AP Calculus is an advanced placement course that introduces high school students to the concepts of calculus, which is a branch of mathematics focused on change and motion. The course typically covers two main areas: differential calculus, which deals with rates of change and slopes of curves, and integral calculus, which focuses on the accumulation of quantities and areas under curves. Students who take AP Calculus can earn college credit by passing the AP Calculus exam, which is offered in two levels: AP Calculus AB and AP Calculus BC. The AB level covers fundamental concepts, while the BC level includes additional topics such as parametric equations and polar coordinates.