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
Art, culture, and history are deeply intertwined. Art serves as a mirror, reflecting the social, political, and economic realities of its time, while also contributing to shaping cultural norms and identities. 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 AP Calculus AB, and 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 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 French Language & Culture
This course is equivalent to an intermediate level college course in French. Students will 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.
There are no prerequisites; however students are typically in their fourth year of high school level French language study. In the case of native or heritage speakers, there may be a different pathway of study leading to this course.
AP Human Geography
This course will be offered again in the 2025/2026 academic year.
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 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 Precalculus
In AP Precalculus, students explore everyday situations using mathematical tools and lenses. Through regular practice, students build deep mastery of modeling and functions, and they examine scenarios through multiple representations. They will learn how to observe, explore, and build mathematical meaning from dynamic
systems, an important practice for thriving in an ever-changing world. AP Precalculus prepares students for higher-level mathematics and science courses. The framework delineates content and skills common to college
precalculus courses that are foundational for careers in mathematics, physics, biology, health science, social science, and data science.
AP Precalculus is designed for students who’ve taken both Geometry and Algebra 2 or for students who’ve completed Integrated Math 3. Students who’ve taken these courses at any level have covered all the content necessary for AP Precalculus.
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 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.