Science

Biology is a standard introductory course into the scientific study of life and life processes.  Students will develop problem-solving, graphing, collaboration, and analytical skills. Students will engage in the Science and Engineering Practices and the Next Generation Science Standards to learn about essential Big Ideas such as structure, function, matter and energy in organisms, inheritance and variation of traits, natural selection, evolution, and climate change.  Students will create and carryout a personal scientific investigation, and increase skills needed for the Science portion of the ACT 

Grades: 9th
Pre-reqs:
Hours/Minutes: 20 minutes/day

HonorsBiology is a standard introductory course into the scientific study of life and life processes that is designed for students who are developing their problem-solving and analytical skills. Students taking Biology will regularly experience hands-on, inquiry-based learning opportunities. Students will engage in the Science and Engineering Practices as outlined in A Framework for K-12 Science Education and the Next Generation Science Standards to learn about essential Big Ideas such as the structure, function and information processing, matter and energy in organisms, inheritance and variation of traits, natural selection, and evolution. In an honors class, students will be expected to engage in more advanced problem solving and extend their learning to science projects outside of the classroom. Successful completion of Biology H will prepare students for future honors and IB,  AP coursework. 

Grades:  9th
Pre-reqs:
Hours/Minutes: 30 minutes/day

The International Baccalaureate Middle Years Programme (MYP) is a philosophy of teaching and an approach to instruction. Students in the MYP explore significant content, develop skills, and deepen conceptual understanding through their engagement with global contexts. Teachers will plan using the MYP objectives and assess using the MYP criteria. Physics is a standard introductory course into the scientific study of forces, motions, waves and energy that is designed for students who are developing their problem-solving and analytical skills. Students taking Physics will regularly experience hands-on, inquiry-based learning opportunities. Students will engage in the Science and Engineering Practices as outlined in A Framework for K-12 Science Education and the Next Generation Science Standards to learn about essential Big Ideas such as force and motion, waves, and interactions of energy and matter.

In an honors class, students will be expected to engage in more advanced problem solving and extend their learning to science projects outside of the classroom. Successful completion of Physics H will prepare students for future IB, honors, and AP coursework. 

Grades: 9th
Pre-reqs: Admittance into Amundsen **IBMYP Honors Cohort
Hours/Minutes: 

The International Baccalaureate Middle Years Programme (MYP) is a philosophy of teaching and an approach to instruction. Students in the MYP explore significant content, develop skills, and deepen conceptual understanding through their engagement with global contexts. Teachers will plan using the MYP objectives and assess using the MYP criteria for year 5. Chemistry is a standard introductory course into the scientific study of the properties of matter and the changes that matter undergoes during reactions that is designed for students who are developing their problem-solving and analytic skills of chemistry topics. Students taking chemistry will regularly experience hands-on, inquiry-based learning opportunities, and group work. Students will learn about essential Big Ideas such as structure and properties of matter and chemical reactions. Course will prepare students for future science classes. Algebra as co-requisite course.

Grades: 10th
Co-requisite: Algebra I 
Hours/Minutes: 1hour/week 

The International Baccalaureate Middle Years Programme (MYP) is a philosophy of teaching and an approach to instruction. Students in the MYP explore significant content, develop skills, and deepen conceptual understanding through their engagement with global contexts. Teachers will plan using the MYP objectives and assess using the MYP criteria for year 5. Chemistry is a standard introductory course into the scientific study of the properties of matter and the changes that matter undergoes during reactions that is designed for students who are developing their problem-solving and analytic skills of chemistry topics. Students taking chemistry will regularly experience hands-on, inquiry-based learning opportunities, and group work. Students will learn about essential Big Ideas such as structure and properties of matter and chemical reactions. In an honors class, students will be expected to engage in more advanced problem solving and extend their learning to science projects outside of the classroom. Successful completion of Honors MYP Chemistry  will prepare students for future IB courses. 

Grades:  10th
Pre-reqs in italics: MYP Honors  Biology or teacher recommendation
Hours/Minutes: 1 hour/week 

Physics is a standard introductory course into the scientific study of forces, motions, waves and energy that is designed for students who are developing their problem-solving and analytical skills. Students taking Physics will regularly experience hands-on, inquiry-based learning opportunities. Students will engage in the Science and Engineering Practices as outlined in A Framework for K-12 Science Education and the Next Generation Science Standards to learn about essential Big Ideas such as force and motion, waves, and interactions of energy and matter. 

Grades: 11th
Pre-reqs:
Hours/minutes: 

Physics is a standard introductory course into the scientific study of forces, motions, waves and energy that is designed for students who are developing their problem-solving and analytical skills. Students taking Physics will regularly experience hands-on, inquiry-based learning opportunities. Students will engage in the Science and Engineering Practices as outlined in A Framework for K-12 Science Education and the Next Generation Science Standards to learn about essential Big Ideas such as force and motion, waves, and interactions of energy and matter. In an honors class, students will be expected to engage in more advanced problem solving and extend their learning to science projects outside of the classroom. Successful completion of Physics H will prepare students for future honors and AP coursework. 

Grades: 11th
Pre-reqs: H. Biology and H. Chemistry  or teacher recommendation
Hours/Minutes: 

IB Biology Year 1 provides an inquiry-based introduction to foundational biological principles through a focused lens on microbiology, emphasizing cellular structure, biochemical processes, genetics, and microbial interactions with the environment. Students engage in laboratory investigations that develop laboratory skills such as microscopy, sterile technique, quantitative data analysis, and evidence-based scientific communication. The course also intentionally integrates soft-skill development, including collaboration, time management, critical thinking, and reflective practice. Study skills are emphasized through structured revision routines, organized note-taking systems, and strategies that prepare students for the demands of IB assessments. Throughout the year, students grow into the IB Learner Profile attributes by practicing principled research habits, engaging as open-minded global thinkers, and taking intellectual risks in their scientific inquiry. Collectively, the course aims to build both the conceptual understanding and the personal skills essential for success in advanced biology coursework and the IB Internal Assessment.

Grades: 11th
Pre-reqs: Admittance into IB DP or CP program
Hours/Minutes: 40 minutes/day

IB Biology II builds on the foundations established in Year I and extends student understanding into macroscopic biological systems, emphasizing ecology, natural selection, climate science, and global environmental change. The course is organized into a cohesive set of topics that all students study, population dynamics, ecosystem function, evolutionary mechanisms, and environmental sustainability. Throughout the year, learning is anchored by the unifying biological themes of structure and function, universality and diversity, equilibrium within systems, and evolution, which support students in connecting large-scale ecological patterns to underlying biological principles. Field investigations, statistical modeling, and analysis of real-world case studies promote mastery of scientific inquiry, data interpretation, and systems thinking. By the end of the course, students are equipped to apply ecological and evolutionary frameworks to contemporary environmental challenges and synthesize biological knowledge at a global systems level.

Grades: 12th
Pre-reqs: IB Biology I  
Hours/Minutes: 40 minutes/day

This is a higher level interdisciplinary science course in which students will study environmental issues such as species conservation, water use, urban planning, land and natural resource management in conjunction with laws passed in various societies and the impacts of those choices. This course heavily relies on the student's ability to synthesize conclusions from the information provided and acquired within each topic. There is a healthy amount of biology and chemistry content that is braided into the content. At the end of the second year students take a comprehensive IB exam in which students will focus on applying their knowledge to new situations.

Grades: 11th
Pre-reqs: 2 years of science, Admittance into the IB DP or CP program
Hours/Minutes: 30 minutes to an hour per day, mostly studying or note taking if the student did not finish in class work

This is the second year to IB ESS , which is a higher level interdisciplinary science course in which students will study environmental issues such as species conservation, water use, urban planning, land and natural resource management in conjunction with laws passed in various societies and the impacts of those choices. This course heavily relies on the student's ability to synthesize conclusions from the information provided and acquired within each topic. There is a healthy amount of biology and chemistry content that is braided into the content. At the end of the second year students take a comprehensive IB exam in which students will focus on applying their knowledge to new situations.

Grades: 12th
Pre-reqs: IB ESS II
Hours/Minutes: 30 min-1 hour/day 

AP Physics 1 is an algebra-based, introductory college-level physics course. Students cultivate their understanding of physics through inquiry-based investigations as they explore these topics: kinematics, dynamics, circular motion and gravitation, energy, momentum, simple harmonic motion, torque and rotational motion, electric charge and electric force, DC circuits, and mechanical waves and sound. There are no prerequisite courses. Students should have completed Geometry and be concurrently taking Algebra II or an equivalent course. Although the Physics 1 course includes basic use of trigonometric functions, this understanding can be gained either in the concurrent math course or in the AP Physics 1 course itself.  

Grades:  12th
Pre-reqs: A or B in Physics (both semesters)  
Hours/Minutes: 

Honors Anatomy and Physiology explores the structures and functions of the human body. Students will learn the main human body systems, and how to use many of the tools in medicine including stethoscopes, blood pressure cuffs, and eye charts. This course is taken by seniors after a comprehensive and successful initial study of biology and chemistry, and juniors who are highly motivated to study science, as well as CP Health Pathways IB students. Students will engage in lab work, hands-on activities, dissections of a brain, eyeball, heart, and frog, research projects, and presentations. Anatomy and Physiology is recommended for any student considering a career in biology or the medical field. In an honors class, students will be expected to engage in more advanced content and spend 20 minutes daily outside the classroom re-reading notes and reviewing content. *This course requires a significant amount of memorization.*

Grades: 12th
Pre-reqs: A or B grade previously earned in both Biology and Chemistry
Hours/Minutes: 20 minutes/daily outside the classroom re-reading notes and reviewing content

Astronomy is an elective science course that introduces students to the study of the universe, solar system, stars, and galaxies. Students taking Astronomy will regularly experience hands-on, inquiry-based learning opportunities. Students will engage in the Science and Engineering Practices as outlined in A Framework for K-12 Science Education and the Next Generation Science Standards to learn about the origin and history of the Universe and the formation of the solar system, stars, and galaxies. In an honors class, students will be expected to engage in more advanced problem solving and extend their learning to science projects outside of the classroom. 

Grades: 12th
Pre-reqs: Biology, Chemistry, Physics
Hours/Minutes: 

EPICS 1 course is centered around the process of thinking, observing and making. It incorporates elements from visual arts, computer design, technology, and engineering. Students will be introduced to new media, materials, and techniques, focusing on the safe and proper use of various hand and power tools. A significant component of the class involves technical design, where students will learn to produce and read blueprints, understand isometric drawings, and utilize computer software for design. They will gain practical experience in digital fabrication by manufacturing objects using computer-controlled equipment, including laser cutters, 3D printers, replicators, CNC machines, and vinyl cutters. The course is structured to promote creativity, exploration, collaboration, and problem-solving, with the ultimate goal of enabling students to apply the Design Cycle to construct and modify prototypes, design products, and create educational toolkits for science, math, and robotics, as well as interactive toys.

Grades: 11th, 12th
Pre-reqs: Admittance into IBCP STEM Pathway. NON IB Seniors can enroll with a recommendation from Math or Science teacher. Final approval determined after a short informal interview with Mr. Rusic (class teacher)
Hours/Minutes: All work is completed in the classroom setting. 

EPICS 2 is the advanced continuation of the EPICS program, designed to elevate students' engineering and problem-solving capabilities through rigorous hands-on projects and professional skill development. Students will work towards certification in Fusion 360, a key industry-standard 3D modeling software, and will be introduced to fundamental programming concepts. A significant portion of the course involves deep exploration of electronics, where students will learn about the electronic unit (including concepts like current, resistance, power, and voltage), practice constructing circuits, and master soldering various electronic components. Furthermore, students will gain proficiency in programming and integrating various microcontrollers like Microbit, Arduino, and Raspberry Pi, learning how to acquire and utilize data from various sensors to address real-life problems. The program culminates during the Junior and Senior years with the Make-A-Thon capstone project, an intensive challenge where students identify a real-life community problem and design a technical solution that is then presented to a group of professional engineers.

Grades: 12th
Pre-reqs:  EPICS I  
Hours/Minutes: All work is completed in the classroom setting.