IB Mathematics HL & AP Calculus BC
2015 - 2016
Ms. Cembrook
“Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.”
~ Nelson Mandela
“The nature of mathematics can be summarized in a number of ways: for example, it can be seen as a welldefined body of knowledge, as an abstract system of ideas, or as a useful tool. For many people it is probably a
combination of these, but there is no doubt that mathematical knowledge provides an important key to
understanding the world in which we live. Mathematics can enter our lives in a number of ways: we buy
produce in the market, consult a timetable, read a newspaper, time a process or estimate a length. Mathematics,
for most of us, also extends into our chosen profession: visual artists need to learn about perspective; musicians
need to appreciate the mathematical relationships within and between different rhythms; economists need to
recognize trends in financial dealings; and engineers need to take account of stress patterns in physical
materials. Scientists view mathematics as a language that is central to our understanding of events that occur in
the natural world. Some people enjoy the challenges offered by the logical methods of mathematics and the
adventure in reason that mathematical proof has to offer. Others appreciate mathematics as an aesthetic
experience or even as a cornerstone of philosophy. This prevalence of mathematics in our lives, with all its
interdisciplinary connections, provides a clear and sufficient rationale for making the study of this subject
compulsory for students studying the full diploma.”
~ IB Mathematics HL Guide
COURSE OVERVIEW:
IB Mathematics HL explores topics including Calculus, Vectors, Functions and Equations, Trigonometry, and
Statistics and Probability. Students will be expected to demonstrate the following skills related to the IB Math
HL curriculum: knowledge and understanding, problem solving, communication and interpretation, technology,
reasoning, and inquiry approaches.
AP Calculus BC is primarily concerned with developing the students’ understanding of the concepts of calculus
and providing experience with its methods and applications. This course emphasizes a multi-representational
approach to calculus, with concepts, results, and problems being expressed graphically, numerically,
analytically, and verbally. The connections among these representations also are important.
Technology will be used regularly to reinforce the relationships among the multiple representations of
functions, to confirm written work, to implement experimentation, and to assist in interpreting results. Through
the use of the unifying themes of derivatives, integrals, limits, approximation, and applications and modeling,
the course becomes a cohesive whole rather than a collection of unrelated topics. These themes are developed
using all the parent functions learned in the Pre-Calculus course.
COURSE OUTLINE:
Below is a list of topics to be covered, in this order throughout the year.
1. Limits and their Properties
2. Differentiation
3. Logarithmic, Exponential, and Other Transcendental Functions
4. Applications of Derivatives
5. Integration
6. Motion
7. Differential Equations
8. Applications of Integration
9. Integration Techniques – L’Hopital’s Rule, Improper Integration
10. Infinite Series
11. Conics, Parametric Equations, Polar Coordinates
12. Vectors and Geometry of Space
13. Complex Numbers
14. Probability – Normal Distributions, Binomial Distributions, Poisson Distributions
15. Volume – The Shell Method
16. Surfaces of Revolution
17. Trigonometric Integrals
SUPPLIES: Must be brought to class each day
 Calculator: TI 84 Plus
 Notebook for class notes
 Graph paper (preferably a notebook)
 A pencil and a pen (both are required for the course)
GRADING BREAKDOWN:
Grades will be weighted based on the below percentages:
 Classwork – 10%
 Homework – 15%
 Quizzes – 15%
 Projects/Presentations – 20%
 Tests – 40%
Makeup Work and Tests/Quizzes: When a student is absent from class, the student must see or email Ms.
Cembrook to reschedule any missed tests or quizzes. If the absence is due to a field trip, pre-scheduled
appointment, or pre-arranged event, the student must inform the teacher at least one day prior to schedule a
make-up. The student will be responsible for handing in all work that is due on the day of the pre-arranged
absence upon their return to school. The student must also be responsible for getting missed notes either from a
classmate or from the teacher, if discussed beforehand.
Late Work:
Any item handed in late (not due to an absence) will have its grade reduced by 25% per day (except
homework assignments – see homework section). If late submissions are not going to be accepted, it will be
noted on the assignment sheet (again, unless excused due to absence).
Extra Help: Extra help will be available on Tuesdays after school until 4:00pm by appointment, and during
department duty periods in the library (to be announced in class). The student must prearrange extra help
sessions with the teacher ahead of time.
CONTACT: Email is my preferred form of communication. Haiku messaging works as well, but I check this
less frequently than email. My email address is acembrook@wmrhsd.org. The latest that I will check my email
each day is 7:00pm. Any messages received after that time will not be guaranteed a response until the
following school day. Messages on weekends are not guaranteed a response until Monday morning, but may be
answered by Sunday afternoon/evening. My phone extension at the school is 5109 should you or a parent
prefer to contact me via phone.
SEATING:
Students are required to sit in their assigned seats for the month of September. Beginning in October, students
may choose to sit anywhere in the classroom. However, this is a privilege, not a right, and if students are not
focused or are disruptive in class, Ms. Cembrook may choose to reinstate assigned seating for the entire class.
CLASSROOM POLICIES:

Mutual respect is expected between all students in the classroom, and between the students and the teacher. Respect
will be received where respect is given.

The school policy on attendance is strictly adhered to. DO NOT be late to class!

Assigned projects are to be handed in when due. If they are late, 25% per day will be deducted from the grade. The
only acceptable excuses are illness or bereavement.

If you know that you are going to be absent due to a field trip or other pre-arranged event, you must inform me of that
absence before it occurs. You are responsible for any missed work. Work due that day must be handed in early!

Homework assignments, test and quiz dates and project due dates are to be written in your assignment book.

No sharing of calculators, equation sheets or notebooks will be permitted during tests, quizzes, or exams.

When you are absent from class, see me to obtain any work that you missed or to reschedule a quiz or a test.

No hats or hoods are allowed to be worn in the classroom.

No food or gum are allowed in the classroom, unless given explicit permission by a teacher. Water will be the only
kind of beverage permitted in the classroom.

No cell phones, smart phones, google glasses, ipods, etc. are allowed in the classroom, unless specified by the teacher.
If a student is found to be misusing technology, the device will be confiscated and held until the end of the school day.

All purses and backpacks are to be kept on the floor.

Bathroom breaks are to be taken outside of class time. Should a student need to use the bathroom during class as an
emergency, the student must sign out at the door and take the pass. Only one student will be permitted to leave the
room at a time.