Courses of Study
Here are some recommendations for what the faculty suggests you take here at ASMSA to prepare you for different majors in college. We recommend that you take as many of these courses as possible given your home school preparation. Concurrent-credit courses are in italics; courses marked with an asterisk (*) are ASMSA requirements that will still be beneficial in the specific career track. Expand the sections to see our recommendations.
Architecture
Engineering Capstone
Drawing 1, 2
2D Design and/or 3D Design
College Physics 1
Calculus 1 or Statistics
Biology - Biomedical
Life Science Capstone
Science of Biology 1, 2
Anatomy & Physiology 1, 2
Chemistry for Scientists & Engineers 1, 2
College Physics 1, 2
Calculus 1 or Statistics
Microbiology
Biology - Organismal
Research in the Park Capstone
Science of Biology 1, 2
Chemistry for Scientists & Engineers 1, 2
College Physics 1, 2
Calculus 1 or Statistics
Botany
Zoology
Ecology
Chemistry or Chemical Engineering
Physical Science Capstone
Chemistry for Scientists & Engineers 1, 2
Physics for Scientists & Engineers 1, 2
Calculus 1, 2
Analytical Chemistry
Organic Chemistry
Biochemistry
Communications, Media, or Information Sciences
Creative Writing Capstone
English Composition I* and English Composition II*
1-2 Literature/Humanities Electives (suggested: Philosophy in Literature, British Novel, African-American Literature, and/or Ancient Greek Literature)
Journalism / Yearbook
Available courses in Film, Graphic Design, or Photography
Computer Science or Information Tech
Computer Science Capstone
Programming 1, 2, 3
Chemistry for Scientists & Engineers 1
College Physics 1 or PS & E 1 - check which your intended colleges require
Calculus 1
Game Programming
Web Application Development
Graphics Programming
Education / Teaching
English Composition I* and II*
Psychology
Statistics
Fine Arts Electives (preferably one in visual art and another in music that is not a performing ensemble)
One to three courses (electives or applicable requirements) in a specific field of interest
Earth Science
Research in the Park Capstone
Chemistry for Scientists & Engineers 1, 2
College Physics 1,2 or PS & E 1,2 - check which your intended colleges require
Calculus 1
Earth Systems Science
Oceanography
Environmental Science
English Literature or other Literature Studies
Humanities Capstone or Creative Writing Capstone
English Composition I* and II*
2-3 Literature Courses
History
Humanities Capstone
US History and World History, if not taken at previous school
American Studies
At least one additional History and one additional Literature elective, particularly historical literature courses
Languages / Linguistics
Humanities Capstone
Two levels of language (French, Spanish, Japanese)
An additional language if desired and if practical
Sociology and/or Psychology
Speech* (if not already taken)
Mathematics
Math Capstone
Calculus 1, 2, 3
Chemistry for Scientists & Engineers 1
Physics for Scientists & Engineers 1
Differential Equations
Linear Algebra
Mechanical, Electrical, or other Engineering
Engineering Capstone
Chemistry for Scientists & Engineers 1, 2
Physics for Scientists & Engineers 1, 2
Calculus 1, 2
Circuits 1, 2
Music
Students interested in majoring in music performance, music composition, or music education are suggested to take the following classes:
Ensemble experience (Wind Ensemble, String Ensemble, and/or Choir) throughout the duration of ASMSA attendance
Music Theory I and (optionally) Music Theory II
At least one of the following: World Music, Music History and Literature, or other music-topics course
Applied Lessons
Music Capstone / Studio Class
In addition, students interested in the following specific music career fields should consider the following:
Music Therapy: Psychology, Anatomy and Physiology 1 or Science of Biology
Music Technology: Computer Science I/II and/or Circuits I/II; math through at least Calculus I; Musical Acoustics or Folk Music and Acoustics, if offered; Introduction to Music Technology, if offered
Music Business: Speech* or Debate, Economics,
Further, students are strongly encouraged to pursue summer opportunities (Camps - from UCA to Interlochen or Brevard; residencies/workshops or lessons with regionally-prominent teachers; AGS, etc) and to begin those applications in November or December of their first year at ASMSA or when appropriate for the program at hand.
Physics or Astronomy
Physical Science Capstone
Chemistry for Scientists & Engineers 1, 2
Physics for Scientists & Engineers 1, 2
Calculus 1, 2, 3
Astronomy
Differential Equations
Modern Physics
Political Science / Pre-Law / Government
Humanities Capstone or Mathematics Capstone (for data science/study)
US Government*, US History II*
American Studies
Sociology
Speech*
Debate, if offered
One additional history / humanities elective
Psychology or Social Science
Math Capstone (for quantitative or data studies) or Humanities Capstone (for qualitative research, particularly in Sociology, Anthropology, or other social science humanities fields)
Psychology
Sociology
Science of Biology or Biological Science
Anatomy & Physiology
Statistics
Humanities elective - suggested: Introduction to Philosophy, Philosophy in Literature
Visual Arts
Students interested in majoring in the visual arts should take the suggested course of study in the Art POD. The Art POD curriculum is below
2D Design
3D Design
Drawing I
Painting I
Humanities through the Arts
Senior Studio
Electives (two, minimum) to be chosen from:
Ceramics I (Ceramic Sculpture)
Ceramics II (Wheel-Thrown Ceramics)
Modern Design
Graphic Design
Digital Art
Digital Photography
Writing
Creative Writing Capstone
English Composition I* and English Composition II*
2-3 Literature/Humanities Electives (suggested: Philosophy in Literature, British Novel, African-American Literature, and/or Ancient Greek Literature)
Journalism / Yearbook