*Students in any grade can access all courses. The grades listed are recommended age ranges, so students below this range should consult with their counselor prior to enrollment. ** = Courses with no prerequisite requirements 

Biology **

Recommended for Grade 9 * Year Course * 64071/64072 * 1 Credit 

Required: This course is required for all ninth grade students. 

Biology offers the study of ecology, biochemistry, cells, energetics, chromosomes, cell division, genetics, and evolution. This course includes a variety of lab work and activities that require critical thinking. After both semesters, successful students will earn one credit in “Biology” toward the Michigan Merit Graduation Requirements. 

Advanced Placement Biology 

Recommended for Grades 11 – 12 * Year Course * Semester 1 - 64501; Semester 2 -64502 * 1 Credit 

Prerequisite: Successful completion of Honors Chemistry (recommended B or better). 

The Advanced Placement Biology course includes topics regularly covered in an introductory biology course for science majors. This course surveys areas of biological study including ecology, biochemistry, molecular biology, genetics, botany and physiology. The class will be taught at a pace similar to the college level with the course material presented through both lecture and laboratory exercises. Throughout the year, students will have the opportunity to hear guest lectures and participate in voluntary off campus laboratory experiences. The Science Department recommends that students enrolled in this course plan to take the Advanced Placement Exam. Successful students may use one credit in “Elective Science” toward the Michigan Merit Graduation Requirements.

Chemistry 

Recommended for Grades 10 – 12 * Year Course * Semester 1 - 64271; Semester 2 - 64272 * 1 Credit 

Prerequisite: This is traditionally a sophomore class, and all students are expected/ required to complete a year-long Chemistry course. The other option to meet State requirements is Honors Chemistry. 

Chemistry is the study of the composition of materials and their basic elements from the atom through complex molecules, their changes, historic and practical applications, family and analytical relationships. This course includes mathematical problem-solving, demonstrations and student laboratory experiments. This course is designed for students wishing to meet the Michigan Merit Graduation Requirements. After both semesters, successful students will earn one credit in “Chemistry.” This course should be considered less rigorous than Honors Chemistry.

Honors Chemistry 

Recommended for Grades 10 - 12 * Year Course * Semester 1 - 64273 ; Semester 2 - 64274 * 1 Credit 

Prerequisite: Students selecting this course should be self-motivated students that earned at least a B- in Biology. Freshmen in Algebra I should be earning an A and have a recommendation from their teacher. Freshmen in Geometry or above should have a B average or higher. 

Honors Chemistry is the study of the composition of materials and their basic elements from the atom through complex molecules, their changes, historic and practical applications, family, and analytical relationships. This course includes mathematical problem-solving, demonstrations and student laboratory experiments. This course is designed for the student wishing to pursue a scientific/mathematical career, or attend a traditional liberal arts college. This class is a necessary prerequisite for taking AP science/math or Anatomy classes during Junior or Senior year.

Advanced Placement Chemistry 

Recommended for Grades 11 – 12 * Year Course * Semester 1 - 64521; Semester 2 - 64522 * 1 Credit 

Prerequisite: Successful completion of Honors Chemistry (recommended B or better), Algebra II taken previously or concurrently. 

AP Chemistry is designed to be the equivalent of a first -year general college chemistry course. The class will review and build on core skills and concepts from Chemistry, and introduce and explore more advanced topics such as Kinetics, Equilibrium, Thermodynamics, and Electrochemistry. Students will engage in problem solving and lab work that will develop their higher order critical thinking skills and require them to make connections across the domains of chemistry. The large majority of students taking this course will take the AP exam in May and earn either one or two semesters of college credit in chemistry. Successful students may use one credit in “Elective Science” toward the Michigan Merit Graduation Requirements. 

Physics 

Recommended for Grades 11 – 12 * Year Course * Semester 1 - 64471; Semester 2 - 64472 * Credit: 1 

Prerequisite: Successful completion of Biology. 

The Physics course is the study of matter and energy including the natural laws governing mechanics, motion, forces, kinematics, energy, waves, sound, light and electricity. This course includes mathematical problem-solving, demonstrations and student laboratory experiments. After both semesters, successful students will earn one credit in “Physics” or “Elective Science” toward the Michigan Merit Graduation Requirements. 

Advanced Placement Physics I - Algebra-Based 

Recommended for Grades 11 - 12 or department approval * Year Course * Semester 1 - 64541; Semester 2 - 64542 * 1 Credit 

Prerequisite: Algebra II, Preferably Analysis or Calculus taken concurrently. No prior course work in Physics is necessary. 

The Advanced Placement Physics 1 course is equivalent to a first-semester college course in algebra-based physics. The course covers Newtonian mechanics (including rotational dynamics and angular momentum); work, energy, and power; and mechanical waves and sound. It also introduces electric circuits. The course emphasizes the development of problem-solving ability. The Science Department recommends that students enrolled in this course plan to take the Advanced Placement Exam. Successful students may use one credit in “Physics” or “Elective Science” toward the Michigan Merit Graduation Requirements. 

Advanced Placement Physics 2 - Algebra Based 

Recommended for Grades 11 -12 * Year Course * Semester 1 - 64543, Semester 2 - 64544; 1 Credit 

Prerequisite: Advanced Placement Physics I. 

The Advanced Placement Physics II course covers fluids, thermodynamics, electricity, magnetism, and optics and nuclear physics. The course emphasizes inquiry-based learning and developing scientific critical thinking and reasoning skills. The Science Department recommends that students enrolled in this course plan to take the Advanced Placement Exam. Successful students may use one credit in “Physics” or “Elective Science” toward the Michigan Merit Graduation Requirements. 

Astronomy 

Recommended for Grades 10 – 12 * Semester Course * Semester 1 – 64457 * Semester 2 - 64458 1 ⁄ 2 Credit 

Prerequisite: Successful completion of two credits of science. 

Astronomy is an advanced space science course that is designed to introduce students to the theories and applications of astrophysics, and to familiarize students with sky observations and space exploration concepts. Students will work on problem-solving using scientific notation and basic algebra skills. This course includes a variety of lab work and activities that require critical thinking. Successful students may use 1⁄2 credit in “Elective Science” toward the Michigan Merit Graduation Requirements. 

Botany 

Recommended for Grades 10 – 12 * Semester Course * Semester 1 – 64441 * Semester 2 – 64442 * 1 ⁄ 2 Credit 

Prerequisite: Successful completion of two credits of science or department approval. 

Botany is the study of the Biology of Plants. Students will learn about the importance and uses of plants in our world. They will learn about the parts of plants and how they function. Also explored in this one semester course are various methods of plant reproduction and a plant’s effect on its ecosystem. The course includes a variety of lab investigations and activities that require critical thinking. Students will work with plants daily in a variety of situations, inside, outside, and in the greenhouse. Successful students may use 1⁄2 credit in “Elective Science” toward the Michigan Merit Graduation Requirements. 

Advanced Placement Environmental Science 

Recommended for Grades 10-12 * Year Course * Semester 1 - 64561; Semester 2 - 64562 * 1 Credit 

Prerequisite: For Grade 10 only: An A in Biology and a recommendation from Biology teacher and successful completion of Geometry or higher, Honors Chemistry must be taken concurrently with this class (not Chemistry). For Grades 11 and 12: Successful completion of Biology and Chemistry (recommended B or better). 

The Advanced Placement Environmental Science course leads students in exploring Earth systems, by investigating concepts involving the living world and its interactions with land and water use, energy resources and consumption. There is a special emphasis on examining pollution and its impacts on the economy, the environment, and global climate change. The Science Department recommends that students enrolled in this course plan to take the Advanced Placement Exam. Students can earn one semester of college credit. Successful students may use one credit in “Elective Science” toward the Michigan Merit Graduation Requirements. 

Anatomy and Physiology 

Recommended for Grades 11 – 12 * Year Course * Semester 1 - 64171; Semester 2 - 64172 * 1 Credit 

Prerequisite: Successful completion of two credits of science. 

Anatomy and Physiology will cover the structure and function of human body systems. A major portion of Anatomy and Physiology will involve laboratory investigations. Current medical approaches, discoveries, and technology are included throughout the course. Students will understand the relationships between body systems and how they contribute to the survival of the human organism. Emphasis in the class is guided by our major principles: laboratory-based/hands-on approach, comparison of homeostasis to disease, relationships of structure to function, and relevance to students’ lives. Successful students may use one credit in “Elective Science” toward the Michigan Merit Graduation Requirements. 

Forensics 

Recommended for Grades 10 - 12 * Semester Course * Semester 1 - 64443 * Semester 2 - 64444 * 1/2 Credit 

Prerequisite: Biology and Chemistry. 

The main focus of this course is an emphasis of the evidential value of a crime scene and related evidence and the services of what has become known as the crime laboratory. This course combines basic theory and real laboratory experiments, creating an experiment-based situation for the application of deeper understanding for the students. The experiments used reinforce previously learned scientific principles rooted in Biology, Chemistry and Physics as well as incorporating Earth Science, Anatomy and Physiology. Successful students may use 1/2 credit in “Elective Science” toward the Michigan Merit Graduation Requirements.