Upper School Course Guide
Course Descriptions

AP Courses

Advanced Placement (AP) courses provide students with enrichment opportunities that may lead to the exemption of a first-year university-level course. AP courses are offered in a number of subjects whereby they earn Ontario credits and prepare to write the AP examination in May, administered by the College Board.
 

AP Capstone Diploma

The AP Capstone is a two-year diploma comprising two courses, AP Seminar and AP Research, taken in Grades 11 and 12 respectively. To earn the diploma, students must also complete four additional AP exams and earn a score of 3 or higher. The AP Capstone diploma provides a platform for students to explore and investigate academic and real-world topics and issues from a multidisciplinary perspective. Particular attention is paid to creating a learning environment that facilitates the growth and development of 21st-century competencies such as critical thinking, creativity, collaboration, and effective communication. This program is well-suited for students who possess a high level of reading comprehension, verbal and written communication skills, initiative, and time management.
 

AP Exams

AP Exams are externally marked and everyone writes the exams on the same day. Crescent only allows students enrolled in the AP course at Crescent to write the AP exam at the school.

AP Exams are administered at Crescent as paper-and-pencil exams over two week period in May. Exam dates will be posted when available.
 
 

AP Courses

List of 14 items.

  • AP Seminar, Grade 11


    HSB4U1
    In Grade 11, students focus on the use of social science theories, perspectives, and methodologies to investigate and explain shifts in knowledge, attitudes, beliefs, and behaviour and their impact on society. Students will critically analyse how and why cultural, social,
    and behavioural patterns change over time. The anchoring of Challenge and Change to AP Seminar will provide students with the opportunity to apply research skills to pursue an academic topic, question or issue within the context of the social sciences. The aim being to cultivate curious and independent learners who are able to make logical, evidence-based arguments and decisions.
  • AP Research, Grade 12


    IDC4U1
    In Grade 12, students deeply explore an academic topic, problem, issue, or idea of individual interest. Students design, plan, and implement a yearlong investigation to address a research question. Through this inquiry, they further the skills they acquired in the AP Seminar course by learning research methodology, employing ethical research practices, and accessing, analyzing, and synthesizing information. Students reflect on their skill development, document their processes, and curate the artifacts of their scholarly work through a process and reflection portfolio. The course culminates in an academic paper of 4,000–5,000 words (accompanied by a performance, exhibit, or product where applicable) and a presentation with an oral defence.
    Prerequisite Courses: Grade 11 AP Seminar HSB4U1
  • Analyzing Current Economic Issues plus AP Micro and Macroeconomics Preparation, Grade 12, University Preparation


    CIA4U1
    This course includes all the content of CIA4U and moves further into Macro and Microeconomics to prepare students for the Advanced Placement examination. CIE3M is strongly recommended for this AP course. Students who have not completed CIE3M need permission from the Department Head to take AP Economics.
    Prerequisite: Any university or university/college preparation course in Canadian and World Studies, English, or Social Sciences and Humanities
  • The Environment and Resource Management plus AP Environmental Science Preparation, Grade 12, University/College Preparation

    CGR4M1
    This course covers all the topics in CGR4M but extends further to prepare students for success on the AP Environmental Science examination at the end of the year.
    Prerequisite: Any university, university/college, or college preparation course in Canadian and World Studies, English, or Social Sciences and Humanities
  • World Issues, A Geographic Analysis plus AP Human Geography Preparation, Grade 12, University Preparation


    CGW4U1
    This course looks at the global challenge of creating a more sustainable and equitable world. Students will explore a range of issues involving environmental, economic, social, and geopolitical interrelationships, and will examine governmental policies related to these issues. Students will apply the concepts of geographic thinking and the geographic inquiry process, including spatial technologies, to investigate these complex issues, including their impact on natural and human communities around the world. This course also gives students the option to write the AP Human Geography exam at the end of the year.
    Prerequisite: Any university or university/college preparation course in Canadian and World Studies, English, or Social Sciences and Humanities
  • English with AP English Literature and Composition Preparation, Grade 12, University Preparation


    ENG4U1
    This course covers all of the topics in ENG4U but extends each topic to prepare students for success in the Advanced Placement examination at the end of the year. The students are required to have a stronger command of literary devices, in prose, verse, and drama. The written course assessments are primarily timed essays. The amount of discussion in ENG4U1 is comparable to ENG4U, but the focus is more precise and based on literary devices.
    Prerequisite: English, Grade 11, University Preparation
  • French plus AP French Language and Culture Preparation, Grade 12, University Preparation

    FSF4U1
    Students cultivate their understanding of French language and culture by applying interpersonal, interpretive, and presentational modes of communication in real-life situations as they explore concepts related to family and community, personal and public identity, beauty and aesthetics, science and technology, contemporary life, and global challenges.
    Prerequisite: Core French, Grade 11, University Preparation


  • Mandarin plus AP Chinese Language and Culture Preparation, Grade 12, University Preparation

    LKBDU1
    The AP Chinese Language and Culture course in Mandarin Chinese emphasizes communication (understanding and being understood by others) by applying interpersonal, interpretive, and presentational skills in real-life situations. This includes vocabulary usage, language control, communication strategies, and cultural awareness.
    Prerequisite: Mandarin, Grade 11, University Preparation
  • Calculus plus AP Calculus AB Preparation, Grade 12, University Preparation


    MCV4U1
    All of the topics in MCV4U are covered in MCV4U1 but additional work is also covered in order to prepare students for success on the AP examination at the end of the year.
    Co-requisite: Advanced Functions, Grade 12, University Preparation. Enriched Advanced Functions, Grade 12, University Preparation is strongly recommended
  • Mathematics of Data Management plus AP Statistics Preparation, Grade 12, University Preparation

    MDM4U1
    This course covers all the topics in MDM4U but extends further to prepare students for success on the AP Statistics examination at the end of the year.
    Prerequisites: Functions, Grade 11, University Preparation (Enriched Functions, Grade 11, University Preparation is strongly recommended)
    NOTE: With special permission, Grade 11 students may take MDM4U1 and MCR3U1 concurrently.
  • Biology plus AP Biology Preparation, Grade 12, University Preparation

    SBI4U1
    This course provides students with the opportunity for in-depth study of the concepts and processes that occur in biological systems. Students will study theory and conduct investigations in the areas of biochemistry, metabolic processes, molecular genetics, homeostasis, and population dynamics. Emphasis will be placed on the achievement of detailed knowledge and the refinement of skills needed for further study in various branches of the life sciences and related fields.
    Prerequisite: Biology, Grade 11, University Preparation; Chemistry, Grade 11, University Preparation is highly recommended
  • Chemistry plus AP Chemistry Preparation, Grade 12, University Preparation

    SCH4U1
    This course enables students to deepen their understanding of chemistry through the study of organic chemistry, the structure and properties of matter, energy changes and rates of reaction, equilibrium in chemical systems, and electrochemistry. Students will further develop their problem-solving and investigation skills as they investigate chemical processes, and will refine their ability to communicate scientific information. Emphasis will be placed on the importance of chemistry in everyday life and on evaluating the impact of chemical technology on the environment.
    Prerequisite: Chemistry, Grade 11, University Preparation; Grade 11 Physics is strongly recommended.
  • Physics plus AP Physics 1 Preparation, Grade 12, University Preparation

    SPH4U1
    This course enables students to deepen their understanding of physics concepts and theories. Students will continue their exploration of energy transformations and the forces that affect motion, and will investigate electrical, gravitational, and magnetic fields and electromagnetic radiation. Students will also explore the wave nature of light, quantum mechanics, and special relativity. They will further develop their scientific investigation skills, learning, for example, how to analyze, qualitatively and quantitatively, data related to a variety of physics concepts and principles. Students will also consider the impact of technological applications of physics on society and the environment.
    Prerequisite: Physics, Grade 11, University Preparation
  • Computer Science plus AP Computer Science A Preparation, Grade 12, University Preparation

    ICS4U1
    This course enables students to further develop knowledge and skills in computer science. Students will use modular design principles to create complex and fully documented programs, according to industry standards. Student teams will manage a large software development project, from planning through to project review. Students will also analyze algorithms for effectiveness. They will investigate ethical issues in computing and further explore environmental issues, emerging technologies, areas of research in computer science, and careers in the field.
    Prerequisite: Introduction to Computer Science, Grade 11, University Preparation