Science
All students must earn 3 credits of Science to fulfill graduation requirements.
PHYSICAL SCIENCE
Prerequisite: None
Grade: 9
Graded: Standard Credit: 1.0
Time Frame: Year Fees: $20
Physical Science is designed to give incoming freshmen an introduction to basic concepts of chemistry, physics, and earth science. Students will learn concepts through lectures, classroom work, laboratory experiences and independent projects. A scientific calculator is required.
BIOLOGY
Prerequisite: Completion of Algebra 1
Grade: 9, 10
Graded: Standard Credit: 1.0
Time Frame: Year Fees: $25
Biology students investigate cell structure and function, the molecular basis of heredity, biological evolution, the interdependence of organisms, matter and energy, and biodiversity. Collaboration, communication of scientific ideas and critical thinking are emphasized in laboratory experiences and classroom activities.
AP BIOLOGY
Prerequisite: Completion of Biology and Chemistry with a C or better
Grade: 11, 12
Graded: Standard Credit: 1.0
Time Frame: Year Fees: $25 plus the cost of the AP Test
The AP Biology course is an introductory college-level biology course. Students cultivate their understanding of biology through inquiry-based investigations as they explore the following topics: evolution, cellular processes, energy and communication, genetics, information transfer, ecology, and interactions.. All students enrolled in the course are required to take the AP test at the end of the year.
Note: Students choosing to drop AP, Honors, and/or CSCC classes must do so by the students' last day of school of the school year in which they registered.
ECOLOGY
Prerequisite: Passing grade in both Biology & Physical Science
Grade: 11, 12
Graded: Standard Credit: 1.0
Time Frame: Semester Fees: $15
Ecology studies the relationships between living species and their physical environment. This hands-on laboratory based course will investigate how to identify organisms in our local ecosystem as well as look at how organisms interact with each other and change over time.
GENERAL CHEMISTRY
Prerequisite: Physical Science, Biology, Teacher Recommendation
Grade: 11, 12
Graded: Standard Credit: 1.0
Time Frame: Year Fees: $15
General Chemistry is a third level science course for juniors and seniors. The course uses problem solving and hands-on activities to address societal issues in chemistry. This course is excellent for weaker math students. It uses problem solving and hands-on activities to address societal issues in chemistry. It can be used as a bridge to more traditional College Preparatory Chemistry; however it is not a replacement for College Preparatory Chemistry. This is not a college preparatory course.
CHEMISTRY
Prerequisite: Biology
Grade: 10, 11, 12
Graded: Standard Credit: 1.0
Time Frame: Year Fees: $30
Students explore fundamental concepts of matter, changes in matter and energy. Computer-based and traditional laboratory experiences provide opportunities to collect, record, and analyze macroscopic observations. Students represent and communicate the interpretation of lab results and concepts using verbal, visual and mathematical models. Collaboration, communication, and critical thinking are emphasized. This course is recommended for the college-bound student. A scientific calculator is required.
AP CHEMISTRY
Prerequisite: The student must have completed Chemistry with a C or better. It is recommended that the student has taken or will be taking Pre-Calculus at the same time as the course.
Grade: 11, 12
Graded: Standard Credit: 1.0
Time Frame: Year Fees: $25 plus the cost of the AP test.
This course is designed to take the basic knowledge of chemistry learned in Chemistry and move beyond these foundational ideas. The goal of the course is to develop a deep understanding of chemistry by focusing on conceptual reasoning and taking the ideas beyond the basic information. The course is designed to be modeled after a college level introductory chemistry course and it will prepare students for the AP chemistry test. All students enrolled in the course are required to take the AP test at the end of the year. Note: Students choosing to drop AP, Honors, and/or CSCC classes must do so by the students' last day of school of the school year in which they registered.
AP ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE
Prerequisite: The student must have completed Biology with a B- or better. It is recommended that the student has taken or concurrently takes Chemistry. Recommended from AP: Two years of high school laboratory science, including life science and physical science, along with at least one year of algebra.
Grade: 11, 12
Graded: Weighted Credit: 1.0
Time Frame: Year Fees: $25 plus the cost of the AP test.
AP Environmental Science parallels an introductory college-level environmental science course and follows the syllabus established by the College Board to prepare students for the AP test in May. The goal of the course is to provide students with a deep, interdisciplinary understanding of the scientific principles, concepts, and methodologies required to understand interactions among, and human influences on, Earth systems. All students enrolled in the course are required to take the AP test at the end of the year. Note: Students choosing to drop AP, Honors, and/or CSCC classes must do so by the students' last day of school of the school year in which they registered.
HUMAN ANATOMY
Prerequisite: C or better in Biology
Grade: 11, 12
Graded: Standard Credit: 0.5
Time Frame: Semester Fees: $35
This course is designed for students who are interested in pursuing college study in biological and health fields. The content of this course includes the study of body systems with an emphasis on physiology and homeostasis. Dissection is a required aspect of the course.
PHYSICS
Prerequisite: Chemistry, Algebra 2
Grade: 11, 12
Graded: Standard Credit: 1.0
Time Frame: Year Fees: $30
Topics for this course will include the quantities of motion, forces, energy, work, momentum, pressure, heat, sound, light, electricity, and magnetism. Lectures will be supplemented with demonstrations, activities, projects, and laboratory work. Students will use and become proficient in basic hand tools as well as machine tools. The course is recommended for the college or trade school bound student who is looking into manufacturing or medical majors. It is not intended for students who are majoring in engineering. The course satisfies the Honors Diploma requirement. A scientific calculator is required.
AP PHYSICS
Prerequisite: Chemistry, Algebra 2, Pre-calculus recommended
Grade: 11, 12
Graded: Weighted Credit: 1.0
Time Frame: Year Fees: $25 plus the cost of the AP test.
AP Physics 1 is an algebra-based, introductory college-level physics course. Students cultivate their understanding of physics through classroom study, in-class activity, and hands-on, inquiry-based laboratory work as they explore concepts like systems, fields, force interactions, change, and conservation. Note: Students choosing to drop AP, Honors, and/or CSCC classes must do so by the students' last day of school of the school year in which they registered. All students enrolled in the course are required to take the AP test at the end of the year.
FORENSICS
Prerequisite: Biology recommended
Grade: 11, 12
Graded: Standard Credit: 0.5
Time Frame: Semester Fees: $15
Forensic Science uses scientific methods and deductive reasoning to analyze Crime Scenes. This course focuses on hands-on-labs through the collection, analysis, and interpretation of evidence to solve crimes.
MICROBIOLOGY
Prerequisite: Biology
Grade: 11, 12
Graded: Standard Credit: 0.5
Time Frame: Semester Fees: $15
Microbiology is the study of bacteria, viruses, and other microbes that are invisible to the eye. Students will learn various lab skills such as using microscopes, making slides, and growing bacteria. This class is designed for both students interested in lab work in college/career and those curious about how microbes occur in our everyday lives.
CURRENT ISSUES IN SCIENCE
Prerequisite: Chemistry or Physics
Grade: 11, 12
Graded: Standard Credit: 0.5
Time Frame: Semester Fees: $0
Explore various concepts, theories, and outlandish ideas at the forefront of our understanding of the world around us.
METEOROLOGY
Prerequisite: None
Grade: 11, 12
Graded: Standard Credit: 0.5
Time Frame: Semester Fees: $0
This course introduces the fundamental physical processes in the atmosphere–heat and energy, temperature, pressure, wind, clouds, precipitation, and stability. These concepts provide the basis for understanding weather systems, such as thunderstorms, tornadoes, and hurricanes. These processes are also applied to climatic patterns.
ASTRONOMY
Prerequisite: None
Grade: 11, 12
Graded: Standard Credit: 0.5
Time Frame: Semester Fees: $0
Students study the following topics: astronomy in civilization, patterns and objects in the sky, our place in space, the moon, reasons for the seasons, planets, the sun, stars, galaxies, cosmology, and space exploration.
MEDICAL TERMINOLOGY
Prerequisite: Biology
Grade: 11, 12
Graded: Standard Credit: 0.5
Time Frame: Semester Fees: $0
A comprehensive introduction to terminology used in the medical field. Using a body systems approach, emphasis is placed on anatomy and physiology, abnormal conditions, diagnostic and surgical procedures, as well as medical roots, prefixes, and suffixes. Skill emphasis is placed on defining medical terms and abbreviations, understanding basic human anatomy, and spelling of medical terms. *This course meets Science graduation requirements. At the time of publication, this class does not meet requirements for NCAA athlete eligibility.
HUMAN NUTRITION
Prerequisite: Chemistry or Physics
Grade: 11, 12
Graded: Standard Credit: 0.5
Time Frame: Semester Fees: $0
Nutrient and energy needs of the human biological system throughout the life cycle including energy balance
*This course meets Science graduation requirements. At the time of publication, this class does not meet requirements for NCAA athlete eligibility.