Science
3 credits of Science are required to graduate from Grand Rapids High School
1 credit MUST be in either Chemistry or Physics
Integrated Science
#1300 & #2300 INTEGRATED SCIENCE
Duration: 1 year
Credit: ½ credit per semester
Open to: 9
Description: This course will have a main focus on Earth Science covering the MN state standards such as systems in our environment: Hydrosphere (water cycle, water conservation), Atmosphere (climate change, carbon cycle, nitrogen cycle), Geosphere (the earth, plate tectonics and earth's internal processes), Biosphere (human and animal relations with all systems) and the Celestial sphere: (solar system, stars, universe etc.)
Additional key topics will be included from Physics, Chemistry and Biology.
Biology
#1301 & #2301 BIOLOGY
Requirement(s) needed: Physical Science
Duration: 1 year
Credit: ½ credit per semester
Open to: 10
Description: Biology is the study of life. Our knowledge of biology helps us understand how all of life on Earth is connected. The topics studied include cells and cell processes, energy in cells, body systems, genetics, evolution, and ecology. An ongoing part of the course is working with the scientific method, and studying Latin prefixes, roots, and suffixes. In May, all biology students take a state exam.
Juniors must select one of the following courses to satisfy their up level science credit
Chemistry
#1310 & #2312 CHEMISTRY
Requirement(s) needed: Biology and Geometry
Duration: 1 year
Credit: ½ credit per semester
Open to: 11-12
Description: Chemistry is the central science. The study of chemistry is essential in helping us to understand all of the other sciences and the world around us. The focus of this class will be on inorganic chemistry. Topics include: Atomic theory, periodicity, bonding, predicting reactions, balancing equations, stoichiometry, acid-base reactions, gas laws, solutions, electrochemistry, kinetics, equilibrium, and organic chemistry. Students that are planning to go to college should be enrolling in chemistry. This is not IB Chemistry (which is a two year sequence and commitment), so the pace of learning is slower and every attempt will be made to assist the student in grasping the concepts being taught. Student evaluation is based on lab work, homework, class participation, quizzes and major exams.
IB/CITS Chemistry I^
#1336 & #2336 IB/CITS CHEMISTRY I: UMD CHEM 1153 GENERAL CHEMISTRY I and UMD CHEM 1154 GENERAL CHEMISTRY LAB
Requirement(s) needed: Physical Science and Biology and for UMD credit, students must have a 3.0 cumulative GPA
Prerequisite for: IB Chemistry II: UMD CHEM 1153 General Chemistry and UMD CHEM 1154 General Chemistry Lab
Duration: 1 year
GRHS Credit: ½ credit per semester
UMD Credit: Completing (in good standing) IB Chemistry I (junior year) and II (senior year) student will earn 5 UMD chemistry credits. Credit issued upon completion of senior level IB Chemistry II
Open to: 11
Description: This course is the first of a two year course designed for students who are completing the IB Diploma or considering careers in science-related fields after graduating from high school. Students interested in engineering, medicine, pharmacy, research, dentistry and other related fields should consider the IB Chemistry I and II sequence of courses. This course will cover all of the topics in chemistry at an accelerated level. Student evaluation is based on lab work, homework, quizzes, and major exams. This course receives weighted grading.
Physics with Astronomy
#1320 & #2322 PHYSICS with ASTRONOMY
Requirement(s) needed: Biology and Geometry
Duration: 1 year
Credit: ½ credit per semester
Open to: 11-12
Description: This course will include Physics semester 1 and Astronomy semester 2. This course involves mathematical problem solving so is not appropriate for students below the math requirements stated above. It will meet the Minnesota graduation requirement in physics. It will involve use of algebra and trigonometry while studying: the laws of motion, gravity, orbital motion, and momentum, light, waves, the electromagnetic spectrum, speed and acceleration. Semester 2 includes the history of Astronomy, our Earth, moon, and the other planets and moons in our solar system. Other topics will include galaxies, meteors, asteroids, comets, the Kuiper Belt and the birth, life cycle, and death of stars, including our Sun. This class will include notes, videos, projects, discussion, and presentations.
IB Physics I^
#1340 & #2340 IB PHYSICS I
Requirement(s) needed: Biology, Advanced Algebra
Prerequisite for: IB Physics II
Duration: 1 year
Credit: ½ credit per semester
Open to: 11-12
Description: This course is designed for motivated students potentially interested in a science major or career. Topics covered in IB Physics I are kinematics, Newton’s Laws, energy, momentum, waves and sound, global energy needs, and electricity (static and current). Course work will be in more depth than a standard course and will include lectures, experiments, demonstrations, videos, problem solving and discussions. This course receives weighted grading.
NOTE: Students going for the IB diploma should take IB Chemistry to meet their 3 HL courses requirement as no guarantee will be made that IB Physics II will be offered in the future.
Science Electives open to grades 11 and 12:
Anatomy and Physiology I
#1350 ANATOMY-PHYSIOLOGY I
Requirement(s) needed: Physical Science and Biology
Duration: 1 semester
Credit: ½ credit
Open to: 11-12
Description: This course is designed for students planning on a career in the medical field or those who are interested in how their own body works. This semester will focus on the following four areas: integumentary system (skin, hair, nails and glands), skeletal system (bones and joints) vision, and hearing. All students will engage in the dissection of bones and eyeballs in order to gain a more thorough understanding of the material.
This does not need to be taken before Anatomy II or III.
Anatomy and Physiology II
#1351 ANATOMY-PHYSIOLOGY II
Requirement(s) needed: Physical Science and Biology
Duration: 1 semester
Credit: ½ credit
Open to: 11-12
Description: This course is designed for students planning on a career in the medical field or those who are interested in how their own body works. This semester will focus on the following systems: reproductive system, respiratory system, and the digestive system. Students will be required to dissect a cat during the second half of the semester.
Anatomy/Physiology I is not a prerequisite for this course.
Anatomy and Physiology III
#1352 ANATOMY-PHYSIOLOGY III (Next offered in 2024-2025)
Requirement(s) needed: Physical Science and Biology
Duration: 1 semester
Credit: ½ credit
Open to: 11-12
Description: This course is designed for students planning on a career in the medical field or those who are interested in how their own body works. This semester will focus on the following systems: muscular, cardiovascular and excretory. Students will also dissect a heart and engage in labs using computer software.
Anatomy/Physiology I and II are not prerequisites for this course.
Brain Anatomy and Physiology
#1354 BRAIN ANATOMY/ PHYSIOLOGY (Next offered in 2024-2025)
Requirement(s) needed: Physical Science and Biology
Duration: 1 semester
Credit: ½ credit
Open to: 11-12
Description: The brain is home to your personality, your memories, your hopes and desires and yet -- how much do you really know about it? This class will take you through the process of brain development, discuss the unique functions of the brain, consider brain illnesses like Parkinson's and schizophrenia, look at differences between male and female brains, examine the effects of drug use and investigate case studies.
Forensic Science
#1360 FORENSIC SCIENCE
Requirement(s) needed: Physical Science and Biology
Duration: 1 semester
Credit: ½ credit
Open to: 11-12
Description: This course is intended for students interested in the science behind the investigation of crime scenes. Topics include fingerprinting, trace evidence, forensic anthropology, serology, forensic science careers and crime scene re-creation. This class has a heavy lab component.
Ecology
#1365 ECOLOGY
Prerequisites: Biology
Duration: 1 semester
Credit: ½ credit
Open to: 11-12
Description: This course is designed for the student who has an interest in the intricacies of ecosystems. Some of the topics covered in this course are behavioral ecology, human ecology, lake ecology, and population ecology. Discussions will scope from local to global ecological issues. Students will also be given an opportunity to use sampling methods designed to estimate population sizes of wildlife including all types of game species.
CIS Intro to Healthcare Concepts
#1370 CIS Intro to Healthcare Concepts
Requirement(s) needed: None but for ICC credit juniors must have a 3.0 cumulative GPA and seniors must have a 2.5 cumulative GPA
Duration: 1 semester
GRHS Credit: ½ credit
ICC Credit: 4 semester credits
Open to: 11-12
Description: This course is focused on preparing students pursuing health care careers and provides skills needed to be successful in healthcare careers, support for making informed career and educational choices, and pathways to multiple health careers.
The 6 modules (units) are: 1) Behaviors for Success in Health Care Settings, 2) Awareness & Sensitivity to Client’s Needs, 3) Communication in Healthcare, 4) Healthcare Ethics, 5) Legal Issues in Healthcare, and 6) Capstone Portfolio. The course is presented through a blended platform of online and labs at the ICC nursing lab as well as 1 field trip to BigFork Valley hospital. Students opting out of labs are not penalized.
CNA Intro to Nursing
#0300 CNA Into to Nursing
Requirement(s) needed: College eligible
Duration: 1 semester
Credit: ½ credit
Open to: 11-12
Description: This course covers the Introductory Theory and Skills of Nursing. The Units include maintaining a safe and clean environment, communicating information, meeting basic human needs, obtaining/measuring Vital Signs, understanding mental health and social service needs, and caring for clients with special needs, equipment or procedures. The course teaches the students to be able to preform these skills in a healthcare facility or home setting. Instruction is provided through lectures (in person and/or web based), videos, assignments, and Instructor demonstration. The students are given practice time in the lab and subsequently must give return demonstrations application of the skills learned by practicing in client care in the skills lab and/or at the clinical site.
IB Biology I^
#1305 & #2305 IB BIOLOGY I
Prerequisites for: IB Biology II
Duration: 1 year
Credit: ½ credit per semester
Open to: 11-12
Description: This course is great for those interested in the biological or medical field as it is designed to prepare you for college courses. Topics of study include cellular structure and function, biochemistry, genetics, evolution, ecology, climate change, human anatomy and physiology plus one optional unit of study that the class selects. Lab work is an important component. Earning college credit for this course is possible. This course receives weighted grading. Exam fees required.
IB Biology II*
#1306 & #2306 IB BIOLOGY II
Requirement(s) needed: IB Biology I
Duration: 1 year
Credit: ½ credit per semester
Open to: 12
Description: This course is the second of a two year advanced, IB program that is designed for those considering a science-related field of study. The concepts of cells, microbiology, genetics, ecology and evolution from the first year will be built upon as well as the study of material in plant biology, anatomy and physiology and neurobiology and behavior. A personally designed lab will be conducted as a final project and is an exciting way to make the knowledge gained over two years of study personally relevant. Earning college credit in this course is possible. This course receives weighted grading. Exam fees required.
IB Physics I^
#1340 & #2340 IB PHYSICS I
Requirement(s) needed: Biology, Algebra II
Prerequisite for: IB Physics II
Duration: 1 year
Credit: ½ credit per semester
Open to: 11-12
Description: This course is designed for motivated students potentially interested in a science major or career. Topics covered in IB Physics I are kinematics, Newton’s Laws, energy, momentum, waves and sound, global energy needs, and electricity (static and current). Course work will be in more depth than a standard course and will include lectures, experiments, demonstrations, videos, problem solving and discussions. This course receives weighted grading.
NOTE: Students going for the IB diploma should take IB Chemistry to meet their 3 HL courses requirement as no guarantee will be made that IB Physics II will be offered in the future.
IB Physics II*
#1342 & #2342 IB PHYSICS II
Requirement(s) needed: Biology, Integrated Science, IB Physics I. Ideally, students should be enrolled in IB Pre-Calculus or IB Calculus.
Duration: 1 year
Credit: ½ credit per semester
Open to: 12
Description: This course is the second year of a two year higher level Physics course designed for the science oriented college bound student. IB Physics II continues with electricity and moves onto magnetism, light & optics, atomic and nuclear physics, quantum, and one option to be decided on (generally astrophysics or relativity). This course receives weighted grading.
IB/CITS Chemistry I^
#1336 & #2336 IB/CITS CHEMISTRY I: UMD CHEM 1153 GENERAL CHEMISTRY I and UMD CHEM 1154 GENERAL CHEMISTRY LAB
Requirement(s) needed: Integrated Science and Biology and for UMD credit, students must have a 3.0 cumulative GPA
Prerequisite for: IB Chemistry II: UMD CHEM 1153 General Chemistry and UMD CHEM 1154 General Chemistry Lab
Duration: 1 year
GRHS Credit: ½ credit per semester
UMD Credit: Completing (in good standing) IB Chemistry I (junior year) and II (senior year) student will earn 5 UMD chemistry credits. Credit issued upon completion of senior level IB Chemistry II
Open to: 11
Description: This course is the first of a two year course designed for students who are completing the IB Diploma or considering careers in science-related fields after graduating from high school. Students interested in engineering, medicine, pharmacy, research, dentistry and other related fields should consider the IB Chemistry I and II sequence of courses. This course will cover all of the topics in chemistry at an accelerated level. Student evaluation is based on lab work, homework, quizzes, and major exams. This course receives weighted grading.
IB/CITS Chemistry II*
#1337 & #2337 IB/CITS CHEMISTRY II: UMD CHEM 1153 GENERAL CHEMISTRY I and UMD CHEM 1154 GENERAL CHEMISTRY LAB
Requirement(s) needed: IB Chemistry I and for UMD credit, students must have a 3.0 cumulative GPA.
Duration: 1 year
GRHS Credit: ½ credit per semester
UMD Credit: 5 semester credits for the completion of IB/CITS Chemistry I and II
Open to: Seniors that have completed IB Chemistry I
Description: This course is the second of a two year IB program. Students who finish this course will take the IB HL Chemistry exam. The course is designed for students considering science-related fields after graduating from high school. Concepts learned in IB Chemistry I will be broadened. Student evaluation is based on lab work, homework, quizzes, major exams, and design and research projects. This course receives weighted grading. Exam fees required.
CITS Health Science Terminology
#1307 CITS HEALTH SCIENCE TERMINOLOGY: UMD HLTH 1104 HEALTH SCIENCE TERMINOLOGY
Requirement(s) needed: Physical Science and Biology and for UMD credit, students must have a 3.0 cumulative GPA
Duration: 1 semester
GRHS Credit: ½ credit
UMD Credit: 3 semester credits
Open to: 11-12
Description: This course is required in most medical fields. It has the following 3 focuses: Latin word parts and their application to the medical field, basic anatomy overview of the ten body systems, and understanding of medical conditions and procedures performed in the medical field. It is a great way to combine the study of human anatomy and physiology with the medical world.
Healthcare Capstone: Career Internship
#1814 & #2814 HEALTHCARE CAPSTONE: CAREER INTERNSHIP
Semester 1: #1814
Semester 2: #2814
Duration: 1 semester
Credit: ½ credit
Open to: 12
Description: The Career Internship program is a job shadowing/work experience in which high school seniors have the opportunity to learn more about careers that interest them, as well as what it means to be an active, contributing citizen in our community. Students are encouraged to find an internship site that corresponds with their career interests. Students that register for Career Internship will need to complete an application and interview for approval before it is placed on their schedule. Before students are on their work site, there will be training at the high school to assure a successful internship experience. Students are responsible for their own transportation and if the student is driving off campus, they must have a valid drivers’ license and current proof of insurance. This course is graded ‘Pass/No Pass’.
Students interested in the Healthcare Capstone: Career Internship, should register for #2814 Career Internship.