Science Courses: Elective Offerings

AP Biology (AS)

This course is designed to help students experience a college level science course and lab that will prepare them for college classes and the Advanced Placement examination in May. The four “big ideas” that are studied are: evolution, energy, inheritance, and interdependence. This course provides students with the conceptual framework, factual knowledge, and analytical skills necessary to deal with the rapidly changing science of biology. The focus will be on skills, hands-on activities, labs, and modeling to help all students achieve at the college level.

The Advanced Placement Examination is a course requirement to earn a weighted grade. Students are responsible for meeting registration deadlines established by the testing coordinator. The CH-UH district will pay all fees associated with the AP test.

Course Number: 1010409
Grade: 11, 12
Credit: 1.0
Length of Course: Year
Prerequisite: Biology
Fee: None

AP Chemistry (AS)

This course is designed to help students experience a college level science course and lab that will prepare them for college classes and the Advanced Placement examination in May. A first year college level text is used. Topics include atomic structure and periodic laws, electrochemistry, equilibrium, acid/bases, buffers, thermochemistry, kinetics, bonding, solutions, and nuclear chemistry.

The Advanced Placement Examination is a course requirement to earn a weighted grade. Students are responsible for meeting registration deadlines established by the testing coordinator. The CH-UH district will pay all fees associated with the AP test.

Course Number: 1010403
Grade: 11, 12
Credit: 1.0
Length of Course: Year
Prerequisite: Chemistry
Fee: None

AP Environmental Science (AS)

This course is designed to help students experience a college level science course and lab that will prepare them for college classes and the Advanced Placement examination in May. The goal of the course is to provide students 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 human-made, to evaluate the relative risks associated with these problems, and to examine alternative solutions for resolving or preventing them. Environmental science is interdisciplinary; it embraces a wide variety of topics from different areas of study. Major units of study will include: Earth systems and resources, the living world, populations, land and water use, energy resources and consumption, pollution, and global change.

The Advanced Placement Examination is a course requirement to earn a weighted grade. Students are responsible for meeting registration deadlines established by the testing coordinator. The CH-UH district will pay all fees associated with the AP test.

Course Number: 1010408
Grade: 11, 12
Credit: 1.0
Length of Course: Year
Prerequisite: Biology
Fee: None

Anatomy & Physiology (AS)

Anatomy and Physiology is an in-depth study of the structure and function of the human body, designed for students interested in health sciences, medicine, and related fields. This course covers major body systems, including the skeletal, muscular, circulatory, nervous, and digestive systems, with an emphasis on how they interact to maintain homeostasis. Through hands-on dissections, lab investigations, and case studies, students will explore the real-world applications of human biology.

This course is a prerequisite for certain Career Tech programs, such as Sports Medicine and Pharmacology, and is highly recommended for students considering careers in healthcare, physical therapy, or biomedical sciences.

Course Number: 1000407
Grade: 11, 12
Credit: 1.0
Length of Course: Year
Prerequisite: Biology
Fee: None

Forensic Science (AS)

Forensic Science is a hands-on, inquiry-based course that explores the science behind crime scene investigation and forensic analysis. Students will learn how to process crime scenes, analyze evidence, and apply scientific principles to criminal investigations. Topics covered include eyewitness accounts, fingerprints, hair and fiber analysis, toxicology, using death as evidence, ballistics, arson investigation, and more. Through engaging lab work, case studies, and real-world applications, students will develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills essential to forensic science. The course also includes field trips, such as a visit to the county medical examiner's office, offering students an inside look at forensic careers and investigative procedures.

Course Number: 1000406
Grade: 11, 12
Credit: 1.0
Length of Course: Year
Prerequisite: Biology, Chemistry
Fee: None

Neuroscience of Emotions and Perspective - College Credit Plus (AS)

Neuroscience 105 is a semester-long course that provides students with both high school credit and four college credits. Students will argue, discuss, and learn from each other guided by reading, evidence, experimentation, reason, and creativity. The course focuses on issues in evolution, emotion, and perspective, examining them through a neuroscientific lens. This course provides students with the strategies, tools, and analytical skills necessary to succeed in a college level science class.

Course Number: CCP4010410
Grade: 10, 11, 12
Credit: 1.0
Length of Course: Semester
Prerequisite: Biology
Fee: None

Neuroscience of College Life: Sleep & Stress - College Credit Plus (AS)

Neuroscience 115 is a semester-long course that provides students with both high school credit and four college credits. Students will learn about the brain physiology of stress and sleep, mental health, and college life. The course focuses on issues in stress management, sleep interventions, and how to study effectively. This course provides students with the strategies, tools, and analytical skills necessary to succeed in a college level science class.

Course Number: CCP4010412
Grade: 10, 11, 12
Credit: 1.0
Length of Course: Semester
Prerequisite: Biology
Fee: None

Physics (AS) and Honors Physics (AS)

The topics covered are motion, dynamics, the conservation laws, electricity, magnetism and light. Both mathematical and conceptual problems will be analyzed and applied in class and independent study. Laboratory activities are frequent and are an integral part of the course. Testing will include concept questions and will include similar problems to those studied in class, but will emphasize those that require independent analysis.

The honors level is designed for students as an accelerated academic offering. Problem solving is a major part of the course and these problems are multi-step that often requires the student to draw upon his/her experiences in the lab or his/her lecture notes. Laboratory exercises are frequent and require independent write-ups which include detailed calculations and conclusions. A high degree of independence is assumed. Problems do not follow a drilled pattern, but require students to integrate and apply the information they have acquired.

Course Number: 1000405, H- 1010405
Grade: 11, 12
Credit: 1.0
Length of Course: Year
Prerequisite: Completion or concurrent enrollment- Alg 2, Honors- Alg 2 grade of C or better
Fee: None

AP Physics C: Mechanics (AS)

This course covers applications of Newton's laws of motion, the great conservation laws, torque and rotational mechanics, and oscillations. Problem solving strategies are the emphasis, the language of calculus is taught and used where applicable to help describe nature.

The Advanced Placement Examination is a course requirement to earn a weighted grade. Students are responsible for meeting registration deadlines established by the testing coordinator. The CH-UH district will pay all fees associated with the AP test.

Course Number: 1010410
Grade: 11, 12
Credit: 1.0
Length of Course: Year
Prerequisite: Pre-calculus, Physics
Fee: None