SCIENCE

GPA: Yes Weighted: No

PREREQUISITE: None

The student will learn about the natural world by conducting field and laboratory investigations. The first semester will present concepts that include chemical, physical and nuclear changes, conservation laws, and the chemistry of solutions. The topics covered in this class will be integrated into the events of everyday life. The second semester will cover mechanics, wave theory, acoustics, optics, and electrical principals.

COURSE NOTES: This course is taken on the 9th grade campus.

GPA: Yes Weighted: No

PREREQUISITE: JISD recommends Integrated Physics and Chemistry

This course will allow the student to perform field and laboratory inquiries using accepted and ethical practices when investigating life processes. The course will explore genetics, biochemical processes including concepts of DNA, how living things relate to their living and non-living world, how organisms grow and how life forms have changed.

COURSE CODES: BIO9, BIO HS, BIO

GPA: Yes Weighted: Yes

PREREQUISITE: JISD recommends Integrated Physics and Chemistry

The Pre-AP Biology course emphasizes the integration of content with science practices—powerful reasoning tools that support students in analyzing the natural world around them. This ability is one of the hallmarks of scientific literacy, and it cultivates a more sustainable pathway to numerous college and career opportunities in science as well as numerous natural and social sciences. This course focuses on the foundational biology knowledge and skills that matter most in preparing students for subsequent coursework in science. This course concentrates on the core areas of ecological systems, evolution, cellular systems, and genetics. Rather than understanding content topics in isolation, students will make meaningful connections between the structures, processes, and interactions that exist across biological systems—from cells to ecological communities. In Pre-AP Biology, students will: Actively participate in analyzing real-world phenomena. Apply science practices to construct and revise their knowledge. Regularly collaborate with their peers in dialogue, investigations, and problem solving.

COURSE CODES: BIOPA9, BIOPAP

GPA: Yes Weighted: No

PREREQUISITES: One year of high school science (JISD recommends IPC and Biology) and Algebra I

RECOMMENDED PREREQUISITE: Concurrent enrollment or completion in a second year of math (Geometry or Algebra II).

The student will use critical thinking and logical problem solving techniques to analyze and evaluate the chemical and physical changes that occur in a chemical system. Concepts of atomic structure, periodicity, nomenclature, and stoichiometry will be covered in the first semester. The second semester will cover gas behavior, energy exchanges, solution chemistry, electro chemistry, nuclear and organic chemistry.

GPA: Yes Weighted: Yes

PREREQUISITES: One year of high school science (JISD recommends IPC and Biology) and Algebra I

RECOMMENDED PREREQUISITE: Concurrent enrollment or completion in a second year of math (Geometry or Algebra II)

Pre-AP Chemistry is a one-year course designed to cover in greater depth and with more complexity the same material as General Chemistry, and will introduce topics that will prepare the student for AP Chemistry and other advanced science courses. A greater emphasis on student scholarship is a characteristic of the course. A strong background in math is recommended.

COURSE NOTES: A lab notebook and calculator are required.

GPA: Yes Weighted: No

PREREQUISITES: Biology & Chemistry or Integrated Physics and Chemistry (IPC); Algebra 1 and Geometry; and Equine Science or Livestock Production or Small Animal Management

RECOMMENDED PREREQUISITE: Veterinary Medical Applications

An activity-based course designed to provide an in-depth knowledge of nutrition, reproduction, and health management. This course is excellent for students thinking about a career in veterinary medicine.

GPA: Yes Weighted: No

PREREQUISITES: Biology and Chemistry or Integrated Physics and Chemistry (IPC) or Physics

RECOMMENDED PREREQUISITE: A course from the Health Science Career Cluster

Each major system of the human body will be explored along with the processes, activities, and phenomena that explain these systems.

GPA: Yes Weighted: Yes

COLLEGE COURSE NAME: BIOL 2401 and BIOL 2402

PREREQUISITE: Compliance with the Texas Success Initiative (TSI)

COREQUISITES: College Anatomy & Physiology A & College Anatomy & Physiology B

During the two semester course students will be learning about the structure and function of the human body, cell structure and function, tissues , survey of the structure and functions of the organ systems and a more detailed consideration of the integumentary, skeletal, muscular, and nervous systems. Further study will include the structure and function of the human body with a detailed consideration of the endocrine, circulatory, digestive, respiratory, urinary and reproductive systems. Fluids and electrolytes are also covered.

COURSE NOTES: Students can receive dual college and high school credit for this course. Students must be enrolled in four high school credit courses and the dual credit course.

Each student is responsible for the college tuition fee each semester and may be required to purchase college materials.

GPA: Yes Weighted: Yes

RECOMMENDED PREREQUISITES: Biology and Chemistry

The subject matter will be determined by the College Board and will include: cell anatomy, cell physiology, biochemistry, the molecular basis of heredity, ecology, and anatomy and physiology. The College Board requires the student to complete labs on specific topics.

COURSE NOTES: A lab notebook is required.

Students who enroll in AP Biology are expected to take the corresponding AP exam.

Students taking the AP exam have the opportunity to earn college credit.

GPA: Yes Weighted: Yes

RECOMMENDED PREREQUISITES: Chemistry and Algebra II

AP Chemistry is a one-year course designed to be the equivalent of freshman college/university level general chemistry course. It emphasizes solution chemistry, kinetics, equilibrium, thermodynamics, acids and bases, molecular structure, electrochemistry, and reaction production predictions. This can count as the fourth science credit.

COURSE NOTES: A lab notebook and calculator are required.

Students who enroll in AP Chemistry are expected to take the corresponding AP exam.

Students taking the AP exam have the opportunity to earn college credit.

GPA: Yes Weighted: Yes

RECOMMENDED PREREQUISITES: Algebra I, Biology and Chemistry

The goal of the AP Environmental Science course is to provide students with the scientific principles, concepts, and methodologies required to understand the interrelationships of the natural world, to 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 or preventing them. Environmental science is interdisciplinary; it embraces a wide variety of topics from different areas of study. Yet there are several major unifying constructs, or themes, that cut across the many topics included in the study of environmental science. 1. Science is a process. 2. Energy conversions underlie all ecological processes. 3. The Earth itself is one interconnected system.4. Humans alter natural systems.5. Environmental problems have a cultural and social context.6. Human survival depends on developing practices that will achieve sustainable systems.

COURSE NOTES: Students who enroll in AP Environmental Science are expected to take the corresponding AP exam.

Students taking the AP exam have the opportunity to earn college credit.

GPA: Yes Weighted: No

RECOMMENED PREREQUISITE: One unit of high school science

This course examines the universe from our solar system to distant galaxies at the farthest reaches of space. Using available online resources and media, students taking this course will use concepts from Chemistry, Physics, Geometry, Algebra, and History to evaluate celestial objects and discover the hidden wonders of the cosmos. Can be used as a 4th science.

GPA: Yes Weighted: Yes

PREREQUISITES: Algebra I & Geometry & at least 1 Level 2 or higher course from the STEM career cluster (Must have taken Manufacturing of Engineering)

Recommended Prerequisites: two Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics Career Cluster credits.

The Engineering Design and Problem-Solving course is the creative process of solving problems by identifying needs and then devising solutions. The solution may be a product, technique, structure, or process depending on the problem. Science aims to understand the natural world, while engineering seeks to shape this world to meet human needs and wants. Engineering design takes into consideration limiting factors or "design under constraint." Various engineering disciplines address a broad spectrum of design problems using specific concepts from the sciences and mathematics to derive a solution. The design process and problem solving are inherent to all engineering disciplines.

GPA: Yes Weighted: No

PREREQUISITES: Biology and Chemistry or Integrated Physics and Chemistry (IPC) or Physics

This is a course that uses a structured and scientific approach to the investigation of crimes of assault, abuse and neglect, domestic violence, accidental death, homicide, and the psychology of criminal behavior. Students will learn terminology and investigative procedures related to crime scene, questioning, interviewing, criminal behavior characteristics, truth detection, and scientific procedures used to solve crimes. Using scientific methods, students will collect and analyze evidence through case studies and simulated crime scenes such as fingerprint analysis, ballistics, and blood spatter analysis. Students will learn the history, legal aspects, and career options for forensic science. This can be used as a 4th science credit.

GPA: Yes Weighted: No

PREREQUISITE: Biology and Chemistry and at least 1 credit in a Level 2 or higher course from the Health Science career cluster (Must have taken Med Term or Anatomy and Physiology)

RECOMMENDED PREREQUISITE: A course from the Health Science Career Cluster

The Pathophysiology course is designed for students to conduct laboratory and field investigations, use scientific methods during investigations, and make informed decisions using critical thinking and scientific problem solving. Students in Pathophysiology will study disease processes and how humans are affected. Emphasis is placed on prevention and treatment of disease. Students will differentiate between normal and abnormal physiology. Students should know that some questions are outside the realm of science because they deal with phenomena that are not scientifically testable.

COURSE NOTES: This course satisfies a science credit requirement for students on the Foundation High School Program.

GPA: Yes Weighted: No

PREREQUISITE: Algebra I

Students will plan and implement experimental procedures, physical events, and communicate valid conclusions. The course will explore the laws of linear, projectile and circular motion. Conservation laws of momentum and energy will complete the first semester. The second semester will present wave theory, electromagnetism, electric circuits, sound and quantum mechanics. This can be used as a 4th year science credit.

COURSE NOTES: A bound lab notebook is required. A calculator is recommended.

GPA: Yes Weighted: Yes

Recommended prerequisites: Algebra I, Geometry

Learn about the foundational principles of physics as you explore Newtonian mechanics; work, energy, and power; mechanical waves and sound; and introductory, simple circuits. You’ll do hands-on laboratory work to investigate phenomena.

COURSE NOTES: Students who enroll in AP Physics 1 are expected to take the corresponding AP exam.

Students taking the AP exam have the opportunity to earn college credit.