Science

Course Availability

College Prep Physical Science          309004                  1.0 Cr.                    9

In this course, students will learn the principles of physical science, which are examined through numerous student hands-on laboratory activities and class demonstrations. The scientific method is applied to student discovery of physical science principles to promote creative and critical thinking. Emphasis is placed on investigating the chemical and physical properties of matter and the interaction of these properties for technological understanding. Physical Science is a required ninth-grade course.

Honors Physical Science        309008                               1.0 Cr.        9

Honors Physical Science is an introductory chemistry and physics course. This course covers fundamental and in-depth concepts such as force, motion, interactions of matter, energy, structure, and properties of matter. This class will include hands-on laboratory investigations, individual studies, and group activities. Each student may be required to complete an instructor-approved long-term research project involving experimentation. This course is designed for highly motivated students who have demonstrated achievement in science and mathematics. Physical Science is a required ninth-grade course. Prerequisite: Algebra I (or taking concurrently)

College Prep Biology                310003                  1.0 Cr.                    10

The college prep biology course follows the Keystone Biology curriculum outlined by the PA Department of Education. This course studies Science As Inquiry, The Chemical Basis For Life, Cells and Cell Processes, Homeostasis and Transport, Bioenergetics, Cell Growth And Reproduction, Genetics, Theory Of Evolution, and Ecology through lab work, activities, and projects. Laboratory safety and scientific thinking skills are emphasized as a way to learn biology by following lab procedures or conducting an inquiry-based activity. This semester course meets the biological sciences requirement for graduation and prepares the student to take the Keystone Exam at the conclusion of the course. Biology is a required tenth-grade course.

Honors Biology              310006                  1.0 Cr.        10

This course is designed for students interested in pursuing a more rigorous academic career. This course examines the structure and processes necessary for the perpetuation of living systems with an emphasis on chemical and biochemical pathways. Each student must complete an instructor-approved long-term research project involving experimentation and presentation of the results. Course topics include Science as Inquiry, The Chemical Basis For Life, Basic Biological Principles, Homeostasis and Transport, Bioenergetics, Cell Growth And Reproduction, Genetics, Theory Of Evolution, and Ecology. Laboratory safety and scientific thinking skills are emphasized as a way to learn biology by following lab procedures or conducting an inquiry-based activity, conducting research, or completing classroom projects. This course meets the biological sciences requirement for graduation and prepares the student to take the Keystone Exam at the conclusion of the course. Biology is a required tenth-grade course.

Prerequisite: Honors Physical Science, or teacher recommendation.

Advanced Placement Biology 313009 / 313009S (Lab)   1.5 Cr.     11,12

Advanced Placement Biology is designed as a second biology course. It is intended to prepare students to take the AP biology exam in the spring and to give the students an understanding and appreciation of the vast diversity of living organisms, their special adaptations to their environment, and their evolutionary and ecological relationships. The course will be covered in eleven major content groupings. These will include the chemistry, cytology, metabolism, cellular respiration, photosynthesis, cell division, heredity, molecular genetics, evolutionary biology, and diversity of organisms, plants, animals, humans, and ecology. Scientific writing will be emphasized and opportunities to share newly acquired knowledge made available through free response essays. Laboratory work will include microscope study and the incorporation of the recommended AP Biology labs, which are a basis for the AP Biology exam topics.

Prerequisite: Honors Physical Science, CP Biology, or Honors Biology.

College Prep Chemistry           311003                  1.0 Cr.                    10, 11,12

This course is designed for the college-bound student, but not necessarily for the student majoring in the sciences. Principles are studied qualitatively as well as quantitatively. This course requires scientific calculations, problem solving, and lab work. A scientific calculator is required.

Prerequisites: CP Biology and CP Algebra I.

Honors Chemistry         311006                  1.0          10, 11,12

This course studies the major principles of chemistry, emphasizing the mathematical relationships involved. Laboratory experiments are conducted that reveal or verify the theoretical concepts under study. This course is recommended for those students whose college studies will be in the sciences.

Prerequisite: Honors Algebra 2 (or taking concurrently), Honors Physical Science, and Honors Biology.

Advanced Placement Chemistry 313019 / 313019S (lab)       1.5 Cr.      11,12

This introductory college-level course is intended for juniors or seniors to prepare them for the Advanced Placement Chemistry Examination in May. Emphasis is placed on topics such as the structure of matter, kinetic theory, thermodynamics, chemical equilibria, chemical kinetics, electrochemistry and quantum mechanics. Extensive emphasis is placed on problem solving, lab work, and scientific inquiry activities. Summer work is optional.

Prerequisites: Honors Physical Science or Honors Chemistry, Honors Biology, Honors Precalculus (or taking concurrently)

College Prep Environmental Science          311013      1.0 Cr.        11,12

This course gives an overview of environmental science mixed in with lab work. Some of the work done in this course will take place outdoors and it is expected for the student to participate outside. Students will be analyzing real world issues and will be given the opportunity to explore those issues in depth. Students will also do an analysis on their home’s air quality standards and perform a home energy audit project. The following topics are explored: human population, biodiversity, system ecology, land management, water systems, water quality, agriculture, and renewable/nonrenewable resources. This course is designed for students who plan to attend college. It is recommended to have a chemistry background and experience with lab material and safety.

Prerequisites: Physical Science, Biology, and Algebra.

Honors Environmental Science         311016                   1.0 Cr.        11,12

Honors Environmental Science is a collaborative study investigating how humans interact with the natural world. The goal of this 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 and/or preventing them. Environmental Science is an interdisciplinary science that embraces various topics from different areas of study, such as ecology, biology, chemistry, social sciences, etc. The course includes lab activities, data collection and analysis, group and individual projects, topic discussions, lecture discussions, video presentations, student presentations, text reading assignments, and field activities. Throughout the course, students will study populations, land management, biodiversity, energy flow in ecosystems, agriculture, hydrology, and nonrenewable and renewable energy. 

Prerequisites: 9th Grade Physical Science, 10th Grade Biology

AP Environmental Science    313029 / 313029S (lab)      1.5 Cr.          11,12

The AP Environmental Science course is designed to be the equivalent of a one-semester introductory college course in environmental science. AP Environmental Science is a two-semester course for students who have completed the core curriculum of Physical Science and Biology. The course is open to any student interested in learning about the environment and sustainability. With respect to mathematics, students should have completed or can be enrolled in Algebra 2.  Throughout the year, there will be a focus on preparing students for the AP exam, which consists of concept explanation, text analysis, mathematical routine, data analysis, scientific experiments, and environmental solutions.  The class meets for five 78-minute blocks weekly in the fall and every other day in the spring.

Prerequisites: CP/Honors Biology, CP/Honors Physical Science, Algebra 2, or permission from the instructor.

College Prep Physics               312003                   1.0 Cr.                11,12

CP Physics is the study of matter and energy and how they are related. Mathematics is necessary for exploring these relationships. This course is designed for students to improve their problem-solving capability and give them higher-level thinking skills. The subjects studied are systems of measurement, vectors, force, velocity, acceleration, momentum, potential and kinetic energy, thermodynamics, wave motion, sound, light, electricity, and magnetism. This course is offered for college-bound students. Lab work and homework will be collected and graded.

Prerequisite: CP Algebra 2 or approval of the Physics Department.

Honors Physics  313006                       1.0 Cr.                    11,12

This course is recommended for college-bound juniors and seniors looking for a challenge. Honors Physics is designed for students to improve their problem-solving capability and give them higher-level thinking skills. The subjects studied are systems of measurement, vectors, force, velocity, acceleration, circular motion, gravity, momentum, work, power, potential and kinetic energy, fluids, thermodynamics, wave motion, sound, light, electricity, and magnetism. Although the topics are similar to CP Physics, the pace is faster, the depth of coverage is greater and there is a greater emphasis on mathematical analysis. Lab work and homework will be collected and graded.

Prerequisite: Precalculus or math teacher recommendation or approval of the Physics Department.

AP Physics 1       312009 / 312009S (lab)              1.5 Cr.                    11,12

This course provides a curriculum designed to prepare juniors or seniors for the College Board AP Physics 1 test offered in May. This algebra-based course is designed for students to improve their problem-solving capability and give them higher-level thinking skills. The subjects studied are vectors, force, velocity, acceleration, circular motion, gravity, momentum, work, power, potential and kinetic energy, wave motion, sound, and electric circuits. Emphasis in this course will be placed on concepts and problem-solving skills. The topics are similar to Honors Physics, but the class is college-paced. Students will be expected to work at the collegiate level. The depth of coverage is more significant, with greater emphasis on mathematical analysis. Lab work and homework will be collected and graded.

Prerequisite: Geometry and Algebra 2, or approval of the Physics Department.

AP Physics 2       312012          1.5 Cr.                   11,12

This course provides a curriculum designed to prepare juniors or seniors for the College Board AP Physics 2 test offered in May. This algebra-based course is designed for students to improve their problem-solving capability and give them higher-level thinking skills. This class is an algebra-based, introductory college-level physics course that will explore topics such as fluid statics and dynamics; thermodynamics with kinetic theory; PV diagrams and probability; electrostatics; DC electrical circuits, DC electrical circuits with capacitors; magnetism, magnetic fields; electromagnetism; physical and geometric optics, the nature of light, and quantum, atomic, and nuclear physics. Through inquiry-based learning, students will develop scientific critical thinking and reasoning skills. The class will be college paced and students will be expected to work at a collegiate level. Lab work and homework will be collected and graded.

Prerequisites: AP Physics 1, Geometry, and Algebra 2.

AP Physics C: Mechanics       312014   1.0 Cr.       12

This class is a calculus-based college-level physics course that will explore topics of instruction in each of the following six content areas: kinematics, Newton’s laws of motion, work, energy and power; systems of particles and linear momentum, circular motion and rotation, and oscillations and gravitation. The class will be college paced and students will be expected to work at a collegiate level.  Lab work and homework will be collected and graded.

Prerequisite: completion of a Calculus course

Electives 

Organic Chemistry                 312016                   0.5 Cr.        11,12

This honors course is designed for students entering a medical, nursing, chemical or biological field in college. The course will allow the student to study the organic compounds not typically covered in the first-year CP chemistry course. The course will cover the alkanes, alkenes, alkynes, alcohols, esters, ethers, aldehydes, ketones, organic acids, and aromatics and their derivatives

Prerequisites: Honors Biology, and Honors Physical Science or Honors Chemistry.

Human Anatomy and Physiology  312006       1.0 Cr.        11,12

This honors course is designed as an elective for students interested in pursuing a major in medicine, nursing, or other health-related fields. It is similar to a college course and requires extra time and effort to succeed. Students will explore the detailed structure and function of the human organism through a systemic approach, beginning with an overview of anatomic terminology and histology (study of tissues). Systems discussed include integumentary, immune, skeletal, muscular, nervous, digestive, and cardiovascular. Dissection is an integral part of the course and will not be excused. Students will also apply knowledge to analyze and evaluate case studies throughout the course. The course culminates with an autopsy project, in which students will research autopsy procedures, view a videotaped autopsy, and diagnose the cause of death. Prerequisite: CP Biology, Honors Biology, or permission of the instructor.