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Science Department |
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Agriculture Science I
Agriscience is a laboratory
science course that prepares students for biology, subsequent science courses
and postsecondary pursuits. The content area includes ecology, biological
processes, sexual and asexual reproduction, and a study of the chemical and
physical laws that govern life processes. This course helps students understand
the important role agricultural science serves as industry moves into the 21st
century.
Astronomy
Prerequisites:
Physical Science, Biology I, and Chemistry I
Physical Science
Physical
Science is a laboratory course that explores the relationship between matter and
energy. Students, through an inquiry approach integrated with appropriate
algebra-based mathematics, explore concepts including mathematics, technology
and engineering, energy, matter, motion, and forces.
Honors Physical Science
See Physical
Science for course content to be explored. Honors courses require a high degree
of independent study paired with the ability to assimilate information at a more
complex level and a more rapid pace. Courses which are of an advanced level or
titled "Honors" are weighted internally by adding 3 points each quarter to the
quarter averages and each exam. *These classes are also considered weighted
classes for class ranking purposes only and will be awarded up to 5 points each
semester when figuring G.P.A.’s. (Ex. A=5, B=4, C=3, D=2, F=0) .
Biology for Technology
For the
students planning to enter the workplace or a two-year program, Biology for
Technology is a hands-on course with emphasis on careers in the field of
biology.
Prerequisites:
Conceptual Physics (or
Physical Science or Agriscience?)
Biology I
Biology I is a laboratory course that investigates the relationship between
structure and function from molecules to organisms to systems, the
interdependence and interactions of biotic and abiotic components of the
environment, and mechanisms that maintain continuity and lead to changes over
time. Students explore biological concepts including technology and engineering,
cells, interdependence, flow of matter and energy, heredity, and biodiversity
and change through an inquiry approach.
Prerequisites: Physical Science
Honors Biology I
See Biology I for course content to
be explored. Honors courses require a high degree of independent study paired
with the ability to assimilate information at a more complex level and a more
rapid pace. Courses which are of an advanced level or titled "Honors" are
weighted internally by adding 3 points each quarter to the quarter averages and
each exam. *These classes are also considered weighted classes for class ranking
purposes only and will be awarded up to 5 points each semester when figuring
G.P.A.’s. (Ex. A=5, B=4, C=3, D=2, F=0) .
Prerequisites: Honors Physical Science
Honors Biology II
Biology II is a laboratory course
that engages students in an in-depth study of biological principles. This course
emphasizes internal and external structures and their functions, the
environmental interactions of organisms, processes of living things, mechanisms
that maintain homeostasis, biodiversity, and changes in life forms over time.
Students explore all of the major biological concepts through an inquiry
approach. Concepts students will study are technology and engineering, cells,
interdependence, flow of matter and energy, heredity, biodiversity and change,
comparative anatomy and physiology, and botany. Honors courses require a high
degree of independent study paired with the ability to assimilate information at
a more complex level and a more rapid pace. Courses which are of an advanced
level or titled "Honors" are weighted internally by adding 3 points each quarter
to the quarter averages and each exam. *These classes are also considered
weighted classes for class ranking purposes only and will be awarded up to 5
points each semester when figuring G.P.A.’s. (Ex. A=5, B=4, C=3, D=2, F=0) .
Prerequisites:
Honors Physical Science, Honors Biology I, and Honors Chemistry I
Ecology
Ecology is a laboratory course
that enables students to develop an understanding of the natural and man-made
environment and the environmental problems the world faces. Students explore the
concepts of technology and engineering, individuals, populations, communities,
ecosystems, biomes, and humans and sustainability through an inquiry approach.
Prerequisites:
Conceptual Physics (or Physical Science or Agriscience?) and Biology for
Technology
Chemistry I
Chemistry
is a laboratory course
in which students study the composition of matter and the physical and chemical
changes it undergoes. In this course, students use process skills to investigate
the fundamental structure of atoms, the way atoms combine to form compounds, and
the interactions between matter and energy. Students, using an inquiry approach,
explore the concepts of technology and engineering, atomic structure, matter and
energy, and interactions of matter.
Prerequisites:
Physical Science and Biology I
Honors Chemistry I
See Chemistry I for course
content to be explored. Honors courses require a high degree of independent
study paired with the ability to assimilate information at a more complex level
and a more rapid pace. Courses which are of an advanced level or titled "Honors"
are weighted internally by adding 3
points each quarter to
the quarter averages and each exam. *These classes are also considered weighted
classes for class ranking purposes only and will be awarded up to 5 points each
semester when figuring G.P.A.’s. (Ex. A=5, B=4, C=3, D=2, F=0) .
Prerequisites:
Honors Physical Science and Honors Biology I
Chemistry II
Chemistry II is a laboratory
course that builds on topics taught in Chemistry I. This course investigates
chemical bonding and how the kinetic molecular theory and intermolecular forces
explain the physical and chemical characteristics of matter. Additional aspects
of chemical reactions including limiting reactants, percent yield, equilibrium,
reaction rates, and thermochemistry are considered. Through an inquiry approach,
students explore technology and engineering, structure of matter, states of
matter, and reactions. Honors courses require a high degree of independent study
paired with the ability to assimilate information at a more complex level and a
more rapid pace. Courses which are of an advanced level or titled "Honors" are
weighted internally by adding 3 points each quarter to the quarter averages and
each exam. *These classes are also considered weighted classes for class ranking
purposes only and will be awarded up to 5 points each semester when figuring
G.P.A.’s. (Ex. A=5, B=4, C=3, D=2, F=0)
Prerequisites:Honors
Physical Science, Honors Biology I, and Honors Chemistry I
Conceptual Physics
Conceptual Physics is a laboratory course that examines the interactions between
matter and energy. Students explore physics concepts through an inquiry approach
integrated with appropriate algebra-based mathematics. Concepts to be covered
include technology and engineering, mathematics, mechanics, thermodynamics,
waves and optics, electricity and magnetism, and nuclear science.
Environmental Science
Environmental
Science is a
laboratory science course that enables students to develop an understanding
of natural and man-made environments and environmental problems the world faces.
Students explore environmental science concepts through an inquiry-based
approach. Embedded standards for Inquiry and Technology & Engineering are taught
in the context of the content standards for Earth Systems, The Living World,
Human Population, Water and Land Resources, Energy Resources and Consumption,
Pollution and Waste Production, Global Change, and Civic Responsibility.
Anatomy and Physiology
Anatomy and Physiology
is a course in which students will
examine human anatomy and physical functions. They will analyze
descriptive results of abnormal physiology and evaluate clinical consequences. A
workable knowledge of medical terminology will be demonstrated. This is a 4.0
class that will be a co-requisite with Nutrition Science.
Honors
Human Anatomy & Physiology
Human Anatomy and Physiology is a laboratory science that consists of an
in-depth study of the body systems that maintain homeostasis from anatomical,
physiological, and histological perspectives. Students explore the body’s
structures and functions through an inquiry approach. Major topics in this
course include technology and engineering, anatomical orientation, protection,
support, and movement, integration and regulation, transportation, absorption
and excretion, reproduction, growth, and
development. Honors courses
require a high degree of independent study paired with the ability to assimilate
information at a more complex level and a more rapid pace. Courses which are of
an advanced level or titled "Honors" are weighted internally by adding 3 points
each quarter to the quarter averages and each exam. *These classes are also
considered weighted classes for class ranking purposes only and will be awarded
up to 5 points each semester when figuring G.P.A.’s. This is a 5.0 class.
(Ex. A=5, B=4, C=3, D=2, F=0) .
Prerequisites:
Honors Physical Science,
Honors Biology I, and Honors Chemistry I
Physics
Physics is a laboratory
course that examines the relationship between matter and energy and how they
interact. This course will have a strong emphasis in the mathematics of physics.
Students explore technology and engineering, mathematics of physics, mechanics,
thermodynamics, waves and sound, light and optics, electricity and magnetism,
and atomic and nuclear physics through an inquiry approach. Honors courses
require a high degree of independent study paired with the ability to assimilate
information at a more complex level and a more rapid pace. Courses which are of
an advanced level or titled "Honors" are weighted internally by adding 3 points
each quarter to the quarter averages and each exam. *These classes are also
considered weighted classes for class ranking purposes only and will be awarded
up to 5 points each semester when figuring G.P.A.’s. (Ex. A=5, B=4, C=3, D=2,
F=0) .
Prerequisites: Honors
Physical Science, Honors Biology I, and Honors Chemistry I
Scientific Research
Scientific Research is
a laboratory course that enables the student to both apply and expand previous
content knowledge toward the endeavor of engaging in an open-ended,
student-centered investigation in the pursuit of an answer to a question or
problem of interest. Throughout this course, students will investigate
technology and engineering, practice ethics, think critically, develop
appropriate investigation techniques, analyze and evaluate data, and communicate
results. Honors courses require a high degree of independent study paired with
the ability to assimilate information at a more complex level and a more rapid
pace. Courses which are of an advanced level or titled "Honors" are weighted
internally by adding 3 points each quarter to the quarter averages and each
exam. *These classes are also considered weighted classes for class ranking
purposes only and will be awarded up to 5 points each semester when figuring
G.P.A.’s. (Ex. A=5, B=4, C=3, D=2, F=0) .
Prerequisites: Honors
Physical Science, Honors Biology I, and Honors Chemistry
Nutrition Science
Nutrition Science is an
interdisciplinary laboratory science course. Concepts of chemistry, biology,
physics, and nutrition are applied to the production, processing, evaluation,
and utilization of foods. Students use scientific
methods in laboratory experiments to facilitate the understanding of the human body, food, nutrition, and science. Classroom experiences help students put scientific knowledge to practical use, making abstract concepts concrete. The co-curricular student organization will provide students with opportunities for leadership development, personal growth, and school/community involvement. This is a 4.0 class that will be a co-requisite with Anatomy and Physiology.
Forensic Science
Forensic Science is designed
to challenge students with topics such as fingerprinting, DNA analysis, blood
typing and spattering, trajectories (for ballistics as well as blood spattering)
comparative anatomy, and chemical analysis of drugs, poisons, and trace
evidence, and the dynamics of Physics. It is a 4.0 class offered following
Physical Science and Biology.
Geology
Geology is a
laboratory science course that explores the origins and the connections between
the physical, chemical, and biological processes that govern the earth system.
Students explore the physical aspects of earth processes and cycles through
open-ended field and laboratory investigations. Understanding the importance of
these processes and how they influence humankind enables students to make sound
decisions about both their community and the earth’s global environment.
Embedded standards for Inquiry and Technology & Engineering are taught in the
context of the content standards for Maps, Matter and Minerals, Rocks and the
Rock Cycle, Geologic History, Plate Tectonics, and Landforms.