SCIENCE

Life Science (L) (9) (one term)[TOP]
Life Science is an introduction to biology course. Students develop problem resolution skills while performing laboratory investigations of fundamental biological concepts and principles. Students enrolled in Life Science will explore the functions and processes of cells within all living organisms, the sources and patterns of genetic inheritance and variation leading to biodiversity, and the relationships of living organisms to each other and to the environment as a whole. This class does not meet Core 40 or HD standards.
Physical Science (L) (9) (one term)[TOP]
Physical science is a course in which students develop problem-solving skills and strategies while performing laboratory investigations of fundamental chemical, physical, and related earth and space science concepts. Students enrolled in Physical Science will explore the structure and properties of matter, the nature of energy and its role in chemical reactions,
and the physical and chemical laws that govern Earth's interconnected systems and forces of nature. This class does not meet Core 40 or HD standards.
Earth and Space Science I (L) (9-10) (two terms)[TOP]
Earth and Space Science I is a course focusing on the study of the earth's lithosphere, atmosphere, hydrosphere, and its celestial environment. Students enrolled in Earth and Space
Science I analyze and describe Earth's interconnected systems that may be changing or may be in equilibrium. Students examine energy at work in forming and modifying earth materials, landforms, and continents through geological time. Through regular laboratory and field investigations, students understand the history and development of the earth and space sciences, explore the uses of knowledge of the earth and its environment in various careers, and investigate earth and space science problems concerning personal needs and community issues related to science. This class meets Core 40 standards. Note: This class must be taken within a student's first four Core 40 science credits.
Biology I (L) (9-10) (two terms)[TOP]
Biology I is a course based on regular laboratory and field investigations that include a study of the structures and functions of living organisms and their interactions with the environment. At a minimum, students enrolled in Biology I explore the functions and processes of cells, tissues, organs, and systems within various species of living organisms and the roles and interdependencies of organisms within populations, communities, ecosystems, and the biosphere. Students work with the concepts, principles, and theories of the living environment. In addition, students enrolled in this course are expected to: (1) gain an understanding of the history and development of biological knowledge, (2) explore the uses of biology in various careers, and (3) investigate the biological questions and problems related to personal needs and societal issues. This class meets Core 40 standards.
Biology I HD (L) (9-10) (two terms)[TOP]
Designed for students seeking an honors diploma and/or planning to study science or engineering in college, this course presents the same topics as Biology I, but each area
will be covered in more depth. Expectations of and responsibilities placed on students will be at a higher level than those in the regular course. This class meets Core 40 and HD standards.
Biology, Advanced Placement (L) (11-12) (three terms)[TOP]
Prerequisites: Biology I and Chemistry I This course follows the College Board Examination guidelines for Advanced Placement Biology which consists of an intensive review and
in-depth study of areas that were introduced in Biology I. Attention is given to the application of chemical principles as related to living systems. The course is designed for juniors and seniors who received an A or B in Biology I or those who have instructor approval. This class meets Core 40 and HD standards.
Integrated Chemistry-Physics (L) (10-11) (two terms)[TOP]
Prerequisites: Algebra I (can be taken concurrently) and Biology Integrated  Chemistry-Physics is a laboratorybased course in which students explore fundamental chemistry and physics principles. Students enrolled in this course examine, through the process of scientific inquiry, the structure and properties of matter, chemical reactions, forces, motion, and the interactions between energy and matter. Working in a laboratory environment, students investigate the basics of chemistry and physics in solving real-world
problems that may have personal or social consequences beyond the classroom. This course meets Core 40 and HD Physical Science standards.
Chemistry I (L) (10-12) (two terms)[TOP]
Prerequisites: Algebra I and Biology I or Intregrated Chemistry/Physics. Chemistry 1 is a course based on regular laboratory investimagions of matter, chemical reactions, and
the role of energy in those reactions. Students in Chemistry I compare, contrast, and synthesize useful models of the structure and properties of matter and the mechanisms of its
interactions. In addition, students enrolled in this course are expected to: (1) gain an understanding of the history of chemistry, (2) explore the uses of chemistry in various
careers, (3) investigate chemical equations and problems related to personnal needs and societal issues, and (4) learn and practice laboratory safety. This course meets Core 40 and
HD Physical Science standards.
Chemistry I HD (L) (10-12) (two terms)[TOP]
Prerequisites: Algebra I and Biology I or Intregrated Chemistry/Physics. Chemistry 1 is a course based on regular laboratory investimagions of matter, chemical reactions, and the role of energy in those reactions. Students in Chemistry I compare, contrast, and synthesize useful models of the structure and properties of matter and the mechanisms of its interactions. In addition, students enrolled in this course are expected to: (1) gain an understanding of the history of chemistry, (2) explore the uses of chemistry in various careers, (3) investigate chemical equations and problems related to personnal needs and societal issues, and (4) learn and practice laboratory safety. This course meets Core 40 and HD Physical Science standards.
Chemistry, Advanced Placement (L) (11-12) (three terms)[TOP]
Prerequisites: Chemistry 1 and Algebra 2. This is an intensification of first-year chemistry dealing specifically with mathematical explanations of basic chemical theory. Topics
include: (1) structure of matter—atomic theory and structure, chemical bonding, molecular models, nuclear chemistry: (2) states of matter—gases, liquids and solids, solutions; (3) reactions— reaction types, stoichiometry, equilibrium, kinetics, and thermodynamics. This course follows College Board entrance guidelines for Advanced Placement Chemistryand is designed for juniors who received an A or B in Chemistry I. This class meets Core 40 and HD Physical Science standards.
Physics I (HD) (L) (11-12) (two terms)[TOP]
Prerequisites: Algebra I and Integrated Chemistry- Physics or Chemistry I with a grade of B or better. Physics I is a laboratory-based course in which students synthesize the
fundamental concepts and principles related to matter and energy, including mechanics, wave motion, heat, light, electricity, magnetism, atomic and subatomic particles. Through
regular laboratory study, students (1) examine the nature and scope of physics, including its relationship to other sciences and its ability to describe phenomena using physical
laws, (2) describe the history of physics and its role in the birth of technology, (3) explore the uses of its models, theories, and laws in various careers, and (4) investigate physics questions and problems related to personal needs and societal issues. This course meets Core 40 and HD Physical Science standards.
Physics B, Advanced Placement (L) (12) (three terms)[TOP]
Prerequisites: Physics I and Algebra I. Built on the concepts of first-year physics, this course is a more detailed analysis of the mathematical base and practical applications
of motion, energy, atomic structure, sound, light and electricity. This course follows the College Board Entrance guidelines and prepares students for the Advanced Placement Physics B
exam. This class will require an average of 5-10 hours per week of outside class work. This class meets Core 40 and HD Physical Science standards.
Advanced Science, Special Topics: Organic Chemistry (L) (11-12) (one term)[TOP]
Prerequisite: A grade of B or better in Chemistry I. Organic chemistry will offer an extensive look at the special nature of carbon chemistry. Emphasis will be placed on structure, functional groups, and nomenclature, as well as some important classes of organic reactions. Students enrolled in this course engage in an in-depth study of the application of science concepts, principles, and unifying themes that are unique to organic chemistry. Extensive lab work will be a primary aspect of this course. Students enrolled in this course
will complete an end-of-course project and presentation integrating knowledge, skills, and concepts from the course of study. This course meets Core 40 and HD standards.
Advanced Science, Special Topics: Science Literacy and Issues (L) (11-12) (one term)[TOP]
Prerequisite: A total of four Core 40 science credits with a grade of B or better. Science Literacy and Issues is a science course which is grounded in literature investigations into the science issues which shape today's society. This course will address the role of science in day-to-day life, examine commonly held misconceptions about science, and study the role politics and personal belief play in scientific research and reporting. Students will read and analyze books, articles, and scientific reports, participate in class discussions, and write responses to reading assignments. Further, students will spend time in lab investigations and report their findings for particular purposes. Students enrolled in this course will complete an end-of-course project and presentation integrating knowledge, skills, and concepts from the course of study. This course meets Core 40 and HD standards.
Advanced Science, Special Topics: Lab Assistant (L) (11-12) (one to two terms)[TOP]
Prerequisite: Completion or concurrent enrollment in an AP science course, teacher recommendations, and permission of instructor. The lab assistant course allows a student to
receive practical experience in the skills necessary to set-up and successfully execute lab work. Students in this course will assist faculty in the science department in preparing materials for class labs, preparing solutions and other reagents, testing the efficacy of lab reagents, helping to maintain lab inventories, and compiling lab material needs. Students in this course will be expected to maintain a log of all lab work and complete an end-of-course project and presentation integrating knowledge, skills, and concepts from the course of study.
Environmental Science, Advanced (L) (11-12) (two terms)[TOP]
Prerequisites: Biology I and two other Core 40 or HD science credits. Environmental Science, Advanced, is an interdisciplinary course that integrates biology, earth science, chemistry, and other disciplines. Students enrolled in this course conduct in-depth scientific studies of ecosystems, population dynamics, resource management, and environmental consequences of natural and anthropogenic processes. Students formulate, design, and carry out laboratory and field investigations as an essential course component. Students completing Environmental Science, Advanced, acquire the essential tools for understanding the complexities of national and global environmental systems. This course meets Core 40 and HD science standards.
Science Research, Independent Study (L) (11- 12) (two terms)[TOP]
Prerequisite: 2 years of high school science and completion of application packet. Description: Science Research, Independent Study is a course that provides students with
unique opportunities for independent, in-depth study of one or more specific scientific problems. Students develop a familiarity with the laboratory procedures used in a given educational, research, or industrial setting or a variety of such settings. Students enrolled in this course will complete a science project to be exhibited at a regional science fair and/or state science symposium during the same school year; additionally,
and end-of-course project or product may be required, such as a scientific research paper or some other suitable presentation of their findings. Students will be matched with a business
and/or higher education mentor.