SCIENCE DEPARTMENT COURSE DESCRIPTIONS

13AP Advanced Placement Biology (Grades 11-12) 1 Credit

Prerequisites: Must have teacher recommendations from two (2) of the following: Chemistry, Biology, Physics and Math. The student must have achieved a "B" average or above in Biology I, Chemistry I or Chemistry I (H), Physics I and Algebra II to be eligible for AP Biology.

This course is a detailed study of three general areas: Molecules and Cells, Heredity and Evolution, and Organisms and Populations. Two main goals of this course are to help students develop a conceptual framework for modern biology and to help students gain an appreciation of science as a process. The following topics will be covered: Chemistry of Life, Cells, Cellular Energy, Heredity, Molecular Genetics, Evolutionary Biology, Diversity of Organisms, Plants and Ecology. Students will be required to take the AP exam. Students who have completed Biology II – Honors are not permitted to schedule AP Biology. Student is responsible for half of the exam fee.

23AP Advanced Placement Chemistry (Grades 11-12) 1 Credit

Prerequisites: Must have teacher recommendations from two (2) of the following: chemistry, biology, physics and math. The student must have achieved a "B" average or above in Biology I, Chemistry I or Chemistry I(H), Physics I and Algebra II to be eligible for AP Chemistry.

This course is a detailed study of matter, its structure, properties and composition, and the changes that matter undergoes. The course builds upon the principles already learned and expands to new topics. The following topics will be covered: measurement, atoms, chemical bonding, chemical reactions, states of matter, solutions, equilibrium, acids/bases, thermodynamics, kinetics, electrochemistry, organic chemistry and coordination chemistry. The mathematical formulations associated with these chemical principles will be emphasized. Independent work in the laboratory and laboratory activities will reinforce the concepts and processes discussed in class. Students will be required to take the AP exam. Students who have completed Chemistry II – Honors are not permitted to schedule AP Chemistry. Student is responsible for half of the exam fee.

03AP Advanced Placement Physics C: Mechanics (Grade 12) 1 Credit

Prerequisites: Must have teacher recommendations from two (2) of the following: Chemistry, Biology, Physics and Math. The student must have achieved a "B" average or above in Biology I, Chemistry I or Chemistry I (H), Physics I and Algebra II to be eligible for AP Biology.

This course will cover Kinematics (Including Vectors), Newton’s Laws of Motion, Circular Motion, Oscillations and Gravitation. Mechanics. C is for Calculus. Students will be required to take the AP exam. Students who have completed Physics II – Honors are not permitted to schedule AP Physics. Student is responsible for half of the exam fee.

0320 Applied Biology (Grade 10-11) 1 Credit

Applied Biology is designed for the non-academic student who is not planning or pursuing a career in biological science. The intent of this course is to give the student general knowledge of the world of life, a basic understanding of disease organisms, and an understanding of human anatomy, physiology and heredity. (Applied Biology students are not eligible to take Biology I.)

0330 Biology I (Grades 9-11) 1 Credit

Prerequisite: Algebra I

The purpose of the Biology I course is to continue the growth and development of students in scientific processes. This will be accomplished through a variety of educational techniques with emphasis in the laboratory. Students will continue to learn about and use tools of the scientist. Biology I will concentrate on cell biology, mitosis, simple life forms, the animal kingdom, genetics, and embryological development. (Biology I students are not eligible to take Applied Biology.)

233H Biology II - Honors (Grades 11-12) 1 Credit

Prerequisite: Biology I, Chemistry I and Physics I (may be taken concurrently)

This is a second-level enriched biology course for high academic students only, with emphasis on thinking and reasoning, rather than memorizing. The course is primarily individualized, a self-teaching and self-learning discipline. Laboratory investigation and experimentation are the primary goals of Biology II, with the entire course being competency-oriented. Students who have completed Biology II-Honors are not permitted to schedule AP Biology.

1340 Chemistry I (Grades 10-12) 1 Credit

Prerequisite: Biology I and Algebra I

This course involves the study of the composition and behavior of matter and the fundamental laws and principles of chemistry. It is designed for college preparatory students, especially those requiring a science background. Chemistry I includes ample laboratory work and use of modern instrumentation. Students who have had difficulty with Algebra and/or Biology I should be strongly discouraged from taking Chemistry I and should instead consider Practical Chemistry.

135H Chemistry I - Honors (Grade 10) 1 Credit

Prerequisite: Must have science teacher recommendation plus a 'B' average or above in Biology I; 'B' average or above in Algebra II OR Algebra II concurrently

This course involves the study of the composition and the behavior of matter and the laws and principles of chemistry. It is designed for college bound students who plan to pursue a career in science or math. The course is designed to encourage critical thinking and problem solving through intensive lab work and use of modern instrumentation. This course will prepare students to take upper level courses like Biology II and Chemistry II. Students who do not have a strong background in science and math should not take this course and should consider Chemistry I or Practical Chemistry instead.

234H Chemistry II - Honors (Grades 11-12) 1 Credit

Prerequisite: Biology I, Chemistry I and Physics I (may be taken concurrently) and Algebra II. At least a "B" average or above in the prerequisites listed.

This course involves a detailed study of the laws and fundamentals of chemistry. Topics will include a review of Chemistry I, stoichiometry, gas laws, aqueous solutions, equilibrium, kinetics, thermodynamics, bonding, organic and nuclear chemistry. It also includes very intensive laboratory work which requires in depth analytical thinking and a strong grasp of mathematics. Students who have completed Chemistry II-Honors are not permitted to schedule AP Chemistry.

1380 Earth Science (Grades 11-12) 1 Credit

Prerequisite: Must have successfully completed at least one previous lab science credit.

Emphasizing processes (mechanisms of change), units of study will include: minerals, rocks and rock cycles; tectonics, mountain building, volcanism and earthquakes; weathering, erosion, hydrology and soil formation; atmospheric properties and phenomena; and an overview of earth's history. Environmental concepts (conservation, resources and problem areas) will be an integral component of each unit of study.

1360 Physics I (Grades 10-12) 1 Credit

Prerequisites: Algebra I, Geometry, Biology I or Chemistry I

Physics I is an academic study of mechanics, heat, waves and electricity. The course requires and will enhance proficiency in math and trigonometry, as well as, analytical skills sufficient to meet the challenges of problem solving applications associated with the aforementioned forms of energy. Laboratory exercises will be performed to provide a hands-on perspective to the content objectives of this course. Both the technically oriented and college bound student should consider Physics I as a personal requirement in order to afford maximum opportunity in the academic future and allow him or her to compete at higher levels of academic demand. It is strongly suggested that the student has successfully completed Biology I, Chemistry I, and Algebra I before scheduling Physics I.

236H Physics II - Honors (Grades 11-12) 1 Credit

Prerequisites: Biology I, Chemistry I and Physics I

A more in-depth look at the principles presented in Physics I. It will deal more with the theoretical aspects than the practical, although they will be presented also. The experiments will also be at a higher level of understanding. Topics will be chosen on student interest as well as standard material. Reasoning will be stressed more than memory. A good academic math background is recommended. Students who have completed Physics II are not permitted to schedule AP Physics.

1370 Practical Chemistry (Grades 11-12) 1 Credit

Prerequisites: Biology I or Applied Biology

This course involves the study and the composition and behavior of matter and the fundamental laws and principles of chemistry and how it applies to daily life. The course is designed for non college bound students or those students who will not pursue a career in science or the health professions. It also includes ample laboratory work with an emphasis on modern instrumentation.

9320 Science I (Grades 9-10) 1 Credit

Science I places emphasis on environmental topics. Areas of study involving aquatic and terrestrial ecology, minerals and soils, energy resources, and other environmental issues will be stressed.

2320 Science II (Grades 11-12) 1 Credit

Any person who has successfully completed a lab course (Chemistry, Physics) is not eligible to take this course. This course is designed for students who are not planning for college. It develops science principles related to weather, chemistry, natural resources, energy, biochemistry, physics of motion and ecology with an emphasis on measurement and analysis skills. Depth in any of these topics is at the discretion of the instructor with the needs of the class. Experiments, problems and investigations are an integral part of the class.

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