Credit: 1.0 (Full Year) - Requirement: All Pathways - Grade Level(s): 9  

Prerequisite Recommendation: None

This course is a laboratory science designed to develop in the student an understanding of the earth and its surroundings through the study of topics in astronomy, meteorology, geology and hydrology. Earth Science provides the student with a framework for the understanding of everyday life. Weather forecasting, volcanic activity, earthquakes, storms, the atmosphere, meteor showers, and plate tectonics are some of the topics covered that relate directly to students’ everyday lives. Emphasis and support will be provided in the areas of reading, writing, and critical thinking skills. 

Credit NCAA: 1.0 (Full Year) - Requirement: All Pathways - Grade Level(s): 9  

Prerequisite Recommendation: Teacher recommendation

This course is a laboratory science designed to develop in the student an understanding of the earth and its surroundings through the study of topics in astronomy, meteorology, geology and hydrology. Earth Science provides the students with a framework for the understanding of everyday life. Weather forecasting, volcanic activity, earthquakes, storms, the atmosphere, meteor showers, and plate tectonics are some of the topics covered that relate directly to students’ everyday lives. 

Credit NCAA: 1.0 (Full Year) - Weight: 0.1 - Requirement: All Pathways - Grade Level(s): 9 

Prerequisite Recommendation: None

This course is a laboratory science designed to develop in the student an understanding of the earth and its surroundings through the study of topics in astronomy, meteorology, geology and hydrology. Earth Science provides the student with a framework for the understanding of everyday life. Weather forecasting, volcanic activity, earthquakes, storms, the atmosphere, meteor showers, and plate tectonics are some of the topics covered that relate directly to students’ everyday lives. This course requires an independent work each marking period 

Credit NCAA: 1.0 (Full Year) - Weight: 0.15 - Requirement: All Pathways - Grade Level(s): 10, 11, 12  

Prerequisite Recommendation: Honors/Academic Biology I/or Teacher recommendation

This course will explore and investigate the natural world, identify and analyze environmental problems, (both natural and human-made), evaluate the relative risks associated with these problems, and examine alternative solutions for resolving and/or preventing them. Students will participate in hands-on, laboratory and field investigations to apply scientific principles, concepts, and methodologies in order to better understand natural systems and to critically think about environmental issues and potential solutions 

Credit NCAA: 0.5 (Semester) - Elective: AC - Grade Level(s): 9, 10, 11, 12

Prerequisite Recommendation: Algebra I or Algebra I Part A

Introductory course on electricity and how it is used by consumers and electronics that range from basic resistors to transistors leading up to digital logic. 

Credit NCAA: 1.0 (Full Year) - Requirement: All Pathways - Grade Level(s): 11,12  

Prerequisite Recommendation: Biology I

Ecology is the study of living organisms and how they interact with the living and non-living factors in the environment. The material in this course introduces students to an ecological-based approach to environmental and resource problems. Units covered in ecology are biodiversity, ecosystems & energy, biogeochemical cycles, community and population ecology, climate change, waste management, , endangered species and water & soil quality. Students will be able to recognize the impact of their lives on the environment locally, regionally, and globally. 

Credit: 0.5 (Semester) - Elective: AC - Grade Level(s):11, 12

Prerequisite Recommendation: Biology I

The first unit of this course simulates the function of the CDC (Center for Disease Control) in the event of a disease outbreak. It is primarily lab-based. The second unit follows a toxic gasoline leak into the water table. This unit is also lab-based. Both units utilize the scientific method, measurement of qualitative and quantitative data, creation of graphs to represent data, running experiments to simulate disease identification, treatment and eradication, and stress the improvement of technical writing skills. 

Credit: 0.5 (Semester) - Elective: AC - Grade Level(s): 11, 12

Prerequisite Recommendation: None

Survey of earth sciences through an examination of natural hazards including causes and effects, of earthquakes, tsunamis, volcanoes, floods, landslides, avalanches, hurricanes, tornadoes, droughts, wildfires, blizzards and ice storms. 

Credit NCAA: 0.5 (Semester) - Elective: AC - Grade Level(s): 11, 12

Prerequisite Recommendation: Biology I

This course is designed to simulate the use of tools and techniques to solve a crime. Students will learn to use the scientific method and strategies to gather evidence to solve a crime. Students will be learning proper etiquette of a crime scene and what a CSI agent does in the collection of evidence. 

Credit: 0.5 (Semester) - Elective: AC - Grade Level(s): 11, 12

Prerequisite Recommendation: None

This course builds upon coursework from Earth Science. Topics will include weather, weather development/impact, storms and climate change. 

Credit: 1.0 (Full Year) - Requirement: All Pathways - Grade Level(s): 10  

Prerequisite Recommendation: Teacher recommendation

This course integrates biology by presenting science in the context of major life issues (work, home, society and the environment). It prepares the student to make intelligent daily decisions relative to living in a technical society by providing access to basic science principles through hands-on learning. The state-mandated Keystone Biology Exam will be taken at the completion of the course. 

Credit NCAA: 1.0 (Full Year)  Requirement: All Pathways - Grade Level(s): 10 

Prerequisite Recommendation: Teacher recommendation

This course offers a comprehensive study of the living world through investigative laboratory activities covering the topics of biochemistry, cells, genetics, biotechnology, evolution, and ecology. Laboratory activities are essential to accomplishing the objectives of this course. Students will develop critical thinking and analytical skills through completion of class and laboratory activities. The state-mandated Keystone Biology Exam will be taken at the completion of the course. 

Credit NCAA: 1.0 (Full Year) - Weight: 0.1 - Requirement: All Pathways - Grade Level(s): 9,10

Prerequisite Recommendation: Teacher Recommendation

This course consists of an analytical approach to the study of the living world through investigative laboratory activities covering the topics of biochemistry, cells, genetics, biotechnology, evolution, and ecology. Critical writing and research skills and laboratory activities are essential to accomplishing the objectives of this course. Students will develop an individual lab journal documenting their research and experimental data. The state-mandated Keystone Biology Exam will be taken at the completion of the course. 

Credit NCAA: 0.5 (Semester) - Weight: 0.05 - Requirement: All Pathways - Grade Level(s): 10, 11,12

Prerequisite Recommendation: 1. Honors/Academic Biology

2. Completed or Concurrent with Chemistry I

3. Teacher Recommendation

Anatomy and Physiology is a college preparatory course designed for students wishing to pursue a career in a medical/scientific field. Students will investigate the development of life from a single cell to its mature form. Topics include microbiology and the immune response, cellular development, organogenesis and the mammalian organ systems. The dissection of a fetal pig is an integral and required part of this course. 

Credit NCAA: 0.5 (Semester) - Weight: 0.05 - Requirement: All Pathways - Grade Level(s): 11,12

Prerequisite Recommendation: Completed Honors/Academic Chemistry I and/or Teacher recommendation

Molecular Biology is a college preparatory course designed for students wishing to pursue a career in a scientific field. Students will investigate the properties of water, organic macromolecules, biosynthesis, and genetic technology with the central theme being the relationship between molecular structure and function. Due to the nature of this course, a sound background in both chemistry and technical writing are strongly recommended. 

Credit NCAA: 1.0 (Full Year)  Requirement: All Pathways - Grade Level(s): 10, 11, 12

Prerequisite Recommendation: Completed Honors/Academic Algebra I and Honors/Academic Biology I and/or teacher recommendation

Chemistry is the study of the composition, structure, and properties of matter and the changes that matter undergoes. This course follows a logical, sequential development of major chemistry principles and theories with the central theme being the properties and structure of matter. Due to the nature of the course, a sound mathematical background in algebra is recommended. Laboratory activities are essential to accomplishing the objectives of this course. This course will prepare students for college level chemistry. 

Credit NCAA: 1.0 (Full Year) - Weight: 0.1 - Requirement: All Pathways - Grade Level(s): 10,11,12

Prerequisite Recommendation: Completed Academic/Honors Algebra I and Honors/Academic Biology I and/or teacher recommendation

Chemistry is the study of the composition, structure, and properties of matter and the changes that matter undergoes. Chemistry I (Honors) follows a logical, sequential development of chemistry principles and theories. Since extensive mathematical applications are required for this course, students should have a firm understanding of algebra. Frequent student experimentation is integrated with the course work. Students will learn how to safely conduct laboratory experiments while working through chemistry related problems. This course will prepare students for advanced and college level chemistry. 

Credit NCAA: 0.5 (Semester) - Weight: 0.05 - Requirement: All Pathways - Grade Level(s): 11,12

Prerequisite Recommendation: Completed Honors/Academic Chemistry I 

This course continues the study of chemistry with more in-depth study as well as new chemistry topics. Topics for this course include Matter and Atomic Theory, Stoichiometry, Chemical Reactions, Kinetic-Molecular Theory, Solutions, and Quantum Theory and Electron Configurations. Due to the nature of this course a sound mathematical background is needed, especially a firm understanding of algebra. Frequent student experimentation is integrated with the course work. Students will learn how to safely conduct laboratory experiments while working through more complex chemistry related problems. This course will prepare students for college level chemistry. 

Credit NCAA: 0.5 (Semester) - Weight: 0.05 - Requirement: All Pathways - Grade Level(s): 11,12

Prerequisite Recommendation: Completed Honors/Academic Chemistry I 

This course continues the study of chemistry with more in-depth study as well as new chemistry topics. Topics for this course include Chemical Bonding, Intermolecular Forces, Kinetics, Chemical Equilibrium, Acids and Bases, Thermochemistry, and Oxidation-Reduction Reactions. Due to the nature of this course a sound mathematical background is needed, especially a firm understanding of algebra. Frequent student experimentation is integrated with the course work. Students will learn how to safely conduct laboratory experiments while working through more complex chemistry related problems. This course will prepare students for college level chemistry. 

Credit NCAA: 1.0 (Full Year)  Requirement: All Pathways - Grade Level(s): 10,11,12 

Prerequisite Recommendation: Completed or concurrent with Geometry

This 1st year course is intended for students that are planning a non-physical science career and who are not necessarily going to encounter a physics course in college. It conceptually covers the material that would be encountered in a college preparatory course and beyond. However, this course focuses more on hands-on-learning through labs, activities and projects than a traditional physics course. It is intended to give students a basic knowledge of both classical and modern physics. 

Credit NCAA: 1.0 (Full Year) - Weight: 0.1 - Requirement: All Pathways - Grade Level(s): 10,11,12

Prerequisite Recommendation: Completed or concurrent with Honors Pre-Calculus

This 1st year course is intended for students that are planning a science career and who are likely to encounter a physics course in college. This course is designed to provide both a theoretical and practical understanding of an introductory mechanics course. The theoretical understanding will be a result of a comprehensive mathematical approach and the practical understanding will be founded in extensive laboratory exercises. It is non-calculus based, although students should have a firm understanding of algebra, geometry and trigonometry. This course is designed to be the first part of the 2-year curriculum that will prepare students for a post-secondary curriculum in science as well as the Physics AP-B exam. 

Credit NCAA: 1.0 (Full Year) - Weight: 0.1 - Requirement: All Pathways - Grade Level(s): 10,11,12

Prerequisite Recommendation: Completed or concurrent with Honors Pre-Calculus

This 1st year course is intended for students that are planning a science career and who are likely to encounter a physics course in college. This course is designed to provide both a theoretical and practical understanding of an introductory mechanics course. The theoretical understanding will be a result of a comprehensive mathematical approach and the practical understanding will be founded in extensive laboratory exercises. It is non-calculus based, although students should have a firm understanding of algebra, geometry and trigonometry. This course is designed to be the first part of the 2-year curriculum that will prepare students for a post-secondary curriculum in science as well as the Physics AP-B exam. NOTE: This is a college in the high school course. Students enrolled in this course may choose to pay a per credit fee to potentially earn 4 college credits from Harrisburg University. 

Credit NCAA: 0.5 (Semester) - Weight: 0.05 - Requirement: All Pathways - Grade Level(s): 11,12

Prerequisite Recommendation: Physics I and/or Teacher recommendation

Physics II - Electricity & Magnetism is a college-preparatory course designed to introduce students to fundamental concepts of electricity and magnetism. The course will look comprehensively at the evolution of the electromagnetic theory spanning from the origin up to and including modern, solid-state electronics. Other topics will include electromagnetism as it relates to electromagnetic waves (light), AC & DC circuits and complex resistor networks. Mathematical background should include a sound understanding of algebra and geometry. 

Credit NCAA: 0.5 (Semester) - Weight: 0.05 - Requirement: All Pathways - Grade Level(s): 11,12

Prerequisite Recommendation: Physics II: Electricity and Magnetism and/or Teacher recommendation

Physics III - Modern Physics is a college-preparatory course designed to introduce students to advancements in physics originating at the beginning of the twentieth century. Topics will include breakthrough theories in atomic and nuclear physics, relativity, quantum physics and some developing theories in astrophysics and cosmology. Mathematical background should include a sound understanding of algebra and geometry. 

Credit: 0.5 (Full Year) - Elective: AC - Grade Level(s): 10

Prerequisite Recommendation: Administrative Placement

Students are placed into this enrichment course based on state testing data, and builds upon activities that deepen and extend their understanding and comprehension of the concepts that are being covered in Biology I Academic, which they take at the same time.