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Math | English | Fine Arts | Social Studies | Science

Math Department AP Course Offerings

AP Statistics

Course Description: AP Statistics is a non-calculus based introductory course that is equivalent to an elementary college statistics course required for many college majors. The purpose of the course is to introduce students to the major concepts and tools for collecting, analyzing, and drawing conclusions from data. It may be taken concurrently with another math course. A TI-83+ or TI-84+ calculator is required.

• Prerequisite: “B” average or above in Algebra 2 Honors or higher level class, Analysis 1 or 2.

• 2002 exam (most recently released to the public)

• % points earned by students:

0-28% 29-39% 40-52% 53-67% 68-100%

AP Grade conversion: 1 2 3 4 5

AP Calculus 1 (AB)

Course Description: Calculus 1 AP is a college level class, completing the five-year rigorous mathematics program. It is intended for students who have a thorough knowledge of college preparatory mathematics, including Algebra, Geometry, and Pre-calculus (Analysis). Topics studied in this course include the derivative and the integral, with a strong emphasis on conceptual relationships and applications. A TI-83+ or TI-84+ calculator is required.

• Prerequisite: “C” average or above in Analysis Honors; Strong “B” averages in Analysis 1 and Analysis 2, and/or teacher recommendation.

• 2003 exam (most recently released to the public)

• % points earned by students:

0-14% 15-26% 27-43% 44-60% 61-100%

AP Grade conversion: 1 2 3 4 5

AP Calculus 2 (BC)

Course Description: Calculus 2 AP is a college level class which continues with topics beyond Calculus 1 such as parametric equations, vectors, and series, all developed within the themes of calculus. This course is especially aimed at students wishing to enter their college curriculum at the sophomore level, having placed out of the traditional freshman level mathematics classes. Students taking the AP Calculus BC Exam in the spring receive an AP Calculus AB exam subscore that indicates how they scored on the AB level topics included in the BC exam. A TI-83+ or TI-84+ calculator is required.

• Prerequisite: “C” average or above in Calculus 1 AP.

• *Difference between AB and BC: The Calculus BC is an extension of Calculus AB, rather than an enhancement. Topics that are covered in both courses require a similar depth of understanding. Chapters 1-7 of the textbook are used in Calculus AB, while Chapters 1-10 are used in Calculus BC.

AP Computer Science

Course Description: Advanced Placement Computer Science features the AP programming language, currently Java. Topics covered include writing classes, enhancing classes, arrays, inheritance, recursion, two-dimensional arrays, and data structures.

• Prerequisite: “B” or higher in Computer Science.

Questions, contact Jason Gussman at jgussman0724@oswego308.org or (630) 636-2268

Or go to www.apcentral.collegeboard.com

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English Department AP Course Offerings

AP English Literature & Composition

Course description: This course engages students in the careful reading and critical analysis of literature. Students deepen their understanding of the ways writers use language. Critical analysis makes up the bulk of student writing for the course, but well-constructed creative writing assignments are also incorporated. Emphasis is placed on helping students develop stylistic maturity.

• Enhance writing and reading skills necessary to succeed in college

• Further students’ appreciation of literature

• Passing the AP English Lit exam can save $$ on college tuition

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Fine Arts Department AP Course Offerings

AP Studio Art – Design Portfolio

AP Studio Art – Drawing Portfolio

Course description: Students may receive college credit upon successful completion of this course and the submission of an extensive portfolio by outside AP judges. AP work involves significantly more commitment of time and energy than a typical high school art course. The portfolio submitted must include five original works of exceptional quality, 12 slides of original work in an area of concentration, and 12 slides of original art work showing breadth of technical skill.

• $83 portfolio/ assessment fee

• Time management skills valuable

• Student must be open to artistic critique

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AP Music Theory – Peter Barsch

Course description: AP Music Theory is the culmination of a three-course track which gives students an opportunity to learn composition techniques, form and analysis of major works from major musical periods and genres. The achievement of this goal may be best promoted by integrated approaches to the student’s development of:

• Aural skills  through listening exercises

• Intellectual skills through performance exercises  

• Notation skills through written exercises  

• Compositional skills through creative exercises  

• Analytical skills through analytical exercises  

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Social Studies Department AP Course Offerings

AP European History

• Provides a detailed analysis of European History from the start of the Renaissance to the present.

• Document-based questions look at a variety of primary sources.

• Textbook reading assignments and historical essays are at the college level

AP US History

• Provides a detailed analysis of American History.

• Emphasizes higher order thinking skills in analysis of primary sources.

• Textbook provides reading at the college level.

AP US Government (9 Week Course)

• Provides a critical analysis of the American system of government.

• Takes a detailed look at the Constitution and other primary sources.

• Emphasis on reading and writing skills necessary for college.

AP Psychology

• Detailed analysis of issues related to modern psychological theory.

• AP Credit useful in pursuit of career in psychology.

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Science Department AP Course Offerings

AP Biology – Jennifer Orwar

• Curriculum covers molecules and cells, heredity and evolution, and organisms and populations as would be covered in any first year college level biology classes.

• Lab work is a huge component of this class (12 labs required by AP), so approximately 25% of class is spent in lab.

• Taking the AP exam in the spring is a great way to earn college credit; it also shows the colleges you are applying for that you are dedicated to academics. Bonus: if you score high enough to earn college credit, the cost of the test is far less than what you would have paid for that class in college tuition!

• A score of 3, 4, or 5 will generally earn college credit. Each college has it's own requirements as far as what score it will accept, as well as if that credit is given as a science or general credit. It is highly recommended that you check with the individual schools you are applying to see what their policy is on AP test results.

AP Chemistry – Paul Roberts

• Geared toward highly motivated students with interests in chemical and physical sciences. AP Chemistry topics include atomic theory, chemical bonding, phases of matter, solutions, types of reactions, equilibrium, reaction kinetics, and thermodynamics

• Recommended prerequisites for AP Chem are: successful completion of High School Chemistry Honors and Algebra II

• Topic Outline

• The percentage after each major topic indicates the approximate proportion of multiple-choice questions on the exam that pertain to the topic.

• States of Matter (20%)

• Structure of Matter (20%)

• Reactions (35-40%)

• Descriptive Chemistry (10-15%)

• Laboratory (5-10%)

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