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AP Courses: Listing

Course Themes
English & Writing Courses - GLL: 09-10 Honors/AP Monthly Enrollment
Course Title Grades Description
AP English Language & Composition 6 - 12 To be successful, individuals must be able to write effectively. Therefore, this course emphasizes the expository, analytical, and argumentative writing skills that are the basis of effective communication. Reading about a wide array of subject matter in both fiction and nonfiction works—along with participating in online discussions and peer review strengthens students’ critical literacy skills. Participants study the rhetorical interactions among subject, authorial purpose, audience needs, as well as the standard conventions and the resources of the English language. This college-level course prepares students for the AP® English Language & Composition Exam.
High school credit: 2 semesters

Requirements:
Prerequisites: Two years of Honors English & a graded writing sample
AP English Literature & Composition 6 - 12 By closely reading some of the finest examples of imaginative literature from several genres and historical periods—from the 16th century to the 21st—students increase their awareness of how writers use language to evoke emotional response from their readers. Titles such as Oedipus Rex, Antigone, Hamlet, Crime and Punishment, Invisible Man, Grapes of Wrath, and a variety of selections from contemporary poets including Yusef Komunyakaa and Sharon Olds are some of the pieces participants may study as they become attentive to a work’s structure, style, themes and the use of figurative language, imagery, symbolism and tone.  AP® English Literature & Composition develops the student’s appreciation of literature, his/her understanding of the conventions of literary discourse and the ability to write accurately and insightfully about it. This course prepares students to take the AP® English Literature and Composition exam.
High school credit: 2 semesters

Requirements:
Prerequisites: Two years of Honors English & a graded writing sample

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Humanities & Social Sciences Courses - GLL: 09-10 Honors/AP Monthly Enrollment
Course Title Grades Description
AP Economics: Micro & Macro 6 - 12 As the world becomes increasingly flat, it is increasingly critical for its inhabitants to have a working knowledge of the basic principles of economics. Microeconomics examines the behaviors of individuals and businesses while macroeconomics analyzes the economy as a whole. Topics such as supply and demand, the role of labor, fiscal and monetary policy, government regulations and their impact on individual choices and standards of living, competition and world trade patterns are addressed. Students engage in decision making processes as they use graphing and data interpretation as key tools to increase their understanding as to how the economy operates. This course prepares students for two exams: AP® Economics: Micro and AP® Economics: Macro
High school credit: 2 semesters
AP European History 6 - 12 “The study of history enables us to control, not society, but ourselves.”— Carl Becker.
AP® European History spans the period from the High Middle Ages to the present.  It explores and examines the origins and evolution of the values that shape our present world. Organized around the major themes of intellectual, cultural, political, diplomatic, social and economic history, students use primary sources, works of art and contemporary literature to develop and sharpen the skills necessary for effectively analyzing, interpreting and evaluating historical materials. Students come to understand the major turning points of European history, especially those associated with the rise of the modern nation-state, the scientific revolution, the evolution of industrial urban economies, the impact of changing technology and the changing patterns of political power. This course prepares students to take the AP® European History exam.
High school credit: 2 semesters

Requirements:
Prerequisite: Writing sample
AP Government and Politics: U.S. & Comparative 6 - 12 Does the political process and its implications intrigue you? During the first semester of this course, students develop an analytical perspective on government and politics as they examine general concepts used to interpret U.S. political events. In addition, students examine the sources of public authority and political power, as well as the role of nationhood, civil rights, civil liberties, public policy and the court system. The second semester introduces comparative politics, based on an exploration of the political frameworks of France, Great Britain, China, Russia/the former Soviet Union, and one of the following: India, Mexico or Nigeria. This course prepares students for two exams: AP® Government and Politics: U.S. and AP® Government and Politics: Comparative
High school credit: 2 semesters
AP Human Geography 6 - 12 How do human, political, cultural, social and economic factors affect the distribution of human activity on the Earth’s surface? While geography, in general, focuses on the question of “Where?”, human geography tries to answer the question, “Why there?” In this multi-faceted approach to understanding world geography, students examine the basics of cultural change and regionalism, and then review concepts and models of spatial interaction and behavior, population structures, patterns and change. Building on these fundamentals, students analyze the patterns of economic, urban, rural and political organization of space while learning about the methods and tools geographers use in their practice. Additionally students follow, discuss and analyze current geopolitical events. This course prepares students for the AP® Human Geography exam.
High school credit: 2 semesters
AP Psychology 6 - 12 Throughout history, people have wondered about the underlying reasons for emotions, thought and behavior. Psychology is a science developed with the goal to explain human thinking patterns and behavior. Students investigate various theories of behavior and cognition, participate in research exercises and study the current practices of psychology in various contexts. Topics include contemporary psychological perspectives, behavioral neuroscience, learning, memory, language, emotion, personality, human development, consciousness and abnormal and cognitive psychology. Students analyze and evaluate current theories and research, discuss ethical concerns of psychological testing and experimentation and design an experiment that includes the collection and interpretation interpretation of data and the evaluation of possible results. This course prepares students for the AP® Psychology exam.


Requirements:
Prerequisite: Graded writing sample
AP U.S. History 6 - 12 Explore the story of the great “American experiment,” now known as the United States. For students of history, this college-level course provides an opportunity to master the facts and analytical skills needed to understand and think critically about issues in American history. Participating in online discussions, reading and analyzing primary and secondary documents and writing critical essays are among the varied activities used to assist students in critiquing different interpretations of history in addition to document based questions (DBQs). From the first European explorations of the Americas to current events and trends, students examine political institutions and behaviors, public policy, social and economic change, diplomacy and international relations as well as cultural and intellectual developments. This course prepares students to take the AP® U.S. History exam.
High school credit: 2 semesters



Requirements:
Prerequisite: Graded writing sample
AP World History 6 - 12 Students use primary and secondary sources, as well as rigorous online discussions and analytical essays to examine the impact of interactions among and within major societies. The relationship of change and continuity, systems of social structure, cultural, religious and intellectual developments in addition to the function and structures of states are interwoven throughout this course. Students learn to analyze data from a historical perspective in this college-level course. This course prepares students to take the AP® World History exam.
High school credit: 2 semesters

Requirements:
Prerequisite: Graded writing sample

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Mathematics Courses - GLL: 09-10 Honors/AP Monthly Enrollment
Course Title Grades Description
AP Calculus AB 6 - 12 Rocket scientist or brain surgeon, architect or engineer—the study of calculus provides the foundation for many professional endeavors. AP® Calculus AB includes analytic geometry, functions, limits, continuity, the derivative and its applications, and the integral and its applications. This course prepares students to take the AP® Calculus AB exam.
Note: A graphing calculator is required.
High school credit: 2 semesters

Requirements:
Prerequisites: Algebra II/Trigonometry, Geometry, and Pre-Calculus
AP Calculus BC 6 - 12 Originating from the Latin word “calculus” which means a small stone used for counting, modern calculus is the branch of mathematics dealing with limits and the differentiation and integration of functions of one or more variables. It includes advanced applications of integration techniques, infinite series, conics, parametric equations, polar coordinates and the calculus of vector-valued functions. This course prepares students for the AP® Calculus BC exam.
Note: A graphing calculator is required.
High school credit: 2 semesters

Requirements:
Prerequisite: Pre-Calculus and AP® Calculus AB or instructors permission
AP Statistics 6 - 12 AP® Statistics is an introductory, non-calculus based college course that emphasizes understanding and analysis of statistical studies. Participants develop skills in sampling procedures, analyzing data, designing and analyzing surveys and experiments as well as hypothesis testing. The development of an intuitive understanding of statistics and probability is emphasized.  Students gain a sense of the importance and relevance of statistics in the real world and are able to evaluate the use and misuse of them. Students develop a questionnaire from which they collect and analyze data. This course prepares students for the AP® Statistics exam.


Requirements:
Prerequisites: Algebra II
Note: Students must have a graphing calculator

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Science Courses - GLL: 09-10 Honors/AP Monthly Enrollment
Course Title Grades Description
AP Biology 6 - 12 This college-level course is based on the premise that science is a process, not an accumulation of facts, and that evolution is the foundation of modern biological models and thought. With evolution as the unifying theme, students examine life on all organizational levels, ranging from the molecular to the cellular and from organisms to their environment. A combination of readings, tutorial lectures, discussion, homework assignments and both hands-on and virtual labs enable students to develop both practical and analytical skills as they investigate biological phenomena. This course prepares students for the AP® Biology exam.
High school credit: 2 semesters


Requirements:
Prerequisites: Biology, Chemistry is recommended
AP Chemistry 6 - 12 Chemistry is based on the concept that the physical properties of materials are generally determined by their structure at the molecular or atomic scale. This rigorous and challenging course covers topics including the structure of matter, kinetic theory of gases, chemical equilibriums, chemical kinetics, and the basic concepts of thermodynamics. A combination of
hands-on and virtual labs augments students’ understanding of concepts as participants conduct both quantitative and qualitative analysis of data. This introductory college-level course prepares students to take the AP® Chemistry exam.
High school credit: 2 semesters

Requirements:
Prerequisites: Algebra II & Chemistry
AP Environmental Science 6 - 12 Students study the scientific principles, concepts and methodologies required to understand the interrelationships among various forces, ranging from time to people and from pollution to poverty. They identify and analyze numerous environmental problems, both natural and human-made, as they evaluate the relative risks associated with each and examine various solutions for resolving and/or preventing them. Lab activities in this course require a significant amount of fieldwork. This course prepares students for the AP® Environmental Science exam.
High school credit: 2 semesters



Requirements:
Prerequisites: Algebra I, one physical science & one life science
AP Physics B 6 - 12 This non-calculus-based physics course offers a broad foundation in topics such as mechanics, fluid dynamics, wave motion, thermodynamics, electricity and magnetism, sound and light, modern physics and nuclear physics. To gain a comprehensive understanding of physical principles, students first visualize them and then use practical applications of complex problem solving, student-centered laboratory investigations (hands-on and virtual) and learning projects. Students explain and analyze how physical systems operate, apply science processes and critical thinking skills, evaluate scientific solutions to societal problems and predict how physical systems will behave. This college-level course prepares students for the AP® Physics B exam.
High school credit: 2 semesters


Requirements:
Prerequisites: Algebra II & Physics
AP Physics C 6 - 12 This advanced course provides students with a detailed study of both classical mechanics and classical electromagnetism.  Physics C is designed for those students who have some prior physics experience and are interested in majoring in a technical science in college. The rigor of the course requires the use of calculus to solve college-level problems and prepares students to take the AP® Physics C exams: Mechanics and/or Electricity and Magnetism.
High school credit: 2 semesters


Requirements:
Prerequisites: Physics & previous or concurrent enrollment in Calculus

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Technology Courses - GLL: 09-10 Honors/AP Monthly Enrollment
Course Title Grades Description
AP Computer Science A 6 - 12 Described as the systematic study of computing systems and computation, this college-level course covers object-oriented program design, the development and selection of appropriate algorithms and data structures to solve problems, and the AP® Java subset including the standard Java library classes. Case studies such as the AP® case study GridWorld are used to develop an understanding of large programs with several classes and interacting objects. Upon completion of this course, students are able to solve problems using proper algorithms that utilize Java and to use readable and efficient code to satisfy problem descriptions. This course prepares students for the AP® Computer Science A Exam

High school credit: 2 semesters


Requirements:
Prerequisites: Algebra II, Java and/or Programming C++

Notes:
• Macintosh or Windows operating systems are recommended.
• Students need a Java compiler (a program that allows students to write and run Java programs). Information on free compilers that are available online is included in the course syllabus.

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World Languages Courses - GLL: 09-10 Honors/AP Monthly Enrollment
Course Title Grades Description
AP Latin: Vergil 6 - 12 Forsan et haec olim meminisse iuvabit. In other words, “Perhaps some day we will look back upon these things with joy.”
These words of Aeneas to his crew may be equally well addressed to stalwart Latin students who are interested in taking this course. Students translate and metrically scan all required Latin passages, discuss literary and grammatical features within the social, cultural, historical and political context. Students read the entire Aeneid and pertinent passages from Homer’s Iliad and Odyssey in English. Supplemental materials and recommended texts are provided to aid in passage interpretation.  This course prepares students for the AP® Latin: Vergil exam.
High school credit: 2 semesters


Requirements:
Prerequisites: Latin I & II Wheelock or Latin I, II, & III Ecce Romani or instructor’s permission

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