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Northstar Academy

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Christian school for grades 4-12

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AP® Calculus BC

  • Name:

    AP® Calculus BC (MATH520)

  • Department:

    Math

  • Credits:

    1.0 (yearlong course)

  • Prerequisites:

    PreCalculus Honors (MATH450) or equivalent with a strong A if student has not previously taken AP Calculus AB.

AP® Calculus BC

Description:

AP Calculus is primarily concerned with developing the students’ understanding of the concepts of calculus and providing experience with its methods and applications. The course emphasizes a multi-representational approach to calculus, with concepts, results, and problems being expressed geometrically, numerically, analytically, and verbally. The connections among these representations also are important. (The College Board – AP Calculus Teacher’s Guide)

Advanced Placement Calculus BC covers all topics of calculus of functions of a single variable as described in the AP Calculus BC topic outline in the AP® Calculus Course Description. Major topics covered include Functions; Limits; Derivatives; Applications of Derivatives; Definite Integrals; Differential Equations; Mathematical Modeling; Applications of Definite Integrals; Parametric, Vector, and Polar Functions; Sequences; and Series (including the Taylor and Maclaurin series). Designed to develop the student’s understanding of the concepts covered in the first two semesters of college level calculus and to provide the student with multiple experiences in the methods and applications of those concepts, the Rule of Four is stressed throughout the course. Students are trained to express all solutions geometrically, numerically, analytically, and to interpret these findings verbally. Technology and graphing calculators are used extensively in this course to reinforce the concepts covered. All students must possess a TI-83, TI-84, or TI-89 graphing calculator.

Special Notes:

Students need access to a scanner or digital camera (phone is fine) in order to submit work for the teacher to review.

Students will also need a TI-84 graphing calculator for this course. Each student must also have the computer connectivity cable for their calculator as they will be provided with several calculus programs to download for their TI-84 calculator that can also be used on the AP® exam.

The recommended sequence for students wishing to pursue advanced math classes: MATH150, MATH250, MATH350, MATH450, followed by their choice of MATH500, MATH510, or MATH520.

If you are planning to take the AP® exam associated with this course, then be aware that beginning in Fall 2019 the College Board requires that all students register in October of each school year to take the exam which is held in early May. You must make your decision early. There are penalties associated with late registration and with registering and then deciding not to take the exam at a later date. Please plan accordingly. For more information or if you have more questions, please visit  https://apcentral.collegeboard.org . Once on the site, search Home-Schooled Students to find information on locating testing locations near you. Choosing an AP® course start date in July will make the student ineligible for CCU dual credit.

As an online school, NorthStar Academy is not a testing center. We are a certified AP course provider. Students must locate a face to face school in their local area that will allow them to sit the exam with their students.

This version of the course is not Dual Credit eligible. To receive Dual Credit, you must register for the DC version of this course, if available.

FROM THE TEACHER

Are you hoping to enter a mathematical, scientific, or engineering program? This class will help prepare you for higher-level math courses in college and there is an opportunity for dual enrollment to earn some college credit at the same time. Expect to be challenged, encouraged and grow in your mathematical skill and knowledge. We are learning together in this course to recognize the beauty in math and how it demonstrates order, detail and care in creation! This course follows the curriculum set forth by the AP® College Board for AP® Calculus BC.

If there are books and materials for this course, they can be purchased from our Online Bookstore.

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Student Feedback

The review integrated throughout the course was helpful in remembering previously learned concepts and lessons.

A strength of this course were the FRAPPYS (Free Response AP Problem YAY!). They helped me adapt to the test environment. I was confident as I practiced questions that were somewhat harder than the material on the test.

I liked that the course had videos for each lesson which provided more ways to learn about the topics and get better at them. I also liked that it incorporated FRAPPYs and AP Progress Checks, which really helped me get used to the AP style testing. I also liked the occasional AP Daily Video assignments for the same reason.