Advanced Placement (AP)

Advanced Placement (AP) Advanced Placement (AP) Series FAQ CTYOnline offers rigorous Advanced Placement (AP) courses for students in high school. These courses cover college-level material and prepare students to take AP exams offered through the College Board testing program. All CTYOnline AP courses are approved by the College Board and authorized to use the College Board s AP designation. Why do students enroll in AP courses and take AP exams? High school students who undertake AP-level course work demonstrate readiness for college-level curricula and willingness to tackle challenging academic material. While policies vary, many universities and colleges award advanced standing or credit based on the student s high school AP exam scores. Depending on the university s policies, a student with qualifying AP exam scores may be able to begin studying the subject at a higher level or be awarded credit that will count toward a degree with that university. Some AP courses also prepare students to take SAT Subject Tests. Who is eligible to take CTYOnline AP courses? Each AP course offered by CTYOnline has different eligibility requirements to ensure that students have the necessary academic background to master the course material. Check the course descriptions carefully for details. When are CTY s AP courses offered? All CTYOnline AP courses, except AP Calculus AB, AP Calculus BC, AP Calculus C, and AP Statistics, are offered in the sessionbased format with specific start and end dates. All courses are offered for a 30-week academic session; most are also offered during intensive 12-week spring and summer sessions. Students receive a course schedule specifying due dates for assignments and tests. Application deadlines and session dates are listed on page 72. For AP and SAT Subject Test dates and information, visit The College Board s website at www.collegeboard.com Can students take an AP course for review and not for a grade? Although the tuition is the same, students can request to audit an AP course. Students on audit status do not receive a grade for the course, and the course is not listed on their CTY Official Academic Record. Students must discuss this option with their instructor during the first two weeks of their AP course. 58

AP Calculus and AP Statistics The AP Calculus and AP Statistics courses are individually paced and students may enroll in an AP Calculus or AP Statistics at any time during the. Students intending to take one of the AP exams should enroll early enough to allow sufficient time to complete the course before the AP exams in May. AP Calculus AB AP Calculus AB covers the material typically covered in a first semester college calculus course and prepares students to take the AP Calculus AB exam. See page 19 for details. AP Calculus BC AP Calculus BC covers the material typically covered in the first of college calculus and prepares students to take the AP Calculus BC exam. See page 19 for details. AP Calculus C AP Calculus C covers the material typically covered in a second semester college calculus course and prepares students to take the AP Calculus BC exam. See page 19 for details. AP Statistics AP Statistics covers topics typically found in a high school AP Statistics course and prepares students to take the AP Statistics exam. See page 19 for details. AP Computer Science A Prerequisite: Qualifying math score, see eligibility info on the web; completion of Algebra I and high school introductory computer science course Course Length: Academic session (30 weeks long) requires an average of 8 9 hours per week, with breaks for Course Code: APCS AP Computer Science A covers topics typically found in an introductory college level computer science course and provides a solid preparation for the AP Computer Science A examination. The course emphasis is on procedural abstraction, data abstraction, object oriented design and programming methodology, using the Java programming language and algorithms and data structures. Major course topics include the concepts of computer science, program control constructs, use of arrays and strings, class methods, object oriented design and programming concepts, creating and modifying classes, understanding existing designs and code, the use of sorting and searching algorithms, recursion, and the use of standard Java class libraries. Highly qualified instructors guide students through online lectures, readings, forum discussions, design and programming exercises and project assignments, and other resources. Student knowledge is assessed through homework assignments, projects, and exams. This course has been reviewed and approved by the College Board. This course is only offered during the 30-week academic session that begins in the fall. AP Calculus AB was my first course with CTY, but the instructor has made this first course one of the best I have ever taken in any school or program. CTYOnline Student 59

AP Chemistry Prerequisites: Qualifying math score, see eligibility info on the web; completion of Algebra I and high school chemistry Materials Purchase Required: For details, please visit the online course description Course Length: Intensive summer and spring sessions require an average of 12 15 hours per week for 12 weeks, without any breaks. Academic session requires an average of 6 8 hours per week for 30 weeks, with breaks for Course Code: APCH The AP Chemistry course covers topics typically found in a first- introductory college chemistry course and advances the student s understanding of concepts normally covered in high school chemistry. It provides a solid preparation for the AP Chemistry exam. Major course themes include relationships in the periodic table, atomic theory, chemical bonding, phases of matter and solutions, equilibria, reaction kinetics, organic chemistry, and thermodynamics. Highly qualified instructors guide students through online lectures, readings, animations, laboratory exercises, and other resources. Student knowledge is assessed through homework assignments and exams. This course includes a laboratory component designed to meet College Board standards and has been reviewed and approved by the College Board. Hands-on labs require a materials kit that must be purchased separately by the student. This course draws on software from Thinkwell. AP Biology Prerequisites: Qualifying math score, see eligibility info on the web; completion of Algebra I and high school biology Course Length: Intensive summer and spring sessions require an average of 12 15 hours per week for 12 weeks, without any breaks. Academic session requires an average of 6 8 hours per week for 30 weeks, with breaks for Course Code: APBI The AP Biology course covers topics typically found in a first- introductory college biology course and advances the student s understanding of concepts normally covered in high school biology. It provides a solid preparation for the AP Biology exam. Major course themes include biochemistry, energy transfer, cellular structure and specialization, cellular metabolism, mitosis and meiosis, genetics, ecology, and evolution. Organismal diversity, from microorganisms to plants and animals, and the continuity of life through genetics and development are emphasized. Highly qualified instructors guide students through online lectures, readings, animations, laboratory exercises, and other resources. Student knowledge is assessed through homework assignments and exams. This course includes a laboratory component designed to meet College Board standards and has been reviewed and approved by the College Board. This course draws on software from Thinkwell. AP Biology 60

AP Physics 1 Open to: Grades 9 12 Prerequisites: Qualifying math score; completion of high school physics and trigonometry Textbook and Materials Purchase Required: For details, please visit the online course description Course Length: The Intensive spring and summer sessions require an average of 15 20 hours per week for 12 weeks, without any breaks. The academic session requires an average of 8 10 hours per week for 30 weeks, with breaks for Course Code: APH1 The AP Physics 1 course provides students with an introductory experience in the concepts and methods of physical analysis, focused on classical mechanics and simple electrical circuits. Students have the primary responsibility for building understanding, with the instructor as a resource and guide. Students will spend instructional time engaging with the textbook, online lecture videos, simulations, online discussions, hands-on labs (constituting 25% of instructional time), problem-solving screencasts, online homework problems, and tests/exams. This course includes a laboratory component and has been reviewed and approved by the College Board. Hands-on labs require a materials kit that also must be purchased separately by the student. AP Physics 1 is the equivalent to a first-semester college course in algebra-based physics. This demanding course requires a substantial time commitment during the entire session and should not be combined with other CTY courses. AP Physics 2 Open to: Grades 9 12 Prerequisites: Qualifying math score, completion of trigonometry, and completion of AP Physics 1 or AP Physics C Textbook and Materials Purchase Required: For details, please visit the online course description Course Length: Intensive spring and summer sessions require an average of 15 to 20 hours per week for 12 weeks, without any breaks. The academic session requires an average of 8 to 10 hours per week for 30 weeks, with breaks for Course Code: APH2 The AP Physics 2 course provides students with an introductory experience in the concepts and methods of physical analysis beyond mechanics, including thermodynamics, fluid physics, geometric and physical optics, electricity, magnetism, and modern physics. Students have the primary responsibility for building understanding, with the instructor as a resource and guide. Students will spend instructional time engaging with the textbook, online lecture videos, simulations, online discussions, hands-on labs (constituting 25% of instructional time), problemsolving screencasts, online homework problems, and tests/exams. This course includes a laboratory component and has been reviewed and approved by the College Board. Hands-on labs require a materials kit that also must be purchased separately by the student. AP Physics 2 is the equivalent to a second-semester college course in algebra-based physics. This demanding course requires a substantial time commitment during the entire session and should not be combined with other CTY courses. The summer course is good for our daughter s busy schedule. She learned the same material and did not need to sit in a class room... the lab materials are impressive. CTYOnline Parent AP Physics 2 61

AP Macroeconomics info on the web; completion of Algebra II Course Length: Intensive spring and summer sessions (12 weeks) require 10 14 hours per week. Academic session (30 weeks) requires 4 7 hours per week, with breaks for Course Code: APMA AP Macroeconomics is an introduction to how the market system works, how prices are determined, why shortages and surpluses occur, and why incomes differ. The course emphasizes the study of national income, economic growth, price determination, economic performance measures, and international economics. This course prepares students to take the AP Macroeconomics exam and has been reviewed and approved by the College Board. This course draws on software from Thinkwell. AP Microeconomics info on the web; completion of Algebra II Textbook Purchase Required: For specific details, Length: Intensive spring and summer sessions (12 weeks) require 10 14 hours per week. Academic session (30 weeks) requires 4 7 hours per week, with breaks for Course Code: APMI AP Microeconomics is an introduction to the study of the consumers and producers that make up the economy: households, firms, governments, and community organizations. The course provides particular emphasis on the function of consumers and producers within the economic system. The course also offers analysis of the markets in which consumers and producers interact as well as non-market economics. This course prepares students to take the AP Microeconomics exam and has been reviewed and approved by the College Board. This course draws on software from Thinkwell. AP Psychology info on the web; completion of high school biology Course Length: Intensive spring and summer session (12 weeks) require 10 14 hours per week. Academic session (30 weeks) requires 4 7 hours per week, with breaks for Course Code: APPS AP Psychology covers the material typically covered in a one semester college-level introductory psychology course. It prepares students to take the AP Psychology exam. Through textbook readings, projects, and directed online activities emphasizing critical thinking and applications, students explore psychology as the science of behavior and of mental processes. Topics include historical perspectives in psychology, scientific method, biological bases of behavior, sensation and perception, consciousness, learning, cognition, motivation and emotion, development, personality, psychological testing and individual differences, abnormal psychology, psychological disorders, and social psychology. This course has been reviewed and approved by the College Board. My son worked hard and has had nothing but positive comments about the course and the high quality of the instructor s teaching and responsiveness to his questions. CTYOnline Parent 62

AP United States Government & Politics info on the web; completion of high school US History or equivalent Course Length: Intensive spring and summer sessions (12 weeks) require 10 14 hours per week. Academic session (30 weeks) requires 4 7 hours per week, with breaks for Course Code: APUS US Government and Politics is the study of the United States government s policies, institutions, and foundations. These include constitutional theories forming the basis of government; political beliefs and behaviors; political parties, interest groups, and the mass media; the Congress, presidency, bureaucracy, and Federal court system; public policy; and civil rights and civil liberties. The course provides students with an analytical perspective on American government and politics and prepares them to take the AP United States Government and Politics exam. This course has been reviewed and approved by the College Board. This course draws on software from Thinkwell. AP United States History info on the web; completion of high school history or equivalent please visit online course description Course Length: Intensive spring and summer sessions (12 weeks) require 10 14 hours per week. Academic session (30 weeks) requires 4-7 hours per week, with breaks for Course Code: APHS This course is designed to provide a college-level experience and preparation for the AP United States History exam. An emphasis is placed on interpreting historical documents, mastering a significant body of factual information, and writing critical essays. Students will analyze historical facts material, synthesize their own ideas, and develop the skills to make conclusions on the basis of a knowledgeable judgment. They will also learn how to present their reasoning and clear evidence persuasively in essay format. This course has been reviewed and approved by the College Board. AP English Language and Composition Open to: Grades 10 12 Format: Web-based, see page 32 Prerequisite: Qualifying reading/verbal score (see eligibility info on the web), completion of grade 10 English, and the submission of a satisfactory writing sample; OR a qualifying reading /verbal score and the completion of one of the courses below: CTYOnline: Writing Analysis and Persuasion CTY Summer Programs: The Critical Essay Course Length: Intensive spring and summer sessions (12 weeks) require 7 8 hours per week. Academic session (30 weeks) requires 3 hours per week, with breaks for Course Code: APWR While preparing students to take the AP English Language and Composition exam, this course provides training in literary analysis as well as analytical and persuasive writing. In addition to practicing essay test-taking techniques, organization, and time management, students study the interactions among subject, authorial purpose, audience needs, generic conventions, and the resources of the English language. Assignments include a directed narrative, analyses of test questions, analyses of rhetorical strategies, and persuasive essays. Students will also practice taking multiple choice tests which mirror those found in the AP exam. This course has been reviewed and approved by the College Board. Thanks to my instructor for making this an extremely useful course for me. It really helped me prepare for the test that is to come. CTYOnline Student 63

AP Chinese Language and Culture Prerequisites: Qualifying reading/verbal or math score, three or more s of Chinese language instruction, and a satisfactory result on the CTYOnline Chinese language placement test Course Length: Academic session (30 weeks) requires 3 5 hours per week, with breaks for Course Code: APCL AP Chinese Language and Culture is designed to provide students with various opportunities to further improve their proficiency in listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills to be ready for the AP Chinese exam held every May. Students enrolled in this course will also have the maximum exposure to Chinese cultural elements that are integrated in the process of learning the language. This course includes a laboratory component designed to meet College Board standards and has been reviewed and approved by the College Board. This course is only offered during the 30-week academic session. AP Spanish Language and Culture Prerequisites: Qualifying reading/verbal or math score and at least three s of Spanish language study please visit online course description Course Length: Academic session (30 weeks) requires 3 5 hours per week, with breaks for Course Code: APSP This AP Spanish Language and Culture course is conducted primarily in Spanish with authentic materials from the Spanishspeaking world. This course is designed to provide students with various opportunities to improve their proficiency in listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills that are necessary for the AP Spanish Language and Culture Examination. The instructional philosophy of this course includes the integration of the four required language skills that are critical to the successful usage of Spanish: reading, writing, speaking, and listening. This course is only offered during the 30-week academic session. AP Spanish Literature and Culture New Course! Prerequisites: Qualifying reading/verbal or math score and at least three s of Spanish language study please visit online course description Course Length: Academic session (30 weeks long) requires 5-7 hours per week, with breaks for holidays. Course Code: APSL AP Spanish Literature and Culture is designed to introduce students to the formal study of Peninsular Spanish, Latin American, and U.S. Hispanic literature from the middle ages to the present day. The course aims to develop students critical reading and analytical writing skills in Spanish to perform successfully on the AP Test in Spanish Literature, as well as their ability to make interdisciplinary connections and explore linguistic and cultural comparisons. This class will be conducted entirely in Spanish and student will be expected to communicate in Spanish appropriate to this level. It covers the entire official AP Spanish Literature and Culture required reading list. Students will be required to write essays to continue improving analytical writing, and participate and active discussions to analyze the different works on poetry, prose, and drama. This course is only offered during the 30-week academic session. 64