Courses Descriptions

Earth Sciences

Earth/Environmental Science

The earth/environmental science curriculum focuses on the function of the earth’s systems. Emphasis is placed on earth in the universe; global climate; structure and processes that occur in the lithosphere, hydrosphere, and atmosphere; human impact on the biosphere; and sustainability. This course meets the graduation requirement for earth science. This is typically a 9th grade course.

Earth/Environmental Science - Honors

PREREQUISITE(s): Recommend 7th/8th Grade Reading EOG and 8th Grade Science EOG at Level IV or Higher The earth/environmental science curriculum focuses on the function of the earth’s systems. Emphasis is placed on earth in the universe; global climate; structure and processes that occur in the lithosphere, hydrosphere, and atmosphere; human impact on the biosphere; and sustainability. This course or the standard level course meets the graduation requirement for earth science. This course covers the earth/environmental science curriculum in greater depth with a focus on pre-biology concepts and problem-solving. This is typically a 9th grade course.

AP Environmental (Elective)

PREREQUISITE(s): Recommend a final grade of 85 or higher in Biology Honors, Chemistry Honors, and NC Math II Honors The AP Environmental Science course is designed to engage students with the scientific principles, concepts, and methodologies required to understand the interrelationships within the natural world. The course requires that students identify and analyze natural and human-made environmental problems, evaluate the relative risks associated with these problems, and examine alternative solutions for resolving or preventing them. Environmental science is interdisciplinary, embracing topics from geology, biology, environmental studies, environmental science, chemistry, and geography. It is expected this college-level course will require greater amounts of time and effort on the part of the student. Descriptive and experimental laboratory experiences will be assigned to provide maximum opportunity for students to learn a variety of skills and concepts. More information about this course and the College Board’s recommendation of prerequisite work can be obtained from the College Board website.

Life Sciences

Biology

PREREQUISITE(s): Recommend Earth/Environmental Science. The Biology I curriculum covers life science topics. Emphasis is on cellular structure and function; cell processes; interdependence of organisms within their environments (cycles, adaptations, relationships, limiting factors); impact of human activities on the environment; structure and function of DNA; genetic traits and expression; application of DNA technology; theory of evolution by natural selection; classification systems; biological molecules; and biochemical processes. Completion of this course (or the honors level course) with a 60 or higher final grade and the state-mandated Biology EOC with a Level III or higher satisfies the Biology graduation requirement.

Biology - Honors

PREREQUISITE(s): Recommended final grade of 80 or higher in HN Earth/Environmental Science. The Biology I curriculum covers life science topics. Emphasis is on cellular structure and function; cell processes; interdependence of organisms within their environments (cycles, adaptations, relationships, limiting factors); impact of human activities on the environment; structure and function of DNA; genetic traits and expression; application of DNA technology; theory of evolution by natural selection; classification systems; biological molecules; and biochemical processes. Completion of this course with a 60 or higher final grade and the state-mandated Biology EOC with a Level III or higher satisfies the Biology graduation requirement. This honors course covers Biology topics in greater depth with a focus on problem-solving in the context of a larger environmental impact and lab experience.

North Carolina Wildlife (Elective)

PREREQUISITE(s): Recommended Earth / Environmental Science and Biology. This course focuses on the interrelationships among organisms native to North Carolina and the physical, chemical, geological, and biological factors in their environment. Studies include the variety of life in the different regions of the state (mountains, Piedmont and coast). Laboratory and field experiences are major components of this course.

Anatomy and Physiology - Honors (Elective)

PREREQUISITE(s): Recommended final grade of 80 or higher in Biology. This course serves as an elective course and is an advanced detailed study of the structure and function of the human body systems. Appropriate laboratory exercises accompany the curriculum to provide students with relevant application opportunities.

Forensics Science - Honors (Elective)

PREREQUISITE(s): Recommended final grade of 80 or higher in Biology and Chemistry. The Forensic Science course serves as an elective course to introduce students to basic forensic methods and techniques. Forensic Science is a field of science emphasizing chemistry, biology, biotechnology, geology, and physics and their application in solving criminal cases. This forensics course will focus on the scientific and evidence collection methods behind solving crimes and other aspects of detective work such as criminal psychology, fingerprinting, handwriting analysis, and odontology.

AP Biology (Elective)

PREREQUISITE(s): Recommend final grade of 85 or higher in Biology Honors and Chemistry Honors. AP Biology is equivalent to a two-semester introductory college-level biology course. Students cultivate their understanding of biology through inquiry-based investigations as they explore the following topics: evolution, cellular processes, energy and communication, genetics, information transfer, ecology, and interactions. It is expected this college-level course will require greater amounts of time and effort on the part of the student. Descriptive and experimental laboratory experiences will be assigned to provide maximum opportunity for students to learn a variety of skills and concepts. More detailed information on this course and College Board recommendations for prerequisite work can be obtained from the College Board website.

Physical Sciences

Physical Science

The physical science curriculum covers the following topics: motion (speed, velocity, acceleration, momentum); the relationship between forces and motion; matter; chemical bonding and chemical interactions; radiation and radioactivity; waves; energy conservation and transfer; and electricity and magnetism. This course satisfies the state graduation requirement in physical science.

Chemistry

PREREQUISITE(s): Recommend Biology and NC Math II. Chemistry I focuses on topics associated with chemical reactions and energy. Emphasis is on atomic structure; bonding; physical and chemical properties and changes; the Periodic Table; the relationship between pressure, temperature, and volume and phase; analysis of chemical reactions; rate of reaction; chemical equilibrium; and solutions. This course (or the honors level) satisfies the state graduation requirement for physical science.

Chemistry Honors

PREREQUISITE(s): Recommend final grade of 80 or higher in Biology Honors and NC Math I. Chemistry I focuses on topics associated with chemical reactions and energy. Emphasis is on atomic structure; bonding; physical and chemical properties and changes; the Periodic Table; the relationship between pressure, temperature, and volume and phase; analysis of chemical reactions; rate of reaction; chemical equilibrium; and solutions. This course (or the standard level) satisfies the state graduation requirement for physical science. This course provides an in-depth study of topics outlined in Chemistry I with a focus on quantitative analysis and lab experience.

Physics Honors (Elective)

PREREQUISITE(s): Recommend final grade of 80 or higher in NC Math II. Honors Physics provides an in-depth study using the language of mathematics to describe natural phenomena. Inquiry is applied to the study of matter and energy and their interaction. Students will study motion and momentum; forces and systems; conservation of momentum, energy, and impulse; work; energy and power; waves; charges and electric circuits; electrostatic systems; and magnetism. This course satisfies the state graduation requirement for physical science.

Astronomy Honors (Elective)

Astronomy is the branch of science that deals with celestial bodies and the universe. Scientists estimate that there are one hundred thousand million stars in the Milky Way galaxy that we reside in. Scientists also estimate that there are millions upon millions of galaxies like the Milky Way. This class will attempt to study what humans have been studying for thousands of years. We will explore what is known about the universe including stars, planets, galaxies, nebulae, and many other celestial objects.

AP Chemistry (Elective)

PREREQUISITE(s): Recommend final grade of 85 or higher in Biology Honors, Chemistry Honors, and NC Math II Honors. The AP Chemistry course provides a college-level foundation to support future advanced coursework in chemistry. Students cultivate their understanding of chemistry through inquiry-based investigations, as they explore content such as atomic structure, intermolecular forces and bonding, chemical reactions, kinetics, thermodynamics, and equilibrium. This college-level course will require greater amounts of time and effort on the part of the student.

AP Physics 1 (Elective)

PREREQUISITE(s): Recommend final grade of 85 or higher in Physics I Honors and NC Math III Honors (or concurrent enrollment in NC Math III Honors). 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. This college-level course will require greater amounts of time and effort on the part of the student.

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