Science
REQUIREMENTS
Grade 9: Physical Science 9
Grade 10: Biology
Grades 11-12: One full year of science or two semesters
81 - ADVANCED PLACEMENT BIOLOGY
1 Credit
Grades 11 -12
This college-level course is intended for the college-bound student that is planning to major in science or who has an interest in biology. It will focus on advanced study of the following topics in biology with the goal of preparing students for the Advanced Placement Biology test: ecology, cellular biology, heredity and evolution, diversity of organism, plant & animal structure and function. Learning opportunities will take place through discussion, lecture, and college-level laboratories. The laboratories will give students the opportunity to practice proper laboratory techniques as well as learn how to use equipment that is common in college labs. Purchase of a laboratory manual is required for this course.
Prerequisite: Successful completion of Biology. Successful completion of, or concurrent registration in Chemistry is strongly recommended. Need approval of course instructor.
67 - BIOLOGY
1 Credit
Grades 10, 11 and 12
Biology is the study of living things, including how living things grow and develop, obtain and use energy, and responds to the organisms and environment around them. This biology course focuses on traditional biology concepts through the study of ecosystems, biochemistry, cells, genetics, evolution, and organisms (primarily plants and animals.) Learning opportunities will allow students to explore topics in the biological sciences through hands-on laboratories, discussions, lecture, group projects, and individual assignments.
17 - CHEMCOM
1 Credit
Grades 11 - 12
Chemistry is the study of matter and the changes matter can undergo. Chemistry in the Community, (ChemCom), is designed to help students realize the importance chemistry will play in their personal and professional lives and use principles of chemistry to think and speak intelligently about current issues involving science and technology. Some of the units in the curriculum include: supplying our water needs, conserving chemical resources, and petroleum: to build or to burn. The units vary slightly from year to year based on current events. Other topics that have been covered are automobile chemistry, forensics, and nuclear chemistry. ChemCom uses group discussion, teamwork, student presentations, laboratories and lectures to cover material.
Prerequisite: 1st semester ChemCom must be completed with a passing grade to continue into 2nd semester ChemCom. You need science department approval to register.
18 - CHEMISTRY
1 Credit
Grades 11 - 12
Chemistry is a science concerned with the composition, structure, and properties of substances and with the transformation that they undergo. Topics in this course include: energy and matter, atomic theory, the periodic table, chemical formulas and equations, chemical reactions, stoichiometry, states of matter, solutions, acids and bases, and rates of reaction. This course is intended for students with post-secondary plans. The student has the opportunity to learn through laboratories, lectures, class discussion, individual and group projects, and homework. It is highly recommended that students planning on attending any type of 4 year program or tech science program take Chemistry or if they have achieved high grades in their previous science classes. Concurrent registration or completion of Algebra II is recommended.
19 – COLLEGE IN THE SCHOOLS CHEMISTRY
1 Credit
Grades 11 -12
This college level class is intended for the college bound student that is planning to major in the health fields. This course can also cover a general lab science requirement for most colleges. It will focus on the advanced study in general, organic and biological chemistry. Learning opportunities will take place through discussion, lecture and laboratory experiences. Students will also need to pay an application fee for the college credit.
Prerequisite: A score of 76 or higher on the accuplacer exam. (Please see Mrs. Hoffman.)
It would also be helpful to have a year of Chemistry before taking this class.
10 - HUMAN ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY
1 Credit
Grades 11 - 12
In this course the student will become acquainted with the anatomy and physiology (structure and function) of the human body. The class will make a detailed study of the organ systems found in humans. Lab work will include various dissections, along with an intense dissection of a mammalian species as a final, year end project. Any student interested in a health related career or advancing their abilities in making informed decisions regarding future health care are encouraged to take this advanced course.
64 - PHYSICAL SCIENCE 9
1 Credit
Grade 9
Students in this course will investigate basic concepts of the physical sciences and how they apply to the world around them. Emphasis will be on using an inquiry approach, using student-designed experiments to investigate and solve problems relating to the content. Students will be required to be active participants in the learning process. Written and oral communication of the results will be stressed.
8 - PHYSICS
1 Credit
Grades 11 - 12
Physics is a science that deals with matter and energy and their interactions. This college prep course will study the basic concepts of physics and will prepare the student for college physics. Major areas of study are mechanics, phases of matter, energy, waves, electricity and magnetism. A few of the many specific topics include Newton's Laws, special relativity, gravity, rotational motion, Ohm's Law, lenses, the Doppler effect, speed of sound and rainbows.
Prerequisite: Successful completion of Algebra II and concurrent registration in Analysis or Calculus is recommended. 1st semester Physics must be completed with a passing grade to continue on to 2nd semester Physics.
24 – INTRODUCTION TO ROBOTICS (New course)
1 credit
Grades 10-12
In this course, students will develop an understanding of the relationship between technology and science by engaging in the modeling, design, planning, and control of robot systems. Students will design and engineer robots to address specific problems as well as use computer programming to control these robots. Students will also learn the relevant concepts and technology needed to do this. The course will involve lectures, readings, laboratory activities, problem sets, and both group and individual projects. Coursework will be assessed through tests and laboratory assessments as well as a final project that will be entered in either a local or regional robotics competition.
26 - EARTH SYSTEMS
1/2 Credit
Grades 11 - 12
This course will explore areas of earth science including Minnesota geology, the geologic time scale, formation of the earth’s continents and crust, volcanoes and earthquakes, sources of energy and energy cycling in the earth system, global and regional weather patterns and prediction, and rocks and the rock cycle. The students will experience hands on activities and in-depth projects, supplemented by lecture and discussions.
93 - NATURAL RESOURCES I (Intro to the Environment)
1/2 Credit – Can be used as a science or elective credit
Grades 9 - 12
A course of study devoted to our natural surroundings which make up the six major categories of natural resources. The six major categories of natural resources to be covered are: fish and wildlife, water systems, the land and soil, forestry, energy sources, and recreation. Students will gain knowledge in each of these areas through both outdoor and indoor lab and experimentation activities. Careers and management will also be addressed in each of these areas.
89 - NATURAL RESOURCES II
1/2 Credit – Can be used as a science or elective credit
Grades 10 - 12
This course focuses on the management techniques and management positions for the six major categories of natural resources discussed in Natural Resources I. Special emphasis will be placed on wildlife management (hunting, poaching, fishing, ethics, and laws regarding these areas). Students are put in the position of natural resource managers as the main focus of this class and will gain practical management experience by managing the school's Environmental Nature Reserve (ENR). Students will be in the continual process of planning and implementing ideas for the ENR to make it the ideal outdoor environmental education tool.
Prerequisite: Successful completion of Natural Resources I
28 - SPACE SYSTEMS
1/2 Credit
Grades 11 -12
During this course students will study the constellations and the myths that accompany them as well as the earth-moon system with an emphasis on the moon phases and the history of the moon landing in 1969. Students will also explore other astronomical phenomena such as stars, galaxies, and black holes. In addition, students will investigate current scientific models for the origins of the universe and our solar system. This course utilizes many hands-on activities, experimentation, and performance based/project assessments.