Science
SCIENCE
Our purpose as the Science Department is to provide students with the opportunity to understand and explore science concepts necessary for personal life, chosen careers and continued education.
REQUIRED TO GRADUATE: 3 credits
REQUIREMENTS
Grade 9: Physical Science 9 (year)
Grade 10: Biology or Advanced Placement Biology (year)
Grades 11-12: One full year of science from one of the following options:
Chemistry (year)
A.P. Physics (year)
Basic Physics (year)
ChemCom (year)
ELECTIVES (Grades 10 – 12)
Advanced Placement Biology (year)
Chemistry (year)
ChemCom (year)
Human Anatomy and Physiology (year)
A.P. Physics (year)
Basic Physics (year)
Earth Systems (semester)
Space Systems (semester)
Note: UM-Twin Cities, Duluth, Morris and Rochester campuses require four years of high school science for admission.
THESE COURSES OFFERED AT CFHS
#1401 - PHYSICAL SCIENCE 9
Full Year - 1 Credit
Grade 9
Through the explainable art of physical science concepts, students in Physical Science will find themselves having discussions and labs that investigate non-living system in their lives and the world around them. Students will be required to be active participants in the learning process. Written and oral communication of the results will be stressed.
#1402 - BIOLOGY
Full Year - 1 Credit
Grade 10
Biology is the study of living things, including how living things grow and develop, obtain and use energy, and respond 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.
#1410 - ADVANCED PLACEMENT BIOLOGY
Full Year - 1 Credit
Grades 10 -12
This college-level course is intended for the college-bound student who is planning to major in a medical, environmental or engineering field, who has an interest in biology, and has successfully completed Biology. Many students will also benefit from taking Chemistry before enrolling in AP Biology. This course may also be taken by a highly motivated student in 10th grade to fulfill the High School Biology requirement. AP Biology focuses on advanced study of the following topics in biology with the goal of preparing students for the Advanced Placement Biology test: ecology, biochemistry, cellular biology, heredity and molecular genetics, evolution, diversity of organisms, and plant & animal structure and function. Learning opportunities will take place through discussion, lecture, assignments and college-level laboratories. The laboratories will give students the opportunity to engage in key science practices” as well as learn proper laboratory techniques. Purchase of a laboratory manual is optional for this course.
Prerequisite: Need approval of course instructor.
#1406 – BASIC PHYSICS OFFERED IN 2021-22
Full Year - 1 credit *Alternates with ChemCom every other year.
Grades 10-12 (Maximum 24 students due to equipment available.)
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.
Prerequisite: Successful completion of Intermediate Algebra. Need approval of course instructor.
#1403 - CHEMCOM OFFERED IN 2020-21
Full Year - 1 Credit * Alternates with Basic Physics every other year.
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.
#1404 - CHEMISTRY
Full Year - 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 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. 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. Completion of Algebra II is recommended.
#1408 - 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.
#1405 - HUMAN ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY
Full Year - 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.
#1407 – AP PHYSICS
Full Year -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.
#1409 - 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.