Group 5: Math & Mathematical Studies SL

Course Description

There is a choice of three courses in mathematics each tailored to challenge students of the appropriate initial ability and give them the necessary skills for further study. All our courses aim to enable students to access and appreciate the power and usefulness of mathematics. They also aim to give students an enjoyment of the subject and a desire to produce elegant solutions in their own work. We will give students insight into the ongoing nature of learning, in particular encouraging them to make appropriate use of new technologies as they become available. Students will be encouraged to develop independent working techniques whilst being supported in the process of acquiring academic maturity.

Mathematics HL: The course will focus on developing the fundamental mathematical concepts in a structured and rigorous way. Our teaching will equip students with a wide range of skills and empower them to identify the most appropriate approach. The teaching will challenge students to routinely consider the limitations of their own work whilst encouraging them to consider abstract methods in order to produce general solutions.

Mathematics SL: The course will focus on preparing students with a solid basis for further study where some knowledge of advanced mathematics is required. It will also support the other parts of the IB course which require some use of mathematics. Mathematical Studies SL: The course will focus on mathematics that can be commonly applied to real-world scenarios. It will support the student's work in their other subjects and will make use of technology to access more technical methods where necessary.

In all courses we aim to give students a cultural, historical and personal perspective on mathematics by including study of inventions and situations that were instrumental in major mathematical breakthroughs. We will look at the work of many mathematicians with a variety of backgrounds considering the prevailing culture that may have been formative in their thinking. Students will also learn to appreciate the universal language of mathematics and the need for international standards in notation and measurement.

Course Content

Mathematics HL and SL

Following a short introductory course ensuring that all students have the correct basic skills all

Mathematics HL and SL candidates will undertake the following areas of study:

• Algebra

• Functions and Equations

• Circular Functions and Trigonometry

• Matrices

• Vectors

• Statistics and Probability

• Calculus

HL candidates would study more widely in each of these areas and also take an additional course in Discrete Mathematics.

Mathematical Studies SL

Mathematical Studies SL candidates will follow a course containing the following areas of study:

• Using the Graphical Display Calculator

• Number, Algebra and Sequences

• Sets, Logic and Probability

• Functions

• Geometry and Trigonometry

• Statistics

• Differential Calculus

• Maths of Finance

At each stage these students' work will place emphasis on the applications of their acquired knowledge to the real world.

Assessment

All courses are assessed by a combination of 80% final examinations and 20% coursework.

Mathematics HL

Students will sit three papers, including two 2 hour examinations covering the main content and a 1 hour paper covering the Discrete Mathematics element and submit a portfolio of their work.

Mathematics SL

Students will sit two 90 minute papers covering the main content and submit a portfolio of their work.

In both courses Paper 1 is undertaken without the aid of a calculator.

The portfolio comprises two pieces of work, one mathematical investigation and one mathematical modelling task.

Mathematical Studies SL

Students will sit two 90 minute papers covering the main content (a calculator is permitted for both) and submit a single 2000 word project.