Advanced Placement Course Descriptions

Business    

Advanced Placement Macroeconomics

In this one-semester course students will study a variety of economic theories and analyze their practical application in the real world with a focus on the decision-making of individuals, businesses, and the government.  Students will evaluate the economy as a whole, including economic measures, economic growth, fiscal policy, monetary policy, and international economics.  Extensive math skills are not required; however, the ability to analyze graphs and charts is essential.  Completion of this course will prepare students to take the Advanced Placement Macroeconomics exam.

    Prerequisites:  Algebra I
    Exam Information:  
        Length:  2 hours 10 minutes
        Section 1:  1 hour 10 minutes - Multiple Choice Questions
        Section 2:  1 hour - Free Response Questions 

Advanced Placement Microeconomics

In this one-semester course students will study a variety of economic theories and analyze their practical application in the real world with a focus on supply and demand for products, labor markets, and the role of competition in a free market system. Extensive math skills are not required; however, the ability to analyze graphs and charts is essential.  Completion of this course will prepare students to take the Advanced Placement Microeconomics exam.

    Prerequisites:  Algebra I

    Exam Information:

Length:  2 hours 10 minutes

Section 1:  1 hour 10 minutes - Multiple Choice Questions

Section 2:  1 hour - Free Response Questions
 

Computer Science

Advanced Placement Computer Science A

Students will utilize object-oriented programming methodology for problem-solving and algorithm development.  This course also includes the study of data structures, design, and abstraction.  Completion of this course will prepare students to take the Advanced Placement Computer Science Exam.

    Prerequisites: Computer Science Programming

    Exam Information:

        Length:  3 hours

        Section 1:  1 hour 15 minutes - Multiple Choice Questions

        Section 2:  1 hour 45 minutes - Free Response Questions


Advanced Placement Computer Science Principles

Students will focus on the creative aspect of computing and computational thinking practices that enable them to experience how computing impacts everyday lives.  Students will apply the ethical, legal and social responsibilities of computing.  This course will prepare students to take the Advanced Placement Computer Science Principles exam.

    Prerequisites: Computer Science Principles

    Exam Information:

    Length:  1 hour 40 minutes

Combination of Single-Select and Multiple Select Multiple Choice Questions
 

Language Arts
 

Advanced Placement English Language and Composition

This is a course for students who are interested in pursuing rigorous, advanced studies in rhetoric.  The course will concentrate on the analysis of college-level readings, sophisticated composition, and advanced research.  Students will become skilled readers of complex texts from a variety of periods, disciplines, and rhetorical contexts.  They will also demonstrate mastery of expository, analytical, and argumentative writing.  Students will develop stylistic maturity using grammar, diction, and tone.  Completion of this course will prepare students to take the Advanced Placement English Language and Composition exam.

     Prerequisites:  Honors English 10 or English 11

    Exam Information:

    Length:  3 Hours 15 minutes

        Section 1:  1 hour - Multiple Choice Questions

        Section 2:  2 hours 15 minutes - Free Response Questions
 

Advanced Placement English Literature and Composition

This is a course for students who are interested in pursuing rigorous advanced studies in language arts for personal growth and possible college credit.  The course will concentrate on the critical analysis of designated literary works through class discussion, activities, and research.  Completion of this course will prepare students to take the Advanced Placement English Literature and Composition exam.

    Prerequisites: Honors English 10 or English 11
    Exam Information:
    Length:  3 hours
        Section 1: 1 hour - Multiple Choice Questions
        Section 2: 2 hours - Free Response Questions
        


Mathematics

Advanced Placement Calculus AB

Advanced Placement Calculus AB is a course in single variable calculus that includes techniques and applications of the derivative, techniques, and applications of the definite integral, and the Fundamental Theorem of Calculus.  Algebraic, numerical, and graphical representations are emphasized throughout the course.  It is equivalent to at least one semester of calculus at most colleges and universities.  Completion of this course will prepare students to take the Advanced Placement Calculus AB exam.

    Prerequisites: Precalculus or Honors Precalculus

    Exam Information:

        Length: 3 hours 15 minutes

        Section 1: 1 hour 45 minutes - Multiple Choice Questions

        Section 2: 1 hour 30 minutes - Free Response Questions

 

Advanced Placement Calculus BC

Advanced Placement Calculus BC is a course in single variable calculus that includes all the topics of AP Calculus AB plus topics in differential and integral calculus (including parametric, polar, and vector functions) and series.  Algebraic, numerical, and graphical representations are emphasized throughout the course.  It is equivalent to at least one semester of calculus at most colleges and universities.  Completion of this course will prepare students to take the Advanced Placement Calculus BC exam.

    Prerequisites: Honors Precalculus

    Exam Information:

        Length: 3 hours 15 minutes

        Section 1: 1 hour 35 minutes - Multiple Choice Questions

        Section 2: 1 hour 30 minutes - Free Response Questions


Advanced Placement Statistics

Students will learn a variety of statistical concepts including exploring data, sampling, and experimentation, anticipating patterns, and statistical interference.  Completion of this course will prepare students to take the Advanced Placement Statistics exam. Students who successfully complete the Advanced Placement examination may receive credit and/or advanced placement for a one-semester introductory college statistics course at many colleges and universities.

    Prerequisites: Algebra II
    Exam Information:
    Length: 3 hours
        Section 1: 1 hour 30 minutes - Multiple Choice Questions
        Section 2: 1 hour 30 minutes - Free Response Questions

Music
 

Advanced Placement Music Theory

This course is an intense study of music theory, critical analysis of literature, history, and composition, with emphasis on individual student composition projects and the use of music technology.  Students should have a strong background in music theory.  Completion of this course will prepare students to take the Advanced Placement Music Theory exam.

    Prerequisites:  Successful completion of Music Theory and/or permission of the instructor
    Exam Information:
    Length: 2 hours 40 minutes
        Section 1: 1 hour 20 minutes - Multiple Choice Questions
        Section 2: 1 hour 20 minutes - Free Response Questions

 

Science

Advanced Placement Biology

This course provides an in-depth study of the rigorous components of the life sciences and emphasizes traditional and current biology concepts.  This course is equivalent to a college-level introductory biology course and provides strong preparation for post-high school science.  This lab-based course may include the dissection of preserved specimens.  AP Biology students should possess strong writing, reading, and analytical skills.  Completion of this course will prepare students to take the Advanced Placement Biology exam.

    Prerequisites: Biology and Chemistry

    Exam Information:

    Length: 3 hours

        Section 1: 1 hour 30 minutes - Multiple Choice Questions

        Section 2: 1 hour 30 minutes - Free Response Questions
 

Advanced Placement Chemistry

This course provides a rigorous, in-depth study centered around six big ideas: atomic structure of matter, chemical bonding and interactions, chemical and physical changes of matter, rates of chemical reactions, laws of thermodynamics, and equilibrium. Advanced inquiry and reasoning skills will be developed in this course, including intensive laboratory experiences.  AP Chemistry is designed to be equivalent to college general chemistry courses; therefore, student expectations and outcomes will be similar. Completion of this course will prepare students to take the Advanced Placement Chemistry exam.

    Prerequisites: Chemistry and completion or concurrent enrollment in Algebra II
    Exam Information:
    Length: 3 hours
        Section 1: 1 hour 30 minutes - Multiple Choice Questions
        Section 2: 1 hour 30 minutes - Free Response Questions

Advanced Placement Environmental Science

In this course, students learn about the interrelationships of the natural world.  Students analyze natural and human-made environmental problems, evaluate their risks, and examine potential solutions for preventing of solving these problems.  Critical thinking is necessary in this course that includes a strong laboratory and field investigation component. Completion of this course will prepare students to take the Advanced Placement Environmental Science exam.

    Prerequisites: Biology and 10 credits from the following courses: Chemistry, Physics, Physical Science: Chemistry, or      Physical Science: Physics
    Exam Information:
    Length: 3 hours
        Section 1: 1 hour 30 minutes - Multiple Choice Questions
        Section 2: 1 hour 30 minutes - Free Response Questions

Advanced Placement Physics I:  Algebra-Based   10-12

Students will engage in hands-on exploration while developing an understanding of Newtonian mechanics, including rotational dynamics and angular momentum; work, energy, and power; mechanical waves and sound; and electric circuits and relevant, heat, nuclear, and earth science topics.  This course is equivalent to a first-semester college course in algebra-based physics. Completion of this course will prepare students to take the Advanced Placement Physics I: Algebra-Based exam.  Students who successfully completed 0329 Physical Science: Physics may also take this course as a science elective during the eleventh or twelfth grade.  Students who successfully completed 0352 Physics are encouraged to take 0384 AP Physics 2: Algebra-Based and not this course due to repeated content.

    Prerequisites: Completion of or concurrent enrollment in Algebra II (or Algebra II: Foundations 4) and Biology
    Exam Information:
    Length:  3 hours
        Section 1: 1 hour 30 minutes - Multiple Choice Questions
        Section 2: 1 hour 30 minutes - Free Response and Experimental Design Questions

Advanced Placement Physics II:  Algebra-Based

Students will engage in hands-on exploration while developing an understanding of fluid statics and dynamics; thermodynamics with kinetic theory; PV diagrams and probability; electrostatics; electrical circuits and capacitors; magnetic fields; electromagnetism; physical and geometric optics; and quantum, atomic and nuclear physics.  This course is equivalent to a second-semester college course in algebra-based physics.  Completion of this course will prepare students to take the Advanced Placement Physics II: Algebra-Based exam.

    Prerequisites: Physics or AP Physics I: Algebra-Based and completion of or concurrent enrollment in Precalculus or        Honors Precalculus
    Exam Information:
    Length: 3 hours
        Section 1: 1 hour 30 minutes - Multiple Choice Questions
        Section 2: 1 hour 30 minutes - Free Response and Experimental Design Questions

Social Studies

Advanced Placement Comparative Government & Politics

Students will be introduced to the fundamental concepts used by political scientists to study the processes and outcomes of politics in a variety of settings.  Six countries form the core of this course: China, Great Britain, Iran, Mexico, Nigeria, and Russia.  The aim is to illustrate the rich diversity of political life, to analyze institutional alternatives, to explain differences in processes and policy outcomes, and to appreciate the importance of global and economic changes.  Completion of this course will prepare students to take the Advanced Placement Comparative Government & Politics exam.

    Prerequisites: World History or AP World History

    Exam Information:

    Length: 2 hours 25 minutes

        Section 1: 45 minutes - Multiple Choice Questions

        Section 2: 1 hour 40 minutes - Free Response Questions


Advanced Placement European History

Students will study European history since 1450 and examine cultural, economic, political, and social developments that played a fundamental role in shaping the world.  Completion of this course will prepare students to take the Advanced Placement exam in European History.

    Prerequisites: World Geography or AP Human Geography

    Exam Information:

    Length: 3 hours 5 minutes

        Section 1: 55 minutes - Multiple Choice Questions

        Section 2: 2 hours 10 minutes - Free Response Questions

 

Advanced Placement Human Geography

Students will explore the systematic study of patterns and processes that have shaped human understanding, use, and alteration of Earth's surface.  Students employ spatial concepts and landscape analysis to examine the human social organization and its environmental consequences. They also learn about the methods and tools geographers use in their science practice.  Completion of this course will prepare students to take the Advanced Placement Human Geography exam.

    Prerequisites: None
    Exam Information:
    Length: 2 hours 15 minutes
        Section 1: 1 hour - Multiple Choice Questions
        Section 2: 1 hour 15 minutes - Free Response Questions

Advanced Placement Psychology

Students will continue to focus on the concepts that started in Psychology.  Students will further evaluate the systematic and scientific study of the behavior and mental processes of human beings and other animals.  Students will examine the psychological facts, principles, and phenomena associated with the major subfields of psychology.  Completion of this course will prepare students to take the Advanced Placement Psychology exam.

    Prerequisites: Psychology

    Exam Information:

    Length: 2 hours

        Section 1: 1 hour 10 minutes - Multiple Choice Questions

        Section 2: 50 minutes - Free Response Questions

 

Advanced Placement United States Government & Politics   11-12

Students will acquire knowledge and skills necessary to function as an educated, concerned and active citizen in our political and economic system.  Classroom learning is strengthened by participation in the review and analysis of prior service-learning through a culminating project.  Completion of this college-level course will prepare students to take the Advanced Placement United States Government & Politics exam.

    Prerequisites: None

    Exam Information:

    Length: 2 hours 25 minutes

        Section 1: 45 minutes - Multiple Choice Questions

        Section 2: 1 hour 40 minutes - Free Response Questions

 

Advanced Placement United States History   11-12

Students will study the history of the United States chronologically fro the pre-colonial era moving toward the present.  Completion of this college-level course will prepare students to take the Advanced Placement United States History exam.

    Prerequisites: None

    Exam Information:

    Length: 3 hours and 15 minutes

        Section 1: 1 hour 40 minutes - Multiple Choice Questions, Short Answer Questions

        Section 2: 1 hour 35 minutes - Free Response Questions

 

Advanced Placement World History   10-12

Students will examine the interaction of humans and their environment, development, and interaction of cultures, comparison of economic, political and social structures to analyze their historical impact upon one another.  This course explores the times periods fro prehistory to the present.  Completion of this course will prepare students to take the Advanced Placement World History exam.

    Prerequisites: None

    Exam Information: 

    Length: 3 hours 5 minutes

        Section 1:  55 minutes - Multiple Choice Questions

        Section 2:  2 hours 10 minutes - Free Response Questions

 

World Language

Advanced Placement French Language and Culture

Students will improve in all skill areas.  Emphasis will be placed on using authentic materials to increase reading and listening skills. Higher-level communication skills will be attained through a variety of oral and written activities and assignments.  This course will be conducted in French.  Students are expected to speak in French at all times. Completion of this course will prepare students to take the Advanced Placement French Language exam.

    Prerequisite:  Honors French IV/French V

    Exam Information:  

    Length:  3 Hours

Section 1:  1 hour 35 minutes - Multiple Choice Questions

Section 2:  1 hour 20 minutes - Free Response Questions

 

Advanced Placement German Language and Culture

Students will improve in all skill areas.  Emphasis will be placed on using authentic materials to increase reading and listening skills. Higher-level communication skills will be attained through a variety of oral and written activities and assignments.  This course will be conducted in German.  Students are expected to speak in German at all times. Completion of this course will prepare students to take the Advanced Placement French Language exam.

    Prerequisite:  Honors German IV/German V

    Exam Information:  

    Length:  3 Hours

        Section 1:  1 hour 35 minutes - Multiple Choice Questions

        Section 2:  1 hour 20 minutes - Free Response Questions

 

Advanced Placement Japanese Language and Culture

Students will further develop the reading, writing, listening, and speaking skills needed to function in the language and in practical situations in Japanese culture(s).  Students will learn to read and write 400 kanji.  Students will communicate with greater spontaneity and in greater detail utilizing authentic sources.  Students will also explore culture through a variety of topics.  The majority of the course will be conducted in Japanese.  Completion of this course will prepare all students to take the Advanced Placement Japanese Language and Culture exam.

    Prerequisites:  Japanese III
    Exam Information:
    Length:  2 hours and 15 minutes

Section 1:  1 hour 30 minutes - Multiple Choice Questions
Section 2:  45 minutes - Free Response Questions

 

Advanced Placement Latin

Students will explore the development of both prose and poetry, emphasizing a survey of Roman authors, including Cicero, Caesar, Vergil, and Catullus, with authentic reading selections chosen for diversity, entertainment, and appropriateness. Students will become entrenched historically and culturally in the world reflected through these authors.  Latin composition provides students the opportunity to practice advanced grammatical structures.  The enrichment materials focus on the progression of classical philosophy and the development of Roman influence through the Classical world, past and present. Completion of this course will prepare all students to take the Advanced Placement Latin exam.

    Prerequisites:  Latin III

    Exam Information:

    Length:  3 hours

Section I:  1 hour - Multiple Choice Questions

Section II:  2 hours - Free Response Questions

 

Advanced Placement Spanish Language and Culture

Students will improve in all skill areas.  Emphasis will be placed on using authentic materials to increase reading and listening skills. Higher-level communication skills will be attained through a variety of oral and written activities and assignments.  This course will be conducted in Spanish.  Students are expected to speak in Spanish at all times. Completion of this course will prepare students to take the Advanced Placement Spanish Language exam.

    Prerequisite:  Honors German IV/German V

    Exam Information:  

    Length:  3 Hours

        Section 1:  1 hour 35 minutes - Multiple Choice Questions

        Section 2:  1 hour 20 minutes - Free Response Questions