Science Electives

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Contact the College and Career Center about Dual Credit classes. 

District Secondary Science information

District Science Community Festival information

• Integrated Physics & Chemistry (IPC):  (1 credit) In Integrated Physics and Chemistry, students conduct laboratory and field investigations, use engineering practices, use scientific practices during investigation, and make informed decisions using critical thinking and scientific problem solving. This course integrates the disciplines of physics and chemistry in the following topics: force, motion, energy, and matter. • Required prerequisite : Biology

• Chemistry L, K, or HORIZONS:  (1 credit) In Chemistry, students conduct laboratory and field investigations, use of scientific methods during investigations, and make informed decisions using critical thinking and scientific problem solving.  Students study a variety of topics that include characteristics of matter, use of the Periodic Table, development of atomic theory, chemical bonding, chemical stoichiometry, gas laws, solution chemistry, acid-base chemistry, thermochemistry, and nuclear chemistry. Students investigate how chemistry is an integral part of our daily lives. • Required prerequisite: Biology and Algebra I

• Physics L, K, or HORIZONS:  (1 credit)  In Physics, students conduct laboratory and field investigations, use scientific practices during investigations, and make informed decisions using critical thinking and scientific problem solving.  Students study a variety of topics that include:  laws of motion; changes within physical systems and conservation of energy and momentum, forces, characteristics and behavior of waves, and electricity and magnetism. Students will apply conceptual knowledge and collaborative skills to experimental design, implementation, and interpretation. • Required prerequisites: Biology and completion of or concurrent enrollment  in Algebra I • Physics 1 AP may substitute for Physics.

• Aquatic Science:  (1 credit) In Aquatic Science, students study the interactions of biotic and abiotic components in aquatic environments, including natural and human impacts on aquatic systems.  Investigations and field work in this course may emphasize freshwater or marine aspects of aquatic science depending primarily upon the natural resources available for study near the school.  Students who successfully complete Aquatic Science acquire knowledge about how the properties of water and fluid dynamics affect aquatic ecosystems and acquire  knowledge about a variety of aquatic systems. Students who successfully complete Aquatic Science conduct investigations and observations of aquatic environments, work collaboratively with peers, and develop critical-thinking and problem-solving skills. • Required prerequisite: Biology • Recommended Prerequisite: IP&C or Chemistry; or concurrent enrollment in either course

• Astronomy L or K:  (1 credit) In Astronomy, students focus on patterns, processes, and relationships among astronomical objects in our universe. Students acquire astronomical knowledge and supporting evidence about Sun-Earth-Moon relationships, the solar system, the MIlky Way, the  size and scale of the universe, and the benefits and limitations of exploration. Students conduct laboratory and field investigations to support their developing conceptual framework of our place in space and time. • Required prerequisites: Algebra I and IP&C or Chemistry • Recommended prerequisite: Physics

• Environmental Systems:  (1 credit) In Environmental Systems, students conduct laboratory and field investigations, use scientific methods during investigations, and make informed decisions using critical thinking and scientific problem solving. Students study a variety of topics that include biotic and abiotic  factors in habitats, ecosystems and biomes, interrelationships among resources and an environmental system, sources and flow of energy through an environmental system, relationship between carrying capacity and changes in populations and ecosystems, natural changes in the environment, and human activities that impact the natural environment. • Required prerequisite: Biology • Recommended Prerequisite: IP&C or Chemistry; or concurrent enrollment in either course

• Earth Systems Science (ESS) L, K and HORIZONS :  (1 credit) The Earth Systems Science course is designed to build on students’ prior scientific and academic knowledge and skills to develop their understanding of Earth’s systems. These systems (the atmosphere, hydrosphere, geosphere, and biosphere) interact through time to produce the Earth's landscapes, climate, and resources. Students explore the geologic history of individual dynamic systems through the flow of energy and matter, their current states, and how these systems affect and are affected by human use. • Required prerequisites: Algebra I and two credits of high school science

• Food Science K:  (1 credit ) In Food Science, Students conduct laboratory and field investigations, use scientific methods during investigations, and make informed decisions using critical thinking and scientific problem solving. Food Science is the study of the nature of foods, the causes of deterioration, the principles underlying food processing, and the improvement of foods for the consuming public. • Grades 11 - 12 • Required prerequisite: Culinary Arts and three units of science (including Biology and Chemistry) • Program of Study: Culinary Arts 

• Forensic Science K:  (1 credit) In Forensic Science, students will learn terminology and investigative procedures related to crime scenes, questioning, interviewing, criminal behavior characteristics, truth detection, and scientific procedures used to solve crimes.  Using scientific methods, students will collect and analyze evidence through  case  studies and simulated crime scenes such as fingerprint analysis.  Students will learn the history, legal aspects, and career options for forensic science.  • Grades 11-12 • Required prerequisite:  Biology and Chemistry • Recommended prerequisites:  Medical Terminology and Principles of Health Science.

• Advanced Animal Science K:  (1 credit) This course is designed for students preparing for careers in the field of animal science. Emphasis will be placed on the interrelatedness of human, scientific, and technological dimensions of livestock production. Instruction is designed to allow for the application of scientific and technological aspects of animal science through f ield and laboratory experiences. • Grade 12 • Required prerequisite: Biology, Chemistry; and Vet Med or at least 1 credit of Animal Science courses (Small Animal, Equine Science, Livestock Prod.) • Program of Study: Animal Science

• Pathophysiology K:  (1 credit) In Pathophysiology, students conduct laboratory and field investigations, use scientific methods during investigations, make informed decisions using critical thinking and scientific problem solving and demonstrate professional standards as related to business and industry.  Students in Pathophysiology study disease processes and how humans are affected.  Emphasis is placed on prevention and treatment of disease.  Students will differentiate between normal and abnormal physiology. • Grades 11-12 • Required Prerequisites: Biology and Chemistry • Recommended prerequisites:  Medical Terminology, Principles of Health Science, and Anatomy & Physiology (or concurrent with Anatomy & Physiology) • • Program of Study: Diagnostic & Therapeutic Services

• Engineering Design and Problem Solving K:  (1 credit) Engineering Design and Problem Solving reinforces and integrates skills learned in previous mathematics and science courses. This course emphasizes solving problems, moving from well-defined toward more open- ended, with real-world application. Students apply critical thinking skills to justify a solution from multiple design options. This course is intended to stimulate students’ ingenuity, intellectual talents, and practical skills in devising solutions to engineering design problems in a project-based learning environment. Students use the engineering design process cycle to investigate, design, plan, create, and evaluate solutions. At the same time, this course fosters awareness of the social and ethical implications of technological development. • Grades 11-12 • Required Prerequisites: Algebra II, Chemistry, and Physics (or concurrent) and Engineering and Design Presentation I or Robotics II K • Programs of Study: Engineering Foundations and Robotics

• Anatomy and Physiology K:  (1 credit) Anatomy and Physiology is a college preparatory course designed to extend the student's knowledge and understanding of the human body in respect to its structure (anatomy) and function (physiology). A survey of each organ system is presented with initial emphasis upon its anatomy, followed by an enhanced study of its physiology. This course is lab-oriented and teaches proper dissection techniques as well as evaluating the cause and effect of disease, trauma, and congenital defects on the structure and function of cells, tissues, organs, and systems. This course is recommended for students pursuing an education in the medical sciences. • Grades 11-12 • Required prerequisite: Biology and Chemistry • Recommended prerequisites:  Medical Terminology and Principles of Health Science • Program of Study: Diagnostic & Therapeutic Services

• Biology-Advanced Placement/HORIZONS:  (1 credit) AP Biology 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. • Required prerequisites: Biology and Chemistry

• Chemistry-Advanced Placement/HORIZONS:  (1 credit) The AP Chemistry course provides students with a college-level foundation to support future advanced coursework in chemistry. Students cultivate their understanding of chemistry through inquiry based investigations, as they explore content such as: atomic structure, intermolecular forces and bonding, chemical reactions, kinetics, thermodynamics, and equilibrium. • Required prerequisite: Biology, Chemistry and Algebra II

• Environmental Science-Advanced Placement/HORIZONS:  (1 credit) The AP Environmental Science course is designed to engage students with the scientific principles, concepts, and methodologies required to understand the interrelationships within the natural world. The course requires that students identify and analyze natural and humanmade environmental problems, evaluate the relative risks associated with these problems, and examine alternative solutions for resolving or preventing them. Environmental science is interdisciplinary, embracing topics from geology, biology, environmental studies, environmental science, chemistry, and geography. • Required prerequisites: Biology and Chemistry and Algebra I • Recommended prerequisite: one course in earth science

• Physics I-Advanced Placement/HORIZONS:  (1 credit) AP Physics 1 is    1 credit an  algebra-based, introductory college-level physics course. Students cultivate their understanding of physics by developing models of physical phenomena through inquiry based investigations. Students build their understanding of physical models as they explore and solve problems in these topics: Kinematics; Forces and Translational Dynamics; Work, Energy, and Power; Linear Momentum; Torque and Rotational Dynamics; Energy and Momentum of Rotating Systems; Oscillations; and Fluids. • Required prerequisite: completion or concurrent enrollment in Algebra II • Algebra based • This course may substitute for Physics

• Physics II-Advanced Placement/HORIZONS:  (1 credit) AP Physics 2 is an algebra-based, introductory college-level physics course. Students cultivate their understanding of physics by developing models of physical phenomena through inquiry-based investigations. Students build their understanding of physical models as they explore and solve problems in these topics: Thermodynamics, Electric Force, Field, and Potential; Electric Circuits; Magnetism and Electromagnetism; Geometric Optics; Waves, Sound, and Physical Optics; and Modern Physics. AP Physics 2 is equivalent to the second course in an introductory college course sequence in algebra-based physics. • Required prerequisite: Physics or AP Physics 1 and completion or concurrent enrollment in Precalculus • Algebra based

• Physics C-Advanced Placement/HORIZONS:  (2 credits) AP Physics C: Mechanics & Electricity and Magnetism is a calculus based introductory college-level physics course. Students cultivate their understanding of physics by developing models of physical phenomena through inquiry-based investigations. Students build their understanding of physical models as they explore and solve problems in these topics: Kinematics; Forces and Translational Dynamics; Work, Energy, and Power; Linear Momentum; Torque and Rotational Dynamics; Energy and Momentum of Rotating Systems; Oscillations; Electric Charges, Fields, and Gauss's Law; Electric Potential; Conductors and Capacitors; Electric Circuits; Magnetic Fields and Electromagnetism; Electromagnetic Induction. This year-long, two-period block schedule course is equivalent to two semesters (first and second courses) in an introductory college course sequence in calculus-based physics (often for engineer and science majors). • Required prerequisites: Physics or AP Physics 1 and completion of or concurrent enrollment in Calculus. • Calculus based