Science

Biology Required – Full Year Course

The course will introduce the major biological concepts inherent to all life processes. The significance of molecular cell biology and biotechnology will be covered as well as the traditional comparative study of the organisms found on earth. The relationship of these basic biological principles to humanity and the global environment will be covered.

Honors Biology Full Year Course (Admission via entrance exam)

Prerequisite: Currently enrolled in Honors Algebra/Geometry or Honors Geometry

The major biological concepts inherent to all life processes will be introduced in this course. The significance of molecular cell biology and biotechnology will be covered as well as the traditional comparative study of the organisms found on earth. The relationship of these basic biological principles to humanity and the global environment will be covered. It will be assumed that students in this course have a high level of interest in the biological sciences, are self-motivated and willing to engage in critical thinking and analytical thought about our topics.

AP Capstone Seminar: Topics in Environmental Studies Full Year Course for SHEP--Honors Biology Students

AP Seminar: Topics in Environmental Science is a two semester course on critical reading, writing and research. Students write argumentative research papers, present individual and group presentations which identify a problem and evaluate solutions. Through these projects students gain research skills. As they progress through the course environmental science topics are utilized in much of their work. Students delve deep into environmental topics of their choice for their projects and scientific investigations are conducted throughout the year. Students taking this course must be self motivated and disciplined to achieve success.This course is given a core science credit and is weighted one full grade for the GPA. In addition, based on their work turned into the College Board, an AP score will be determined. If a passing score is achieved, students are eligible to take AP Research as part of the AP Capstone Diploma program. You can lean more about the AP Capstone program here.

AP Biology Full Year – by Application

Prerequisite: “A-” Honors Biology and “A-” Honors Chemistry.

AP Biology is a class designed for students who have completed Honors Biology and Honors Chemistry. Students can earn college credit by passing the AP Biology exam. All students will take the exam. The curriculum will follow the Advanced Placement National guidelines as published by the College Board. The class will be conducted at the college level and students are expected to work accordingly. A significant portion of the content in this course will be learned independently by each student. Allowances should be made for substantial study time. Throughout the year major themes of the biological sciences will be explored. Each of these major themes permeates every topic in biology and has great relevance to everyday life.

Environmental Science Full Year

Prerequisite: Completion of Biology and Algebra

The focus of this lab course is to acquaint students with the use of basic environmental science concepts and importance of both geological and environmental studies, especially with respects on how the non-living affects the living. Topics will include geological processes, natural disasters (such as earthquakes, volcanoes, tornadoes, hurricanes, floods, droughts) and our environment (issues to include energy resources, mineral resources, water resources, land resources, pollution and population growth). For all of the above topics, focus will be placed upon interactions between people and Earth.

Honors Environmental Science Full Year - by Application

Prerequisite: Honors Biology “B” or better and Honors Algebra B or better or Biology A and Algebra A

A strong teacher recommendation is required.

The focus of this accelerated and more in-depth lab course is to acquaint students with the use of basic and more sophisticated environmental science concepts and importance of both geological and environmental studies, especially with respects on how the non-living affects the living. Topics will include geological processes, natural disasters (such as earthquakes, volcanoes, tornadoes, hurricanes, floods, droughts) and our environment (issues to include energy resources, mineral resources, water resources, land resources, pollution and population growth). For all of the above topics, focus will be placed upon interactions between people and Earth.

Chemistry Full Year

Prerequisite: Completion of Biology, concurrent enrollment in Algebra II. In addition, tenth grade students need the approval of their previous science teacher, and a grade of A- in previous math classes.

This course is designed to provide the high school students with more refined skills in laboratory technique and scientific thinking. In this course, the emphasis is on the understanding and applications of the principles of theoretical and structural chemistry. The nature of matter and the changes it undergoes are stressed qualitatively and quantitatively in lecture, laboratory simulations and laboratory exercises. Students will be expected to improve and demonstrate both oral and written skills through pre- and post-laboratory presentations and analysis. The final examination will include a three day laboratory exercise. Although the pace of this course is slightly slower than honors chemistry, the course is a college preparatory course and as such students are expected to spend up to sixty minutes studying outside the classroom for each classroom session.

Honors Chemistry Full Year - by Application

Prerequisite: Completion of Honors Biology with B+ or better and completion of Honors Algebra with B+ or better, and concurrent enrollment in Honors Algebra II. A strong teacher recommendation is required.

This course is designed to provide high school students with knowledge in the composition, structure and properties of matter and the changes it undergoes. Emphasis is placed on critical thinking and the ability to solve problems. This course goes at a faster pace than regular chemistry, covering more concepts and emphasizing more quantitative and in depth analysis of the tenets of chemistry. The laboratory component of this course will allow the student to better understand chemical concepts and apply their knowledge of chemistry. Students are expected to keep proper records of all experimental work done in a lab notebook. The firm foundation of chemistry obtained in this course will prepare them for college work for students majoring in science.

AP Chemistry Full Year - by Application

Prerequisite: “A-” or better in Honors Chemistry; Completion of Honors Algebra II and teacher recommendation. A strong teacher recommendation is required.

This course is designed to be tantamount to a general chemistry course taken in college. The curriculum will follow the Advanced Placement National guidelines as published by the College Board. For some students this course enables them to take second year chemistry work in college. For other students this course assures success in the chemistry that they will take at the college level. Course content emphasizes in depth understanding of inorganic chemistry concepts, chemical calculations and the mathematical formulation of chemical principles. The laboratory component of this course will challenge the students‘ ability to think analytically and is designed to be the equivalent of a college course in laboratory chemistry. Students are expected to keep proper records of all experimental work done in a lab notebook. It may be requested by the Chemistry Department of the university the student attends to decide whether the laboratory science requirement has been fulfilled.

AP Environmental Science Elective Full Year - by Application

Prerequisite: Completion of Biology or Honors Biology and Chemistry or Honors Chemistry with a grade of B or better. A strong teacher recommendation is required.

This non-laboratory science course is intended to enable students to undertake, as first-year college students, a more advanced study of the topics in environmental science. The curriculum will follow the Advanced Placement National guidelines as published by the College Board. Students will be provided with the scientific principles, concepts, and methodologies required to understand the interrelationships of the natural world, to identify and analyze environmental problems both natural and man-made, to evaluate the relative risks associated with these problems, and to examine alternative solutions for resolving and/or preventing them.

Physics Full Year

Prerequisite: Completion of at least Algebra II.

This two semester course explores a variety of physical theories from classical kinematics and Newtonian mechanics through special relativity and elementary quantum mechanics. The course begins with an introduction to scientific thinking and fosters a discovery-based approach to understanding the fundamental principles of physics. This lab-intensive course is designed to help students develop their skills in experimentation, making and understanding measurements, mathematical modeling, spatial visualization, graphical analysis, inductive and deductive reasoning, technical communication, scientific writing, problem solving and project planning.

Honors Physics Full Year - by Application

Prerequisite: Completion of Honors Algebra II with A- or better. Concurrent enrollment in at least pre-calculus. A strong teacher recommendation is required.

This course is designed to provide the high school senior with skills in laboratory technique and science logic. This course is similar to the physics course, but with a greater depth and breadth, and it can fulfill a prerequisite for taking either AP Physics 2 or C. The chain of reasoning from observation to generalization continues to be stressed through hypothesis development and exploration of scientific principles and laws of the physical environment. Instruction is aided through interactive computer exercises, individual/group investigations, oral student presentations, individual/group projects, and various assessments. The course content includes the study of such topics as mechanics, sound, light, and electricity. Math and science are integrated and evaluated at each unit. Students will be expected to improve and formalize both oral and written skills through pre- and post-lab presentations and journal keeping.

AP Physics 1 Full Year – by Application

Prerequisites: An “A-“ or better in all previous honors science courses and math courses through Algebra II, and approval by the math and science departments. A strong teacher recommendation is required.

AP Physics 1 is an introductory algebra-based physics course taught at a level equivalent to a first-semester college course typically required of life-sciences and pre-medical students. Topics of study include Newtonian mechanics, mechanical waves and sound, as well as an introduction to electric circuits. The class will cover these topics through an emphasis on student-centered inquiry-based lessons aimed to help students in developing critical thinking and reasoning skills, explaining causal relationships, applying mathematical processes, designing experiments, and analyzing data through drawing connections across multiple topics within the course.

Success in this course requires students to have an exceptional and intuitive grasp of mathematics, a very strong work ethic and study skills, and an authentic interest, natural curiosity, and comfort in exploring scientific principles both mathematically and conceptually. It is designed for students who desire a more immersive scientific experience than Honors Physics provides. Students who desire to enroll in this course must seek recommendation by their math and science teachers.

AP Physics 2 Full Year Course - by Application

Pre-Requisites: An “A” in Honors Physics or “B” (or better) in AP Physics 1

An “A-“ or better in Honors Pre-Calculus or higher level math course AND approval from both the math and science department.

AP Physics 2 is a continuation of the AP Physics 1/Honors Physics curriculum. The course content includes the following topics: electromagnetism, electric circuits, waves and optics, statistical mechanics and thermodynamics, fluid dynamics, quantum mechanics, atomic and nuclear physics, and special relativity. Students will continue in their development of the following skills and abilities: modeling, mathematical reasoning and analysis, inquiry-based experimentation, and data collection and analysis. Success in this course requires a very strong work ethic, but also a real passion for mathematical reasoning, higher-order thinking, and advanced scientific theories. Due to the demanding nature of the course, interested students must receive advanced approval from both their physics and mathematics instructors before making this course request. It is not possible to enroll in the course without first having demonstrated mastery in Honors Physics or AP Physics 1 (preferred).

Upon successful completion of this course, students will be eligible to enroll in AP Physics C, or in another high-level science course.

AP Physics C Full Year - by Application

Prerequisites: Concurrent enrollment in at least Calculus BC or above. An “A-“ or better in all previous math and science courses AND approval from both the math and science departments. While not a requirement, it is recommended that all students have taken an introductory physics class.

Mechanics and Electricity & Magnetism

This course ordinarily forms the first two semesters of the college sequence that serves as the foundation in physics for students majoring in the physical sciences or engineering. The curriculum will follow the Advanced Placement National guidelines as published by the College Board. The sequence is parallel to or proceeded by mathematics courses that include calculus, introductory differential equations and multidimensional vector arithmetic. Methods of calculus are used wherever appropriate in formulating physical principles and in applying them to physics theory. The sequence is intensive and analytic, with emphasis placed on solving a variety of challenging problems. The subject matter of the C course is mechanics in the first semester, which consists of kinematics, dynamics, conservation of energy and momentum, rotational motion, harmonic motion and gravitation. The second semester covers electricity and magnetism and features units on electric forces and fields, magnetic forces and fields, electrodynamics, electromagnetic induction, capacitance, inductance and circuits.

Advanced Science Research Elective – One Semester – by Application

Prerequisite: Science teacher recommendation

This course offers the opportunity to perform independent science research in laboratory and/or field setting chosen by the student. Areas of study may be from the life or physical sciences to include environmental as well as those science areas not normally offered in the current curriculum. Each project will be defended before a three-person panel and supported through oral and written presentation. A journal is required and the project must be approved by the department chair and the ASR advisor.

Honors Anatomy and Physiology Elective—Full Year – by Application

Prerequisites: B in Biology and B in Chemistry. A strong teacher recommendation is required.

This course covers functional anatomy with emphasis on basic principles and physiological activities of each system of the body, laboratory experiments in vertebrate physiology and the dissection of a mammal specimen. Discussions, demonstrations, dissections, and experiments will familiarize students with the structure and function of the living body and its components. Classical anatomy and physiology will be presented with consideration given to prepare the student for success in health service fields, to foster the health of the student, and to help the student appreciate God's gift of human life.

Honors Introduction to Engineering Elective—Full Year – by Application

Prerequisites: Senior Level Standing. Concurrent enrollment or successful completion of Physics and Pre-Calculus.

This is a hands-on project based course which serves as an introduction to the engineering profession. The course is centered on the engineering design process where scientific and mathematical modeling will be used extensively to predict performance. Computer software tools will be utilized extensively for the design and analysis of projects. In addition, students will learn how to work successfully in teams and understand engineering ethics. Dual Enrollment through the University of Arizona College of Engineering is available for this class.

Honors Astronomy ELECTIVE-One Semester (Fall 2022 only)

This class provides knowledge of the planets, the stars, the galaxies and the universe, so that the student’s worldview takes the universe into account. The student will be able to describe the place the Earth occupies in the solar system, in the galaxy and in the universe. Further, the student will be able to explain the main astronomical phenomena and the characteristics, composition, origin and evolution of planets, stars, galaxies, nebulae and clusters. The student will also address issues about the possibilities of extra-terrestrial life and space travel, so that through his / her knowledge of the universe and our planet, the student can act in a way that reflects his / her place in the universe.

Ecological Justice ELECTIVE-Full Year

Ecological Justice is a course in which students will take a gratitude based approach to understanding and improving systems in response to the Climate Crisis. By learning about the systems behind our water, transportation, energy, trash disposal, land use, and food students will develop a heightened sense of stewardship for our watershed and biome. Putting their learning into action, students will become active participants in a continuous cycle of improvement and implementation of the school’s Ecological Justice Plan to maximize our positive impact on the environment and community. This course is an opportunity for students interested in sustainability and leadership to create lasting change at Brophy and beyond.

Honors Introduction to Materials Science ELECTIVE-One Semester

Prerequisites: Algebra II and Chemistry

This 1 semester course is designed to take a student through a study of how solid materials are processed and manufactured in industry as well as their limitations. A very hands on/lab based approach will be used after the introductory unit, with short lectures over new content starting each class period. Student learning and formative assessment checks will take place with writing assignments, labs/activities, student built and critiqued presentations centered around concepts or experiments conducted, communication with industry professionals, and other miscellaneous formative assessments. Unit summative assessment will be in the form of a written test, and the semester summative will be in the form of a student curated and presented portfolio with a comprehensive reflection demonstrating their learning.