Advanced Placement program

Biology

AP Biology prepares students for advanced study of biology and is equivalent to a second-semester introductory freshman college course.

The course focuses on fostering a deep and enduring conceptual understanding of the topics covered. It also spends time on inquiry-based learning to develop reasoning skills essential for further college study in all science disciplines, such as experimental design, application of mathematical routines and analyzing data.

Calculus

There are four mathematics courses in AP calculus:

Pre-AP Mathematics (pre-calculus)

• Introduces functions and trigonometry
• Prepares students for calculus
• Introduces basic concepts in statistics.

Offered by most AP centers in year one.

Calculus AB

Covers all topics as stated in the College Board course description, as well as the following major topic areas:

• Analysis of functions
• Limits
• Derivatives
• Integrals. 

Calculus BC

Calculus BC covers all the Calculus AB topics plus infinite series and parametric, polar and vector functions. Most AP centers offer Calculus AB and/or Calculus BC in year two and Calculus BC and/or Statistics in year three.

AP Statistics

Covers all topics as stated in the College Board course description, as well as the following major topic areas:

• Descriptive statistics
• Sampling and experimentation
• Probability and sampling distributions
• Statistical inference.

In addition, planning and conducting studies is an important part of the Statistics course.

Students’ skills and knowledge

Most students have a strong mathematical background from the Chinese school system, so extra emphasis is placed on vocabulary, definition of terms and the understanding of real-world applications.

Chemistry

AP Chemistry prepares students for advanced study of chemistry and is equivalent to a second-semester introductory freshman college course.

The course focuses on fostering a deep and enduring conceptual understanding of the topics covered. It also spends time on inquiry-based learning to develop reasoning skills essential for further college study in all science disciplines, such as experimental design, application of mathematical routines and analyzing data.

 Economics

The AP Economic program offers two separate exams in economics: one in microeconomics and one in macroeconomics. These are college-level courses.

The microeconomics course:

• gives students a thorough understanding of the principles that apply to the individual decision maker, both consumer and producer, within the economic system
• places primary emphasis on the nature and functions of product markets
• includes the study of factor markets and of the role of government in promoting greater efficiency and equity in the economy.

The macroeconomics course:

• develops in students a thorough understanding of the principles that apply to the economy as a whole
• places particular emphasis on the study of national income and price-level determination
• develops students’ familiarity with economic performance measures, the financial sector, stabilization policies, economic growth and international economics.

Both courses are fast-paced, academically rigorous and content-rich.

English for Academic Purposes

In Dipont AP programs, students follow the same curricula framework delivered in A-level centers.

The essential objective is to assist students to develop strong proficiency skills in English and prepare them to become global learners. Students will need to achieve acceptable scores in international tests in English and to do so requires good communicative ability, a solid grasp of academic study skills and a capacity for critical thinking. All of these elements are integrated into the English program.

As English instruction is such a crucial area for our centers and students, management and staff are in frequent dialogue to develop our program further. This creates a lively and innovative approach to the development of English learning and ensures that we continue to strive to meet the needs of students.

In Grade 10, the focus is on skill development in the four key skill areas, reading, writing, listening and speaking, and is intended to provide students with a strong foundation in the English language.

In Grade 11, students follow the NorthStar upper intermediate reading and writing textbook that includes the development of critical thinking and study skills. The development of speaking and listening skills is also an integral component for students at this level. A literature and independent research component has been incorporated into the program for more able learners.

In Grade 12, students take a university preparation program that focuses on the skills they need for studying in an academic learning environment abroad. During this academic year, students complete personal statements for university applications and focus on writing standard college essays. Extended level students will have an opportunity to gain exposure to different types of literature commonly found in university level English classes such as poetry, novels, short stories, and drama.

In a small number of our centers with highly capable students, AP courses designed for native English speakers are offered.

Students’ skills and knowledge

Students enter the program with various levels of English proficiency, therefore the instructional pedagogy includes an awareness of these differences. English remediation is offered when necessary.

The university preparation program is designed to prepare Chinese students for studies in a western environment, who, without adequate preparation prior to attending, are often unfamiliar with the academic demands at university. The program addresses aims to ensure a smoother transition into western academic life.

Environmental Science

The AP Environmental Science course provides students with the scientific principles, concepts and methodologies required to:

• understand the inter-relationships of the natural world
• identify and analyze environmental problems
• evaluate risks and examine alternative solutions to resolve problems.

The course is science-based rather than humanities-based and is designed to be the equivalent of a first-year college science course. It focuses on fostering a deep and enduring conceptual understanding of the topics covered, spending time on inquiry-based learning to develop reasoning skills essential for further college study in all science disciplines.

Physics

We provide four AP Physics courses:

AP Physics 1 and 2

AP Physics 1 and 2 are introductory courses for students aiming to major in non-physics related subjects at college or university, i.e. other sciences or non-science subjects. Both courses have a strong focus on developing enduring conceptual understanding of physics and an inquiry-based approach to learning.

Students develop good critical thinking and reasoning skills to complement their usually very strong understanding of mathematical physics. Students do not need to take both AP Physics 1 and AP Physics 2. It is possible to take AP Physics 1 on its own or take AP Physics 1 followed by AP Physics C.

AP Physics 1 is:

• a first-semester introductory algebra-based college physics course
• equivalent to a first-semester freshman course taught at American universities and colleges
• a recommended prerequisite for AP Physics 2.

AP Physics 2:

• is a second-semester algebra-based college physics course
• is equivalent to a second semester freshman course
• requires students to complete a lab book detailing their lab-based work.

The pacing of both courses gives students time to develop an understanding of the knowledge needed to earn credit for an introductory algebra-based college physics course as well as focus on developing the lab and communication skills needed to be successful when attending college-level courses.

AP Physics C (Mechanics) and (Electricity and Magnetism)

The AP Physics C (Mechanics) course is normally taught in the first semester with the AP Physics C (Electricity and Magnetism) course taught in the second semester. They differ from AP Physics 1 and 2 as they are introductory courses for students aiming to major in physics or engineering-related subjects.

The pace of the courses is fast and focuses on developing an in-depth mathematical understanding of the topics covered as well as the lab skills and communication skills needed to be successful when attending college-level courses.

AP Physics 1 or an equivalent course is a necessary prerequisite for AP Physics C, in some instances it is recommended that students take both AP Physics 1 and 2 before taking AP Physics C.

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