Mathematics
Mathematics has an impressive record of contributions to discovery and problem solving in science and technology, decision making in business and government, and creative expression in the arts. This record of achievement has earned mathematics a prominent place in school curricula. We live in a world where the emphasis has shifted the demands of mathematics to prepare technologically advanced students who can solve real-world problems and who can communicate those solutions. The Mississippi School for Mathematics and Science mathematics curriculum emphasizes exploration, investigation, reasoning, and communication for all students.
Guidelines for mathematics required courses
Minimum requirements for graduation: Foundations (0.5) or department approval for accelerated study (Approval for accelerated study will be based on home school course work, pre-test score, and ACT Math score). One semester Calculus (0.5); and one semester of Statistics (0.5). Students must complete a minimum of 2 credit hours of mathematics courses. The calculus sequence (Foundations/Pre-Calculus, Trigonometry, AP Calculus I) should be taken in consecutive semesters.
Requirements for graduation with a concentration in mathematics
The Concentration in Mathematics is designed for students who pursue an advanced plan of study in mathematics while attending MSMS. Students who shall have completed 3.0 approved mathematics Carnegie Units with an A-average while attending MSMS shall qualify. The Mathematics Department and Director for Academic Affairs shall determine which courses meet approval. The Concentration in Mathematics is awarded to qualified students whose applications are approved by the Director for Academic Affairs.
Requirements for a Concentration in Mathematics: Complete Graduation requirements with an A-Average in Mathematics, Calculus II or higher, AP Statistics II (if taken at home school, replace with approved elective), and 1.0 additional Carnegie Unit in Mathematics which may include Calculus 3 (0.5) Differential Equations (0.5); Math Modeling (0.5), Discrete Mathematics (0.5); Intro to Programming (0.5); Intermediate Programming (0.5) Linear Algebra (0.5) other course work must have department approval.
Students applying for the recognition and who meet the approved criteria will be awarded a seal on the MSMS Diploma indicating successful competition of the Concentration in Mathematics, and the final MSMS transcript will reflect graduation with Concentration in Mathematics.
Objectives
In an effort to implement the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics Standards and the Mississippi College and Career Readiness Standards the mathematics curriculum objectives are:
1) To utilize methods of mathematical modeling and problem solving.
2) To provide opportunities for reinforcement and extension of logical reasoning and higher order thinking skills.
3) To encourage investigations of the connections among various mathematical topics and their applications.
Special emphasis is placed on writing, research, appropriate use of technology, and student-designed projects in order to enhance the implementation of the department’s curricular goals.
All students must have earned credit of Algebra I, and Geometry, or Integrated Math I and II before entering MSMS. If a student does not have a credit for Geometry, the student must take a Geometry course either by correspondence, virtual school or summer school offerings. This credit must be earned before the beginning of the school year. A course in Geometry will not be taught at MSMS.
Courses offered
Accelerated Algebra II is the full Algebra II course covered in one semester. The course is a continuation and extension of the concepts developed in Algebra 1 and Geometry. Topics include: simplifying expressions, solving equations, analyzing functions, and matrices. This course fulfills the requirement for Algebra II or Integrated Math III.
Solving real-world problems frequently requires advanced statistical and mathematical techniques. In addition, this course provides a comprehensive study of trigonometric functions with an emphasis on application. Topics will include circular functions and their graphs, triangle trigonometry, identities and equations, and vectors. This course provides the foundations for these techniques while providing a hands-on approach to many such problems. Concepts required for both Calculus and Statistics will be thoroughly developed.
Individual and team skills will be enhanced as the students investigate models, perform experiments and analyze data. This course covers the pre-calculus objectives from the Advanced Math Plus course. This course includes a lab. Prerequisite: department approval Credit: ½ Length: 1 semester
This course provides a comprehensive study of trigonometric functions with an emphasis on application. Topics will include circular functions and their graphs, triangle trigonometry, identities and equations, and vectors. Trig may be taken along with or after Foundations, but should NOT be taken prior to Foundations. This course covers the trigonometry standards from the Advanced Math Plus Course.
Solving real-world problems frequently requires advanced statistical and mathematical techniques. This course provides the foundations for these techniques while providing a hands-on approach to many such problems. Concepts required for both Calculus and Statistics will be thoroughly developed.
Individual and team skills will be enhanced as the students investigate models, perform experiments and analyze data. All students are required to take either MA 232 or receive department approval for accelerated study. This course covers the pre-calculus objectives from the Advanced Math Plus course. This course includes a lab.
This course is a thorough treatment of differential calculus including the concepts of limits, continuity, derivatives and application of derivatives. This course follows an AP AB and BC Calculus Syllabus. (Not open to first semester juniors)
This course is a thorough treatment of differential calculus including the concepts of limits, continuity, derivatives and application of derivatives. University credit will be given through the Mississippi University for Women. (Not open to first semester juniors)
This course is a thorough treatment of integral calculus including Riemann sums, applications of integrals and techniques of integration, as well as the calculus of transcendental functions. University credit will be given through the Mississippi University for Women.
This course is a thorough treatment of integral calculus including Riemann sums, applications of integrals and techniques of integration, as well as the calculus of transcendental functions. This course follows an AP AB and BC Calculus Syllabus. Completion of this course prepares students to take the AP AB Calculus Test.
This course extends the techniques of differential and integral calculus to the study of polar and parametric equations, along with vector-valued functions of several independent variables. There is a thorough coverage of infinite series including Taylor Series. This course follows an AP BC Calculus Syllabus. Completion of this course prepares students to take the AP BC Calculus Test.
This course provides a thorough treatment of differential and integral calculus, including limits, continuity, derivatives, applications of derivatives, Riemann sums, applications of integrals, and techniques of integration, as well as the calculus of transcendental functions. In addition, this course extens the techniques of diffferential and integral calculus to the study of polar and parametric equations, along with vector-valued functions of several independent variables. There is thorough coverage of infinite series, including Taylor Series. This course is inteded to prepare students who demonstrate high proficiency in Foundations and Trigonometry to take the AP Calculus BC exam.
This course is a study of descriptive statistics, probability concepts, normal distributions, regression models, design of experiments, and an introduction to inferential statistics. Use of technology will be integrated throughout the course. Unlike Statistics I, this course is designed as preparation for the AP exam in Statistics and is meant to precede AP Statistics II. Note: Both AP Statistics Part 1 and AP Statistics Part 2 are required to receive AP credit.
A study of confidence intervals, hypothesis testing, statistical inference, regression analysis, and analysis of variance, this course uses in-depth investigations with descriptive and inferential statistics. Students will complete a final project in which they design a study, collect and analyze data, and present a summary of their findings.
Electives
Students investigate, find models, determine strengths and weaknesses of models and create summaries of their findings. The topics include techniques that would better prepare students for the Math Modeling Competition. This course is recommended for students interested in applied math or engineering.
This course is a study of logic including but not limited to symbolic notation, truth tables, arguments, and conclusions as well game theory with an emphasis on chance-free games of perfect information. Students will learn the math behind many popular puzzles that are built on logical reasoning, consider winning strategies for commonly played games, and improve general problem-solving abilities.
This course is a study of systems of linear equations, matrices, dot products, cross products, determinants, vector spaces, linear transformations, inner product spaces, eigenvalues, eigenvectors, diagonalization, orthogonality and the QR and singular value decompositions. Applications may include least-squares, Markov chains, systems of linear differential equations and topics in Numerical Linear Algebra.
Discrete Mathematics is an introduction to the mathematical foundations of Computer Science, with a focus on logic and mathematical reasoning. Topics will include logic, proofs, combinations and number theory. An emphasis will be placed on solving problems using the Phython Programming language.
Independent study includes examination and discussion of mathematical topics outside the standard curriculum. This is for advanced students or students with special needs. This course can count toward the MSMS 13 requirement for students who have completed the majority of the MSMS mathematics curriculum and received department permission.