Below are the descriptions for all the Mathematics courses offered at Alpha Secondary. Students can meet the Mathematics graduation requirements through any of the pathways described HERE. All pathways are designed to provide students with mathematical understanding and critical thinking skills. It is the choice of topics through which those skills are developed that varies among the pathways. Make sure the pathway you’ve selected satisfies any Post-Secondary entrance requirements for that specific program.
Grade 8
| Mathematics 8 |
| This is the first course in secondary school Mathematics and builds upon the skills developed in previous grades. Topics include include ratios/rates & proportional reasoning, percents, rational number operations, surface area & volume, algebra, the Pythagorean theorem, data & probability, linear relations, and financial literacy. This course aims to provide students with the opportunity to develop the knowledge, skills, and attitudes necessary to be numerate. Teachers will provide enrichment activities during class time to any interested students. Students seeking enrichment opportunities outside of the classroom can participate in the many math contests that our school will host. There will not be a separate enrichment designation on the report card for this course. |
Grade 9
| Mathematics 9 |
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This course is designed to extend on topics from Mathematics 8. Topics include operations with rational numbers, exponents/exponent laws with whole-number exponents, operations with polynomials of degree less than or equal to 2, two-variable linear relations (graphing, interpolation, extrapolation, solving multi-step one-variable linear equations, spatial proportional reasoning, statistics in society, and financial literacy (simple budgets & transactions). At the end of this course, students will be prepared for Foundations and Pre-Calculus 10 OR Workplace 10. Teachers will provide enrichment activities during class time to any interested students. Students seeking enrichment opportunities outside of the classroom can participate in the many math contests that our school will host. There will not be a separate enrichment designation on the report card for this course. |
Grade 10
| Foundations of Mathematics & Pre-Calculus 10 |
| This course is designed to provide students with the mathematical understandings and critical thinking skills identified for post-secondary studies in the fields of Science, Engineering, Business, Language Arts, Fine Arts and other courses offered at post-secondary degree and diploma granting institutions. Topics include prime factorization, functions and relations (connecting data, graphs, situations), linear functions (slope & equations of lines), arithmetic sequences/series, systems of linear equations, multiplication of polynomial expressions, polynomial factoring, primary trigonometric ratios, and financial literacy (gross/net pay). Students who have successfully completed the course may register for Foundations of Mathematics 11, Pre-Calculus 11, or Workplace 11. Students will write a Provincial Numeracy Assessment in their Grade 10 year as part of their graduation requirement. Teachers will provide enrichment activities during class time to any interested students. Students seeking enrichment opportunities outside of the classroom can participate in the many math contests that our school will host. There will not be a separate enrichment designation on the report card for this course. |
| Workplace Mathematics 10 |
| This course is designed to provide students with the Mathematical understanding and critical thinking skills identified for entry into the majority of trades and for direct entry into the work force. Topics include primary trigonometric ratios, metric/imperial measurement & conversions, surface area & volume, central tendency, experimental probability, and financial literacy (gross, net pay, deductions). At the end of this course, students are prepared for Workplace Mathematics 11. Students will write a Provincial Numeracy Assessment in their Grade 10 year as part of their graduation requirement. |
Grade 11
| Pre-Calculus Mathematics 11 |
| This course is designed for students who are going into programs which require theoretical calculus in university (ie. Sciences, Engineering, Computer Science, Human Kinetics or Business). This course is accepted for entrance to most post-secondary institutions. This course explores the real number system, powers with rational exponents, radical operations & equations, polynomial factoring, rational expressions & equations, quadratic functions & equations, linear & quadratic inequalities, trigonometry and financial literacy. The in depth nature of the course is intended to prepare students for Calculus. This course will lead to Pre-Calculus Mathematics 12. Pre-Calculus 11 completes the graduation requirements for Mathematics. |
| History of Mathematics 11 |
| This course is a senior level elective math course geared toward students who interested in learning about how mathematics has evolved over the centuries and how the global language of math is used to better understand the world. The course will examine how societal needs have influenced the development of mathematics and explore how tools and technology have been catalysts for this development. |
| Foundations of Mathematics 11 |
| This course is designed to provide students with mathematical understandings and critical thinking skills identified for post-secondary studies in the arts or fine arts. Topics include logic and reasoning, angle relationships, graphical analysis (linear inequalities, quadratic functions, systems of equations, optimization), applications of statistics, scale models and financial literacy. Although the course explores many abstract concepts including algebra, it will not prepare students for university calculus. Students who successfully master the learning outcomes of this course may continue on to Foundations of Mathematics 12. Foundations of Mathematics 11 completes the graduation requirements for Mathematics. |
| Workplace Mathematics 11 |
| This course is specifically designed to provide students with the mathematical understandings and critical-thinking skills identified for a career in the trades industries, or for direct entry into the work force. Topics include rate of change, probability and statistics in different contexts, interpreting graphs in society, 3D objects (angles, views, and scale diagrams) and financial literacy topics including personal investments, loans, and budgeting. This course will prepare students to take Apprenticeship and Workplace Math 12 if they wish. Workplace Mathematics 11 completes the graduation requirements for Mathematics. |
Grade 12
| Pre-Calculus 12 |
| This course is designed for students who are going into programs which require theoretical calculus in university (ie. Sciences, Engineering, Computer Science, Human Kinetics or Business). Students will build on concepts learned in Pre-Calculus 11, and will spend more time developing their knowledge of algebra and the more formal generalizations of mathematical concepts. Topics include combinatorics, binomial expansion, composite functions, transformations of graphs, exponential and logarithmic functions, polynomial factoring, radical and rational functions, trigonometry, equations and identities. |
| Foundations of Mathematics 12 |
| This course is designed to provide students with the mathematical understandings and critical-thinking skills identified for post-secondary studies in the arts or fine arts. Topics in this course include geometric explorations (constructions, conics, fractals), graphical representations of functions (polynomial, logarithmic, exponential, sinusoidal), regression analysis, combinatorics, odds/probability & expected value, and financial literacy (personal financial portfolio, mortgages, exploring banking options and financial markets). There is increased emphasis on concrete activities and modelling, and decreased emphasis on symbol manipulation (algebra). The Foundations pathway begins in grade 10. |
| Workplace Mathematics 12 |
| This course is specifically designed to provide students with the mathematical understandings and critical-thinking skills identified for a career in the trades industries, or for direct entry into the work force. Topics include measurement (tools with graduated scales, metric/imperial conversions, similar triangles (including right-angle trigonometry), 2D and 3D shapes (including area, surface area, volume, and nets), 3D objects and their views (isometric drawing, orthographic projection), mathematics in the workplace, and financial literacy (business investments and loans). |
| Calculus 12 |
| Calculus 12 will introduce the student to the fundamentals of differentiation and integration along with applications. Topics include graphing, maxima and minima, related rates, areas, volumes and exponential functions. This course is an excellent introduction to university level Calculus. Students interested in post-secondary studies in Math, Business, Science, Computer Science or Engineering should consider Calculus in preparation for post-secondary studies in these areas. |
| AP Calculus 12 |
| AP Calculus 12 is a university level calculus course. Students will cover similar topics to those taught in Calculus 12. This course is intended for students who have completed Pre-Calculus 12. The course content is taught at a faster pace than Calculus 12 due to the AP exam. The big ideas for the course include, limits, differentiation and integration. It is expected that all students enrolled in the course will write the AP exam held in May for potential first-year university credit. Students not intending to write the exam should enroll in Calculus 12. Students interested in post-secondary studies in Math, Business, Science, Computer Science or Engineering should consider a Calculus course in preparation for post-secondary studies in these areas. |
| AP Statistics 12 |
| AP Statistics 12 is a university level statistics course. This course is open to students Grades 11 and 12. In AP Statistics, students learn to examine raw data, graphs, charts, rates, percentages, probabilities, averages, forecasts, and trend liens to see if a true experiment was conducted. The AP exam is written in May for potential first-year university credit. This course is open to senior students who have a demonstrated an aptitude for math. |