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Mathematics Department

 On this page you find information about the following:

     - Department Members

     - Department Philosophy

     - Sequence of Courses

     - Graphing Calculator Information

     - Algebra Exemption Exam Information



Department Members

     Steve Wright (Chair)
          AP Calculus AB
          Pre-Calculus
          Accelerated Advanced Algebra & Trigonometry

          Pre-Algebra

          Years Experience:  28
          Years at ML:         28

          BS in Mathematics from Concordia Teachers College - Seward, NE
          MS in Computer Science Education from UW-Milwaukee

     Jeanne Wingfield
          
Advanced Algebra & Trig
          Intermediate Algebra & Geometry
          Algebra

          Years Experience:  15
          Years at ML:         12

          BS in Mathematics from Concordia College - River Forest, IL

     Jon Bartz
          Geometry
          Statistics

          Years Experience:  13
          Years at ML:          7

          BS in Mathematics from Concordia University - Mequon, WI

     Tony Romano
          Consumer Math

          Basic Math

          Years Experience:  3
          Years at ML:         3

          BA in Education from Concordia University - Chicago, Il

     Liz Unger
          Algebra

          Years Experience:  3
          Years at ML:         1

          MA in Education from Valparaiso University - Valparaiso, IN

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Department Philosophy

     The Mathematics Department seeks to assist all students in their learning of mathematics and help them achieve their potential.  Our curriculum is a traditional one and has been very successful in preparing students for both college and the work-world.

     While only two years of mathematics are required for graduation, most Martin Luther students take three years of mathematics.  The most common sequence of courses for students to take is Algebra, Geometry, Advanced Algebra & Trigonometry, and Pre-Calculus.  Therefore, most students complete mathematics training through Advanced Algebra & Trigonometry.  We also offer accelerated or advanced placement courses as well as remedial courses in order to help students of all ability levels to achieve their potential.  (More information on our courses can be found in our Sequence Of Courses or Catalog of Courses.)

     Incoming freshmen are place into one of four first-year courses.  Placement is based on:  grade school math program, teacher recommendation, achievement tests and in some cases, a placement test.

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Sequence of Courses

     We like to think of our courses as a train ... and that students simply "hop on" in different spots.  Shown below are our standard courses in sequence.  Most students begin in Algebra and then move on to take Geometry, Advanced Algebra & Trigonometry, and then Pre-Calculus.

Basic Math
Pre-Algebra
Algebra
Geometry
Advanced Algebra & Trigonometry
Pre-Calculus

AP Calculus AB

      We do have some variations to this standard sequence. 

     For students that begin in Algebra and wish to accelerate in order to take the AP Calculus course, we have a special course called Accelerated Advanced Algebra & Trigonometry which would be taken their junior year.  For them, the sequence is:

     Algebra, Geometry, Accelerated Advanced Algebra & Trigonometry, AP Calculus AB

     For students that have difficulty with either Algebra or Geometry and are not ready for the Advanced Algebra & Trigonometry course their junior year, we have a course called Intermediate Algebra & Geometry.  This course is designed to review and further their understanding in both Algebra and Geometry so that they can take the Advanced Algebra & Trigonometry course their senior year.  For them, the sequence is:

     Algebra, Geometry, Intermediate Algebra & Geometry, Advanced Algebra & Trig

     Finally we also offer a Statistics course and a Consumer Math course.  The Stats class could be taken during the junior or senior year and the Consumer Math course could be taken during the senior year.

     If you desire more detailed information about any of the courses that we offer, please consult our Catalog of Courses.

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Graphing Calculator Information

     Starting with the Advanced Algebra & Trigonometry course, students are required to obtain a graphing calculator.  Prior to this course, students may use a graphing calculator, but it is not required.  A scientific calculator is all that is needed for courses prior to Advanced Algebra & Trigonometry.

     Our department uses the Texas Instrument TI-84 calculator for classroom demonstrations.  We recommend that students obtain either the TI-83 or TI-84 calculator, as both of these are very similar.  If you are going to purchase a new calculator, we suggest getting the TI-84.

     Texas Instruments has many other models available.  While the TI-85 and TI-86 are both excellent graphing calculators and will work fine for our courses, their menus are different enough from the TI-83 and TI-84 that students often have some trouble in finding where "things" are.  In addition, while the TI-89 is a very powerful calculator and can be used in class, we feel it is more appropriate for the college level.  Since technology changes so rapidly, we don't recommend that you spend the extra money for the TI-89 when in a couple of years you may want or need a different model for college.

     On the left side of this screen, you will find a link to the Texas Instrument website.  From their site, you can obtain information regarding their products.  In addition, they have many programs that can be downloaded and installed in the calculator.  You may need to purchase some additional cabling in order to connect your calculator to your computer.

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Algebra Exemption Exam Information

     Students that have taken the equivalent of a high school Algebra course in their grade school studies may be eligible to be placed into advanced standing and be exempt from taking our Algebra course.  The expected sequence of courses for students that qualify for and elect to be placed in advanced standing is:  Geometry, Advanced Algebra and Trigonometry, Pre-Calculus and Advanced Placement Calculus.
     Since we have students that come to us with varied Algebra experiences, we have all students seeking advanced standing take our Algebra Exemption Exam in order to verify that the students have the knowledge and skills equivalent to our high school Algebra course.   This exam is given late in May and is coordinated by our Office of Student Services.
     Students that desire to take the Algebra Exemption Exam should prepare for the exam as they would for a final exam.  They should review their materials and do many practice problems.  Students should plan on completing the exam within 90 minutes.  Please bring pencils, calculator, graph paper and lined paper with you to the exam.  Students will be notified of the results by a letter from the Office of Student Services early in June.
     In order to help you prepare for our Algebra Exemption Exam, please review our document (in .pdf form) entitled, Algebra Expectations.  In addition, the following documents (again in .pdf form) are the review problems that we use with our Algebra students as we help them prepare for their Semester 1 and Semester 2 Exams.  We believe that you will find these to be excellent problems to help you review and prepare for our Algebra Exemption Exam.  (Note:  we do not provide the answers to you for these problems.  Perhaps your Algebra teacher would be willing to develop answer keys and/or check over your work.)

        Semester 1 Review

        Semester 2 Review A
        Semester 2 Review B

        Semester 2 Review C
        Semester 2 Review D
        Semester 2 Review E

     (Date and time of the exam will be posted on the OSS News page.)

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Math Dept Staff

Jon Bartz, Jeanne Wingfield
and Steve Wright
 
 
 

Unger n Romano
Liz Unger and Tony Romano
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