Science

Biology is a course that focuses on inquiry and investigation. This course investigates the composition, diversity, complexity, and interconnectedness of life on Earth. Students create individual and group projects to demonstrate understanding of course content along with tests. Fundamental concepts of cells, ecology, heredity and evolution provide a framework through inquiry-based instruction to explore the living world, the physical environment and the interactions within and between them. Through activities and labs, students will explain the behavior of living things in a variety of scenarios that incorporate scientific reasoning, analysis, communication skills and real-world applications. Either Biology or Advanced Biology is required to graduate high school.

Advanced Biology is a laboratory-centered course designed for college-bound students interested in science-related fields. Cells, heredity, evolution, and ecology are studied in detail. Students taking Advanced Biology should have a strong work ethic, be independent and self-motivated workers, and interested in science. Students should be willing to perform a significant number of independent, out of class assignments. Students planning on taking AP Biology should take Advanced Biology as a prerequisite. This course is weighted .5 quality point in the GPA.

Physical science introduces students to key concepts and theories that provide a foundation for further study in other sciences. Physical science comprises the systematic study of the physical world as it relates to fundamental concepts about matter, energy and motion. Physical Science includes inquiry-based laboratory experience that engages students in asking valid scientific questions and gathering and analyzing information. In addition to course content students will learn and use the metric system, record and graph data, use math to solve problems, safely perform labs, and demonstrate an understanding of course content in a variety of ways such as lab write-ups, quizzes, tests and projects. Math skills will be used in class on a daily basis. Students in Physical Science should be concurrently enrolled in Algebra I or Geometry.

Advanced Physical Science introduces students to key concepts and theories that provide a foundation for further study in other sciences and advanced science disciplines. Physical science comprises the systematic study of the physical world as it relates to fundamental concepts about matter, energy, and motion. A unified understanding of phenomena in physical, living, Earth and space systems is the culmination of all previously learned concepts related to chemistry, physics, Earth, and space science, along with historical perspective and mathematical reasoning. In addition to course content, students will learn and use the metric system, record and graph data, use math to solve problems, safely perform labs, and demonstrate an understanding of course content in a variety of ways such as lab write-ups, quizzes, tests and projects. Math skills will be used in class on a daily basis.

Chemistry is designed for college-bound students who are not intending to pursue a science degree. The course meets the needs of students who plan technical or allied health careers. Students are taught lab skills applicable to studies in other science courses. Theoretical aspects of chemistry such as atomic structure, atomic theory, stoichiometry, bonding, physical states of matter and energy relationships in chemical reactions are studied. A scientific calculator is required.

Advanced Chemistry is designed for college-bound students interested in a science related major or minor in college. Theoretical aspects of chemistry such as atomic structure, atomic theory, stoichiometry, bonding, physical states of matter and energy relationships in chemical reactions are studied. Students must have a competent mathematics background for successful completion of this course. A scientific calculator is required. This course is weighted .5 quality point in the GPA.

Advanced Placement Biology is a College Board, second-year biology program requiring extensive laboratory work in all areas of advanced biology. As an AP course, it offers college-level work for students interested in biological or medical careers. Approval of the instructor is necessary for enrollment. The grade in this course is weighted one (1) full quality point in the GPA. It is STRONGLY recommended that students take and pass chemistry prior to enrolling in AP Biology. A summer assignment and extensive homework are required. Students are expected to use the mentoring period as part of this class. Students are expected to take the AP Exam in May. The AP exam fee is included in the course fees.

Physics is a systematic study of the predictive physical interactions of matter and subsequent events that occur in the natural world. The content of this course will include the study of forces and motion, energy transformations, conservation laws, and waves. Laboratory activities will introduce, support, and apply concepts. Students engage in investigations to understand and explain the behavior of nature in a variety of inquiry and design scenarios that incorporate scientific reasoning, analysis, communication skills, and real-world applications.

Anatomy & Physiology is a college preparatory lecture and lab-based course focused on the application of knowledge of the structure and function of the human body. The course will include a study of major body systems through labs, activities, and modeling projects.

Environmental Science is interdisciplinary, embracing topics from geology, biology, environmental studies, chemistry, and geography. Environmental Science is a course that provides students the opportunity to practice applying scientific methods to practical, real-life problems. Research projects make up a significant portion of the students' grades. Students are challenged to analyze environmental concepts and processes in order to propose and justify solutions to environmental problems.

The AP Environmental Science course is designed to be the equivalent of an introductory college course in Environmental Science. Suggested prerequisite courses for AP Environmental Science are: Advanced Biology, Advanced Chemistry, and AP Biology. The grade in this course is weighted one (1) full quality point in the GPA. Research projects, presentations, homework and tests make up a significant portion of the students' grades.

The goal of AP Physics I is to provide students with an experience equivalent to an introductory college-level physics course. Through the study of Physics, students will develop an understanding of how physics is experienced in their everyday lives and how physics is applied in the “real world”. Students will develop and reinforce strong independent problem solving and critical thinking skills as well as collaborative problem-solving skills. AP Physics I requires a serious commitment from students prepared to devote significant time outside of class to work on class assignments and independent study. The cost of the AP Exam is included in the course fee.