TAHOMA HIGH SCHOOLADVANCED PLACEMENT PROGRAM

AP Art History ● AP Biology ● AP Calculus AB ● AP Calculus BC ● AP Chemistry ● AP Computer Science Principles ● AP Computer Science A ● AP Environmental Science ● AP Environmental Science: Outdoor

Academy ● AP English Literature & Composition ● AP European History ● AP Government ● AP Government: We The People ● AP Human Geography ● AP Physics C: Mechanics ● AP Psychology ● AP

Seminar ● AP Statistics ● AP Studio Art: 2-D ● AP Studio Art: 2-D Digital Graphics ● AP Studio Art: 3-D ● AP Studio Art: Drawing ● AP US History

The AP program exposes high school students to college-level coursework. Students who take an optional $102 exam in May, and who earn at least a 3 (on a five-point scale) can generally earn college credit, placement, or both. This credit transfers to most colleges and universities, and generally fulfills basic core requirements. These classes are recommended for self-directed and committed students ready to pursue college-level work.

Course DescriptionsAP Art History is equivalent to a two-semester introductory college course, which fosters in-depth, holistic understanding of the history of art from a global perspective. Students become active participants in the global art world, engaging with its forms and content, as they experience, research, discuss, read, and write about art, artists, art making, and responses to and interpretations of art.

AP Biology course is organized around the following major themes: science as a process, evolution, energy transfer, continuity and change, relation of structure to function, regulation, interdependence in nature, science, technology, and society. To succeed in AP Biology students must be highly motivated to learn, as required reading, curriculum, and laboratory activities are concurrent with a 100-level university biology course.

AP Calculus AB is a one-year/one credit class that introduces the three main concepts of calculus: limits, differentiation, and integration and their applications. This course is highly recommended for those students who plan science or mathematics-related careers. Evaluation in this class is based on student success on assignments, unit evaluations, and use of technology. * Graphing calculator needed. Optional summer review packet will be available.

AP Calculus BC is a one-year/one-credit course. It is an extension of the AP Calculus AB course. It will cover all of the topics taught in a 2nd & 3rd quarter college calculus course. This includes but is not limited to: surface area, curve length, work, techniques of integration, parametric and polar forms, logistic differential equations, polynomial approximations, convergence and divergence of a series and Taylor Series. This course is highly recommended for those students who plan to be in science or mathematical related careers. Evaluation in this class is based on student success on assignments, unit evaluations, and use of technology. *Graphing calculator needed.

AP Chemistry is equivalent to a full year of college general chemistry for science and engineering majors. Students will build a deeper understanding of concepts introduced in the first-year chemistry course such as electrochemistry, thermodynamics, and equilibrium. Students will have the opportunity to engage in laboratory experiences that require detailed quantitative analysis.

AP Computer Science Principles emphasizes how computers can be used to creatively solve problems through a more multidisciplinary approach. Students who take this course will gain a wider understanding of how computers and humans can interact. Rather than learning a particular programming language or tool, students will focus on the use of technology and programming to design innovative computing solutions to real-world needs. Students will investigate innovations that computing has made possible, as well as the ethical implication of new computing technologies.

AP Computer Science A explores the computer programming language Java and how programs actually work. Students will create their own programs ranging from basic calculators to eventually simple text-based games. (More advanced students will be able to create Java Applet games by the end of the course). Motivated students will be prepared to take the AP exam at the end of the year, and may continue on to a second year course where they will learn more complicated programming techniques, as well as learn to create more complicated programs and games.

AP English Literature and Composition is an in-depth approach to studying a variety of literary genres. College-level literature serves as the foundation for reading and writing analytically; critical thinking is emphasized. Required: 600 pages of summer reading and reading log.

AP Environmental Science combines the disciplines of geology, biology, environmental studies, environmental science, chemistry, and physical geography. Students will be exposed to the scientific principles, concepts, and methodologies required to understand the interrelationships of the natural world, to identify and analyze environmental problems, and to examine the role science and technology can play in identifying solutions for resolving and/or preventing problems. Heavy emphasis is placed on scientific processes, lab and outdoor fieldwork and analyzing current events.

AP European History develops Advanced Placement writing skills and provides a background for both European and American History from 1450 to present. The curriculum is designed to cover European History beginning with the Renaissance and ending with the Cold War. The course requires some extensive reading and study beyond other elective Social Studies classes. Recommended: To be taken in conjunction with Pre-AP Literature.

AP Government focuses upon the constitutional underpinnings of U.S. government; political beliefs and behaviors; political parties, interest groups and mass media; institutions of national government; public policy; civil rights and civil liberties. We the People, a competitive scholastic program, is not a part of this class.

AP Government--We the People focuses upon the constitutional underpinnings of U.S. government; political beliefs and behaviors; political parties, interest groups and mass media; institutions of national government; public policy; civil rights and civil liberties. We the People, a competitive scholastic program, is a part of this class; students will be responsible for completing a comprehensive 10-hour summer homework assignment that covers all of the basic concepts discussed in We The People. See the THS course catalog for other course and competition requirements.

AP Human Geography introduces students to the systemic study of patterns and processes that have shaped human understanding, use, and alteration of Earth’s surface. Students use spatial concepts and landscape analysis to examine human social organization and its environmental consequences. They also learn about the methods and tools geographers use in their science and practice. This course is only offered at Tahoma Junior High.

AP Physics C: Mechanics is a one-year AP science course that covers topics in Newtonian Mechanics. Methods of calculus are used wherever appropriate in formulating physical principles and applying them to real world situations. A variety of laboratory experiences provide the student with opportunities to experience the relationship between the derived equations and the physical world. The course also provides calculus students an opportunity to use their mathematical skills in a different setting. The course is designed to be equivalent to an introductory college course in mechanics for science, engineering or computer science.

AP Psychology is a one-year course of study equivalent to the first year of psychology in college. This course includes: biological bases of behavior, sensation, perception, cognition, states of consciousness, learning, intelligence, motivation, emotion, developmental psychology, personality study, social psychology, abnormal psychology, and its treatment. In addition to pursuing psychology in college, students interested in physical therapy, medicine, nursing, education, law, mental health, and political science will find this course useful.

AP Seminar is the first course in the AP Capstone program. This course teaches college-level research and writing skills through a class-determined topic. Students work in small teams to research and report on an inquiry question they choose. Individuals research and write about information needed to answer the team’s question. Students who take this course can take AP Research the following year to earn the AP Capstone certificate.

AP Statistics is designed 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: Exploring Data, Sampling and Experimentation, Anticipating Patterns and Statistical Inference. The topics learned in this course are very helpful to students wishing to study Business or Social Sciences courses. *Graphing calculator needed.

AP Studio Art 2D; AP Studio Art: 2D Graphic Design; AP Studio Art 3D; and AP Studio Art: Drawing are college-level yearlong courses for self-motivated students to develop a portfolio that represents different areas of media and strength. Art work will be evaluated through class participation, discussion, and development of critiquing art work. The portfolio is evaluated the end of the year by the College Board.

AP United States History presents a thematic history of the United States in a rigorous college level format. Beginning with the period of exploration in the Western Hemisphere and continuing through present day, the course’s emphasis is on interpretation and analysis of historical events. Students will acquire factual knowledge to be able to analyze, synthesize, and evaluate events and issues, express ideas with clarity and precision, and predict possible historic outcomes.