebra II is provided, while advanced topics, including trigonometry, functions and their graphs, exponents and logarithms, probability and statistics and conic sections are reinforced.

ALGEBRA III/TRIG. 1 Credit
(Grade 12)
Prerequisite: Algebra II
This course is the last in a series of three Algebra courses designed for the college-bound student. This course continues the development begun in Algebra I and Algebra II. Practice in the fundamental skills of algebra, geometry, and trigonometry is provided while advanced topics are introduced and practiced. Emphasis is given to algebra, trigonometry, functions and their graphs, and word problems.