Science

The Science Department believes that students should be scientifically literate as they prepare to
enter college or the workplace. The department also believes that students should have the
ability to reason scientifically as it provides a conceptual framework for understanding natural
phenomena and their cause and effects.

Course #0411              Natural Science
Prerequisite: None
Grade level: 9                                  Course length: two semesters                        Course credit: 1
Natural Science is a lab science course focused on the processes of scientific inquiry and the fundamental concepts of the biological, physical, and earth/space sciences.  The goal of natural science is to provide the student with hands-on, interactive opportunities that form a foundation of scientific knowledge, understanding, and skills necessary to succeed in today’s technological society.

Course #0412              Earth Science
Prerequisite: None
Grade level: 9, 10, 11, 12                Course length: two semesters                        Course credit: 1
Earth science focuses on the planet Earth and its relationship to its inhabitants.  This laboratory course includes studies in the following areas: minerals and rocks, cartography, seismology, volcanology, geomorphology, astronomy, paleontology, meteorology, climatology and oceanography.

Course #0474              Honors Earth Science
Prerequisite: Department approval
Grade level: 9, 10, 11, 12                Course length: two semesters                        Course credit: 1
This accelerated course is designed for the college bound student or those that have a high interest in the geological sciences.  The course will be an in-depth study of many of the same subjects in Earth Science.  Emphasis will be on learning and using many current geologic concepts for problem solving and developing critical thinking skills.

Course #0413              Biology
Prerequisite: None
Grade level: 9, 10, 11, 12                Course length: two semesters                        Course credit: 1
Biology is the study of life.  Students in this course will achieve a greater understanding of the natural processes that drive living organisms.  Topics covered in this course include, but are not limited to: scientific inquiry, ecology, biochemistry, cell biology, genetics, evolution, microorganisms, plants, animals and human biology.  This laboratory-based course emphasizes the importance of critical thinking, scientific inquiry, experimental design and problem-solving.

Course #0470              Honors Biology
Prerequisite: Department approval
Grade level: 9, 10, 11                      Course length: two semesters                        Course credit: 1
This accelerated course is designed for scientifically talented students.  This course includes the following topics: cellular processes, life functions, a survey of organisms (plants, animals, bacteria, etc.), and a survey of the human body systems and ecology.  This course will prepare students for Advanced Placement Biology and Honors Human Anatomy and Physiology.

Course #0414              Chemistry
Prerequisite: Biology, Honors Biology, Earth Science, Honors Earth Science and Algebra
Grade level: 10, 11, 12                    Course length: two semesters                        Course credit: 1
Chemistry is a laboratory course with both a theoretical and problem solving emphasis involving both the qualitative and quantitative study of matter.  Topics and activities include metric measuring, determining chemical vs. physical changes, chemical formula writing and balancing equations, atomic structure, atomic theory and the periodic table, chemical bonding, energy and chemical changes, chemical equilibrium, acids and bases, and electrochemistry.

Course #0471              Honors Chemistry
Prerequisite: Biology or Earth Science, Algebra and department approval
Grade level: 10, 11, 12                    Course length: two semesters                        Course credit: 1
This is an accelerated course with topics similar to Chemistry, but covered with more depth and greater emphasis on mathematical concepts and their applications to these topics.

Course #0416              Astronomy
Prerequisite: Algebra and Geometry
Grade level: 11, 12                          Course length: one semester                        Course credit: .5
This course will involve students in the study of the solar system and universe.  Areas of study include motions, properties, and evolution of the sun, planets, stars, galaxies and universe; the properties of electromagnetic radiation; and astronomical instruments. 

Course #0417              Environmental Science
Prerequisite: 2 years of a lab science
Grade level: 11, 12                          Course length: one semester                        Course credit: .5
This course is an overview of the structure and function of biological, hydrological and atmospheric systems.  Topics of study include soil and water analysis, biodiversity, pollution, renewable and nonrenewable resources as well as the dynamic between the ocean and atmosphere.  Human impact on these systems will be analyzed.

Course #0415              Physics
Prerequisite: Biology or Earth Science, Algebra and Geometry
(Algebra II is recommended)
Grade level: 11, 12                          Course length: two semesters                        Course credit: 1
This course is designed to investigate matter, energy and the relation between matter and energy.  Topics include mechanics, heat, waves, electricity and magnetism, and nuclear physics.  Laboratory work emphasizes data collection and analysis in scientific experiments.

Course #0472              Honors Physics
Prerequisite: Biology, Honors Biology, Earth Science or Honors Earth Science, Algebra, Geometry, and department approval - (Algebra II is recommended)
Grade level: 11, 12                          Course length: two semesters                        Course credit: 1
This course is designed to investigate matter, energy and the relation between matter and energy with a strong emphasis on theory.

Course #0473              Honors Human Anatomy & Physiology
Prerequisite: Biology and department approval (Chemistry is recommended)
Grade level: 11, 12                          Course length: two semesters                        Course credit: 1
Students will learn about both normal and abnormal human anatomy (structure) and physiology (function). The course includes a study of cells, tissues, organs, organ systems, and the human body as a functioning organism.

Course #0480              Advanced Placement Biology
Prerequisite: Biology, Chemistry and department approval
Grade level: 11, 12                          Course length: two semesters                        Course credit: 1
This course is designed for students who wish to pursue careers in life science, medicine, agriculture and a range of other disciplines.  This course is taught at a significantly higher level than regular biology and college credit may be earned by taking the College Board exam.  The major areas of concentration are the cellular basis of life, principles of inheritance, principles of evolution, plant structure and function, animal structure and function, and ecology and behavior.  This class will meet for one and a half class periods per day.

Course #0481              Advanced Placement Chemistry
Prerequisite: Biology, Chemistry and department approval
Grade level: 11, 12                          Course length: two semesters                        Course credit: 1
The AP Chemistry course is designed to be the equivalent of the general college chemistry course.  Students in this course will attain a deep understanding of fundamentals and a competence in dealing with chemical problems. The topics covered include an emphasis on chemical calculations and the mathematical formulation of chemistry principles.  This course is taught at a significantly higher level than chemistry and college credit may be earned by taking the College Board exam.  This class will meet for one and a half class periods per day.