Science

Prerequisite: 1 year of Science, preferably Biology
Grade Level: 10-12
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: Successful completion of Biology and Chemistry, or preferably Honors Biology and Honors Chemistry.
Grade Level: 11-12
Semesters: 2
Credits 1

AP Biology is an introductory college-level biology course, where students investigate core scientific principles, theories, and processes that govern living organisms and biological systems. Students cultivate their understanding of biology through inquiry-based investigations as they explore topics like evolution, energetics and communication, cellular processes, information storage and transfer, genetics, and system interactions.  Summer work may be required to review essential skills in Biology and Chemistry.

Prerequisite:  Successful completion of Biology, Chemistry, and Math 2, or preferably Honors Biology, Honors Chemistry, and Honors Math 2.
Grade Level: 11-12
Semesters: 2
Credits: 1

AP Chemistry explores the four Big Ideas: scale, proportion, and quantity; structure and properties of substances; transformations; and energy, providing students with a college-level foundation to support future advanced coursework in chemistry. Students cultivate their understanding of chemistry through inquiry-based investigations, as they explore content such as atomic structure, intermolecular forces and bonding, chemical reactions, kinetics, thermodynamics, and equilibrium.

Prerequisite: Successful completion of Biology, Chemistry, and Math 2, or preferably Honors Biology, Honors Chemistry, and Honors Math 2.

Grade Level: 11-12
Semesters: 2
Credits: 1

The AP Environmental Science course is designed to be the equivalent of a one-semester, introductory college course in environmental science, through which students engage with the scientific principles, concepts, and methodologies required to understand the interrelationships within the natural world. The course requires that students identify and analyze natural and human-made environmental problems, evaluate the relative risks associated with these problems, and examine alternative solutions for resolving or preventing them.  Environmental science is interdisciplinary, embracing topics from geology, biology, environmental studies, environmental science, chemistry, and geography.

Prerequisite: Honors Math 3 concurrent or higher & successfully completed two prior Science courses
Grade Level: 11-12
Semesters: 2
Credits: 1

AP Physics 1 is an algebra-based, introductory college-level physics course. Students cultivate their understanding of physics through inquiry-based investigations as they explore these topics: kinematics, dynamics, circular motion and gravitation, energy, momentum, simple harmonic motion, torque, and rotational motion.

Prerequisite: Successful completion of AP Physics 1 and at least concurrent enrollment in AP Calculus BC.
Grade Level: 12
Semesters: 2
Credits: 1

AP Physics C: Mechanics is a calculus-based, college-level physics course. It covers kinematics; Newton’s laws of motion; work, energy, and power; systems of particles and linear momentum; circular motion and rotation; oscillations; and gravitation.

 AP Physics C: Electricity and Magnetism is a calculus-based, college-level physics course, especially appropriate for students planning to specialize or major in physical science or engineering. The course explores topics such as electrostatics; conductors, capacitors, and dielectrics; electric circuits; magnetic fields; and electromagnetism. Introductory differential and integral calculus is used throughout the course.

Prerequisite: Successful completion of AP Physics 1 at least concurrent enrollment of AP Calculus AB.
Grade Level: 12
Semesters: 2
Credits: 1

AP Physics C: Mechanics is based on a one semester, calculus-based, college-level physics course.  This class is especially appropriate for students planning to specialize or major in one of the physical sciences or engineering. Students cultivate their understanding of physics through classroom study and activities as well as hands-on laboratory work as they explore concepts like change, force interactions, fields, and conservation. It covers kinematics; Newton’s laws of motion; work, energy, and power; systems of particles and linear momentum; circular motion and rotation; oscillations; and gravitation.

Prerequisite: Successful completion of two years of Science classes, and Math 2
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: None
Grade Level: 9
Semesters: 2
Credits 1

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

Prerequisite: Successful completion of Biology and Math 1
Grade Level: 10-12
Semesters: 2
Credits: 1

Students in Chemistry will focus on the key concepts of matter and its interactions, including energy within chemical bonding, chemical reactions, and nuclear chemistry. This course will also incorporate interactions of matter including states of matter behaviors, atomic structure, stoichiometry, and periodic properties.  Chemistry is a college-preparatory course where students will interpret and analyze data as well as use mathematical and computational thinking.  The course consistently relies on the student’s ability to problem-solve conceptually and mathematically.

Prerequisite: 1 year of Science
Grade Level: 10 -12
Semesters: 2
Credits: 1

Earth and Space Science introduces students to the study of the Earth from a local, global, and astronomical perspective. Students will learn about the processes that drive and shape our planet and beyond.  Topics of study include, but are not limited to, mapping, meteorology, geology, and astronomy.

Prerequisite: 1 year of science, preferably Biology
Grade Level: 10 -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, energy resources, and local ecology with a focus on local wildlife.

Prerequisite: Successful completion of 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 the earth a dynamic planet. This course also addresses the role of geology in the contemporary world (i.e. energy exploration, the economics of resources, and geological events.) Specific topics of study are minerals, rocks, volcanism, erosion, landforms, and historical principles of geology.

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

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

Prerequisite: Successful completion of 1 year of Science and Math 1, preferably Honors Biology and Honors Math 1.
Semesters: 2

Grade Level: 10-12
Credits: 1

This lab-based course will build upon students’ understanding of the physical sciences by integrating algebraic manipulation and application skills throughout the course. Students in Honors 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 science and engineering practices. Honors Chemistry is a course that will challenge students to plan, conduct, and evaluate investigations, interpret and analyze data, and construct evidence-based explanations

Prerequisite: Successful completion of Honors Biology and Honors Chemistry, or concurrent Chemistry enrollment, or preferably Honors Biology and Honors Chemistry, or concurrent Honors Chemistry enrollment.
Grade Level: 10-12
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 dissections. Many of the learning experiences are geared toward students interested in medical or other science-related careers.

Prerequisite: Successful completion of Biology and Chemistry or concurrent Chemistry enrollment
Grade Level: 10-12
Semesters: 2
Credits: 1

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

Prerequisite: 1 year of Science
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 students in their future science electives

Prerequisite: Successful completion of 2 years of Science and Math, preferably including Chemistry.

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, and circuits, as well as waves and their applications. Students will demonstrate their understanding of these key concepts through the use of 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.