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 * MTH 310 Honors Algebra II**


 * Course Description**

The Honors sections of Algebra II enhance traditional algebra with in-depth investigations of functions and algebraic applications. Students in this course are expected to take primary responsibility for their learning, working cooperatively in a lab-like environment conjecturing, modeling, reasoning and making connections to better understand the role algebra plays in problem solving. In addition to the topics studied in Algebra II, the honors sections do more in-depth work with data analysis, iteration, and recursion. Students investigate growth and change, patterns using finite differences, work with matrix applications of Markov processes and Leslie population models, and investigate fractals using complex numbers and transformations in the complex plane.

The Algebra II course is designed to introduce students to the major concepts and advanced tools for understanding functions. Students will be exposed to several broad conceptual themes of Algebra such as understanding graphs, applying real life data, modeling and anticipating patterns, and traditional symbolic representation. A basic understanding of algebra has proven invaluable for future math courses, topics in other disciplines as well as understanding and interpreting the vast amounts of data and information that we are bombarded with every day.
 * Philosophy **

For the “Honors” portion of the class, we will be covering material at an accelerated pace and at an increased depth. Students will see a wide variety of related topics. Although the process is important, we will be emphasizing understanding. In other words, WHY? Why does the fundamental theorem of algebra work? Why is it important to factor? Why do we bother with logarithms? We will be working on individual projects. Basically I want this course to be one of the most fun that the students have ever had and yet one of the most challenging. This causes students to rise to new heights of vision and achieve new depths of understanding and in the end, gain a lifelong love of mathematics

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