Math Studies SL – Course Syllabus

Sept. 2016 – June 2017

Teacher:Mr. D. Guernsey

Planning:Period __ (If you and I are both available feel free to ask for extra help)

Extra Duty:Period ____ in ___ (see me before going you must have a pre-signed pass)

Contact: Main Office: 881-2044

2017 cohort A1 (Mr. Parisi) ext. 448382018 cohort FA1 Ms. Normandin ext. 44842

E-Mail:

Website:

Office Hours:by appointment

BACK TO SCHOOL NIGHT is on Tuesday September 27

COURSE CONTENT

Math Studies: This course is available only at standard level, and is equivalent in status to mathematics SL, but addresses different needs. It has an emphasis on applications of mathematics, and the largest section is on statistical techniques. It is designed for students with varied mathematical backgrounds and abilities. It offers students opportunities to learn important concepts and techniques and to gain an understanding of a wide variety of mathematical topics. It prepares students to be able to solve problems in a variety of settings, to develop more sophisticated mathematical reasoning and to enhance their critical thinking. The individual project is an extended piece of work based on personal research involving the collection, analysis and evaluation of data. Students taking this course are well prepared for a career in social sciences, humanities, languages or arts. These students may need to utilize the statistics and logical reasoning that they have learned as part of the mathematical studies SL course in their future studies.

COURSE OUTLINE

The IB Math Studies curriculum consists of seven core topics some of which are covered in prior math courses; some review time will be given to each previously covered topic:

1. Number & algebra

2. Descriptive statistics

3. Logic, sets & probability

4. Statistical application

5. Geometry & trigonometry

6. Mathematical models

7. Introduction to differential calculus

Graphic Display Calculator (GDC) use is expected & integrated throughout the curriculum

Course Objectives (Group 5 Aims & Objectives: pgs 8 – 9 of the MSSL IB Syllabus)

After completing this course students will be expected to:

  • know and use mathematical concepts and principles
  • read and interpret a given problem using mathematical terms
  • organize and present information/data in the form of a table, graph, and/or diagram
  • know and use appropriate mathematical notation and terminology
  • select and use appropriate mathematical techniques
  • formulate mathematical arguments and communicate them clearly
  • understand the significance and comprehend the reasonableness of results
  • recognize mathematical patterns and use them to draw inductive generalizations
  • use appropriate technological devices as mathematical tools

MATERIALS:

Text:Mathematical Studies: Course Companion, Blythe, et al.

Supplies:3-ring binder (min 2”), black or blue pens, pencils, highlighters, eraser, paper, ruler, IB approved GDC. Pencils are for graphing only – all other work is to be done in pen or as noted below.

Calculator:A graphing calculator is required for this course. Ti-84 GDCs will be available to students who do not own one for use during class. Due to their cost, these calculators may not leave the classroom. The understanding/use of technology is an integral part of this course.

Mathematical Studies & Theory of Knowledge (TOK)

As presented in the IB TOK Curriculum Guide, within the study of mathematics students will be asked

  • why mathematics is considered to be a universal language
  • to use a precisely defined set of symbols and definitions
  • to use mathematical reasoning to justify solutions
  • to apply mathematical concepts to model real-world phenomena
  • to apply mathematical tools to sets of real-world data

TOK based questions will be used for class openers, discussion & student reflections.

TOK Connections to Mathematics

Is there a distinction between truth and certainty in mathematics? Is mathematics independent of culture? Is mathematics discovered or invented?

Mathematics is founded on a set of more or less universally accepted definitions and basic assumptions. It proceeds from a system of axioms using deductive reasoning to prove theorems or mathematical truths. These have a degree of certainty unmatched by any other area of knowledge, making it excellent raw material for study in TOK.

Despite, or rather because of, the strict confines of mathematical logic, mathematics is an enormously creative subject, asking of its practitioners great leaps of the imagination. Pure mathematics requires no prior sense perception at the start of inquiry but the application of mathematics to real-world situations requires techniques such as those used in the natural and human sciences. Indeed, most research in the natural and human sciences is underpinned by mathematics. There are also often close links between mathematics and the arts where formal requirements for harmony or symmetry impose mathematical structures on a work.

Academic Honesty & Integrity:

There is a zero-tolerance policy for academic dishonesty in this course. Discussion of homework or assignments among students aids learning and is encouraged. However, each student is expected to submit his/her own work. No two assignments should ever be identical on any major part.

  • Scholastic dishonesty includes, but is not limited to: 1. plagiarizing, 2. cheating on assignments or examinations, 3. engaging in unauthorized collaboration (collusion) on academic work, 4. copying another’s homework assignment, 5. sharing information relating to quizzes and/or exams to groups who have yet to take them, 6. taking, acquiring, or using test materials without faculty permission.
  • Copying DOES NOT EQUAL Cooperation - copying is an example of collusion, which is not tolerated under the IB Academic Honesty Policy!!!!!!
  • No cooperation of any kind, or use of unauthorized notes, is allowed during examinations and quizzes.
  • No use of electronic devices of any kind will be tolerated during exams or quizzes. The only exception to this rule is the use of approved calculators when allowed.
  • Academic dishonesty in any portion of the academic work for this course shall be grounds for awarding no credit for that assignment and a written office referral. In order to obtain the opportunity to earn credit for such assignments, the student will be required to undergo remediation as determined by the instructor.
  • Cheating, particularly on examinations, hurts students who are honestly earning their grades by devaluing their achievements. It is every student's responsibility to help control academic dishonesty by reporting it to me whenever they see it going on.
  • Students and their guardians will be required to sign the attached Academic Honesty Policy for this course.
  • Please refer to the IB Academic Honesty Policy for further information regarding policies and procedures.

If you have any questions regarding the expectations for a specific assignment (especially the Internal Assessment Project) or exam, please ask. One of the objectives of this course is to learn and practice academic honesty.

Classroom Procedures:

  • Students are expected to interact with me and other students with respect and courtesy. In turn, I will treat you the same way.
  • Students should attend every class session prepared to learn and work. You will soon discover that missing one day can put you at a real disadvantage because of the brisk pace of the IB Mathematical Studies SL course and since the material is generally new to you and builds upon itself. Consequently, active participation in class is expected, which includes both speaking up and listening. Give class your full attention while here. Do not bring cell phones or recording equipment to class (or have them off and out of sight.)
  • Students whose behavior is disruptive either to me or to other students will be asked to leave the room, will be written up, and held in very low esteem.
  • Please refer to the Student Handbook/Code of Conduct for further information regarding school policies and procedures.

Assessment Objectives & Grading:

The IB assesses student work as direct evidence of achievement against the stated goals of the Diploma Programme courses, which are to provide students with:

• a broad and balanced, yet academically demanding, programme of study

• the development of critical-thinking and reflective skills

• the development of research skills

• the development of independent learning skills

• the development of intercultural understanding

• a globally recognized university entrance qualification.

The assessments aim to test all students’ knowledge and understanding of key concepts through:

• reading, interpreting and solving a given problem using appropriate mathematical terms

• organizing and presenting information and data in tabular, graphical and/or diagrammatic forms

• knowing and using appropriate notation and terminology

• formulating a mathematical argument and communicate it clearly

• selecting and using appropriate mathematical strategies and techniques

• demonstrating an understanding of both the significance and the reasonableness of results

• recognizing patterns and structures in a variety of situations, and make generalizations

• recognizing and demonstrate an understanding of the practical applications of mathematics

• using appropriate technological devices as mathematical tools

• demonstrating an understanding of and the appropriate use of mathematical modelling.

EachQuarter Grade will be determined by 100%Assessment.

Your Final Grade will be determined from an average of your quarter grades & final assessments.

Class-work Expectations

The successful mathematics student will attend class every day, bring all supplies, work cooperatively with their group on class-work, participate in class discussions, listen attentively, challenge themselves when the work is difficult, persevere when tasks are complicated or lengthy, use appropriate resources as aids to learning, clearly explain their work, justify their process and/or prove their conclusion, complete all assignments, make verbal presentations to the class, take and keep notes, & study for and satisfactorily complete all assessments.

Homework Expectations

It is expected that students complete homework. Homework should take about 30 minutes and will be assigned occasionally if not daily. Homework will NOT be collected. Thoughtful completion of homework is excellent practice for the IB exam and is one of the biggest factors of success reported by students.

Proficiency Based Assessment

Because the course is designed to prepare students for the IB Math Studies assessments, students will be graded based on their mastery of concepts that meet the IB Math Studies curriculum. There are two types of concepts: essential and supportive. Essential concepts are ones that must be mastered by all students to receive a passing grade. Supportive concepts are ones that will elevate students above a passing grade. Students will demonstrate their mastery of concepts through formal assessment (either written or oral) that may take the form of a quiz, test, and/or project.

Late work policy

Students are expected to adhere to all deadlines. NO LATE ASSIGNMENTS WILL BE ACCEPTED! All daily and long term assignments are due on the due date or earlier. There will be rare exceptions, as the due dates will be established well in advance. Please indicate if there are extenuating circumstances.

The project due dates are attached to this syllabus.

Missed work policy

Students who have been absent are responsible for obtaining any missed assignments, turning in assignments that were due, and/or copying notes that may have been taken. If you leave early to go on a trip, or are absent from class due to school or other business/illness, it is your responsibility to obtain material beforehand. The assignment MUST still be turned in on the deadline date. If you know there will be a problem turning the work in on the due date please turn it in before the due date. Failure to do so may lead to a grade reduction on the assignment. Classroom policy isTWO SCHOOL DAYSfromwhen you return from an unexpected day missed to make up missed assignments, quizzes, and exams.

Internal/External Assessment Deadlines are FINAL: There will not be any extensions and the assessment will result in a grade of zero in the grade book. In addition the assessment will not be mailed to IB and will represent a zero (N) for that portion of your IB grade.

Papers IE: IA, Projects, TOK Questions: Need to be written in the following format

  • Work must be word processed.
  • Use Times New Roman or Arial font. Size 18-22 may be used for the title itself. Use size 12-14 font for the other title page information. Use size 10 or 12 font size for the body of the project.
  • All pages must be clearly numbered (center page numbers at the bottom of each page . . . the first page of the introduction should be page 1).
  • If an Electronic Copy is being required for submission or if you are absent the day a paper is due it needs to be submitted aseither a .DOC,.DOCX, .RTF, or .PDF file. If you use google make sure to send the file and not a link to the file.

Project (IA):An individual piece of work completed during the course involving the collection and/or generation of data, and the analysis and evaluation of that data. Projects may take the form of mathematical modeling, investigations, applications, statistical surveys, etc. . This project can be worth a total of 20 marks and will count as 20% of your IB mark; the other 80% of that grade is calculated from the results of the two-day exam that students are required to sit for on May 4 & 5, 2017. Students who do not complete a project cannot sit for the exam in May; this is not a school policy – it is a dictate of the IB Organization. Thus, any student who does not turn in the Internal Assessment component(s) during the marking period it is assigned will automatically FAIL that marking period. Once the assignment is turned in, the instructor will then recalculate that marking period grade.

FAILURE TO DO A MATH STUDIES PROJECT WILL RESULT IN FORFEITURE OF THE IB DIPLOMA OR CERTIFICATE.

The parts and time line may change. You will be given updated information in November

Assignment / Criterion / Description / Due Date / Returned by
Project Overview / Explanation of purpose, requirements, examples / November 16 to 23
Brainstorm / Possible Title & Focus Ideas / November 23 / November 28
Criterion A / Introduction & Plan / December 5 / December 9
Criterion A & B assignment / Introduction, Plan, Data Collection & Measurement / December 16 / December 21
Criterion C assignment / Mathematical processes / January 6 / January 11
Criterion D & E assignment / Interpretation of results / Validity / January 19 / January 23
Complete rough draft / Submit two copies of rough draft / February 3 / February 13
Final Project / Submit two copies of Final Project / February 28

Your Internal Assessment will be calculated as two test grades toward your 3rd quarter average.

Final Assessment:Power Point & Presentation 40%

2-day Topic Test 30% & 30%