Advanced Placement at Blyth Academy

Advanced Placement (AP) courses are university-level courses taken by high school students. Students may choose to demonstrate their understanding and application of the material studied by taking AP examinations in May. Curricula and examinations are standardized by the College Board.

Motivation for taking advanced placement courses may vary, but all who participate are better prepared for their postsecondary lives: learning how to tackle challenging academic issues, honing time management and study skills, and most importantly – building confidence. At some colleges or universities, students who receive a high score on their advanced placement exam(s) will receive a credit and/or be exempted from introductory courses, allowing for direct entry into second year core courses, or eligibility to take extra classes. Regardless of this, students who take AP courses stand out, letting colleges and universities know that they have what it takes to succeed in an undergraduate environment.

Blyth Academy offers advanced placement courses at most campuses. Contact your Guidance Counsellor for more information.

COURSES AVAILABLE

Physics C – Electricity and Magnetism

Course Description: AP Physics C: Electricity and Magnetism is a one-semester, calculus-based, college-level physics course, especially appropriate for students planning to specialize or major in physical science or engineering. The course explores topics such as electrostatics; conductors, capacitors, and dielectrics; electric circuits; magnetic fields; and electromagnetism. Introductory differential and integral calculus are used throughout the course.

Prerequisites: Students should have taken or be concurrently taking calculus.

Physics C – Mechanics

Course Description: AP Physics C: Electricity and Magnetism is a one-semester, calculus-based, college-level physics course, especially appropriate for students planning to specialize or major in physical science or engineering. The course explores topics such as electrostatics; conductors, capacitors, and dielectrics; electric circuits; magnetic elds; and electromagnetism. Introductory differential and integral calculus is used throughout the course.

Prerequisites: Students should have taken or be concurrently taking calculus.

AP Calculus AB

Course Description: AP Calculus AB is roughly equivalent to a first semester post-secondary calculus course devoted to topics in differential and integral calculus. The AP course covers topics in these areas, including concepts and skills of limits, derivatives, definite integrals, and the Fundamental Theorem of Calculus. The course teaches students to approach calculus concepts and problems when they are represented graphically, numerically, analytically, and verbally, and to make connections amongst these representations. Students learn how to use technology to help solve problems, experiment, interpret results, and support conclusions.

Prerequisites: Before studying calculus, all students should complete four years of secondary mathematics designed for college-bound students: courses in which they study algebra, geometry, trigonometry, analytic geometry, and elementary functions. These functions include linear, polynomial, rational, exponential, logarithmic, trigonometric, inverse trigonometric, and piecewise-defined functions. In particular, before studying calculus, students must be familiar with the properties of functions, the algebra of functions, and the graphs of functions. Students must also understand the language of functions (domain and range, odd and even, periodic, symmetry, zeros, intercepts, and so on) and know the values of the trigonometric functions at the numbers 0, ?/6, ?/4, ?/3, ?/2, and their multiples.

AP Calculus BC

Course Description: AP Calculus AB is roughly equivalent to a first semester college calculus course devoted to topics in differential and integral calculus. The AP course covers topics in these areas, including concepts and skills of limits, derivatives, de nite integrals, and the Fundamental Theorem of Calculus. The course teaches students to approach calculus concepts and problems when they are represented graphically, numerically, analytically, and verbally, and to make connections amongst these representations. Students learn how to use technology to help solve problems, experiment, interpret results, and support conclusions.

Prerequisites: Before studying calculus, all students should complete four years of secondary mathematics designed for college-bound students: courses in which they study algebra, geometry, trigonometry, analytic geometry, and elementary functions. These functions include linear, polynomial, rational, exponential, logarithmic, trigonometric, inverse trigonometric, and piecewise-de ned functions. In particular, before studying calculus, students must be familiar with the properties of functions, the algebra of functions, and the graphs of functions. Students must also understand the language of functions (domain and range, odd and even, periodic, symmetry, zeros, intercepts, and so on) and know the values of the trigonometric functions at the numbers 0, ?/6, ?/4, ?/3, ?/2, and their multiples.

Statistics

Course Description: The AP Statistics course is equivalent to a one-semester, introductory, non-calculus-based college course in statistics. The course introduces students to the major concepts and tools for collecting, analyzing, and drawing conclusions from data. There are four themes in the AP Statistics course: exploring data, sampling and experimentation, anticipating patterns, and statistical inference. Students use technology, investigations, problem solving, and writing as they build conceptual understanding.

Prerequisites: Students must have taken second-year algebra before enrolling in AP Statistics.

AP English Literature and Composition

Course Description: The AP English Literature and Composition course aligns to an introductory post-secondary level literary analysis course. The course engages students in the close reading and critical analysis of imaginative literature to deepen their understanding of the ways writers use language to provide both meaning and pleasure. As they read, students consider a work’s structure, style, and themes, as well as its use of figurative language, imagery, symbolism, and tone. Writing assignments include expository, analytical, and argumentative essays that require students to analyze and interpret literary works.

Prerequisites: Students should be able to read and comprehend college-level texts and apply the conventions of Standard Written English in their writing.

Chemistry

Course Description: The Advanced Placement Chemistry course provides students with a college-level foundation to support future advanced coursework in chemistry. Students cultivate their understanding of chemistry through inquiry-based investigations, as they explore topics such as atomic structure, intermolecular forces and bonding, chemical reactions, kinetics, thermodynamics, and equilibrium.