New class looks good on resume

The AP Calculus 1-2 class being brought back next school year after a one-year hiatus. The class is intended to give students the opportunity to complete Calculus 1 and 2 in one school year as opposed to the conventional two.

“The class is faster, but it doesn’t have more homework; it’s the same work load,” Mr. Greg Owsley, math department chair, said.

The class was not offered this year because only eight students qualified for the class, not enough to fill a section. To qualify for the class students must get a 93 percent or higher in the  honors pre-calculus class during their junior year.

A student enrolled in the class takes both courses, resulting in them getting two college credits, one for Calculus 1 and the other for Calculus 2.

The way Calculus 1 and 2 work is the students takes an AB exam for Calculus 1, A reviews the first semester B the second and then in Calculus 2 they take BC exam.

AP Calculus 1-2 would blend those together taking out the extra B

“The B is a review the second time, faster students who qualify don’t need that,” Mr. Owsley said.

The AP Calculus 1-2 final is separated, when it comes to college credits, into the AB and BC portion. Even if a student doesn’t do well on one part of it they still get the credit for the other.

“This gives the students a some what of a fail-safe,” Mr. Owsley said.

Students who have signed up to take the class next year are generally pleased with their decision.  Many hope that it will provide an advantage on their college applications.  Others opted to take it to make up for a missed opportunity freshman year.

 

Tags AP Calc 1&2 Calculus