SMCPS Possible Math Course Pathways
Algebraic Foundations - 030133
Algebra 1 Seminar - 031173
Algebra 1 Comprehensive - 031163
Core Algebra 1 - 031143
Algebra 1 - 031123
Intermediate Algebra - 031643
Core Geometry - 032223
Geometry (Honors) - 032243
Quantitative Literacy - 030383
College Algebra with Trigonometry - 031233
Algebra 2 - 032133
Algebra 2 (Honors) - 032143
Accelerated Algebra 2 and Precalculus (Honors) - 032171 (Sem1), 031472 (Sem 2)
Algebra 3 - 032213
Precalculus - 031433
Precalculus (Honors) - 031443
Calculus - 031533
Advanced Placement Calculus AB - 031733
Advanced Placement Calculus BC - 031833
Advanced Placement Statistics - 030933
Practical Mathematics - 030353
Data Analysis Plus - 030373
Financial Mathematics - 032563
Independent Study Mathematics - 032093
The mathematics program is designed to provide students with a level of mathematics competency sufficient for entry into either the world of work or higher education. Mathematical reasoning, problem solving, communication, connections, and the intentional use of different representations, tools, and technology are major components in all mathematics courses.
Students must meet the MSDE high school assessment graduation requirement and be College and Career Ready (CCR) by the end of grade 11. Math coursework may be determined by whether or not students have met these two requirements.
Beginning with students entering the 9th grade class of 2014—2015 school year, each student must enroll in a mathematics course in each year of high school that the student attends. After completing the required courses of Algebra 1 and Geometry, students may choose from a set of rigorous courses such as Algebra 2, Precalculus, Financial Math, Advanced Placement Statistics, and/or Advanced Placement Calculus. The selection of the appropriate mathematics course for each student should be based on individual needs and educational goals.
Algebraic Foundations is designed to be the first part of a two-part Algebra 1 experience. The fundamental purpose of the course is to formalize and extend the mathematics that students learned in the middle grades. The critical areas, organized into units, deepen and extend understanding of linear relationships. The Standards for Mathematical Practice are embedded into the curriculum and, together with the content standards, prescribe that students experience mathematics as a coherent, useful, and logical subject that makes use of their ability to make sense of problem situations. The Texas Instruments TI-84 Silver Edition or a calculator/app with equivalent capability is recommended.
CREDIT: 1
TYPE: Academic
GRADE: 9
Algebra 1 Seminar is an elective course for students concurrently enrolled in Core Algebra 1 or Algebra 1. The course provides students with additional instructional time to master content, engage in applications-based problem-solving tasks, and develop behaviors as defined by the Standards for Mathematical Practice. The expectation is that students would use the Seminar to improve study skills and build foundations for future mathematics.
CREDIT: 1
TYPE: Academic
GRADE: 9
PREREQUISITES: Concurrent enrollment in Core Algebra 1 and Algebra 1 only
The course focuses on the mastery of five critical areas: (1) developing understanding and investigating relationships between quantities and reasoning with equations; (2) developing understanding and applying linear and exponential relationships; (3) investigating trends and modeling with descriptive statistics; (4) performing arithmetic operations on polynomial expressions, solving equations, inequalities, and systems of equations and (5) using properties of rational and irrational numbers to develop an understanding of quadratic functions. The Standards for Mathematical Practice are embedded into the curriculum and, together with the content standards, prescribe that students experience mathematics as a coherent, useful, and logical subject that makes use of their ability to make sense of problem situations. The Texas Instruments TI-84 Silver Edition or a calculator/app with equivalent capability is recommended. COURSE NOTE: This course meets for a 90-minute period and students earn one mathematics credit and one elective credit.
CREDIT: 2 (1 Mathematics credit and 1 elective credit)
TYPE: Academic
GRADE: 9
The course focuses on the mastery of five critical areas: (1) developing understanding and investigating relationships between quantities and reasoning with equations; (2) developing understanding and applying linear and exponential relationships; (3) investigating trends and modeling with descriptive statistics; (4) performing arithmetic operations on polynomial expressions, solving equations, inequalities, and systems of equations and (5) using properties of rational and irrational numbers to develop an understanding of quadratic functions. The Standards for Mathematical Practice are embedded into the curriculum and, together with the content standards, prescribe that students experience mathematics as a coherent, useful, and logical subject that makes use of their ability to make sense of problem situations. The Texas Instruments TI-84 Silver Edition or a calculator/app with equivalent capability is recommended.
CREDIT: 1
TYPE: Academic
GRADE: 9
Algebra 1 is designed to be the second part of a two-part Algebra 1 experience. The fundamental purpose of the course is to formalize and extend the mathematics that students learned in Algebraic Foundations. The critical areas, organized into units, will include a review of systems of linear equations and inequalities, transformations of linear functions, and quadratic and exponential expressions, equations, and relationships as a means to assist students in distinguishing between linear and nonlinear relationships. Problem-solving skill plays a major role in the course, and students will learn how to apply data collected from real-world situations. The Standards for Mathematical Practice are embedded into the curriculum and, together with the content standards, prescribe that students experience mathematics as a coherent, useful, and logical subject that makes use of their ability to make sense of problem situations. The Texas Instruments TI-84 Silver Edition or a calculator/app with equivalent capability is recommended.
CREDIT: 1
TYPE: Academic
GRADE: 10-12
PREREQUISITE: Algebraic Foundations
This course is aligned to the Maryland College and Career Readiness Standards (MCCRS) for Algebra 1. The purpose of this course is to support students in meeting the MSDE graduation requirements through the completion of an embedded bridge project. The bridge project focuses instruction on three function families: linear, quadratic, and exponential. Students will have additional exposure to linear inequalities, systems of equations, transformation of functions, as well as the use of appropriate technologies for interpreting data and communicating results both quantitatively and qualitatively. The Standards for Mathematical Practice are embedded into the curriculum and, together with the content standards, prescribe that students experience mathematics as a coherent, useful, and logical subject that makes use of their ability to make sense of problem situations. The use of graphing technologies is an integral part of this course.
CREDIT: 1
TYPE: Academic
GRADE: 10, 11, 12
PREREQUISITE: Recommendation of Algebra 1 instructor required.
This course extends the study of topics introduced in Algebra 1. At the conclusion of the course, the students will demonstrate the ability to interpret, use, and apply the properties of geometric figures by using inductive and deductive reasoning geometric definitions, postulates, and the proofs of theorems. This study includes parallel and perpendicular lines, angle relationships, and triangle congruence and similarity. Additional topics include the development of transformational, Euclidean, and coordinate geometry with extensive real-world application. Course requirements are rigorous with an emphasis on mathematical reasoning and communication. The Standards for Mathematical Practice are embedded into the curriculum and, together with the content standards, prescribe that students experience mathematics as a coherent, useful, and logical subject that makes use of their ability to make sense of problem situations. As an integral component of the course, technology facilitates investigation and deepens understanding. A Texas Instruments TI-84 Silver Edition or a calculator/app with equivalent capability is recommended.
CREDIT: 1
TYPE: Academic
GRADE: 9-12
This course extends the study of topics introduced in Algebra 1. At the conclusion of the course, the students will demonstrate the ability to interpret, use, and apply the properties of geometric figures by using inductive and deductive reasoning geometric definitions, postulates, and the proofs of theorems. This study includes parallel and perpendicular lines, angle relationships, and triangle congruence and similarity. Additional topics include the development of transformational, Euclidean, and coordinate geometry with extensive real-world application. Course requirements are rigorous with an emphasis on mathematical reasoning and communication. The Standards for Mathematical Practice are embedded into the curriculum and, together with the content standards, prescribe that students experience mathematics as a coherent, useful, and logical subject that makes use of their ability to make sense of problem situations. As an integral component of the course, technology facilitates investigation and deepens understanding. A Texas Instruments TI-84 Silver Edition or a calculator/app with equivalent capability is recommended. As an honors course, this class includes enhancements, more sophisticated applications, and a thorough treatment of right triangle trigonometry.
CREDIT: 1
TYPE: Honors
GRADE: 9-12
This course, collaboratively developed with the College of Southern Maryland (MTH 0940 and MTH 1010) and St. Mary’s County Public Schools, develops student skills in interpreting, understanding and using quantitative information. It teaches algebraic reasoning and modeling skills through a quantitative literacy lens and emphasizes critical thinking and statistical reasoning. It also develops skills in reading and writing quantitative information. Topics covered include: logical thinking, personal finance, statistical reasoning, probability, quadratic equations, functions, and modeling, and exponential and logarithmic functions. Quantitative reasoning is the ability to interpret and reason with information that involves numbers or mathematical ideas. It is a crucial aspect of literacy, and it is essential in making important decisions and understanding contemporary issues.
This course is a dual enrollment course with the College of Southern Maryland (MTH 1010) and will serve those choosing career choices that are non-STEM in focus.
CREDIT: 1
TYPE: Academic
GRADE: 11-12
PREREQUISITE: Algebra I and Geometry I
This course, collaboratively developed with the College of Southern Maryland and the St. Mary’s County Public Schools, is designed to prepare students for entry into a college-level, credit-bearing mathematics course. In addition to college-level learning strategies, topics include linear, quadratic, radical, rational, exponential, logarithmic, and trigonometric functions, as well as applications of algebraic functions.
CREDIT: 1
TYPE: Academic
GRADE: 11-12
PREREQUISITE: Algebra 1 and Geometry
At the conclusion of the course, the students will demonstrate the ability to interpret, use, and apply polynomial expressions and equations, graph linear and quadratic equations, linear inequalities, and linear systems. They will be introduced to the conic sections and polar coordinates. They will also factor algebraic expressions; calculate with rational, radical, absolute value, and exponential expressions; and will solve quadratic equations by a variety of methods. They will apply appropriate technologies and statistical methods, including matrices and determinants, for interpreting data and communicating results. The use of a graphing calculator will be an integral part of the course. The Texas Instruments TI-84 Silver Edition or a calculator with equivalent capability is recommended.
CREDIT: 1
TYPE: Academic
GRADE: 11-12
PREREQUISITE: Algebra 1 and Geometry
At the conclusion of the course, the students will demonstrate the ability to interpret, use, and apply polynomial expressions and equations, graph linear and quadratic equations, linear inequalities, and linear systems. They will be introduced to the conic sections and polar coordinates. They will also factor algebraic expressions; calculate with rational, radical, absolute value, and exponential expressions; and will solve quadratic equations by a variety of methods. They will apply appropriate technologies and statistical methods, including matrices and determinants, for interpreting data and communicating results. The use of a graphing calculator will be an integral part of the course. The Texas Instruments TI-84 Silver Edition or a calculator with equivalent capability is recommended. This honors course includes enhancements, more detailed applications, and greater acceleration. Exponential and logarithmic functions, sequences and series, coordinate geometry, matrix algebra, and the conic sections will be added and/or enriched.
CREDIT: 1
TYPE: Honors
GRADE: 9-10
PREREQUISITE: Algebra 1 and Geometry
This course is available for any student who has successfully completed Algebra 1 and Geometry with at least a B. Offered in a 90-minute block, students will cover all of Algebra 2 Honors during the first semester and PreCalculus Honors in the second semester, earning 2 credits. After this course, students will enroll in Calculus CM or AP Calculus AB.
CREDIT: 2
TYPE: Academic
GRADE: 9-12 or w/special permission
PREREQUISITE: Successful completion of Algebra 1 and Geometry (H)
This course is designed to improve higher-order algebra skills. The skills learned in this course will prepare students for college placement examinations. The topics to be studied include logarithms, rational functions with an emphasis on graphing and domain/range, conics, basic data analysis, sequences and series, trigonometric ratios, functions, identities, and graphs.
CREDIT: 1
TYPE: Academic
GRADE: 11-12
PREREQUISITE: Algebra 2
At the conclusion of the course, the students will demonstrate the ability to interpret, use, and apply mathematical concepts from a wide variety of functional relationships including trigonometric, circular, composite, inverse, exponential, and logarithmic. They will apply the fundamental concepts of trigonometry and make connections with analytic geometry. They will also isolate roots of algebraic expressions, investigate parametric equations, and solve absolute value, logarithmic and exponential expressions. They will apply appropriate technologies and statistical methods for studying measures of central tendency, measures of dispersion, and correlation of data. The use of a graphics calculator will be an integral part of the course. The Texas Instruments TI-84 Silver Edition or a calculator with equivalent capability is recommended.
CREDIT: 1
TYPE: Academic
GRADE: 11, 12
PREREQUISITE: Algebra 2
This course is for students who have successfully completed Geometry and Algebra 2. The course outline is the same as 031433 Precalculus, but with enrichment topics, more sophisticated applications, a formal study of limits, and an introduction to differential calculus. The Texas Instruments TI-84 Silver Edition or a calculator with equivalent or greater capability is recommended.
CREDIT: 1
TYPE: Academic
GRADE: 10-12
PREREQUISITE: Successful completion of Algebra 2
At the conclusion of the course, the students will demonstrate the ability to interpret, use, and apply the basic tenets of differential and integral calculus. They will have reviewed the fundamental concepts of trigonometry and the connections with analytic geometry. They will apply the derivatives and integrals of algebraic and trigonometric functions in complex problem-solving situations. They will have been introduced to the differentiation and integration of transcendental functions and some advanced methods of integration. The Texas Instruments TI-84 Silver Edition or a calculator with equivalent or greater capability is recommended.
CREDIT: 1
TYPE: Academic
GRADE: 11-12
PREREQUISITE: PreCalculus
This course will review the properties of algebraic, trigonometric, exponential, and logarithmic functions. Other topics will include limits, continuity, differentiation, applications of derivatives, antiderivatives, techniques of integration, the definite integral, and applications of integration. The Texas Instruments TI-84 Silver Edition or a calculator with equivalent or greater capability is recommended. Students should be aware that not all colleges grant credit for qualifying grades on the Advanced Placement examination, although over 400 institutions do grant credit.
CREDIT: 1
TYPE: Advanced Placement
GRADE: 11-12
PREREQUISITE: Precalculus
This course is designed to emphasize a multi-representational approach to calculus, with concepts, results, and problems being expressed graphically, numerically, analytically, and verbally. Technology will be used regularly to reinforce the relationships among the multiple representations of functions, to confirm written work, and to implement experimentation, and to assist in interpreting results. The Texas Instruments TI-84 Silver Edition or a calculator with equivalent or greater capability is recommended. Students should be aware that not all colleges grant credit for qualifying grades on the Advanced Placement examination, although over 400 institutions do grant credit.
CREDIT: 1
TYPE: Advanced Placement
GRADE: 11-12
PREREQUISITE: Advanced Placement Calculus AB
At the conclusion of the course, the students will demonstrate an understanding of collecting, analyzing, and drawing conclusions for data. They will have proficiency in exploring data to observe patterns and variations. They will know how to plan a statistical study through deciding what and how to measure, and by anticipating patterns. They will produce models and simulations, and use confirming models for statistical inferences. The Texas Instruments TI-84 Silver Edition or a calculator with equivalent or greater capability is recommended. Students should be aware that not all colleges grant credit for qualifying grades on the Advanced Placement examination, although over 400 institutions do grant credit.
CREDIT: 1
TYPE: Advanced Placement
GRADE: 11-12
PREREQUISITE: Algebra 2
At the conclusion of the course, the students will demonstrate an understanding of mathematics as a meaningful tool in daily living. This course is intended to provide students with the skills necessary to be financially literate consumers and citizens. The content includes units on earning income, wages and payroll deductions, insurance, banking, credit and loans, housing, transportation, taxes, budgeting, investments, and retirement. In addition, the course will include units to help support those students pursuing Union exams while revisiting and refreshing arithmetic, geometry and algebra skills.
CREDIT: 1
TYPE: Academic
GRADE: 12
PREREQUISITE: 2 credits in mathematics including one credit in Geometry or equivalent required.
Data Analysis is a 4th-year math course that builds on concepts from Algebra I, Geometry, and Algebra II. Students learn to become critical consumers of real-world quantitative data, knowledgeable problem solvers who use logical reasoning, and mathematical thinkers who can use their quantitative skills to solve authentic problems. This course prepares students to take entry-level Statistics in college. Students expand their understanding through further mathematical experiences including the analysis of information using statistical methods and probability, modeling change and mathematical relationships, and spatial and geometric modeling for mathematical reasoning. This course will introduce students to four major conceptual themes: observing and exploring data; planning a statistically valid investigation; anticipating patterns and using probability and simulations for predicting outcomes; and confirming or rejecting models through statistical inference. The Texas Instruments TI-84 Silver Edition or a calculator/app with equivalent capability is recommended.
CREDIT: 1
TYPE: Academic
GRADE: 11-12
PREREQUISITE: Algebra 2
This yearlong course will present students with practical, application-based finance problems and utilize advanced quantitative analysis techniques to solve them. As examples, students will learn how to file their taxes, how to prepare monthly and yearly budgets, compare and contrast cell phone contracts (analysis of alternatives), identify and predict trends (forecasting methods), understand loans and retirement savings (the effects of compound interest), risk vs. reward (business plan and investment portfolio formulation), evaluate refinancing options (break even and return on investment analyses), learn how to shop around for the best credit cards, the time value of money, and more. Students will become equipped with the knowledge to make better financial decisions in their personal and professional lives.
CREDIT: 1
TYPE: Academic
GRADE: 11-12
PREREQUISITE: Algebra 2 or approval of the instructor required.
Independent Study Mathematics is designed for advanced students who wish to pursue individualized course work beyond the school day. All work is supervised by a member of the mathematics department. Students must complete a minimum of 132 hours of supervised activities for each 1 unit of credit and submit a minimum of two projects as determined by the student and the instructor. (A maximum of six units of elective credit may be earned through independent study and/or work study programs while in high school.) COURSE NOTE: This unit(s) may not count as a required course.
CREDIT: 1
TYPE: Academic
GRADE: 9-12
PREREQUISITE: 2.0 cumulative grade point average and approval of the department chairperson, principal, supervisor of instruction, and the Chief Academic Officer.