431007 BIOLOGY

Grades 9-12

This course for the college-bound student is a rigorous, molecular-based study of modern and traditional biological science. Concepts and principles of biology applicable to all life are presented to emphasize that all living systems are similar and related. Laboratory skills are developed to reinforce the understanding of biological concepts and processes. Units of study include: life and cells, genetics, evolution, ecology, human structure and function, classification – monerans, protists, fungi, plants and animals. At the end of the year, students take the Biology SOL test. Dissection is a part of this course. An alternative to dissection is available for any student who requests one.

431009 HONORS BIOLOGY

Grades 9-11

Recommended: A grade of "B+" or better in previous science course AND successful completion of Algebra I

This is a course for the college-bound student interested in an increased challenge in the Biology I course, as well as any student planning to take any IB science in the junior or senior year. The course is SOL based with more in-depth coverage for each topic than that offered in the standard Biology I course. More extensive reading and writing are emphasized. Laboratory skills are developed to reinforce the understanding of biological concepts and processes. This course also introduces students to the IB lab format and grading standards. Topics covered will include: the chemistry of biology, cells, genetics, evolution, classification, human anatomy and physiology, and ecology. At the end of the year, students take the Biology SOL test. Dissection is a part of this course. An alternative to dissection is available for any student who requests one.

423007 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE

GRADE 9 ONLY

This course provides foundational science content that prepares students for either Earth Science I or Biology I, while including aspects of other disciplines such as civic engagement, mathematics, and engineering. The goal of the course is to provide students with the skills and content necessary for them to learn the diverse and unique characteristics of ecosystems, use and interpret basic statistics, and understand the multifaceted nature of environmental problems. By the end of the course, students should be able to analyze current and future environmental issues, both natural and man-made, through a critical lens and to provide a platform to make informed decisions. This course is designed to introduce students to the concepts currently embedded in the VA Science Standards of Learning and emphasize development of practical laboratory skills, including experimental design, data collection & analysis techniques, as well as evaluating the significance of findings and drawing conclusions.

433007 BIOLOGY II: HUMAN ANATOMY & PHYSIOLOGY

Grades 11-12

Prerequisites: Biology 1 and Chemistry 1

Human Anatomy and Physiology (HAP) provides students with an in-depth understanding and working knowledge of the human body. It covers human body systems with an emphasis on the mechanisms that maintain homeostasis. Lab activities cover both the physiological and anatomical aspects of human biology, and students have the opportunity to explore careers in the medical sciences. An independent project is required. If dissections are part of the laboratory experience, alternatives are available. This course is designed for the hands-on learner, and for students who want to continue with life sciences without the rigor of IB HL Biology. IB HL Biology covers a similar curriculum in year two so students must take 1 year of IB HL to access it otherwise. HAP is a one year course that covers the topics such as organization of the human body, cellular processes and histology, and an in-depth exploration of each of the body systems.

438056 IB BIOLOGY HL I

Grade 11

First-year of a two-year program

Prerequisite: Biology I and Chemistry I

Recommended: Successful completion of the honors levels of Biology and Chemistry

This course provides a more in-depth approach to biological principles and processes than an Honors Biology course. It requires extensive reading and writing; laboratory experiences with a heavier emphasis on experimental design, data collection, statistical analysis of data, and drawing conclusions. College level texts and laboratory work are coupled with extensive review and enrichment of basic biology. This course is designed to provide the student with the first year of biological education in their two-year sequence. Units of study in this first year will include: cell biochemistry and biology, cell energetics, cell division, molecular genetics, Mendelian genetics, genetic engineering, evolution and diversity. This course begins to prepare the student to take the IB Biology HL exam at the end of year two. Students must complete the practical schema of work each quarter to remain in an IB Course.

438096 IB BIOLOGY HL II

Grade 12

Second-year of a two-year program

Prerequisite: IB Biology HL I

This course in Biology continues in an in-depth approach to biological principles and processes through extensive reading, writing, and laboratory experiences begun in the first year. Units of study in the second year will include diversity, plant form and function, animal form and function, ecology. Dissection is a part of this course. An alternative to dissection is available for any student who requests one. This course prepares students for the IB Biology Higher Level Examination which fulfills the Group 4 (Experimental Sciences) requirement. Students must complete the practical schema of work each quarter to remain in an IB course.

428055 IB ENVIRONMENTAL SYSTEMS AND SOCIETIES SL I

Grade 11

First-year of a two-year program

Prerequisite: Biology

Recommended: Successful completion of Chemistry I or Honors Chemistry

The intent of IB Environmental Systems & Societies is to investigate the interrelationships between ecological systems and societies in order for students to adopt an informed, personal response to a wide range of environmental problems. As an interdisciplinary subject, this course is designed to incorporate the techniques and knowledge of an experimental science with that of a social science. By conducting and evaluating scientific, ethical, and socio-political research, students make connections between the environment and the significance of their choices, as well as those decisions made for them. Year one of the course serves as an introduction to the ‘systems’ framework of environmental science. Through scientific investigation and selected environmental literature on the subjects of systems, models, ecosystems, sustainability, and resource use, students develop the knowledge needed to determine their own environmental value system. Students pursuing the IB Diploma may choose this course for either a Group 3 (individual and societies), Group 4 (experimental sciences), or Group 6 (second experimental science) credit. This course does not provide a verified unit of science credit, although it does count as a third science discipline. This course begins to prepare students to take the IB Environmental Systems & Societies SL exam at the end of year two. Students must complete the practical schema of work each quarter to remain in an IB Course.

428056 IB ENVIRONMENTAL SYSTEMS AND SOCIETIES SL II

Grade 12

Second-year of a two-year program

Prerequisite: IB Environmental Systems SL I

The intent of IB Environmental Systems & Societies is to investigate the interrelationships between ecological systems and societies in order for students to adopt an informed, personal response to a wide range of environmental problems. As an interdisciplinary subject, this course is designed to incorporate the techniques and knowledge of an experimental science with that of a social science. By conducting and evaluating scientific, ethical, and socio-political research, students make connections between the environment and the significance of their choices, as well as those decisions made for them. The second year of the course allows for the skills acquired during the first year to be applied to environmental issues such as biodiversity, conservation, water and soil as resources, and climate change. This course prepares students for the IB Environmental Systems & Societies SL exam, which fulfills either a Group 3 (individuals and societies), Group 4 (experimental sciences), or Group 6 (second experimental science) requirement. Students must complete the practical schema of work each quarter to remain in an IB Course.

441007 CHEMISTRY I

Grades 10-12

Prerequisite: Algebra I or Biology

This course is for the college-bound student and is a rigorous study of chemical principles. Atomic structure, the periodic table, chemical bonding, chemical equations, stoichiometry, the gas laws, solutions and reaction processes are some specific areas of study. An introduction to nuclear chemistry and quantum effects is explored very basically. Families of elements are studied from the standpoint of the relationship between the structure and properties of substances. The approach is both mathematical as well as conceptual. Laboratory skills will be developed to reinforce the understanding of chemical concepts and principles. At the end of the year students take the Chemistry I SOL test.

441009 HONORS CHEMISTRY

Grades 10-12

Prerequisite: Algebra I

This is a course for the college-bound student interested in an increased challenge in the Chemistry I course as well as any student planning to take IB Chemistry or Biology in the junior or senior year. The course is SOL based with more in-depth coverage for each topic than that offered in the standard Chemistry I course. More extensive reading and mathematical manipulations will be emphasized. Laboratory skills are developed to reinforce the understanding of chemical concepts and principles. This course continues to reinforce the IB lab format and grading standards introduced in Honors Biology. Applications of chemistry and careers are discussed. At the end of the year, students take the Chemistry I SOL test. This course is recommended for any student who expects to take Chemistry in college.

442007 CHEMISTRY II

Grades 11-12

Prerequisite: Chemistry I

Recommended: A grade of “B” or better in Chemistry I or a grade of “C” or better in Honors Chemistry

This course focuses on how scientific concepts apply to real world situations. The course requires students to recall their knowledge of basic chemistry concepts as the first semester includes course work in the area of organic chemistry. This information is then applied to drug chemistry and toxicology during the second semester which is focused on the drug discovery and development process. The first semester focuses specifically on forensic investigations. Topics of study include the history of forensic science and major forensic disciplines such as fingerprinting, blood spatter, trace evidence, pathology, etc., as well as law and ethics and current legal issues affecting the field of forensic science. The students apply this knowledge to the investigation of simulated crime scenes. This course focuses on problem solving, with an emphasis on writing, using experimentation, theorization, research, synthesis of information and making evidence-based conclusions. This course does not provide a verified unit of credit.

441055 IB CHEMISTRY SL

Grades 11-12

Prerequisite: Chemistry I and Algebra II

Recommended: Successful completion of Honors Chemistry, a grade of “B” or better in all previous high school science courses and a grade of “B” or better in Algebra II

This course provides for an in-depth approach to chemical principles through more extensive reading, writing, laboratory experiences with heavier emphasis on laboratory experimental design and documentation than Chemistry I, and more complex problem solving. College level texts and laboratory work are coupled with extensive review and enrichment of basic chemistry principles. The course content is identical to that of the IB Chemistry HL I first year course and the two classes may be taught concurrently. The scope of this course includes atomic structure, balancing equations, and extends through acid/base chemistry and organic chemistry. This course prepares students for the IB Chemistry Standard Level Examination which fulfills the Group 4 (Experimental Sciences) requirement. Students must complete the practical schema of work each quarter to remain in an IB Course.

441056 IB CHEMISTRY HL I

Grade 11

First-year of a two-year program

Prerequisite: Chemistry I

Co-requisite: Algebra II

Recommended: Successful completion of Honors Chemistry, a grade of “B” or better in all previous high school science courses, and a grade of “B” or better in Algebra II

This course provides for an in-depth approach to chemical principles through more extensive reading, writing, laboratory experiences with heavier emphasis on laboratory experimental design and documentation than Chemistry I, and more complex problem solving. College level texts and laboratory work are coupled with extensive review and enrichment of basic chemistry principles. The course content is identical to that of the IB Chemistry SL course and the two classes may be taught concurrently. Students must complete the practical schema of work each quarter to remain in an IB Course.

441096 IB CHEMISTRY HL II

Grade 12

Second-year of a two-year program

Prerequisite: IB Chemistry HL I

This is the second year of a two-year Higher Level IB Chemistry course. This course uses college level texts and laboratory experiences and includes a detailed approach to the principles of chemistry. The course covers similar topics to those studied in the first year but at a deeper level, often requiring more mathematical manipulations. This course prepares students for the IB Chemistry Higher Level Examination which fulfills the Group 4 (Experimental Sciences) requirement. Units of study include atomic structure, bonding, periodicity, energy, kinetics, equilibrium, acids and bases, oxidation-reduction, and organic chemistry. Students must complete the practical schema of work each quarter to remain in an IB Course.

421007 EARTH SCIENCE

Grades 10-12

Earth Science is the study of the physical properties and laws that govern the composition, structure, and behavior of earth systems. It is a survey course that covers the basics of meteorology, geology, oceanography, and astronomy. The course standards stress the interpretation of maps, charts, tables, and profiles; the use of technology to collect, analyze, and report data; and the application of science skills in systematic investigation. Problem solving and decision making are an integral part of the standards, especially as they relate to the costs and benefits of utilizing the Earth’s resources. Major topics of study include plate tectonics, the rock cycle, Earth’s history, the oceans, the atmosphere, weather and climate, the solar system, and origins of the universe. At the end of the year students take the VA Earth Science SOL exam.

426073 EARTH SCIENCE II ASTRONOMY

Grades 11-12

Recommended: Successful completion of Chemistry I or Honors Chemistry

Earth & Space Systems integrates content from astronomy, geology, oceanography, and meteorology with various forms of technology, and social and environmental issues.. Students explore concepts using computers, telecommunications equipment, and image processing software. This course provides the opportunity to understand the relationships between the structure, processes, and resources of the earth and other celestial bodies. Major topics of study include: Origins of the Universe, the Solar System, Earth's History and Plate Tectonics, Oceans and Heat Distribution, and Global Weather/Climate Patterns.

315144 ACTIVE PHYSICS

Recommended Grades 9-12

Prerequisite: Recommended by ESOL Team

This course introduces ESOL students to fundamental physics concepts while enhancing their English language skills. Through hands-on activities and language support, students explore mechanics, electricity, magnetism, waves, and energy, applying these concepts to real-life situations. Instruction integrates scaffolded learning, vocabulary development, and collaborative activities to build reading, writing, listening, and speaking proficiency. Assessment includes quizzes, lab reports, presentations, and projects, fostering a supportive learning environment for academic and professional readiness.

451055 IB PHYSICS SL I

451095 IB PHYSICS SL II

Recommended Grades 11-12

Prerequisite: Completion of Algebra II or Concurrent Enrollment in Algebra II

Recommended: A grade of “B” or better in all previous science courses and Algebra II

The aim of this two year IB experimental science course is to develop the student’s ability to use mathematical skills to provide solutions to physical phenomena. The students should be able to reason through the sequential steps of physical phenomena, perform experiments and report observations logically. Units of study for the course include the following: measurement, mechanics, thermal physics and properties of matter, waves, electricity and magnetism, atomic, astrophysics and nuclear physics. This course prepares students for the IB Physics Standard Level Examination which fulfills the Group 4 (Experimental Sciences) requirement. Students must complete the practical schema of work each quarter to remain in an IB Course. This course does not provide a verified unit of credit (SOL) for Virginia.