Science
Minimum Required to Graduate: 3 standard credits and 1 verified credit
SOL’s: Earth Science, Biology, Chemistry
Level 2 = Average, .0 wt
Level 3 = Honors, .5 wt
Level 4 and AP (Advanced Placement) = 1.0 wt
BIOLOGY (4310)
Levels: 2, 3-Honors
• Biology is the science which deals with life
• Topics include specific organisms to the complex interrelationship of all living organisms, including man
• Minimum science required for Governor’s School
EARTH SCIENCE (4210)
Levels: 2, 3-Honors
• Earth Science deals with Earth and its place in the universe
• Topics included are geology, meteorology, oceanography, and astronomy
CHEMISTRY (4410)
Level: 3-Honors
Prerequisite: 1 credit of Algebra I & 1 credit of Geometry
Co-requisite: Algebra II or AFDA
• Chemistry is the science which deals with the composition of matter including the many physical and chemical changes which matter undergoes
• Experiments concerning such topics as the gas laws, acids, bases, solutions, and structure of matter
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE (03003)
Level: 2
• This course will cover ecological principles that govern ecosystems, such as energy flow through food webs, population growth and nutrient cycles
• Students will also study the effects humans have on ecosystems such as pollution, solid waste management, resource management and energy conservation
• Emphasis will be placed on how each individual can make a difference in preserving our environment both now and in the future
PHYSICS (4510)
Level: 3-Honors
Prerequisites: 1 credit each of Algebra I and Geometry
• Physics is the science that deals with the physical changes in matter and energy relationships
• Laboratory work will be completed by the students, which will help them to fit into today’s scientific world
• Topics are covered in a much more quantitative manner than in the earlier grades
SCIENCE ELECTIVES
EARTH SCIENCE II: INTRODUCTION to OCEANOGRAPHY (4250)
Level: 2, 3-Honors
Prerequisites: 1 credit of Earth Science
• This level 2 science course is designed for the average student who is interested in the ocean environment
• A survey of the history, instruments, and related sciences involved with oceanography will be presented
• Application of the above to the local area of Hampton Roads will involve student research and laboratory investigation
BIOLOGY II:
ANATOMY/PHYSIOLOGY (4330)
Level: 3-Honors
Prerequisite: 1 credit of Biology
• Physiology is in the study of biological processes, activities, functions, and structures
• Chemical and physical principles are applied to the study of body systems in this advanced science course
• Many highly quantitative laboratory studies will give the student valuable background for premedical and other scientific careers
CHEMISTRY II: FORENSIC SCIENCE (4420)
Level: 3-Honors
Prerequisites: 1 credit each of Biology & Chemistry
• This course is a multidisciplinary laboratory course and will include concepts in chemistry, anatomy, physics, biology, mathematics, statistics, psychology, communications and law
• Students will gain an appreciation of scientific concepts that are applied to real world situations
• Emphasis will be placed on the role of chemical reactions and techniques used to analyze evidence
• There will be a strong focus on problem solving and synthesizing evidence-based conclusions
• After learning basic concepts, students will use critical thinking to explore scientific principles through forensic investigation of crime scenes
SCIENCE ADVANCED PLACEMENT COURSES
AP BIOLOGY (4370)
Prerequisites: 1 credit of Biology & Chemistry
• This course is offered for students who wish to complete a college-level course while in high school
• The course is offered to prepare students to take the Advanced Placement Examination
• A minimum of three hours of lecture and two hours of laboratory will be required per week
• All students have the option to take the AP exam
AP CHEMISTRY (4470)
Prerequisites: 1 credit each of Chemistry, Algebra I & Geometry
• This course is offered for students who wish to complete a college-level course while in high school
• The course is offered to prepare students to take the AP exam
• A minimum of three hours of lecture and two hours of laboratory will be required per week
• All students have the option to take the AP exam
AP PHYSICS I (4571)
Prerequisites: 1 credit each of Algebra I and Geometry
• This course is offered for students who wish to complete a college-level course while in high school
• The course is designed to correspond to a one-year college course in non-calculus based physics and focuses on a complete spectrum of the topics appropriate to Newtonian physics
• This course prepares the student to take the AP Physics I exam
• Successful completion of the AP Physics I exam could be accepted as college credit in courses in which non calculus based physics is appropriate
• All students enrolled in AP Physics I have the option to take the AP exam
AP ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE (4270)
Prerequisites: 1 credit each of Biology, Earth Science, and Algebra I
Co-requisites: Chemistry and Algebra II
• The goal of this AP science course is to provide students with the scientific principles, concepts, and methodologies required to understand the interrelationships of the natural world
• Students will 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
• AP Environmental Science focuses on the “real science” behind environmental problems and issues
• Laboratory and field study are important elements of the course
• All students enrolled in AP Environmental Science have the option to take the AP exam
• Students desiring to take AP Environmental Science who have not taken Earth Science must meet additional criteria. Please see your school counselor for details.