Advanced Placement Program

Advanced Placement (AP) courses offer rigorous, college-level content taught by highly- qualified William Tennent teachers. Students may earn college credit at participating colleges and universities by achieving a designated score on the AP exam. (Check with the individual colleges regarding their policies for awarding credit). Students recommended for Honors and AP level courses should have an A average in the same subject in their current Academic level course or an A or B in their current Honors level course.

William Tennent High School is one of approximately 1,800 schools worldwide to implement the AP Capstone Diploma program ― an innovative program that allows students to develop the skills that matter most for college success, such as research, collaboration, and communication. The program consists of two courses taken in sequence: AP Seminar and AP Research. Students who score a 3 or higher in AP Seminar and AP Research and on four additional AP Exams of their choosing earn the AP Capstone Diploma. This signifies outstanding academic achievement and attainment of college-level academic and research skills. Students who score a 3 or higher in both AP Seminar and AP Research (but not on four additional AP Exams) earn the AP Seminar and Research Certificate^™.

It is strongly suggested that all students in the Advanced Placement classes take the Advanced Placement examinations administered in May by the College Board. Research has shown that students who successfully complete their AP courses and take the AP exams are more likely to be successful at the college level. All students scheduled for an AP course are REQUIRED to complete the summer assignment prior to the first day of school. Each student must meet with his or her current teacher to acquire permission for entry into an AP course. These students will be given an Advanced Placement Course Request Form with parent information that explains the course expectations and acknowledges parental support for student registration. Students will not be registered for the AP course until the form is returned with student and parent signatures.

**Students may not drop AP courses after March 1, 2022 without permission from their house principal. No AP courses will be dropped once summer starts.

The AP exam costs approximately $90. There are special provisions for students with a verified financial hardship. Students requiring this support should speak to their guidance counselor.

AP grades are based on mastering course content and on meeting national standards. Students who succeed in AP classes are able to organize their time and materials, complete work independently, perform well on tests, read critically at or above grade level, and speak and write effectively to demonstrate their thoughts and ideas.

Course Offerings

Art

STUDIO ART ADVANCED PLACEMENT

Grade 12

ART404 1.0 credit

This course focuses on preparing a body of artwork within the parameters prescribed by the College Board. Three types of portfolios are considered acceptable: AP 2-D Art and Design, AP 3-D Art and Design, and AP Drawing Each portfolio contains 20 works of art which are submitted digitally. All portfolios share a basic two -section structure: Sustained Investigation and Selected Works. Within these areas, students will demonstrate a depth of investigation while developing an artistic voice. A fundamental grounding in visual principles and a confidence with a variety of techniques will also be assessed and evaluated within the portfolio submission. The primary aim of this course is to have students demonstrate a fundamental competence and range of understanding in visual awareness and methods of application in various media. In order for students to accomplish the goals of this course, they will find it necessary to work beyond scheduled class periods both during the school year and in the summer prior to the start of class. At the conclusion of the course, students will submit a portfolio to the College Board.

Lab Fee: $30

PREREQUISITE: One or more advanced level art courses (ex: Art 3, Photo 2, or Ceramics 2)

NOTE: Students are strongly encouraged to schedule and take the Advanced Placement examination administered by the College Board. The successful student has the possibility of advanced credit standing in a college or university.

BCIT

COMPUTER SCIENCE PRINCIPLES ADVANCED PLACEMENT

Grades 10-12

BCI709 1.0 credit

This course was developed by the College Board to address a critical need for a broader range of students to gain exposure to computing in high school. Multidisciplinary in nature, the course teaches students to analyze problems, use creative thinking, and collaborate to investigate solutions to real-word issues using computing. AP Computer Science Principles introduces students to the foundational concepts of computer science and challenges them to explore how computing and technology can impact the world. With a unique focus on creative problem solving and real-world applications, AP Computer Science Principles prepares students for college and careers in the 21st century. Whether it’s 3D animation, engineering, music, app development, medicine, visual design, robotics, or political analysis, computer science is the engine that powers the technology, productivity, and innovation that drive the world. Computer science experience has become an imperative for today’s students and the workforce of tomorrow.

A student who successfully completes a course in computer science or information technology during grades nine through twelve shall be permitted to apply up to one credit earned for successful completion of such course to satisfy the student’s mathematics or science credit requirement for graduation, provided, that the governing body of the student’s public high school shall have discretion to determine the graduation credit requirement to which the credit earned by the student shall be applied.

NOTE: Students are strongly encouraged to schedule and take the Advanced Placement examination administered by the College Board.

COMPUTER SCIENCE A ADVANCED PLACEMENT

Grades 11-12

BCI707 1.0 credit

Is computer science/technology your passion? Do you see yourself preparing for a career in information technology? This AP course is a wise choice not only for those interested in the field of Information Technology, but also for anyone who aspires to be on the management team of any business, educational, charitable, or private organization. In today’s world of technology, managers must be able to communicate with computer science/information technology personnel to develop programs together. It is just as important to understand the benefits and limits of technology as it is to be able to write the code that runs today’s world. This course is designed to prepare students to succeed when taking the AP Computer Science-A exam. Students will learn how to design computer programs in order to solve problems. This Advanced Placement course focuses on programming: algorithms and design; Java basics: control statements; object-oriented programming, software engineering; arrays and GUI programming basics and component layout.

PREREQUISITE: Successful completion of Intro to Programming and/or AP Computer Science Principles is strongly recommended.

NOTE: Students are strongly encouraged to schedule and take the Advanced Placement examination administered by the College Board.

MICROECONOMICS ADVANCED PLACEMENT

Grades 10-12

BCI708 1.0 credit

Are you fascinated by financial systems, and the complex workings of our economy? This course is designed for the purpose of preparing students to succeed when taking the AP Microeconomics course. The focus is to provide a thorough understanding of the principles of economics that apply to the functions of individual decision makers, both consumers and producers, within the larger economic system. It places primary emphasis on the nature and functions of product markets, and includes the study of factor markets and the role of government in promoting greater efficiency and equity in the economy.

NOTE: Students are strongly encouraged to schedule and take the Advanced Placement examination administered by the College Board.

English

ENGLISH LANGUAGE & COMPOSITION ADVANCED PLACEMENT

Grades 11-12

ENG441 1.0 credit

This college-level course critically examines the power of writing with a special focus on non- fiction works. Students will develop the skills needed to analyze language, writing, and literature while learning to communicate their findings in standard academic formats. Major writing units feature: the literature of letters, the autobiographical essay, the rhetoric of logic and argument, and writing for research. Students will read the course text Language of Composition, as well as short essays from current periodicals and other literature. Students can expect to work with sample AP questions to prepare for the exam. The course is excellent preparation for advanced studies in literature, including English Literature and Composition (AP).

NOTE: It is the RECOMMENDATION of both the College Board and the English Department that students select the Language and Composition Course prior to taking the Literature and Composition Course. Prior to the end of the school year, it is the student’s responsibility to obtain and complete the Summer Assignment.

NOTE: Students are strongly encouraged to schedule and take the Advanced Placement examination administered by the College Board.

ENGLISH LITERATURE & COMPOSITION ADVANCED PLACEMENT

Grades 11-12

ENG442 1.0 credit

This college-level course develops the skills needed to analyze and criticize language and literature and to communicate findings in standard academic formats. Students will apply accepted approaches to confront different types and styles of literature. The course is an excellent preparation for advanced studies in literature and for college-level writing and literature study. Major units for the year include Narrative Poetry and Fiction, Poetry, Drama, and the Modern Novel. Students should expect to read a significant work every two to three weeks on average and to have a major test or essay on each. Students will also be responsible for vocabulary study as well as grammar and punctuation reviews throughout the year. Students will have direct instruction on writing thesis papers and will be expected to apply in their papers the principles that are discussed in class.

NOTE: Students are strongly encouraged to schedule and take the Advanced Placement examination administered by the College Board.

Interdisciplinary Studies

SEMINAR ADVANCED PLACEMENT

Grades 10-11

IDS440 2.0 credit

AP Seminar is a foundational course that engages students in cross-curricular conversations that explore the complexities of academic and real-world topics and issues by analyzing divergent perspectives. Students learn to investigate a problem or issue, analyze arguments, compare different perspectives, synthesize information from multiple sources, and work alone and in a group to communicate their ideas.

Further, in this course, students will use Stanford University’s Design Thinking framework, a process for creative problem solving, to design services, products, and/or processes that will benefit a target audience (users) of their choosing. Students will be able to develop solutions to problems they themselves have identified, or challenges provided for them by industry partners. Students will be mentored by their teacher and various other partners throughout this process. Design thinking revolves around three essential components: first and foremost, developing empathy for those who have a real problem; second, ideating, generating a large amount of ideas that may potentially solve the problem, and; finally, testing those ideas and continually improving them to design a solution to the problem that best satisfies the needs of the target user.

RESEARCH ADVANCED PLACEMENT

Grades 11-12

IDS441 1.0 credit

AP Research, the second course in the AP Capstone experience, allows students to deeply explore an academic topic, problem, issue, or idea of individual interest. Students design, plan, and implement a yearlong investigation to address a research question. Through this inquiry, they further the skills they acquired in the AP Seminar course by learning research methodology, employing ethical research practices, and accessing, analyzing, and synthesizing information. Students reflect on their skill development, document their processes, and curate the artifacts of their scholarly work through a process and reflection portfolio. The course culminates in an academic paper of 4,000–5,000 words (accompanied by a performance, exhibit, or product where applicable) and a presentation with an oral defense.

PREREQUISITE: Successful Completion of AP Seminar.

Math

CALCULUS AB & ANALYTIC GEOMETRY ADVANCED PLACEMENT

Grades 11-12

MAT441 1.0 credit

A college level course equivalent to first semester college calculus, this course is for students with a demonstrated aptitude for higher-level mathematics that will pursue college majors in mathematics, science, computer science, or engineering. Students will be exposed to a rigorous development of the concepts of calculus including limits, derivatives, applications of derivatives, integrals, and applications of integrals. Students are expected to complete summer assignments.

NOTE: Students are strongly encouraged to schedule and take the Advanced Placement examination administered by the College Board.

CALCULUS BC & ANALYTIC GEOMETRY ADVANCED PLACEMENT

Grades 11-12

MAT442 1.0 credit

AP Calculus BC is equivalent to a first and second semester college calculus class. It is for students with a demonstrated aptitude for higher-level mathematics that will pursue college majors in mathematics, science, computer science, or engineering. Students should be good problem solvers and independent learners who are prepared to work at an intensive pace. The course will cover the core calculus concepts of limits, derivatives, integrals, and their applications; as well as differential equations, improper integrals, integration by parts, partial fractions, logistic applications, L’Hopital’s Rule, derivatives and integrals of parametric, polar and vector functions, polynomial approximations of infinite series, Taylor and MacLaurin series and radius of convergence. Students are expected to complete summer assignments.

NOTE: Students are strongly encouraged to schedule and take the Advanced Placement examination administered by the College Board.

STATISTICS ADVANCED PLACEMENT

Grades 10-12

MAT443 1.0 credit

The purpose of the AP course in statistics is to introduce students to the major concepts and tools for collecting, analyzing, and drawing conclusions from data. Students are exposed to four broad conceptual themes: Exploring Data: observing patterns and departures from pattern; Planning a Study: Deciding what and how to measure; Anticipating Patterns: Producing models using probability theory and simulation; Statistical Inference: Confirming models. Students are expected to complete summer assignments.

NOTE: Students are strongly encouraged to schedule and take the Advanced Placement examination administered by the College Board.

Music

MUSIC THEORY ADVANCED PLACEMENT

Grades 10-12

MUS440 1.0 credit

This course covers first year college music theory in depth and detail. Students study advanced theory, harmony and ear training in preparation for the AP Music Theory Exam. This includes four-part writing using functional harmony from the common practice period, melodic, rhythmic, and harmonic dictation, and solfeggio. Homework assignments are graded and assigned daily. Students will be required to complete a summer assignment. This is an excellent class for students wishing to compose music, perform music, or who wish to major or minor in music at the college level.

PREREQUISITE: Successful completion of Music Theory with a grade of “B” or higher on the Music Theory Final Exam or departmental approval.

Science

PREREQUISITES

Students recommended for Honors and AP level courses should have an A average in their current Academic level science and mathematics courses or an A or B in their current Honors level science and mathematics courses.

BIOLOGY ADVANCED PLACEMENT

Grades 11-12

SCI440 1.0 credit

This college-level course follows the recommended sequence of topics listed by the College Board. Topics studied include: evolution, ecology, chemistry, cells and transport, photosynthesis, cellular respiration, genetics,

taxonomy, and a body system survey. Also required are 12 college-level lab exercises. Students are expected to complete a summer assignment.

NOTE: Students are strongly encouraged to schedule and take the Advanced Placement examination administered by the College Board.

CHEMISTRY ADVANCED PLACEMENT

Grades 11-12

SCI441 1.0 credit

This college-level course includes such topics as: structure of matter, states of matter, solutions and concentrations, reactions of matter (acid/base, redox, equilibrium, kinetics, and thermodynamics), stoichiometry, descriptive chemistry, physics, and mathematics. Physics may be taken concurrently. Laboratory activities are an integral part of this course. Students are expected to purchase an AP Chemistry Exam review book.

NOTE: Students are strongly encouraged to schedule and take the Advanced Placement examination administered by the College Board.

PHYSICS ADVANCED PLACEMENT

Grades 11-12

SCI442 1.0 credit

Advanced Placement Physics is a college-level course which concentrates deeply on both mechanics (including motion, forces, gravity, momentum, power, and energy) and electricity/magnetism. Calculus is taught as needed and may be taken concurrently. AP Physics is learned via creative thought, problem solving, and imaginative labs.

NOTE: Students are strongly encouraged to schedule and take the Advanced Placement examination administered by the College Board.

Social Studies

WORLD HISTORY ADVANCED PLACEMENT

Grade 10-12

SOC440 1.0 credit

AP World History is a college-level course designed for self-motivated, independent learners, who wish to develop an understanding of the evolution of global processes and contacts in different human societies. The course will focus on the nature of changes in global frameworks, their causes and consequences, as well as comparisons between major societies, while building an understanding of cultural, institutional, and technical precedents that, along with geography, set the human stage. This goal will be accomplished through factual knowledge, identification of recurrent patterns and trends, and analysis of historical evidence as well as the completion of required readings. If taken in grade 10, this course may be substituted for Global Studies. Completion of a summer assignment is required.

NOTE: Students are strongly encouraged to schedule and take the Advanced Placement examination administered by the College Board.

UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT ADVANCED PLACEMENT

Grade 12

SOC441 1.0 credit

The Advanced Placement course in US Government is a college level course focusing on the following major concept areas: constitutional underpinnings of the United States government; political beliefs and behavior, political parties, interest groups and mass media, institutions of national government including the Congress, the presidency, the bureaucracy, and the federal courts; public policy; and civil rights and civil liberties. Taken in grade 12, this course may be substituted for US Government and Public Policy. Completion of a summer assignment is required.

NOTE: Students are strongly encouraged to schedule and take the Advanced Placement examination administered by the College Board.

UNITED STATES HISTORY ADVANCED PLACEMENT

Grade 11-12

SOC442 1.0 credit

The Advanced Placement Course in United States History is designed to provide students with the analytic skills and factual knowledge necessary to deal critically with the problems and materials in United States history from the colonial period to the present. The course prepares students for intermediate and advanced

college courses by making demands upon them equivalent to those of full-year introductory college courses. Completion of summer assignment is required.

NOTE: Students are strongly encouraged to schedule and take the Advanced Placement examination administered by the College Board.

EUROPEAN HISTORY ADVANCED PLACEMENT

Grades 11-12

SOC443 1.0 credit

This is a college-level course concerned with the study of European history from the Renaissance to present day. The course prepares students for intermediate and advanced college courses by making demands upon them equivalent to those of full-year introductory college courses. Completion of a summer assignment is required.

NOTE: Students are strongly encouraged to schedule and take the Advanced Placement examination administered by the College Board.

PSYCHOLOGY ADVANCED PLACEMENT

Grades 11-12

SOC444 1.0 credit

The AP Psychology course is designed as a college-level class, which will engage students in the systematic and scientific study of the behavior and mental processes of human beings and other animals. Students will be exposed to the psychological facts, theories, principles, and phenomena associated with the major sub-fields within psychology including: the history and science of psychology, neuroscience & behavior, the nature and nurture of behavior, development, sensation and perception, states of consciousness, learning, memory, thinking, language, intelligence, motivation, stress and health, personality, psychological disorders, therapy, and social psychology. Students will also learn about the methods psychologists use in their science and practice. It is strongly recommended that a student taking this course had a successful academic experience in Sociology/Psychology. Completion of a summer assignment is required.

NOTE: Students are strongly encouraged to schedule and take the Advanced Placement examination administered by the College Board.

MACROECONOMICS ADVANCED PLACEMENT

Grades 10-12

SOC445 1.0 credit

A famous economist once said, “The ideas of economists & political philosophers, both when they are right and when they are wrong, are more powerful than is commonly understood… Practical men (people), who believe themselves to be quite exempt from any intellectual influences, are usually the slaves of some defunct economist.”

AP Macroeconomics will provide students with a thorough understanding of the principles of economics that apply to national and international economic systems as a whole. AP Macroeconomics emphasizes the study of national income, economic performance measures, economic growth, and international economics. Students learn to think like economists: to question, to evaluate marginal costs and marginal benefits, and to explore the many ways in which one action causes secondary actions. Emphasis is placed on critical thinking skills through the understanding, application, and analysis of fundamental economic concepts. Completion of a summer assignment is required.

NOTE: Students are strongly encouraged to schedule and take the Advanced Placement examination administered by the College Board.

World Language

SPANISH ADVANCED PLACEMENT

Grade 12

WLA443 1.0 credit

Students who elect this course should already have knowledge of the language and culture of the countries where the target language is spoken. They should have attained a level of proficiency in listening comprehension, speaking, reading and writing. This third year college level course emphasizes advanced skills in the four areas of language acquisition. Students will study history, literature, art, poetry, current events and pop culture in the target language. Active communication is emphasized. Much independent learning is required. Completion of a summer assignment is required.

PREREQUISITE: Final grade of A in previous academic language course or B or above in previous honors language course.

NOTE: Students are strongly encouraged to schedule and take the Advanced Placement examination administered by the College Board.