Science
The Curriculum Content Standards for Science reflect the belief that all students can and must learn enough science to assume their role as concerned citizens, equipped with basic information and decision-making skills.
The best way for students to learn science by doing science. Science is not merely a collection of facts and theories but a process, a way of thinking about and investigating the world in which we live.
Science Course Offerings 2012-2013
BIOLOGY
Full Year Grade 9-12 5 credits
This Biology lab and lecture course consists of a basic introductory program that will lead to a greater understanding of the biological sciences. Included in this program is a study of molecular biology; living organisms; cell structure and function; the inheritance of traits; gene and chromosome changes; evidence of evolution; mechanisms of change; viruses, bacteria, protists; plants, vertebrates, invertebrates, and ecological concepts.
HONORS BIOLOGY
Full Year Grade 9-10 5 credits
Prerequisite: At least five of the six following criteria must be met at the conclusion of grade 8 science: final grade (90 or higher), mid-term exam (80 or higher), final exam (80 or higher), benchmark assessments (70% of total score), and teacher recommendation.
The Honors Biology lab and lecture course is an intensified and accelerated program designed for those students who plan to take the maximum number of units of science in high school. The students will study the interaction of organisms, the genetic code, (and its implications), basic features of comparative reproduction, genetic continuity, energy utilization, and regulation and coordination of systems.
ADVANCED PLACEMENT BIOLOGY
Full Year Grade 11-12 5 credits
Prerequisite: Biology and Chemistry. Recommendation of previous science teacher needed.
The Advanced Placement Biology lab and lecture course consists of an intensive study of cells, information coding and transfer, the diversity of organisms, animal biology, plant biology, as well as ecology and evolution. This course is designed for the highly motivated and capable student who plans to enter a collegiate program developed to train him/her for entrance into any of the fields of applied biology (public health, sanitary science, medicine, dentistry, veterinary medicine, industrial research and development, and in federal, state, and local civil service) or to engage in graduate work — bacteriology, biochemistry, botany, physiology, and zoology. The serious study of this course should enable students who feel comfortable in their knowledge of the course, to take the advanced placement exam.
CONCEPTUAL CHEMISTRY
Full Year Grade 10-12 5 credits
Prerequisite: Successful completion of one year of science. Recommendation of previous science teacher needed.
This Chemistry course consists of a basic introductory program, intended for non-science and general education majors that will lead to a greater understanding of chemistry. Included in this program is the consideration of measurements in chemistry, problem solving, matter and its changes, formula writing, atomic structure, the Periodic Law, chemical bonds, stoichiometric relations, gas laws, solutions and ionization theory.
CHEMISTRY
Full Year Grade 10-12 5 credits
Prerequisite: Successful Completion of Algebra 1 and Academic Biology or Honors Biology. Recommendation of previous science teacher needed and average to excellent grades in previous science and math courses.
Students study the composition of matter and the changes it undergoes in the formation of new products. Lectures, projects, and labs emphasize basic principles and laws, modern atomic theories, formula writing, stoichiometric relations, chemical calculations, and properties of the elements and their compounds. Emphasis is placed on problem solving, inquiry lab work and laboratory reports.
HONORS CHEMISTRY
Full Year Grade 10-12 5 credits
Prerequisite: Recommendation of previous science teacher needed, completion of Algebra 1 (with excellent grades, and Algebra 2 completed or taken concurrently).
The Honors Chemistry course is intended for science oriented students who plan on taking the maximum number of units of science in high school. The course is very demanding and students should be of very high academic ability. The topics range from the purely theoretical to the descriptive. The scope of this class is considerably more than that of academic chemistry. The course is rapidly paced and problem solving is stressed throughout. The laboratory work is closely aligned with the lecture material.
ADVANCED PLACEMENT CHEMISTRY
Full Year Grade 11-12 5 credits
Prerequisite: Chemistry, Biology, and Physics (Biology or Physics may be taken concurrently), completion of Algebra 2 or Honors Algebra 2; Recommendation of science teacher is needed.
This is an advanced course in theoretical and practical chemistry for able students who took a first year Academic or Honors chemistry course. The serious study of this course will enable students to take the Chemistry Advanced Placement Exam. This is a college-level course and includes review topics, kinetics, equilibrium, electro-chemistry, thermodynamics, quantum mechanics, descriptive chemistry, and some organic chemistry. Laboratory investigations which are coupled with lecture concepts will be performed.
CONCEPTUAL PHYSICS
Full Year Grade 11-12 5 credits
Prerequisite: Algebra 1 and recommendation of science teacher. (Pre-Algebra is not sufficient.)
This Physics lab and lecture course consists of basic introductory program that will lead to greater understanding of how mathematical models are used to describe the physical universe. This course is designed for the following students: those who have taken Algebra 1 and have earned at least a C; students who might not go to college or have not made a decision about college yet; and students who are going to college but have experienced some difficulties in math. It is important to note that needed math concepts will be reviewed and explained. The following areas will be addressed: concepts of motion and classical mechanics, energy forms, wave mechanics, optics, light and electricity.
PHYSICS
Full Year Grade 11-12 5 credits
Prerequisite: Academic Biology; completion of, or currently enrolled in Algebra 2.
It is also strongly recommended that the student should have above average grades in Geometry and Algebra 1.Recommended for students who plan to major in science or engineering in college. This is a lab and lecture course that meets six periods per week. This foundational physics course will give students an understanding of the physical laws governing force and motion, heat, waves, electricity, and optics.
HONORS PHYSICS
Full Year Grade 11-12 5 credits
Prerequisite: Honors Biology and Honors Chemistry. Recommendation of previous science teacher needed; completion of, or currently enrolled in Trigonometry or Precalculus.
The honors physics course is intended for science oriented students who plan on taking the maximum number of science units in high school. This rigorous inquiry oriented high school physics lab course is quite demanding and rapidly paced. Problem solving is stressed. Using an applied mathematical approach, students will be taught fundamental concepts of motion, mechanics, fluid statics, fluid dynamics, thermodynamics, sound, light, wave motion, electricity, magnetism, and electromagnetic radiation.
ADVANCED PLACEMENT PHYSICS
Full Year Grade 11-12 5 credits
Prerequisite: Physics (academic or honors), Trigonometry, Biology, Chemistry, (Biology or Chemistry may be taken concurrently.); completion of, or currently enrolled in Calculus.
The second year physics program is intended to strengthen the background obtained by students who took the first year physics course. This course is taught at an accelerated pace in order to strictly follow the national advanced placement physics curriculum. Upon completion of this course students are expected to take the
Physics ― advanced placement exam. Recommendation of science teacher is needed.
ADVANCED PLACEMENT PHYSICS B
Full Year Grade 11-12 5 credits
An Advanced Placement science course that is divided into nine different sections: Newtonian Mechanics, Electricity and Magnetism, Fluid Mechanics and Thermal Physics, Waves and Optics, and Atomic and Nuclear Physics. The course is equivalent to a one-year college course that includes a laboratory component. The course is non calculus based and only involves algebra and basic trigonometry to solve various physics problems. It is supposed to be equivalent to an introductory college course in physics.
This course can help prepare students for the SAT Subject Test in Physics which is also administered by College Board.
ADVANCED PLACEMENT PHYSICS C: MECHANICS
Full Year Grade 11-12 5 credits
This course studies Newtonian mechanics. Methods of calculus are used wherever appropriate in formulating physical principles and in applying them to physical problems which is why most schools recommend that the student have completed or be concurrently enrolled in a calculus class. It is supposed to be equivalent to an introductory college course in mechanics for physics or engineering majors. This course, taken along with courses covering other areas, such as Electricity and Magnetism, Waves, Thermodynamics, and Modern Physics can help prepare students for the SAT Subject Test in Physics, also administered by College Board.
ADVANCED PLACEMENT PHYSICS C: ELECTRICITY AND MAGNETISM
Full Year Grade 11-12 5 credits
This course studies electricity and magnetism. Methods of calculus are used wherever appropriate in formulating physical principles and in applying them to physical problems. It is supposed to be equivalent to an introductory college course in electricity and magnetism for physics majors. This course, taken along with courses covering other areas, such as Mechanics, Waves, Thermodynamics, and Modern Physics can help prepare students for the SAT Subject Test in Physics, also administered by College Board.