A minimum of nine trimesters (three years) of mathematics is required for graduation. The standard minimum graduation requirements are ALGEBRA 1, GEOMETRY, and ALGEBRA 2, and this order is the recommended sequence. If a student has taken one or more of these courses prior to frosh year, she is still required to take three years of mathematics at Loretto to graduate. Loretto concurs with most colleges in recommending that students take four years of high school mathematics, one course every year. Following the guidelines of the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics for the incorporation of technology, the pertinent use of calculators will be taught as appropriate. Therefore, all students are required to possess a graphing calculator, with the TI-83+ recommended. Other graphing calculators are acceptable; however classroom instruction models use of the recommended calculators. Each course is studied over three trimesters (one year) with the exception of Advanced Mathematics which may be taken as a full year, or as one to three separate terms.

Loretto provides a variety of mathematics programs to meet the needs of all students. These are not rigid tracks, but intended as guidance for planning purposes. Movement between programs is permitted provided prerequisites and performance standards are met.

Click here to download the Mathematics Department 2008-2009

Course Descriptions

Instructors

Mr. Jungk is originally from Iowa.  He graduated from Loras College with a degree in Math.  He taught math for four years before entering the Air Force as a pilot.  In 1993 he retired as a Lt. Colonel after 23 years.  Mr. Jungk went back to teaching at a local public high school for four years.  He started teaching at Loretto in 1997.  He is married and has two children and several grandchildren. 

Mr. Medcalf hails from Michigan and Indiana.  He graduated from a variety of schools with a number of degrees.  He is retired from the Department of Mathematics at California State University, Sacramento.  He started teaching at Loretto in 2003 when his daughter entered as a freshman. He is married with five children and three grandchildren.

Ms. Policar  graduated from Xavier University in Cincinnati, Ohio with a B.S. in Applied Physics.  She is currently working on her Master's Degree in Curriculum and Instruction.  Mrs. Policar started teaching physics and math in 2001.  She moved with her husband to Sacramento and has been teaching at Loretto for the past three years.  2007 was a wonderful year for Mrs. Policar and her husband with the birth of their son.

Ms. Taggart earned her BA and Masters degrees (with several teaching credentials thrown in for good measure) from California State University Sacramento.  What she has learned about herself is that she loves teaching mathematics to young women, and that's what she has done at Loretto for 21 years.    She once described her perfect vacation as a time to read a really good book cover to cover in one sitting.  Later she realized she needed to add, 'on the beach or in Italy'.

Mr. Tsai started teaching at Loretto in 2004 after finishing his math degree at California State University, Sacramento.  He also attended UCLA where he met his wife.  Before teaching he was an instructor at a computer training school, provided tech support at an enterprise software support company and enjoyed long hours as a research analyst at a hedge fund.  Mr.  Tsai feels very blessed for the opportunity to serve the Loretto community and dedicates all his time to the Loretto students and his growing family.