College Now @ Macaulay Honors College
Summer Programs 2007

Summer Scholars Academy in Mathematics and Science

• Overview
• Courses & Schedule
• Eligibility Requirements
• Completion Requirements
• Sign Up/More Info

Ready to really challenge yourself in math or science? Then spend your summer at the Macaulay Honors College Summer Scholars Academy in Mathematics and Science! You'll be immersed in a rigorous full-brain workout, pushing your math or science knowledge way beyond high school level.

Courses & Schedule

Students enroll in either a math section OR a science section (not both).

Math Section

Math students are placed in one of two cohorts, or subsections.

• Junior Olympian Cohort

  Students in this cohort take:

  MATH 315.03: Introduction to Problem Solving
  3 college credits | M – TH

  MATH 190: College Algebra and Trigonometry
  2 college credits | M – TH

  This college-level course introduces students to functions, rational expressions and their applications, rational exponents, conic sections, Gaussian elimination and determinants, nonlinear systems of equations, and trigonometric functions.

• Olympian Cohort

  Students in this cohort take:

  MATH 315.03: Introduction to Problem Solving
  3 college credits | M – TH

  AND one of the following courses:

  MATH 308: Bridge to Higher Mathematics
  3 college credits | M – TH

  This college-level course explores the logical and foundational structures of mathematics, with an emphasis on understanding and writing proofs. Topics include set theory, logic, mathematical induction, relations and orders, functions, Cantor's theory of countability, and development of the real number system.

  MATH 316.01: Intro to Discrete Mathematics
  3 college credits | M – TH

  This college-level course deals with discrete phenomena and finite processes, as opposed to the continuous functions and infinite limits that are the mainstay of calculus and classical analysis. It comprises many diverse topics including matrices, recursion, sequences, finite probability, difference equations, and graph theory. The unifying theme of discrete mathematics is "algorithmic problem solving," that is, solving by devising and analyzing algorithms that lead to the solution of the given problem.

  MATH 316.03: Intro to Euclidean Geometry
  3 college credits | M – TH

  This college-level course provides an in-depth exploration of advanced Euclidean geometry from its very beginnings to advanced topics and theorems. This is a very theoretical course. Selected topics will include the classic theorems of Menelaus and Ceva, colinearity and concurrency, the triangle and its circles, the Euler Line, the Simpson Line, Ptolemy's Theorem, Stewart's Theorem, the method of indirect proof, the 9-Point Circle, the Golden Rectangle, the Three Problems of Antiquity, polyhedra, and topics from solid geometry.

Science Section

Students concentrate in either Bioinformatics and the Art of Science OR Understanding the Universe (not both).

• Bioinformatics Concentration

  Bioinformatics is a relatively new branch of science that organizes and interprets the overwhelming amount of data recently available on living organisms as a result of the human genome project and follow-up projects.

  The need for this branch of science has grown rapidly; while it is becoming increasingly simple to obtain experimental information on DNA, RNA and protein sequences and expression levels, the interpretation of this information is quite complex and requires individuals who are trained in biology, chemistry and computer science.

  Bioinformatics students take BOTH of the following courses (in addition to attending a daily lecture series and weekly mock math team competitions):

  SCI 314.01: Art in Science
  3 college credits | M – TH

  This college-level course aims at transforming the scientific concepts and discoveries of the invisible molecular world to artistic visual form through mathematics/geometry, computer programming and computer graphics. This will bridge molecular sciences, computer science and fine arts, and will prepare students for interdisciplinary study/research which integrates mathematics, computer programming, art, chemical biology, and informatics technology.

  CHEM 312: Topics in Structural Biology and Bioinformatics
  2 college credits | M – TH

• Understanding the Universe Concentration

  Students in this section take college courses in chemistry and physics that examine the universe from the level of the atom on up.

  Understanding the Universe students take BOTH of the following courses (in addition to attending the daily lecture series and weekly mock math team competitions):

  CHEM 318: Chemistry of the Environment
  3 college credits | M – TH

  PHYS 314.07: The Universe
  3 college credits | M – TH

  In this college-level course, students explore the development of the knowledge of science, particularly in the contexts of astronomy, force, and motion. Class time will include physics/astronomy activities and reflections on the process of science. For most of the activities, students will work in groups.

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Eligibility Requirements

For all sections:

• Be a New York City public high school student, entering 11th or 12th grade in September 2008. In some cases, students who will be entering 10th grade may be considered
• Have a minimum overall grade point average of 85
• Submit a teacher recommendation

Math section, Junior Olympian Cohort

• Have successfully passed the Regents Math A course and exam with distinction

Math section, Olympian Cohort

• Have successfully passed the Regents Math B course (or honors equivalent) and exam with distinction

Science Section, Bioinformatics Concentration

• Have successfully passed one Regents science AND the Regents Math A course and exam with distinction

Science Section, Understanding the Universe Concentration

• Have successfully passed either the Regents Physics or Chemistry course and exam with distinction

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Completion Requirements

• Students who have more than three unexcused absences WILL NOT PASS.
• Graded projects, homework assignments, and exams are mandatory.
• Students must participate fully in all classes and activities.

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Sign Up/More Information

For more information about this program, visit the Summer Scholars Academy website.

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