AP Calculus BC
Advanced Calculus: From Series to Vectors
Extends Calculus AB to include sequences, series, and polar coordinates.
Academic Level
College-Level
Subject Area
Math & CS
Course Rigor
Advanced
Governed By
College Board
Course Overview
What You Will Learn
Mastery of derivatives, integrals, and power series for complex and parametric functions.
Course Overview
Why Choose This AP Course
The most advanced high school math course, providing significant college credit and engineering prep.
Critical Thinking
Technical Skills
Problem Solving
Academic Growth
Colaboration
Career Readiness
Prerequisites
Deductive Reasoning
Proof-based thinking
Required
Precalculus
Foundational math
Required
Grit
Handling complex problem sets
Recommended
AP Calculus AB
Covers first 8 units
Recommended
Key Learning Outcomes
Analyze polar functions
Use Taylor and Maclaurin series
Evaluate vector functions
Understand limits and continuity
Solve complex derivatives
Apply advanced integration
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Course Framework
Structure & Assessment
Units 1–10 covering AB topics plus BC topics
1
45 multiple-choice questions (105 mins)
2
6 free-response questions (90 mins)
3
High computational intensity
4
Duration
Full academic year
Scoring
AP scale 1–5
Grading Basis
Calculator and Non-calculator sections
Strategies for Success
Syllabus
You'll start to explore how limits will allow you to solve problems involving change and to better understand mathematical reasoning about functions.
Unit 1
Limits and Continuity
You'll explore convergence and divergence behaviors of infinite series and learn how to represent familiar functions as infinite series. You'll also learn how to determine the largest possible error associated with certain approximations involving series.
Unit 10
Infinite Sequences and Series
You'll apply limits to define the derivative, become skillful at determining derivatives, and continue to develop mathematical reasoning skills.
Unit 2
Differentiation: Definition and Fundamental Properties
You'll master using the chain rule, develop new differentiation techniques, and be introduced to higher-order derivatives.
Unit 3
Differentiation: Composite, Implicit, and Inverse Functions
You'll apply derivatives to set up and solve real-world problems involving instantaneous rates of change and use mathematical reasoning to determine limits of certain indeterminate forms.
Unit 4
Contextual Applications of Differentiation
After exploring relationships among the graphs of a function and its derivatives, you'll learn to apply calculus to solve optimization problems.
Unit 5
Analytical Applications of Differentiation
You'll learn to apply limits to define definite integrals and how the Fundamental Theorem connects integration and differentiation. You'll apply properties of integrals and practice useful integration techniques.
Unit 6
Integration and Accumulation of Change
You'll learn how to solve certain differential equations and apply that knowledge to deepen your understanding of exponential growth and decay and logistic models.
Unit 7
Differential Equations
You'll make mathematical connections that will allow you to solve a wide range of problems involving net change over an interval of time and to find lengths of curves, areas of regions, or volumes of solids defined using functions.
Unit 8
Applications of Integration
You'll solve parametrically defined functions, vector-valued functions, and polar curves using applied knowledge of differentiation and integration. You'll also deepen your understanding of straight-line motion to solve problems involving curves.
Unit 9
Parametric Equations, Polar Coordinates, and Vector-Valued Functions
Strategies for Success
Study & Success Tips
Analyze polar functions
Tip 4
Use Taylor and Maclaurin series
Tip 3
Apply advanced integration
Tip 2
Solve complex derivatives
Tip 1
Understand limits and continuity
Tip 6
Evaluate vector functions
Tip 5
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