Mathematics

Cellular Biology 0.75 credits W 11, 12

Prerequisite: Biology

Cells are the building blocks of life. Cells have structure, function, and they are composed of smaller units called organelles that work together to make an organism what it is. This trimester course will cover the process of how cells cycle, how they regulate themselves, and cellular replication. This is a course designed for students who seek an in-depth exploration of the cellular level of life and how diversity, the essence of biology, is so vast. Student experiences include microscopy, looking at their own cells, and hands-on projects to demonstrate competencies. This course runs during H period.

Beekeeping (Monday Afternoon Activity) 0.5 credits F, S 9-12

Want a taste of a fascinating outdoor hobby? Monday Afternoon Beekeeping introduces you to the basic care of a hive of honeybees -- humankind’s insect best friend. In Fall 2022, this class will take several field trips to learn from experienced local beekeepers, and will help lay the groundwork for Wooster’s first colony of honeybees, due to arrive in Spring 2023. In Spring 2023, this class will work with our own hive to establish a strong colony of these intelligent and useful creatures.

Beekeeping Intensive 1.5 credits S 9-12

Work as a part of a team to see the world through the eyes of a honeybee, understand their needs, and provide the care that will sustain Wooster’s honey bee hive through the seasons. Learn how to identify the queen bee, provide supplemental food for the hive when needed, and manage for parasites. Become familiar with the biology of these fascinating organisms and how they communicate with each other to provide for the needs of the hive. Students that wish to participate in the Beekeeping Intensive program must also enroll in the Monday afternoon Beekeeping activity. This afternoon activity is pass/fail.

Mathematics

We have created our curriculum with the view that the understanding of fundamental mathematical ideas is a continuing and ordered process. We plan course offerings to give students recurring and varied contact with the essential principles, processes, language, and notation of mathematics. Discovery, logic, brainstorming, analogy, and other techniques introduce and reinforce concepts. Regular practice creates opportunities to master the manipulations and notions discussed in class. Calculators and graphing tools are used to facilitate computations after basic skills have been learned.

The core subjects of the mathematics curriculum are the sequential Algebra 1, Geometry, and Algebra 2. Successful completion of these courses or their honors equivalents is a graduation requirement.

Embedded Honors

Students sometimes do not recognize their zest for more challenging mathematical thinking until they are actively engaged in deeper problem-solving experiences. That in mind, our Algebra 1 and Geometry courses offer an opt-in, Honors component for passionate and motivated students to dig deeper. Following the successful completion of basic course requirements, students may choose to

pursue additional learning intentions and associated problem sets to expand their experience in Algebra 1 or Geometry. Successful completion of this embedded work, manifest via an Honors portfolio, earns students Honors distinction on their transcript.

Algebra 1 3.0 credits AY 9

Algebra 1 introduces foundational algebraic concepts including linear equations in one and two variables; systems of equations and inequalities; manipulation of monomials, binomials and polynomials; factoring; graphing lines and parabolas; direct and indirect variation; rules of exponents; and rational functions. While exploring these topics, students strengthen their ability to think logically and develop mathematical problem-solving strategies. Students that pursue the embedded honors component of this course will delve more deeply into understanding the structures and methods of algebraic problem-solving through complex problem sets.

Geometry 3.0 credits AY 9, 10

Prerequisite: Algebra I

Geometry centers around Euclidean geometry on the coordinate plane and also considers geometry in three dimensions. Students will study angles, areas, volumes, circles, triangles, similarity, and trigonometry. Students will practice proving conjectures with logical arguments. This course integrates hands-on activities such as constructions using a compass and straightedge. Curriculum in this course intentionally interleaves core concepts from Algebra 1 such as systems of equations, challenging students to use algebraic skills to tackle geometric problems. Students that pursue the embedded honors component of this course will delve more deeply into proof techniques.

Algebra 2 3.0 credits AY 9-11

Prerequisite: Geometry

Algebra 2 begins with a review of core concepts from Algebra 1. From there, students progress through an in-depth study of: factoring polynomials, rational functions, radical functions, quadratic functions, and exponential functions. The use of graphing tools brings these functions to life and students gain an appreciation for how we model real-world phenomena using familiar functions. This course incorporates scaffolds such as guided notes and reference examples to support students as they grapple with more advanced mathematical concepts.

Honors Algebra 2 with Trigonometry 3.0 credits AY 9-11

Prerequisite: Honors Geometry

Honors Algebra 2 with Trigonometry begins with a quick review of core concepts from Algebra 1. From there, students progress through an in-depth study of: factoring polynomials, rational functions, radical functions, quadratic functions, exponential functions, logarithmic functions, and trigonometry. The use of graphing tools brings these functions to life and students gain an appreciation for how we model real-world phenomena using familiar functions. The trigonometry component of the curriculum introduces students to trigonometric identities as well as graphing trigonometric functions.

College Algebra with Trigonometry 3.0 credits AY 11-12

Prerequisite: Algebra 2

College Algebra with Trigonometry builds upon the learning that took place in Algebra 2. This course begins with an in-depth study of functions and their properties. Students investigate the 12 parent functions and practice identifying characteristics of these functions. From there, students delve into exponential, logarithmic, trigonometric functions. The trigonometry component of the curriculum introduces students to trigonometric identities, graphing trigonometric functions, and the unit circle. While this course may be the terminal Upper School math class for some students, others may pursue Honors Precalculus as a next step.

Honors Precalculus 3.0 credits AY 10-12

Prerequisite: Honors Algebra 2 with Trigonometry OR College Algebra with Trigonometry The first half of Honors Precalculus focuses on the behaviors of functions introduced in Honors Algebra 2 with Trigonometry: trigonometric, logarithmic, exponential, rational, and inverse functions. The second half of this course introduces polar coordinates and polar functions, vectors, systems of nonlinear equations, sequences and series, and parametric functions. The entire year emphasizes the meaning of mathematical notation as well as justification and plausibility of answers.

DLI Calculus 1 3.0 credits AY 11, 12

Prerequisite: Honors Precalculus

DLI Calculus 1 introduces the basic principles of calculus: limits, derivatives, and integrals. After mastering the mechanics, students will explore each principle more deeply. What exactly are limits? How does a derivative relate to the graph? Can we tell the story of a function by finding its derivative? How can integration help us in real life? Students will master procedural knowledge and gain an abstract understanding of the core concepts of calculus.

DLI Calculus 2 3.0 credits AY 12

Prerequisite: DLI Calculus 1

DLI Calculus 2 is a continuation of DLI Calculus 1. The first trimester focuses on applications of limits, differentiation, and integration. Tutorials serve as the primary mode of inquiry to investigate questions of optimization, rates of change, and determination of areas and volumes. Students will discover multiple problem-solving approaches, and learn to examine physical and abstract objects in multiple ways. The second and third trimesters will focus on sequences and series. Upon completion of this course and DLI Calculus 1, students will have covered all topics in a two semester collegelevel calculus class.

(DLI) Statistics 3.0 credits AY or F, W, S 10-12

Prerequisite: Honors Algebra 2 with Trigonometry OR Algebra 2 Statistics is the discipline which comprises the collection, organization, analysis, interpretation and presentation of data. Descriptive and inferential statistics are the art of summarizing and drawing valid conclusions from that data. Each stand-alone trimester will offer an introductory battery of experiences in descriptive and inferential statistics with an emphasis on why these tools exist and where they came from. After that introduction, students will engage in projects based around the application of statistics to experimental design, data science, finance, games of chance, and other topics selected by students. Students will use spreadsheets and code to visualize large data sets. Students may enroll in this course as a trimester-long elective or as an all-year DLI course. DLI credit is only awarded to students that complete the all-year course. This course runs during G period and incorporates asynchronous responsibilities.

DLI Discrete Math 3.0 credits AY 10-12

Prerequisite: Algebra 2

This introductory course in discrete mathematics is a rigorous alternative to Calculus. The course will teach students to think logically and apply this thinking in problem-solving. Students will learn logic and proof, sets, functions, algorithms, and mathematical reasoning. The topics involve relations, graphs, trees, and mathematical language. Students apply these ideas to real-life scenarios including voting, scheduling, map coloring, and coding. The techniques learned in this class can be applicable to many different fields of study and professional fields for students’ futures. This course runs during GI period.

Beyond Base Ten 0.5 credits F 9-12

Beyond Base Ten is a trimester elective wherein students build a deeper understanding of place value. Starting from our familiar base ten number system, this course explores how different base systems, such as base two (binary), might change the way we think about and use numbers. Students will practice performing number operations within different base systems and will also explore concepts such as: radix point notation, terminating/repeating numbers, and converting numbers from the base ten system to other base systems. This course will run during I period.