AP AFRICAN AMERICAN STUDIES

Students in African American studies look at the history, politics, culture, and economics of North American people of African descent.

From the slave economy to the civil rights movement, and from the blues to hip-hop, African Americans have had a huge role in shaping American society and culture. If you major in African American studies, you'll learn about their achievements.

You'll also examine the hardships African Americans faced during their history. Further, you'll dive into the difficult issues, such as unequal educational opportunities, they deal with today.

Scholars in African American studies play a key role in the development of modern academics. By focusing on people and viewpoints that have been ignored in other fields, they lead they way in integrating minority experiences into all academic subjects.

https://apstudents.collegeboard.org/choosing-courses/major-career-results/major/African-American-Studies

 

AP HUMAN GEOGRAPHY

The purpose of Advanced Placement Human Geography is to introduce students to the systematic study of patterns and processes that have shaped human understanding, use, interaction with, and alteration of the earth's surface. Students will use spatial concepts and landscape analysis to analyze human social organization and its environmental consequences. They also will learn about the methods and tools geographers use in their science and practice. Students who complete this course are encouraged to take the associated Advanced Placement examination and may earn college credit if a qualifying score is achieved. {read more}

AP MACROECONOMICS

An AP course in Macroeconomics is designed to give you a thorough understanding of the principles of economics that apply to an economic system as a whole. Such a course places particular emphasis on the study of national income and price determination, and also develops your familiarity with economic performance measures, economic growth, and international economics. {read more}

AP MICROECONOMICS

The purpose of an AP course in Microeconomics 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 of the role of government in promoting greater efficiency and equity in the economy. {read more}

AP PSYCHOLOGY

The purpose of the AP course in Psychology is to introduce the systematic and scientific study of the behavior and mental processes of human beings and other animals. Included is a consideration of the psychological facts, principles, and phenomena associated with each of the major subfields within psychology. Students also learn about the ethics and methods psychologists use in their science and practice. An introductory college course in psychology is generally one semester in length, with some variation among colleges. An AP course in psychology need not follow any specific college curriculum. Rather, the aim is to provide a learning experience equivalent to that obtained in most college introductory psychology courses.{read more}

AP COMPARATIVE GOVERNMENT & POLITICS

This course is designed to prepare you for the Advanced Placement exams in American Government and Comparative Government – 2 exams. But more importantly, it is designed to give you a thorough understanding of how a variety of governing systems work in relation to our own. The class will cover all topics from 7 points of view – US, China, Iran, Mexico, Nigeria, Russia, and the United Kingdom. Given the increasingly interconnected world we live in, your understanding of these systems could have a profound impact on your future personal and professional well-being. {read more}

AP UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS

The AP U.S. Government and Politics course involves the study of democratic ideas, balance of powers, and tension between the practical and ideal in national policymaking. Students analyze and discuss the importance of various constitutional principles, rights and procedures, institutions, and political processes that impact us as citizens. {read more}

 

AP UNITED STATES HISTORY

The AP program in United States History is designed to provide students with the analytical skills and enduring understandings necessary to deal critically with the problems and materials in United States history. The program prepares students for intermediate and advanced college courses by making demands upon them equivalent to those made by full-year introductory college courses. Students should learn to assess historical materials — their relevance to a given interpretive problem, their reliability, and their importance — and to weigh the evidence and interpretations presented in historical scholarship. An AP United States History course should thus develop the skills necessary to arrive at conclusions on the basis of an informed judgment and to present reasons and evidence clearly and persuasively in an essay format. {read more}

AP WORLD HISTORY

AP World History: Modern develops significant understanding of global processes and contacts, in interaction with human societies from circa 1200 to present. The course highlights the nature of changes in international frameworks and their causes and consequences, as well as comparisons among world societies. Students learn to assess historical materials — their relevance to a given interpretive problem, their reliability, and their importance — and to weigh the evidence and interpretations presented in historical scholarship. The course builds on an understanding of cultural, institutional, and technological precedents that, along with geography, set the human stage for the twenty-first century. AP World History: Modern helps foster the skills necessary to arrive at conclusions based on informed judgment and to present reasons and evidence clearly and persuasively in writing. Read More

 

AP CALCULUS AB

Calculus AB is designed to be taught over a full high school academic year. It is possible to spend some time on elementary functions and still cover the Calculus AB curriculum within a year. However, if students are to be adequately prepared for the Calculus AB examination, most of the year must be devoted to topics in differential and integral calculus. These topics are the focus of the AP Exam. Read more.

 

    AP CALCULUS BC

Calculus BC can be offered by schools that are able to complete all the prerequisites before the course. Calculus BC is a full-year course in the calculus of functions of a single variable. It includes all topics covered in Calculus AB plus additional topics. Both courses represent college-level mathematics for which most colleges grant advanced placement and credit. The content of Calculus BC is designed to qualify the student for placement and credit in a course that is one course beyond that granted for Calculus AB. Read more.

 

The video below includes information about AP Calculus AB and AP Calculus BC.

AP PRECALCULUS AB

AP Precalculus AB will cover the core precalculus topics of Polynomial & Rational Functions, Exponential & Logarithmic Functions, and Trigonometric & Polar Functions. Each function family will be studied through multiple representations (graphical, numerical, algebraic). The course replaces "regular" Precalculus at McLean. Emphasis will be placed on solving problems in context and communicating results in writing rather than on algebraic and graphical manipulations of equations. Read more. 

 

 AP PRECALCULUS BC

AP Precalculus BC will cover the core precalculus topics of Polynomial & Rational Functions, Exponential & Logarithmic Functions, Trigonometric & Polar Functions, and Functions involving Parameters and Vectors. Each function family will be studied through multiple representations (graphical, numerical, algebraic). The course will provide the rigor necessary to prepare students for the study of calculus. Emphasis will be placed on solving problems in context and communicating results in writing. The BC level of AP Precalculus covers more material and moves at a faster pace than AP Precalculus AB. AP Precalculus BC is the prerequisite course for AP Calculus BC. Read more. 

 

AP COMPUTER SCIENCE A

Computer Science A emphasizes object-oriented programming methodology with an emphasis on problem solving and algorithm development and is meant to be the equivalent of a first-semester course in computer science. It also includes the study of data structures and abstraction. {read more}

AP COMPUTER SCIENCE PRINCIPLES

The AP Computer Science Principles course is equivalent to a first-semester introductory college computing course. The course explores the big ideas of computing: creativity, abstraction, data and information, algorithms, programming, the Internet, and global impact. These big ideas are fundamental to computing and connect students to a curriculum that includes the art of programming but is not programming-centric. Students in this course design and produce solutions, models, and artifacts, and they evaluate and analyze their own computational work as well as the computational work others have produced. There is an emphasis on innovation through collaboration and on communication as a tool to analyze, justify and describe computational work. Students who complete this course are encouraged to take the associated Advanced Placement examination and may earn college credit if a qualifying score is achieved. {read more}

The video below includes information about AP Computer Science A and AP Computer Science Priciples.

AP STATISTICS

The purpose of this course 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. Students who successfully complete the course and examination may receive credit and/or advanced placement for a one-semester introductory college statistics course. This does not necessarily imply that the high school course should be one semester long. Each high school will need to determine the length of time for its AP Statistics course to best serve the needs of its students. Statistics, like some other AP courses, could be effectively studied in a one-semester, a two-trimester, or a one-year course. Most schools, however, offer it as a two-semester course. {read more}

AP BIOLOGY

The AP Biology course is designed to enable you to develop advanced inquiry and reasoning skills, such as designing a plan for collecting data, analyzing data, applying mathematical routines, and connecting concepts in and across domains. The result will be readiness for the study of advanced topics in subsequent college courses — a goal of every AP course. This AP Biology course is equivalent to a two-semester college introductory biology course and has been endorsed enthusiastically by higher education officials. {read more}

AP CHEMISTRY

With the ever-increasing need for innovators, problem finders, and designers of materials, pharmaceuticals, and even new fuels, comes the need for individuals skilled in the science practices and knowledgeable about chemistry. The redesigned Advanced Placement (AP) Chemistry course provides students with training for such knowledge and skills through guided inquiry labs, a more focused curriculum on content relevant to today's problems, and an exam that assesses students' mental models of the particulate nature of matter instead of memorization of rules to understand chemistry. Read more.

 

 

 

 

AP ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE

The goal of the AP Environmental Science course is to provide students with the scientific principles, concepts, and methodologies required to understand the interrelationships of the natural world, to identify and analyze environmental problems both natural and human-made, to evaluate the relative risks associated with these problems, and to examine alternative solutions for resolving and/or preventing them. Environmental science is interdisciplinary; it embraces a wide variety of topics from different areas of study. Yet there are several major unifying constructs, or themes, that cut across the many topics included in the study of environmental science. The following themes provide a foundation for the structure of the AP Environmental Science course. Read More.

 

 

 

 

AP PHYSICS 1

AP Physics 1 is a first year, college-level physics course. The course is designed around six big ideas: objects and systems have properties; fields can be used to explain interactions; interactions between objects can be described by forces; interactions result in changes in systems; changes are constrained by conservation laws; and waves can transfer energy and momentum. These big ideas are developed through inquiry and experimentation. All students are encouraged to take the associated Advanced Placement exam and may earn college credit if a qualifying score is achieved. Students, either individually or with a team, will participate in an externally-moderated experimental/research project. {read more}

AP PHYSICS C: MECHANICS & ELECTRICITY AND MAGNETISM

AP Physics C: Mechanics & Electricity and Magnetism is a calculus-based, college-level physics course, especially appropriate for students planning to specialize or major in physical science or engineering. It is taught as a second-year course, so previous knowledge is assumed. The mechanics portion covers kinematics; Newton’s laws of motion; work, energy, and power; systems of particles and linear momentum; circular motion and rotation; oscillations; and gravitation. The Electricity and Magnetism portion covers topics such as electrostatics; conductors, capacitors, and dielectrics; electric circuits; magnetic fields; and electromagnetism. There is a heavy focus on problem solving. Introductory differential and integral calculus is used throughout the course. There are two separate exams (one for Mechanics and one for E&M) with two separate fees. Students can choose to take one, both, or neither of the AP Exams. {read more}

The video below includes information about AP Physics C: Mechanics and AP Physics 1.

AP PHYSICS 2

AP Physics 2 is a second year, college-level, algebra-based physics course. The course is designed around seven core content areas: fluid mechanics, thermodynamics, electrostatics, electric circuits, electromagnetism, optics, and atomic physics with quantum mechanics. These content areas are explored through inquiry, experimentation, and quantitative modeling. Students will be encouraged to take the associated Advanced Placement exam and may earn college credit if a qualifying score is achieved. Students, either individually or with a team, will participate in an externally-moderated experimental/research project. Completion of AP Physics 1 is a required prerequisite for the class. {read more}

AP ENGLISH LANGUAGE AND COMPOSITION

The AP English Language and Composition course is designed to help you become a skilled reader of a variety of texts as well as becoming a skilled writer. You’ll achieve this through awareness of the interactions among a writer's purposes, audience expectations, and subjects, as well asthe ways that writing rules and language use contribute to effective writing. The AP English Language and Composition course is intended to give you the experience of an introductory-level composition course in college. The composition course is one of the most varied in the college, since an introductory composition course at one college may address topics and require types of writing that might be very different from an introductory composition course at another college. {read more}

AP ENGLISH LITERATURE AND COMPOSITION

The AP English Literature and Composition course is designed to help you engage in the careful reading and critical analysis of imaginative literature. Through the close reading of selected texts, you can deepen your understanding of the ways writers use language to provide both meaning and pleasure for their readers. In the course, you’ll learn to consider a work's structure, style, and themes, as well as such smaller-scale elements as the use of figurative language, imagery, symbolism, and tone. {read more}

The video below includes information about AP English Language and Composition and AP Literature and Composition. 

AP SEMINAR

This course engages students in cross-curricular critical thinking of concepts that explore the complexities of academic and real-world topics and issues by analyzing divergent perspectives. Using an inquiry framework, students practice reading and analyzing articles, research studies, and foundational literary and philosophical texts; listening to and viewing speeches, broadcasts, and personal accounts; and experiencing artistic works and performances. Students learn to synthesize information from multiple sources, develop their own perspectives in research based written essays, and design and deliver oral and visual presentations, both individually and collaboratively. Students who complete this course and who choose to take the Advanced Placement examination in AP Capstone and may earn college credit if a qualifying score is achieved. {read more}

AP STUDIO ART (2-D DESIGN, 3-D DESIGN, DRAWING)

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 examination; instead, students submit portfolios for evaluation at the end of the school year. Most AP Studio Art candidates prepare their portfolios through organized AP instruction. If your school does not offer an AP Studio Art program, you may work independently to complete the portfolio. It is vital that you plan far enough in advance so that you can complete the portfolio on time. {read more about 2-D Design} {read more about 3-D Design} {read more about Drawing}

AP MUSIC THEORY

A major component of any college curriculum in music is a course introducing the first-year student to music theory, a subject that comprises the musical materials and procedures of the Common Practice period. Such a course may bear a variety of titles (Basic Musicianship, Elementary Theory, Harmony and Dictation, Structure of Music, etc). It may emphasize one aspect of music, such as harmony; more often, however, it integrates aspects of melody, harmony, texture, rhythm, form, musical analysis, elementary composition, and to some extent, history and style. Musicianship skills such as dictation and other listening skills, sight-singing, and keyboard harmony are considered an important part of the theory course, although they may be taught as separate classes. {read more}

AP FRENCH LANGUAGE AND CULTURE

The AP French Language and Culture course is designed to promote proficiency in French and to enable you to explore culture in contemporary and historical contexts. {read more}

AP GERMAN LANGUAGE AND CULTURE

The AP German Language and Culture course is designed to promote proficiency in German and to enable you to explore culture in contemporary and historical contexts. {read more}

AP SPANISH LANGUAGE AND CULTURE

The AP Spanish Language and Culture course is comparable to a high intermediate or advanced low level college or university Spanish language course. Emphasizing the use of Spanish for active communication in real life tasks, it focuses on developing your abilities in the three modes of communication (Interpretive, Interpersonal, and Presentational) and strengthening your cultural competencies through theme-based instruction based on a variety of authentic resources, such as: newspapers, magazines, podcasts, blogs, advertisements, television programs, films, music, video clips, and literature, Grammar and vocabulary are developed through contextualized study. {read more}

The video below includes information about all AP World Languages.

AP LATIN LANGUAGE AND CULTURE

AP Latin is designed to provide advanced high school students with a rich and rigorous Latin course, approximately equivalent to an upper-intermediate (typically fourth or fifth semester) college or university Latin course. You will develop skills to read, understand, translate, and analyze Latin poetry and prose through detailed readings of portions of the Aeneid by Vergil and the Commentarii de Bello Gallico by Julius Caesar. Students who have completed Latin 3 or an approved alternative and who have an interest in the Latin language and literature, Roman history, and the Classical world should take this course.  {read more}

AP CHINESE LANGUAGE AND CULTURE

AP Chinese Language and Culture is equivalent to an intermediate-level college course in Chinese. Students cultivate their understanding of Chinese language and culture by applying the interpersonal, interpretive, and presentational modes of communication in real-life situations as they explore concepts related to family and community, personal and public identity, beauty and aesthetics, science and technology, contemporary life, and global challenges.​​​​​​  {read more}