Science

Prerequisite: 2 years of science including Biology
Grade Level: 11-12
Semesters: 1
Credits: 0.5

Students will be introduced to factors that influence animal behavior, including, but not limited to: learning, habitat, migration, aggression, communication, reproduction and social systems

Prerequisite: Honors Biology and Honors Chemistry; or Biology and Chemistry with a “B” or better in both
Grade Level: 11-12
Semesters: 2
Credits 1

Students will learn the concepts of Biology in an extended scope and breadth format. This course follows the College Board’s Advanced Placement curriculum and as such is extremely rigorous and fast paced. Students may receive college credit in Biology by qualifying on an examination administered by the College Entrance Examination Board. Summer work will be required to review essential skills in Biology and Chemistry.

Prerequisite: Honors Biology and Honors Chemistry; or Biology and Chemistry with a “B” or better in both
Grade Level: 11-12
Semesters: 2
Credits: 1

Students will explore advanced topics in Chemistry. This course follows the College Board’s Advanced Placement curriculum and as such is extremely rigorous and fast paced. Students may receive college credit in Chemistry by qualifying on an examination administered by the College Entrance Examination Board.

Prerequisite: Honors Biology and Honors Chemistry; or Biology and Chemistry with a “B” or better in both
Grade Level: 11-12
Semesters: 2
Credits: 1

Students will learn scientific principles, concepts, and methodologies required to understand the interrelationships of the natural world. This course follows the College Board’s Advanced Placement curriculum and as such is extremely rigorous and fast paced. Students may receive college credit by qualifying on an examination administered by the College Entrance Examination Board.

Prerequisite: Honors Biology, Honors Chemistry, and Advanced Algebra or Pre-Calculus AB – Pre-Calculus BC  or concurrent enrollment in Advanced Algebra or Pre-Calculus AB/BC
Grade Level: 11-12
Semesters: 2
Credits: 1

The course covers Newtonian mechanics (including rotational dynamics and angular momentum); work, energy, and power; mechanical waves and sound. It will also introduce electric circuits

Prerequisite: Honors Biology, Honors Chemistry, AP Physics 1 and AP Calculus BC or concurrent enrollment in AP Calculus BC
Grade Level: 12
Semesters: 2
Credits: 1

Students will increase their understanding of the physical world. AP Physics C: Mechanics is a calculus-based physics course that covers kinematics, dynamics, energy, momentum, rotation, gravitation and oscillation. AP Physics C: Electricity and Magnetism builds on the C: Mechanics with the addition of forces exerted on charged particles, electric and magnetic fields, electric circuits and their components, and the nature of electromagnetic radiation. This course follows the College Board’s Advanced Placement curriculum and as such is extremely rigorous and fast paced. This year-long course is equivalent to the first two semesters of the introductory physics sequence typically offered at colleges and universities. Students may receive college credit in Physics by qualifying on an AP Physics C: Mechanics examination and an AP Physics C: Electricity & Magnetism examination administered by the College Entrance Examination Board.

Prerequisite: Honors Biology, Honors Chemistry, AP Physics 1 and AP Calculus AB, AP Calculus BC or concurrent enrollment in AP Calculus AB/BC
Grade Level: 12
Semesters: 2
Credits: 1

Students will increase their understanding of the physical world. AP Physics C: Mechanics is a calculus-based physics course that covers kinematics, dynamics, energy, momentum, rotation, gravitation and oscillation. This course follows the College Board’s Advanced Placement curriculum and as such is extremely rigorous and fast paced. This year-long course is equivalent to the first semester of the introductory physics sequence typically offered at colleges and universities. Students may receive college credit in Physics by qualifying on an AP Physics C: Mechanics examination administered by the College Entrance Examination Board.

Prerequisite: A grade of “C” or better in Earth and Space Science or Chemistry
Grade Level: 11-12
Semesters: 2
Credits: 1

Astronomy offers students the opportunity to study the solar system, stars, galaxies, and interstellar bodies. This course introduces the use of astronomic instruments and explores theories regarding the origin and evolution of the universe, space, and time.

Prerequisite: Departmental placement based on EXPLORE scores and teacher recommendations.
Grade Level: 9
Semesters: 2
Credits 1

This lab-based course will build upon students’ understanding of life and its processes. Students in Biology will focus on the key concepts of structures and their processes, ecosystems and their interactions, heredity, and diversity. To demonstrate their understanding students will utilize the practices of science and engineering. Although the scope of this course is the same as Biology (Academic), the instructional approaches will be geared toward remediating critical thinking, data interpretation and analysis, and writing skills.

Prerequisite: None
Grade Level: 9
Semesters: 2
Credits 1

This lab-based course will build upon students’ understanding of life and its processes. Students in Biology will focus on the key concepts of structures and their processes, ecosystems and their interactions, heredity, and diversity. To demonstrate their understanding students will utilize the practices of science and engineering. This course will emphasize critical thinking, data interpretation and analysis, and writing skills.

Prerequisite: Biology and Math 1 with a “C” or better
Grade Level: 10-12
Semesters: 2
Credits: 1

This lab-based course will build upon students’ understanding of the physical sciences. Students in Chemistry will focus on the key concepts of matter and its interactions, conservation of energy, thermal energy, and waves and their applications. These key concepts will be learned through the use of the science and engineering practices. Academic Chemistry is a college-preparatory course that will emphasize how to properly plan and conduct investigations, interpret and analyze data, use mathematical and computational thinking, and write evidence-based conclusions.

Prerequisite: Successful completion of 2 years of Science
Grade Level: 11-12
Semesters: 2
Credits: 1

Earth and Space Science introduces students to the study of the earth from a local and global perspective. Students will learn about time zones, latitude and longitude, atmosphere, weather, climate, matter, and energy transfer. To enhance the learning of the described topics, teachers will use computer visualization and computer modeling that help to demonstrate Earth is a complex and changing planet.

Prerequisite: 2 years of science including Biology
Grade Level: 11-12
Semesters: 1
Credits: 0.5

Students will learn the principles of ecology conservation with a focus on individual responsibility. Topics include pollution, population impacts and adaptations of animals and plants.

Prerequisite: 2 years of science
Grade Level: 11-12
Semesters: 2
Credits: 1

Students will study the earth’s materials and the natural forces that make earth a dynamic planet. This course also addresses the role of geology in the contemporary world (i.e. energy exploration, economics of resources, and geological events.) Specific topics of study are minerals, rocks, volcanism, erosion, landforms, and historical principles of geology.

Prerequisite: Departmental placement based on EXPLORE scores and teacher recommendations.
Grade Level: 9
Semesters: 2
Credits:1

This lab-based course will build upon students’ understanding of life and its processes. Students in Biology will focus on the key concepts of structures and their processes, ecosystems and their interactions, heredity, and diversity. To demonstrate their understanding students will utilize the practices of science and engineering. This course has additional curriculum to challenge students to think critically, interpret and analyze data, and write evidence-based conclusions.

Prerequisite: Honors Biology and Honors Math 1 with a “C” or better
Grade Level: 10-12
Semesters: 2
Credits: 1

This lab-based course will build upon students’ understanding of the physical sciences. Students in Chemistry will focus on the key concepts of matter and its interactions, conservation of energy, thermal energy, and waves and their applications. These key concepts will be learned through the use of the science and engineering practices. Honors Chemistry is an enriched college-preparatory course that will challenge students to plan, conduct, and evaluate investigations, interpret and analyze data, and construct evidence-based explanations.

Prerequisite: Honors Biology and Honors Chemistry; or Biology and Chemistry with a “B” or better in both
Grade Level: 11-12
Semesters: 2
Credits: 1

Students will participate in a rigorous and detailed study of the structure, function and various pathological conditions found in the human body. This course emphasizes some independent learning and laboratory specimens. Many of the learning experiences are geared toward students interested in medical or other science-related careers

Prerequisite: Biology and Chemistry
Grade Level: 11-12
Semesters: 2
Credits: 1

Students will participate in a detailed study of the structure, function, and various pathological conditions found in the human body. Analogies will be made to other vertebrates where applicable in the laboratory. Students should be prepared to dissect preserved specimens. This course is designed for all students interested in pursuing medically oriented or health careers.

Prerequisite: None
Grade Level: 10-12
Semesters: 2
Credits: 1

Students will acquire and enhance their skills in three main areas: Science Literacy, Data Analysis, and Algebra through opportunities to develop and use models, plan and carry out investigations, and construct arguments in physics and chemistry content found in the Next Generation Science Standards including Matter, Motion, and Forces, Energy, and Waves. These essential skills are foundational for student in their future science electives

Prerequisite: 2 years of science and math
Grade Level: 11-12
Semesters: 2
Credits: 1

This lab-based course will further build upon students’ understanding of the physical sciences. Students in Physics will focus on the key concepts of forces and their interactions, forms of energy, currents, circuits, as well as waves and their applications. Students will demonstrate their understanding of these key concepts through the use of the science and engineering practices. Academic Physics is a college-preparatory course that will deepen students’ ability to plan, conduct, and evaluate investigations, develop and use models, interpret and analyze data, and construct evidence-based explanations.