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On this page you will find course descriptions for the Advanced Placement (AP) courses available to Maine high school students through AP4ME.

For more information regarding AP4ME please email ap4me@maine.edu, or contact Jamie Whittemore by phone at 207-572-6592.


AP Art History

AP Art History is a college-level Art History course. Students will explore the history of art across the globe from prehistory to the present. In addition, they will also analyze works of art through observation, discussion, reading, and research.

Prerequisites: There are no prerequisites for AP Art History. Students should be able to read a college-level textbook and write grammatically correct, complete sentences.

AP Biology​

AP Biology is an introductory college-level biology course. Students cultivate their understanding of biology through inquiry-based investigations as they explore topics like evolution, energetics, information storage and transfer, and system interactions.

Prerequisites: Students should have successfully completed high school courses in biology and chemistry.

AP Calculus BC

AP Calculus BC is an introductory college-level calculus course. Students cultivate their understanding of differential and integral calculus through engaging with real-world problems represented graphically, numerically, analytically, and verbally and using definitions and theorems to build arguments and justify conclusions as they explore concepts like change, limits, and the analysis of functions.

Prerequisites: All students should have successfully completed courses in which they studied algebra, geometry, trigonometry, analytic geometry, and elementary functions. In particular, they should understand the properties of linear, polynomial, rational, exponential, logarithmic, trigonometric, inverse trigonometric, and piecewise-defined functions, as well as sequences, series, and polar equations. They should know how to graph these functions and solve equations involving them. They should also be familiar with algebraic transformations, combinations, compositions, and inverses for general functions.

AP Computer Science A

AP Computer Science A is an introductory college-level computer science course. Students cultivate their understanding of coding through analyzing, writing, and testing code as they explore concepts like modularity, variables, and control structures.

Recommended Prerequisites: High school courses in English and algebra, and familiarity with functions and the concepts found in the uses of function notation.

AP English Language & Composition

AP English Language & Composition: AP English Language and Composition is designed to be a college-level academic experience, with the intellectual rigor and workload consistent with a typical introductory college composition course. Students will read and carefully analyze a broad and challenging range of literary and nonfiction prose selections, deepening their awareness of rhetoric and how language works. Through close reading and frequent writing, students develop their ability to work with language and text with a greater awareness of purpose and strategy, while strengthening their own composing abilities. Students frequently confer about reading and writing with their classmates and with the teacher. Due to the rigor of the course, students should expect to spend approximately ten hours per week on coursework, depending on an individual’s reading speed.

Prerequisites: There are no prerequisites for AP English Language Composition. Students should be able to read a college-level textbook and write grammatically correct, complete sentences.

AP Environmental Science

AP Environmental Science is an introductory college course in environmental science. Students will explore and investigate the interrelationships of the natural world and analyze environmental problems, both natural and human-made. In addition, they will also take part in laboratory investigations and field work.

Prerequisites: Students should have taken two years of high school laboratory science, including life science and physical science, along with at least one year of algebra before enrolling in AP Environmental Science.

AP European History

AP European History is an introductory level college survey of modern European history. Students will study the cultural, economic, political, and social developments that have shaped Europe from c. 1450 to the present. In addition, students will analyze texts, visual sources, and other historical evidence and write essays expressing historical arguments. This course is offered on alternating academic years with AP Human Geography.

Prerequisites: There are no prerequisites for AP European History. Students should be able to read a college-level textbook and write grammatically correct, complete sentences.

AP Human Geography

AP Human Geography introduces students to the systematic study of patterns and processes that have shaped human understanding, use, and alteration of Earth’s surface. It is an excellent course for preparing students to become geo-literate youth and adults. This course is offered on alternating academic years with AP European History.

Prerequisites: There are no prerequisites for AP European History. Students should be able to read a college-level textbook and write grammatically correct, complete sentences.

AP Macroeconomics

AP Macroeconomics is an introductory college course in macroeconomics. Students will explore the principles of economics that apply to an economic system. Students will utilize graphs, charts, and data to analyze, describe, and explain economic concepts.

Prerequisites: There are no prerequisites for AP Macroeconomics. Students should be able to read a college-level textbook and write grammatically correct, complete sentences.

AP Music Theory

AP Music Theory is an introductory college-level music theory course. Students cultivate their understanding of music theory through analyzing performed and notated music as they explore concepts like pitch, rhythm, form, and musical design.

Prerequisites: Ability to read and write musical notation and basic voice or instrument performance skills.

AP Psychology

AP Psychology is an introductory college-level psychology course. Students cultivate their understanding of the systematic and scientific study of human behavior and mental processes through inquiry-based investigations as they explore concepts like the biological bases of behavior, sensation and perception, learning and cognition, motivation, developmental psychology, testing and individual differences, treatment of abnormal behavior, and social psychology.

Prerequisites: There are no prerequisites for AP Psychology. Students should be able to read a college-level textbook and write grammatically correct, complete sentences.

AP Spanish Language & Culture

AP Spanish Language and Culture is an intermediate level (typically third or fourth semester) college course in Spanish language.

Prerequisites: There are no prerequisites, but students are typically in their fourth year of high-school-level study. In the case of native or heritage speakers, there may be a different pathway of study leading to this course.

AP Statistics

AP Statistics is an introductory college-level statistics course. Students cultivate their understanding of statistics using probability and simulation to describe probability distributions and define uncertainty in statistical inference. Students will also learn how to collect and analyze data using statistical reasoning to draw appropriate conclusions and justify claims.

AP U.S. Government & Politics

AP U.S. Government and Politics is an introductory college-level course in U.S. government and politics. Students cultivate their understanding of U.S. government and politics through analysis of data and text- based sources as they explore topics like constitutionalism, liberty and order, civic participation in a representative democracy, competing policy-making interests, and methods of political analysis.

Prerequisites: There are no prerequisite courses for AP United States Government and Politics. Students should be able to read a college level textbook and write grammatically correct, complete sentences.

AP U.S. History

AP U.S. History is an introductory college-level U.S. history course. Students cultivate their understanding of U.S. history from c. 1491 Common Era (CE) to the present through analyzing historical sources and learning to make connections and craft historical arguments as they explore concepts like American and national identity; work, exchange, and technology; geography and the environment; migration and settlement; politics and power; America in the world; American and regional culture; and social structures.

Prerequisites: There are no prerequisites for AP U.S. History. Students should be able to read a college-level textbook and write grammatically correct, complete sentences.

AP World History

AP World History is an introductory college course in modern world history. Students will Study the cultural, economic, political, and social developments that have shaped the world from c. 1200 Common Era (CE) to the present. Students will also analyze texts, visual sources, and other historical evidence and write essays expressing historical arguments.

Prerequisites: There are no prerequisites for AP World History. Students should be able to read a college-level textbook and write grammatically correct, complete sentences.


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