Advanced Placement Calculus BC is the hardest math class offered at Pennridge, even harder than Calculus Three (the next class in sequence), according to Tammy Rissmiller. Rissmiller, who has taught at Pennridge for over 30 years, teaches AP Calculus BC, Calculus III, and AP Statistics. Lexi Steen, a student in one of Rissmiller’s two BC classes this year, said, “I took Calc BC because I like math and I thought it would look good for college… It’s a good environment. Mrs. Riss is really nice, and the class isn’t too much pressure.” Steen will also be taking Calculus III with Rissmiller during the second semester.
According to the College Board, AP Calculus BC has 10 units and covers many of the mathematical principles in AP Calculus AB while also building upon them. The class helps students prepare for further study in mathematics and other disciplines, such as engineering, computer science, or economics. Calculus also has applications in physics, medicine, biology, and environmental science, according to study.com. Rissmiller says students should choose to take the class “because they want to be a STEM major and know they need more calculus.” Steen is an example of a student who fits the description. “I want to major in biochemistry and eventually do biochemical research,” she remarked. However, Rissmiller stressed that “A lot of majors don’t require this information. You shouldn’t be taking this class for AP credit. Take other AP classes to just get A’s.” For students who can take advantage of the material, though, she says the class is extremely helpful, and that it’s difficult to take the course with a professor in a short period of time. “It’s much better to get it here, take the test, and be able to skip that class. [Students should] take advantage of that. An infinite series from a professor is much harder to learn.” Regarding the matter, Steen said, “I think it will help to not to have to learn the content in college.” Many top colleges accept a 5 on the AP exam for college credit. Some that don’t allow exam scores to be used for advanced course placement.
Rissmiller says her favorite math class to teach is AP Statistics, because students “can apply every single thing in stat to the real world. Calc BC is a very selective course,” she said. “Everybody should take stat, not everybody should take BC.” Despite the class’s difficulty, Rissmiller tries to make it fun and manageable for students. “I try to read the room in terms of how everyone’s feeling and adjust my pace accordingly. I tend to know where your issues are going to be when we get there and find strategies to help with them. I’ve been doing this for a long time. I try to make it fun as well as provide brain breaks.” Steen commented, “It’s a little harder [than other math classes] since it’s a higher level, but it’s not too bad.” She also noted that the class’s pacing is definitely manageable, with a month at the end of the course to review for the exam. With her final remarks, Rissmiller said, “Having the perspective of being one of you guys helps teach higher-level students, knowing I was crazy motivated to take higher-level stuff when I was in high school. I’m a nerd, you all are nerds, and yeah.”
Sources:
https://apstudents.collegeboard.org/courses/ap-calculus-bc
https://study.com/academy/lesson/practical-applications-of-calculus.html#:~:text=Calculus%20is%20applied%20in%20many,business%2C%20meteorology%2C%20and%20music
