Updated January 2023
APPLIED SKILLS DEPARTMENT
AP Computer Science A (ACSC-2A-Y)
This is a university-level course open to students who have demonstrated strong skills and knowledge in programming. Students will be using Java as the primary programming language.
AP Computer Science Principles (ACSP-12)
AP Computer Science Principles is an introductory college-level computing course that introduces students to the breadth of the field of computer science. Students learn to design and evaluate solutions and to apply computer science to solve problems through the development of algorithms and programs. They incorporate abstraction into programs and use data to discover new knowledge. Students also explain how computing innovations and computing systems—including the internet—work, explore their potential impacts, and contribute to a computing culture that is collaborative and ethical. No prior experience necessary.
ENGLISH DEPARTMENT
AP English Literature and Composition (AELC-12-Y)
Advanced Placement Literature and Composition incorporates topics and literary texts which reflect the potential content of first year college/university English courses. Students thus prepare for subsequent courses in English as well as for the possible granting of advanced credit through the Advanced Placement examination written in May. The course places a heavy emphasis on plays, novels, and poetry, but also incorporates the study of non-fiction prose and shorter fiction prose works. It builds on the prerequisite curriculum in Literary Studies 12: English Literature, which students are expected to have taken via English 11 Enriched in grade 11 or via concurrent enrolment in grade 12. Themes addressed in the course may include the role of technology in society; modern ethics; philosophy (from Plato and Aristotle to existentialism); the nature of tragedy; social developments in courtship and marriage. This is a combined course with English Studies 12; students should register only for for the course code indicated above. Students in this course are encouraged to write the AP Literature exam in May, and have the option of also writing the AP English Language & Composition Exam (also in May).
LANGUAGES DEPARTMENT
AP Chinese Language and Culture (ACLC-12-Y)
This course is intended for students who are in their fourth or fifth year of language study or have had equivalent experience with the language. An intermediate college level course will be followed to develop students’ proficiencies in three communicative modes (interpretive, interpersonal and presentational) addressing 5 goals (communication, cultural competence, connections to other disciplines, comparisons between languages and cultures, and the language applications in the broader communities). The course also stresses the importance of developing the technical word processing skills commonly used in the Chinese speaking world. It is recommended that students complete Mandarin 11 Enriched or consult with Mandarin teacher before selecting this course. Students are expected to maintain high academic standards throughout the year.
AP French Language and Culture (AFRL-12-Y)
Conducted primarily in French, the course covers the French 12 curriculum and many university-level topics. Students are expected to read, write, and speak French, and to maintain an A or B average. Students will write the B.C. French 12 provincial exam and the AP French Language examination. It is recommended that students complete French 11 Enriched or consult with French teacher before selecting this course. Extra course time may be needed to complete requirements.
MATH DEPARTMENT
AP Calculus AB (ACAL-12-Y)
Students will be introduced to the fundamentals of differentiation and integration along with applications. Topics include graphing, maxima and minima, related rates, areas, volumes, and exponential functions. Course content is similar to Calculus 12 but covers the material at a quicker rate and in greater depth in order to prepare for AP exam. Students are expected to have completed Pre-Calculus 11 and Pre-Calculus 12 (can take this concurrently). Students may choose to write either the Calculus AB or BC exam.
AP Statistics (ASTA-12-Y)
This is a multidisciplinary statistics course. It can be used in faculties such as Business, Biological Sciences, and Engineering. This introduction to Statistics course will cover the following major topics: organizing and exploring data, examining relationships, designing studies and experiments, simulations, anticipating patterns and statistical inference. Students are expected to have completed Foundations of Pre-Calculus 10.
SCIENCE DEPARTMENT
AP Biology (ABIO-12-Y)
A higher-level biology course equivalent to a first-year university offering. Topics include evolution, genetics, ecology, animal and plant diversity, basic biochemistry, human body systems, and plant physiology. Laboratory exercises are an integral part of this course, as is higher level critical thinking. It is recommended that students complete Biology 11 Honours prior to enrolling in this course.
AP Chemistry (ACHE-12-Y)
This is a higher-level chemistry course that is equivalent to a first-year university offering. Topics will include reaction types, atomic and molecular structure, equilibrium, kinetics, quantum mechanics, and thermodynamics, to name only a few. The program is an integrated two-year program which covers provincial grade 11 and 12 topics, as well as first year university. The presentation of material is not linear, therefore it is required that students enroll for both years of the course. Students are expected to have completed Chemistry 11 Honours prior to enrolling in this course.
AP Physics 1 (MPHY-11H-Y)
AP Physics 1 is the equivalent to a first-semester university course in algebra-based physics. The course covers Newtonian mechanics (including rotational dynamics and angular momentum); work, energy, and power; and mechanical waves and sound. It will also introduce electric circuits. It is recommended that students complete Physics 11 Honours and Pre-Calculus 11 prior to enrolling in this course.
AP Physics 2 (MPHY-12-Y)
AP Physics 2 is the equivalent to a second-semester university course in algebra-based physics. This course covers fluid mechanics; thermodynamics; electricity and magnetism; optics; and atomic and nuclear physics. It is recommended that students complete AP Physics 1 (or take it concurrently).
SOCIAL STUDIES DEPARTMENT
AP Economics (Micro & Macro) (AMA-12-Y)
This course introduces students to economic systems. Topics include supply and demand, production and distribution of goods, money and banking, income distribution, labour, role of government, international trade, and decision-making in business. The course places an emphasis on macro and micro systems and analytical skill development. Students enrolled in this course will be prepared to write both the Microeconomics and Macroeconomics exams. Students are expected to have completed Social Studies 10 prior to enrolling in this course.
AP European History (AHI-12-Y) – offered in even years
Studying European History from 1450 to 2000, this course introduces students to cultural, economic, political, and social developments that played a fundamental role in shaping the world in which they live. The goals of AP European History are to develop an understanding of some of the principal themes in modern European history and begin to analyze events that impacted Western development. Students are expected to have completed Social Studies 10 prior to enrolling in this course.
AP Human Geography (AHG-12-Y) – offered in odd years
AP Human Geography allows students to learn about world population issues, border disputes, and international conflicts. In addition, students are exposed to economic theories and models as well as world religions and the origins and diffusion of languages, urban development, industrialization, and city planning. Students are expected to have completed Social Studies 10 prior to enrolling in this course.
AP Psychology (APSY-12-Y)
This course will introduce students to the systematic and scientific study of behaviour and mental process of human beings and other animals. Students will be exposed to psychological facts, principles, and phenomena associated with each of the sub fields in psychology while at the same time using key concepts and theories in their daily lives. Students are expected to have completed Social Studies 10 prior to enrolling in this course.
VISUAL & PERFORMING ARTS DEPARTMENT
AP Art History (AAR-12-Y)
AP Art History provides an introductory level, general survey of art history. This course is taught at a first-year college level. However, no prior art history experience is required. Students are introduced to the areas of painting, sculpture, and architecture. The course will also examine issues related to the formal analysis of an artwork, historical content and context, and address several themes relevant to the study of art history. These themes will include issues such as gender, ethnicity, patronage, function, power and authority, and religion. Students will examine major artistic works from a variety of different times and cultures and will develop the ability to look at works of art critically, asking questions and articulating answers about theory and context. Instruction is provided through lectures, slides, PowerPoint presentations, video, and textbook based research activities. Based on AP college criteria and the requirements of the AP Exam, this course generally reflects the following coverage: art Beyond the European Artistic Tradition (including Africa, Asia, Islam, and the Americas), Ancient through Medieval art and the art of the Renaissance to the Present. Students are expected to have completed Social Studies 10 prior to enrolling in this course.
AP Music Theory (A2DP-12)
This course is designed for students with Students cultivate their understanding of music theory through analyzing performed and notated music as they explore concepts like pitch, rhythm, form, and musical design. Students learn to recognize, understand, describe, and produce the basic elements and processes of performed and notated music. Course content extends from the fundamentals of pitch, rhythm, timbre, and expression to concepts of harmonic function, phrase relationships, and tonicization. Students study these concepts in heard and notated music, with emphasis on identification and analysis of musical features, relationships, and procedures in full musical contexts. Students develop musicianship skills through melodic and harmonic dictation, sight singing, and error detection exercises. It is recommended that students have taken at least one music course and have musical experience prior to enrolling in this course or consult with their music teacher.
AP Studio Art: 2-D Design (A2DP-12-Y)
This course is designed for highly motivated students who are seriously interested in the visual arts. Students should be aware that the course involves significantly more time than the typical high school course, so that independence, self-motivation, and self-direction are crucial to success. The course emphasizes making art as an ongoing process that involves the student in informed and critical decision-making. Both creative and technical aspects of making art will be emphasized. Design involves purposeful decision-making about using the elements and principles of art. Students will be engaged in the development of sophisticated personal imagery in a variety of media.
Any 2-D process or medium may be submitted, including graphic design, digital imaging, photography, collage, fabric design, weaving, illustration, painting, printmaking. Video, 3-D works, and photocopies of works in other media may not be submitted. Students are required to produce 24 pieces of work that successfully demonstrate their mastery of design issues. It is recommended that students complete Studio Art 12 Enriched prior to enrolling in this course or consult with their art teacher.
Studio Art: 3-D Design (A3DP-12-Y)
This course is designed for highly motivated students who are seriously interested in the visual arts. Students should be aware that the course involves significantly more time than the typical high school course, so that independence, self-motivation, and self-direction are crucial to success. The course emphasizes making art as an ongoing process that involves the student in informed and critical decision-making. Both creative and technical aspects of making art will be emphasized. Design involves purposeful decision-making about using the elements and principles of art.
In the 3-D Design Portfolio, students need to demonstrate understanding of design principles as they relate to depth and space. The 20 pieces of work can be explored through additive, subtractive, and/or fabrication processes. Examples of approaches include figurative or non-figurative sculpture, architectural models, metal work, ceramics, and 3-D fiber arts, among others. It is recommended that students complete Studio Art 12 Enriched prior to enrolling in this course or consult with their art teacher.
Studio Art: Drawing (ASAD-12-Y)
This course is designed for highly motivated students who are seriously interested in the visual arts. Students should be aware that the course involves significantly more time than the typical high school course, so that independence, self-motivation, and self-direction are crucial to success. The course emphasizes making art as an ongoing process that involves the student in informed and critical decision-making. Both creative and technical aspects of making art will be emphasized. Students will be engaged in the development of sophisticated personal imagery in a variety of media.
In the Drawing Portfolio, students show mastery of drawing, which can be demonstrated through a wide range of approaches and media. Light and shade, line quality, rendering of form, composition, surface manipulation, and the illusion of depth are drawing issues that can be addressed through a variety of means, which could include painting, printmaking, mixed media, etc. Abstract, observational, and inventive works may be submitted. The range of marks used to make drawings, the arrangements of the marks, and the materials used to make the marks are endless. Twenty-four pieces of work showing mastery of drawing in terms of composition, concept, and execution of works are required. It is recommended that students complete Studio Art 12 Enriched prior to enrolling in this course or consult with their art teacher.
AP CAPSTONE
a more in-depth summary of our AP Capstone program can be found under our AP Capstone Program page.
AP Seminar – Grade 11 year
AP Seminar will equip students with the power to explore academic and real-world issues through an interdisciplinary lens and consider multiple points of view. Through a variety of materials ─ from articles and research studies to foundational and philosophical texts ─ students will be challenged to explore complex questions; understand and evaluate opposing viewpoints; interpret and synthesize information; and develop, communicate, and defend their own points of view. Teachers have the flexibility of choosing themes based on student interests, whether they are local and/or civic issues or international topics. Samples of themes that can be covered in the AP Seminar course include education, innovation, sustainability, and technology. Students are assessed through an individual and team project completed during the year and a year-end written exam.
AP Research – Grade 12 year
In AP Research, students will design, plan, and conduct a yearlong mentored investigation on a topic of their choosing. Students will build on the skills learned in the AP Seminar course by using research methodology, employing ethical research practices, and accessing, analyzing, and synthesizing information to present and defend an argument.