Course Descriptions with Prerequisites,
Textbook, and Tech Requirements
(Updated as of March 11, 2015)
This document is intended for registration planning and course preparation for NCVPS students. In this document you will find the course descriptions for each specific course offered by NCVPS.
Note: If the individual course links do not work for you, please use the scroll bar to find the course you are looking for.
General Technical Requirements for all of our courses can be found on our main Web site at .
NOTE: Courses described here may not reflect courses offered in a particular term. Refer to the course catalog for specific course offerings in each term.
Advanced Placement
AP Art History (Yearlong)
AP Biology (Yearlong)
AP Calculus AB (Yearlong)
AP Calculus BC (Yearlong)
AP Computer Science A (Yearlong)
AP English Language and Composition (Yearlong)
AP English Literature and Composition (Yearlong)
AP Environmental Science (Yearlong)
AP European History (Yearlong)
AP Government and Politics US (Yearlong)
AP Human Geography (Yearlong)
AP Latin (Yearlong)
AP Chinese Language and Culture (Yearlong)
AP Macro / Microeconomics (Yearlong)
AP Music Theory (Yearlong)
AP Physics 1
AP Physics 2
AP Psychology (Yearlong)
AP Statistics (Yearlong)
AP US History (Yearlong)
AP World History (Yearlong)
Art and Music
Visual Arts (Beginning)
Visual Arts (Intermediate)
Visual Arts Specialization (Intermediate): Art of Photography
Visual Arts Specialization (Proficient): Advanced Digital Photography
Visual Arts Specialization (Intermediate): Art of Game Design
Visual Arts Specialization (Intermediate): Art of Advertising
Music Specialization (Beginning): Music Appreciation
Music Specialization (Beginning): Music Business and Recording
Visual Arts Specialization (Beginning): Non Western Art
Visual Arts Specialization (Intermediate): Art of Videography
Visual Arts Specialization (Intermediate): Visual Journaling
Visual Arts Specialization (Intermediate): Art of Fashion
Visual Arts Specialization (6 - 8): Middle School Art
Visual Arts Specialization (6 - 8): Middle School Discovering Photography
Credit Recovery
Credit Recovery American History 1
Credit Recovery American History II
Credit Recovery English I
Credit Recovery English II
Credit Recovery English III
Credit Recovery English IV
Credit Recovery Math 1
Credit Recovery Math 2
Credit Recovery Math 3
Credit Recovery Algebra 2
Credit Recovery Physical Science
Credit Recovery Biology
Credit Recovery American History: The Founding Principles, Civics, and Economics
Credit Recovery US History
Credit Recovery World History
Career and Technical Education
Accounting I
Computer Programming I
e-Commerce I Honors
Personal Finance (BE/ME/FACS)
Principles of Business and Finance (BE/ME)
Entrepreneurship I
Computer Science Principles
Sharepoint
Strategic Marketing
SAS® Programming for High School
Career Management
Elective
Success 101
Middle School Success 101
English
English I Academic
English I Honors
English II Academic
English II Honors
English III Academic
English III Honors
English IV Academic
English IV Honors
Journalism
Middle School Creative Writing
Health
Health Education (9 week course)
Math
Advanced Functions and Modeling
Math 1
Math 2
Math 2 Honors
Math 3
Math 3 Honors
Algebra II
Algebra II Honors
Calculus Honors
Pre-Calculus Honors
Occupational Course of Study
Locally Developed Math Elective
Math 1
American History 1
American History 2
Biology
English I
English II
English III
English IV
Introduction to Mathematics
Financial Management
Science
Anatomy and Physiology Honors
Biology Academic
Biology Honors
Chemistry Honors
Earth and Environmental Science Academic
Earth and Environmental Science Honors
Forensics
Physical Science
Social Studies
African-American Studies
American History I Academic
American History I Honors
American History II Academic
American History II Honors
American History: The Founding Principles, Civics, and Economics
American History: The Founding Principles, Civics, and Economics Honors
Leadership Development
Medieval Studies
Psychology
Psychology Honors
US History Academic
US History Honors
World History Academic
World History Honors
Test Prep
ACT Prep
SAT Prep
World Languages
Arabic Language and Culture I
Arabic Language and Culture II
French I
French II
French III Honors
French IV Honors
German I
German II
German III Honors
German IV Honors
Japanese 1
Japanese 2
Mandarin Chinese I
Mandarin Chinese II
Mandarin Chinese III Honors
Mandarin Chinese IV Honors
Latin I
Latin II
Latin III Honors
Russian I
Russian II
Spanish I
Spanish II
Spanish III Honors
Spanish IV Honors
Advanced Placement
AP Art History (Yearlong)
This course will not be offered for 2015-2016 school year.
Course Code: 54487X0 (5A007X0 for 2015/16)
Course Level: Advanced Placement
Course Offering: Year-long for 1 credit
Course Description
This is a year-long course that requires a 90-minute daily class amount of time. Also, students need to spend time working at home a minimum of 30 minutes daily on the textbook readings, class discussions, assignments, and tests. Art is the reflection of the time, place, and people that produced it. The Advanced Placement Art History course is designed to provide the same benefits to you as high school students that are provided by an introductory college art history course—those being an understanding and enjoyment of architecture, sculpture, and other art forms within their historical and cultural context. During the course we will examine major forms of artistic expression from the past and the present from a variety of cultures. Students will learn to look at works of art critically, with intelligence and sensitivity, and to analyze what you see. All students successfully completing the AP Art History course should gain an in-depth knowledge of the subject, as well as form disciplined study habits that can contribute to continued success at the college level. The course requires a high degree of commitment to academic work and to the purposes of a program designed to meet the college standards. For the latest information and services available go to
Prerequisites
No prior experience in art history is required. Students should be strong in academic courses. Strong studio art skills are not necessarily a predictor of success in this course. In general juniors and seniors in high school are best suited in terms of breath of education—history, language arts and foreign language depth and success is a good predictor. In order to be successful in AP Art History, students will need general computer knowledge and Internet access.
Textbook (Required)
Title/Edition: Art History Combined Volume (5th Edition)
Author(s): Marilyn Stokstad, Michael W. Cothren
ISBN-10: 0-205-87347-2
ISBN-13: 978-0-205-87347-0
Format: Alternate Binding
Published Date: January 2013
OR
Title/Edition: Gardner’s Art Through the Ages: A Global History (14th Edition)
Author(s): Fred S. Kleiner
ISBN-10: 0495915424
ISBN-13: 9780495915423
Format: Hardback
Published Date: 2013
Textbook (Recommended)
Title/Edition: Barron’s AP Art History, 2nd Edition
Author(s): John B. Nici, M.A.
ISBN-10: 0764146912
ISBN-13: 978-0764146916
Format: Paperback
Published Date: February 2012
While these are the latest editions, we can actually work with previous editions, as well. Contact the Art Department Instructional Leaders for confirmation. Because this is a college-level course, students will not be successful without access to this in-depth information. The text is used extensively beginning in Week 2. Alternatives are provided for the first few weeks in order to give students time to obtain texts, but this is a limited option.
AP Test
Students that take the AP exam for this course are asked to input the NCVPS Code (045) into the ‘Online Provider Code’ found on page 1, item G of the AP answer sheet on the day of testing so that NCVPS may receive a copy of the student's test score results for our records since these scores are needed as part of the accountability piece for NCVPS.
Course Websites
Click HERE
AP Biology (Yearlong)
Course Code: 31007X0 (3A007X0 for 2015/16)
Course Level: Advanced Placement; new guidelines from College Board for 2012 year.
Course Offering: Year-long for 1 credit
This course will not be offered for 2015-2016 school year.
Course Description
This is a year-long course that requires a 90-minute daily class amount of time. Also, students need to spend time working at home a minimum of 30 minutes daily on the textbook readings, class discussions, assignments, and tests. AP Biology is designed to be a rigorous course equivalent to a two semester college introductory biology course. All work is designed to be at the college level and students are expected to work accordingly. This is a fast paced course dealing with more content in depth than the regular high school biology. Lab requirements are rigorous. Students will complete 11 AP Bio Labs as described in the lab manual (if their school can provide the materials,) or the alternative virtual labs. There are also several assignments that act as supplemental material to help the students better understand the labs. Students are expected to take responsibility for their learning by spending the required time in class (60-90 minutes daily) and to also devote time out of class working on required assignments in order to achieve mastery in biology.
Prerequisites
Students who sign up for AP Biology should have been successful in Biology or Honors Biology, and Chemistry or Honors Chemistry. The definition of successful is an average of 80 percent or more in the course and being proficient on the NC EOC for Biology (level III/IV).
Textbook: In order to try defray the costs of textbooks any AP Recommended Biology Textbooks suggested by the College Board will suffice. However, we suggest the 8th or 9th edition of Campbell’s Biology.
Title/Edition: Campbell Biology (9th Edition)
ISBN: 0321558235
ISBN-13: 9780321558237
Publisher: Benjamin Cummings
Published Date: October 2010
MSRP: $208.80
Optional Text
Title/Edition: AP® Biology Investigative Labs: An Inquiry-Based Approach Student Manual
Item #: 130085374
MSRP: $22.00
Purchase throughCollegeBoard Website
For Review students may want to pick up: (You do not have to buy new so look at Amazon.com)
Title/Edition: Student Study Guide for Campbell Biology, 9th edition (pairs with course’s textbook)
ISBN-10: 0321629922
ISBN-13: 978-0321629920
Publisher: Benjamin Cummings
MSRP: $65.60
Title/Edition: Cliffs AP Biology (English), 2013 Edition
ISBN-10: 1118127994
ISBN-13: 978-1118127995
Publisher: Cliff Notes
MSRP: $17.99
Title/Edition: Cracking the AP Biology Exam, 2013 Edition (Revised)
ISBN-10: 0307946339
ISBN-13: 978-0307946331
Publisher: Princeton Review
MSRP: $18.99
Title/Edition: 5 Steps to A 5 Ap Biology by Mark Anestis, 2012 Edition
ISBN-10: 0071751793
ISBN-13: 978-0071751797
Publisher: McGraw-Hill
MSRP: $68.45
Individual teachers may ask students to gain access to additional outside reading books.
Technical Requirements
All the basic Microsoft office: Word, Powerpoint, Publisher, Exel. Requires access to (Gizmos - Online Labs) and Shockwave for online GIZMO labs; access to and the required plugins (Java, Acrobat Reader, Flash) will be needed. Lab Bench, Aris, Glogster, online video like animoto along with other online applications all of which may require shockwave, java, quick time, media player etc. Headphones are required to view videos - need media player, Quicktime or VLC to view. Would be nice to have photo story 3 or video software. Microphone, possibility access to digital camera/video. Any downloadable software (e.g. Google Earth) may be expected to complete 21st century skills assignments. Please realize this is not an exhaustive list as new web 2.0/3.0 applications are being created.
On Site Lab Information
This course comes with 11 mandatory AP Biology labs. Our teachers prefer that students complete these labs as they are described in the lab manual. This will require each school to have an on site lab facilitator. The facilitator will provide access to lab materials, lab facility, and any lab process or content related question. We encourage schools to purchase kits from a biological supply company. Depending on the number of students, schools could buy just the demo kits. If it is not possible for students to complete the labs on site, there are alternative virtual labs provided in the course.
AP Test
Students that take the AP exam for this course are asked to input the NCVPS Code (045) into the ‘Online Provider Code’ found on page 1, item G of the AP answer sheet on the day of testing so that NCVPS may receive a copy of the student's test score results for our records since these scores are needed as part of the accountability piece for NCVPS.
Websites
Click HERE
AP Calculus AB (Yearlong)
Course Code: 25017X0 (2A007X0 for 2015/16)
Course Level: Advanced Placement
Course Offering: Year-long for 1 credit
Course Description
This is a year-long course that requires a 90-minute daily class amount of time. Also, students need to spend time working at home a minimum of 30 minutes daily on the textbook readings, class discussions, assignments, and tests. AP Calculus AB is the study of change. The foundation for this study is limits and function behavior. Derivatives of functions are interpreted verbally, graphically, numerically, and algebraically. Numerical and algebraic antiderivatives are used to solve problems, and differential equations to model exponential growth and decay. AP Calculus AB explores relationships among functions, derivatives, and antiderivatives, as well as applications of derivatives including moving bodies, industry and finance.
Prerequisites
Students taking AP Calculus AB should have made A grades in precalculus, or equivalent coursework that includes trigonometry and advanced study of functions.
Technology Requirements
Technology, TI-83 plus, TI-84 (or plus), TI-86, or TI-89 calculators, will be used regularly to reinforce and extend each concept. They will also be used to investigate topics and assist in interpreting results. Concepts will be taught in unifying themes of derivatives, limits, integrals and polynomial approximations. These themes are developed through the functions and relations studied in pre calculus.
Quicktime, Shockwave and Flash need to be installed for videos. Need to have Blackboard Collaborate Rooms setup, Blackboard IM, and a working headset. Firefox is the recommended browser for Mac users.
Textbook
●Calculus of a Single Variable,8th edition, by Ron Larson, Robert Hostetler and Bruce Edwards
●ISBN: 0-618-50304-8
For AP Review - students may want to pick up a personal study guide. These are a few options:
Title/Edition:Calculus AB and BC (Cliffs AP)
ISBN-10: 0764586831
ISBN-13: 978-0764586835
Publisher: Cliff Notes
Format: Paperback
Published Date: May 15, 2001
MSRP: $16.99
Title/Edition: Cracking the AP Calculus AB & BC Exams, 2010 Edition
ISBN-13: 9780375429156
ISBN: 0375429158
Publisher: Princeton Review
MSRP: $18.00
Title/Edition:5 Steps to a 5 AP Calculus AB - BC, Second Edition
ISBN-10: 0071476296
ISBN-13: 978-0071476294
Publisher: McGraw-Hill
MSRP: $16.95
AP Test
Students who take this course should be prepared to take the AP Calculus AB Advanced Placement Exam in May. For more information go to the College Board AP site:
Students that take the AP exam for this course are asked to input the NCVPS Code (045) into the ‘Online Provider Code’ found on page 1, item G of the AP answer sheet on the day of testing so that NCVPS may receive a copy of the student's test score results for our records since these scores are needed as part of the accountability piece for NCVPS.
Course Websites
Click HERE.
AP Calculus BC (Yearlong)
Course Code: 25027X0 (2A017X0 for 2015/16)
Course Level: Advanced Placement
Course Offering: Year-long for 1 credit
Course Description
This is a year-long course that requires a 90-minute daily class amount of time. Also, students need to spend time working at home a minimum of 30 minutes daily on the textbook readings, class discussions, assignments, and tests. Calculus is the mathematical subject which takes what has been defined as “static” mathematics – which is all that students learn in previous courses - to “dynamic” mathematics which deals with motion and the results of this motion. AP Calculus BC, a is primarily concerned with developing students’ understanding of calculus concepts and providing experiences in theory, fundamentals and applications. This course emphasizes a multi representational approach to problem solving. Concepts will be explored graphically, numerically, analytically and verbally. AP Calculus BC reviews and extends concepts from AP Calculus AB and develops the important concepts from AP Calculus BC. The course focuses on all of the topics of differential and integral calculus and then explores polynomial approximations and series. Vectors, polar graphs and parametric equations will be included in developing the concepts, when appropriate.
Prerequisites
BC Calculus covers three semesters of college level calculus in two semesters. This course is intended for students who have a strong background in pre calculus topics, good reading skills, a desire to learn calculus at a very rapid pace and exceptionally good study habits. Students who have taken AB Calculus should be prepared to review concepts from AB which may be presented in a slightly different manner.
Textbook Requirement
Calculus: Single Variable, by Hughes-Hallett, 4th Edition
●ISBN-10:0471484822
●ISBN-13:9780471484820
For AP Review: Students may want to pick up a personal study guide. These are a few options:
Title/Edition:Calculus AB and BC (Cliffs AP)
ISBN-10: 0764586831
ISBN-13: 978-0764586835
Publisher: Cliff Notes
Format: Paperback
Published Date: May 15, 2001
MSRP: $16.99
Title/Edition: Cracking the AP Calculus AB & BC Exams, 2010 Edition
ISBN-13: 9780375429156
ISBN: 0375429158
Publisher: Princeton Review
MSRP: $18.00
Title/Edition:5 Steps to a 5 AP Calculus AB - BC, Second Edition
ISBN-10: 0071476296
ISBN-13: 978-0071476294
Publisher: McGraw-Hill
MSRP: $16.95
Technology Requirements
Technology, TI-83 plus or TI-89 calculators, will be used regularly to reinforce and extend each concept. They will also be used to investigate topics and assist in interpreting results. Concepts will be taught in unifying themes of derivatives, limits, integrals and polynomial approximations. These themes are developed through the functions and relations studied in pre calculus.
Students will use word processing, graphing software, and other online tools to create mathematical content in submitting assignments. A student should be fluent in using a word processor and able to save in .doc or .pdf formats.
AP Test
Students who take this course should be prepared to take the AP Calculus BC Advanced Placement Exam in May. For more information go to the College Board AP site: Students that take the AP exam for this course are asked to input the NCVPS Code (045) into the ‘Online Provider Code’ found on page 1, item G of the AP answer sheet on the day of testing so that NCVPS may receive a copy of the student's test score results for our records since these scores are needed as part of the accountability piece for NCVPS.