ADVANCED PLACEMENT

Courses and Program

The Advanced Placement (AP) Program is a cooperative educational endeavour between secondary schools, colleges and universities.  It exposes high school students to college-level material through involvement in an A.P. course, and it gives them the opportunity to show that they have mastered the material by taking an A.P. examination.  Colleges and universities can then grant credit, placement, or both, to students who have done so.

Students can benefit from taking A.P. courses by learning a subject in greater depth, developing skills that will be critically important to successful study in university, and demonstrating to universities their willingness to undertake a challenging course.  A.P. courses do make substantial academic demands on students.

A.P. has been accepted by many schools as a method of enrichment and it has grown steadily.  The number of examinations written by Canadian students in 1995 was 6706.  In 2008, the number of examinations written by 13,645 students in Canada was 20,273.  World wide, 2,736,445 A.P. examinations were written by 1,580,281 students.

A.P. offers high schools the opportunity to motivate their best students, enhance the quality of the curriculum and demonstrate to the community the school's commitment to strong academic standards.

A.P. can motivate students to attempt more challenging courses in high school and university.  It can bolster their confidence that they can meet college requirements.  Successful completion of the A.P. examination taken in high school can provide college credits and exempt students from some introductory college courses, thus permitting students to move more quickly into advanced classes.

Research on the effects of A.P. courses and examinations has demonstrated that, when A.P. students reach university, they typically take additional courses and examinations in the academic areas of their A.P. courses, enrol in more courses than their peers, achieve higher grade point averages and graduate with double majors, and go on to graduate school at a rate double that of their non-A.P. peers.

More detailed information regarding specific courses and their implementation is available from the guidance department or Mr. Munro.

ADVANCED PLACEMENT (AP) COURSES AVAILABLE AT KVHS:

AP BIOLOGY 120

Prerequisite: Biology 121

This course is a one term course.   The topic list includes all those covered in Biology 111 and Biology 121 as well as evolution, populations’ genetics, DNA technology, and ecology.  Students will be exposed to the level and workload of a first year university Biology course. The course includes a three hour lab session about three weeks.   Students may choose to write the AP exam in Biology upon completion of the course.

Text:   Campbell Biology

AP CALCULUS 120

Prerequisite:  Geometry and Applications in Mathematics 111, Functions and Relations 111, Trigonometry and 3-space 121 and Advanced Math 120 or approval of Mathematics Department Head

Advanced Placement (AP) Calculus is a full year course.  The AP Calculus course covers with greater depth the same topics covered by the regular Calculus 120 course, as well as additional topics. Upon completion of the course, a student may choose to write the AP Calculus examination.

Text:       Calculus – Graphical, Numerical, Algebraic, Addison-Wesley

AP CHEMISTRY 120

Prerequisite: Chemistry 121

Students will be exposed to the level and workload of a first year university chemistry course. The topics covered include atoms, molecules and ions, stoichiometry, chemical reactions, gases, thermo chemistry, atomic structure, and periodicity, bonding, orbitals, liquids and solids, solutions, chemical kinetics, chemical equilibrium, acids and bases, spontaneity, entropy and free energy, electrochemistry, and nuclear chemistry. A three hour lab per week is a common occurrence. Students may choose to write the AP exam in Chemistry upon completion of the course.

Text:   Zumdahl, Chemistry

AP COMPUTER SCIENCE 120

Prerequisite: Computer Science 110 and 120

This course is designed for any student serious about pursuing a career in computer science.  Course emphasis is on structured programming using the C++ programming language and preparation for the Advanced Placement Exam.  The student will be introduced to terms and techniques relating to computer systems analysis.  This course builds on the concepts and skills developed in Computer Science 110 and Computer Science 120.  Students will be expected to be well organized and motivated.  Students will be required to do an online distance education course to learn the Java programming language.  They will also have to prepare themselves for the AP exam by pursuing independent studies outside of class time.

Text:       Introduction to Computer Science, Using C++

AP ENGLISH LITERATURE 120

Prerequisite: English Language Arts 111, 112, 121 or 122 with recommendation of teacher of English.

 This course engages students in the careful reading, discussion and critical analysis of some of the best world literature and, in so doing, deepens their understanding of the ways authors use language to provide both meaning and pleasure for their readers.

This course will be offered in the second semester and students who apply for it are required to attend a number of after school seminars in semester one to prepare them for the course. Upon completion of the course, students may, for a fee, write an external examination.  Some universities will grant a college credit to those students who succeed on the external examination. Students selecting this course should have above average reading and writing abilities and an interest in English.

AP ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE 120

Prerequisite: Biology 121 or 122, Chemistry 121 or 122 and Environmental Science 122

Text:       ES A Global Concern, Cunningham, Saigo

AP EUROPEAN HISTORY 120

Prerequisite:  History 111, 112 or F.I. Modern History 112 and recommendation of the Social Studies Teacher

This is a European history course that encompasses 1450 to present day.  It is a university level course that requires an independent, mature learning approach. Topics covered include the Renaissance, the Reformation, the Scientific Revolution, the Age of Enlightenment, the French Revolution, Marxism, Liberalism, Socialism, Imperialism, etc.

Students intending to pursue university studies in History, Political Science, Geography, Economics, Sociology, Journalism, Women's Studies or any other Liberal Arts Education should consider taking this course.

AP FRENCH LANGUAGE 120

Co-requisite: F.I. Language Arts 120 (Early or Late)

Students in grade 12 Immersion classes (Early or Late) may choose to write the AP French Language Exam.  Interested applicants should be strong students of French, highly motivated and good independent learners.  Although no extra A.P. course is offered, candidates should take all the F.I. courses they can.  Students wishing to write the A.P. Exam are expected to attend several orientation sessions throughout March and April.

AP PHYSICS 120

Prerequisite: Physics 121

Students will be exposed to the level and workload of a first year university Physics course. Topics are similar to Physics 111 and Physics 121, but also include heat, fluids, optics and Nuclear and at times are covered in more depth.. A three hour lab per week may be a common occurrence. Students may choose to write the AP exam in Physics upon completion of the course.

Text:       Physics , Giancoli

AP PSYCHOLOGY 120

The purpose of the course is to introduce students to the systematic and scientific study of the behaviour and mental processes of human beings and other animals.  Students are exposed to the psychological facts, principles, and phenomena associated with each of the major subfields within psychology.  They also learn about methods psychologists use in their science and practice.  Many universities accept AP Psychology for 3 credit hours or for advanced standing.

Because a great deal of content is covered, because the content is often difficult to master, because of requirements set by the College Board, and because it is an elective course, only students with a strong interest in psychology and who have a strong academic record will be accepted for this course.  Accordingly, Grade 12 students with an average below 80% and Grade 11 students with an average below 90% will not be admitted to the course.

AP STATISTICS

Prerequisite: Geometry and Applications in Mathematics 111, Functions and Relations 111, Advanced Math 120 or approval of Mathematics Department Head

This course follows the curriculum of a typical university introductory course in statistics.  The purpose of Advanced Placement (AP) Statistics is to expose students to major concepts and tools for the collection and analysis of data.  Areas of study include descriptive statistical measures, designed experiments, probability, probability distributions and densities, mathematical expectation, point and interval estimation, hypothesis testing and linear regression.  Upon completion of the course, a student may choose to write the AP Statistics examination.

Text:       Elementary Statistics, Addison-Wesley

AP STUDIO ART 120

Prerequisites:  Visual Art 110/120, Graphic Art 110 is also recommended

The AP Studio Art portfolios are designed for students who are seriously interested in the practical experience of art.  AP Studio Art is not based on a written exam; instead, students submit portfolios for evaluation at the end of the school year.  The AP Studio Art Program consists of three portfolios - 2-D Design, 3-D Design, and Drawing - corresponding to the most common college foundation courses.  Portfolios are read in early June.