BHS AP/Honors Information

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1	BHS AP/Honors Information
2	Class	Description of course
3	Honors Chemistry (11th Grade)	Chemistry is the study of substances that make up our world, changes in these substances, and the energy needed to bring about these changes. Honors Chemistry gives a broad overview in which students analyze reactions in natural and man-made energy systems, the properties of materials in relation to their structures, and the atomic and nuclear structure of matter. The theoretical and experimental nature of science is emphasized through research in the laboratory. A basic understanding of algebra will be necessary for the application of mathematical concepts to many chemistry topics.
4	AP Biology (11th Grade)	AP Biology is an introductory college-level biology course. Students cultivate their understanding of biology through inquiry-based investigations as they explore the following topics: evolution, cellular processes—energy and communication, genetics, information transfer, ecology, and interactions.
5	AP Physics 1 (12th Grade)	AP Physics 1 is an algebra based introductory college level physics course. . Students in this course cultivate their understanding of physics through hands-on, inquiry-based laboratory work, problem solving, and classroom activities as they explore concepts like systems, fields, force interactions, change, conservation, and waves.
6	AP Calculus AB (11th/12th Grade)	AP Calculus AB is roughly equivalent to a first semester college calculus course devoted to topics in differential and integral calculus. The AP course covers topics in these areas, including concepts and skills of limits, derivatives, definite integrals, and the Fundamental Theorem of Calculus. The course teaches students to approach calculus concepts and problems when they are represented graphically, numerically, analytically, and verbally, and to make connections amongst these representations. Students learn how to use technology to help solve problems, experiment, interpret results, and support conclusions.
7	AP Chinese Language & Culture (10th-12th Grade)	The AP Chinese Language and Culture course in Mandarin Chinese emphasizes communication (understanding and being understood by others) by applying the interpersonal, interpretive, and presentational modes of communication in real-life situations. This includes vocabulary usage, language control, communication strategies, and cultural awareness. The AP Chinese Language and Culture course strives not to overemphasize grammatical accuracy at the expense of communication. To best facilitate the study of language and culture, the course is taught almost exclusively in Chinese. The AP Chinese Language and Culture course engages students in an exploration of culture in both contemporary and historical contexts. The course develops students' awareness and appreciation of cultural products, (e.g., tools, books, music, laws, conventions, institutions); practices (patterns of social interactions within a culture); and perspectives (values, attitudes, and assumptions).
8	AP Spanish Language & Culture (10th-12th Grade)	AP Spanish language and culture is a 4th-5th year Spanish course that allows your student to dive into real world events, problem solve, and discuss relevant topics all in the target language. We touch on cultural topics from various Spanish speaking communities and make connections to our own community and culture. This course prepares students for not only the AP Spanish language and culture test, but also for using their written and spoken Spanish skills in real world situations.
9	AP Computer Science Principles (12th Grade)	AP Computer Science Principles offers a multidisciplinary approach to teaching the underlying principles of computation. The course will introduce students to the creative aspects of programming, abstractions, algorithms, large data sets, the Internet, cybersecurity concerns, and computing impacts. AP Computer Science Principles also gives students the opportunity to use current technologies to create computational artifacts for both self-expression and problem solving. Together, these aspects of the course make up a rigorous and rich curriculum that aims to broaden participation in computer science.
10	AP English Language and Composition (11th Grade)	The AP English Language and Composition course aligns to an introductory college-level rhetoric and writing curriculum, which requires students to develop evidence-based analytic and argumentative essays that proceed through several stages or drafts. Students evaluate, synthesize, and cite research to support their arguments. Throughout the course, students develop a personal style by making appropriate grammatical choices. Additionally, students read and analyze the rhetorical elements and their effects in non-fiction texts, including graphic images as forms of text, from many disciplines and historical periods.
11	AP English Literature and Composition (12th Grade)	The AP English Literature and Composition course aligns to an introductory college-level literary analysis course. The course engages students in the close reading and critical analysis of imaginative literature to deepen their understanding of the ways writers use language to provide both meaning and pleasure. As they read, students consider a work's structure, style, and themes, as well as its use of figurative language, imagery, symbolism, and tone. Writing assignments include expository, analytical, and argumentative essays that require students to analyze and interpret literary works.
12	AP World History: Modern (10th Grade)	AP World History: Modern is designed to be the equivalent of a two-semester introductory college or university world history course. In AP World History: Modern students investigate significant events, individuals, developments, and processes in six historical periods from approximately 8000 B.C.E. to the present. Students develop and use the same skills, practices, and methods employed by historians: analyzing primary and secondary sources; making historical comparisons; utilizing reasoning about contextualization, causation, and continuity and change over time; and developing historical arguments. The course provides five themes that students explore throughout the course in order to make connections among historical developments in different times and places: interaction between humans and the environment; development and interaction of cultures; state building, expansion, and conflict; creation, expansion, and interaction of economic systems; and development and transformation of social structures.
13	AP United States History (11th Grade)	AP U.S. History is designed to be the equivalent of a two-semester introductory college or university U.S. history course. In AP U.S. History students investigate significant events, individuals, developments, and processes in nine historical periods from approximately 1491 to the present. Students develop and use the same skills, practices, and methods employed by historians: analyzing primary and secondary sources; making historical comparisons; utilizing reasoning about contextualization, causation, and continuity and change over time; and developing historical arguments. The course also provides seven themes that students explore throughout the course in order to make connections among historical developments in different times and places: American and national identity; migration and settlement; politics and power; work, exchange, and technology; America in the world; geography and the environment; and culture and society.
14	AP Art History (12th Grade)	The AP Art History course is equivalent to a two-semester college survey course exploring the nature of art, art making, and responses to art. By investigating specific course content of 250 works of art characterized by diverse artistic traditions from prehistory to the present, students develop 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. They experience, research, discuss, read, and write about art, artists, art making, responses to, and interpretations of art.
15	A.P. US Government & Politics (12th Grade)	AP Government and Civics is a college level survey course on the institutions, structure, and formulation of our American Democracy. We focus on the founding documents, writing skills, and discussion about topics of national importance. The course is designed to follow the AP Government and Politics Course description and prepare students for the AP exam at the end of the year.
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