Science

SURVEY OF BIOLOGY

SCB-2021/2022

Length/Credit:      One Year, 1 credit | Science requirement, lab science

Prerequisite:          None, Open to grade 9-12

Students may be assigned to Survey of Biology (SCB-2021/2022), based on established criteria.

The study of life from the cellular level to the ecological level which includes topics such as cellular functions, ecology, genetics, DNA, and evolution.   

BASICS OF THE HUMAN BODY

SCB-3040

Length/Credit:      One Semester, 0.5 credit | Science Elective, Lab Science

Prerequisite:          None, Open to grade 10-12 

Students will use 3-dimensional science practices to gain a basic understanding of their body’s structure and function. They will implement scientific procedures and perform experiments to gather, interpret, and analyze data. Using critical thinking and problem-solving skills, they will research and evaluate current technologies and health topics.

BIOMED I - PRINCIPLES OF BIOMEDICAL SCIENCE™ PLTW

CTS-3030

Length/Credit:      One Semester, Two Hour block, 1 credit | CTE elective or Science elective

Prerequisite:        Open to grade 10-12, 9th graders that have completed Biology

Location:                  Offered at CTE Academy only

Students must be concurrently enrolled in college prep math and science classes in order to enroll in this class. College credit is available for students passing the end-of-course assessment. Student must complete Principles of Biomedical and Human Body Systems in order to earn college credit through Augustana. This course meets the requirement for the 4th year science

requirement for the South Dakota Opportunity Scholarship. This course may count for CTE or lab science elective credit.

Analyze the evidence found at a crime scene to solve a mystery. Question, diagnose, and propose treatment for patients in a family medical practice. Track down the source of a mysterious outbreak at a local hospital. Access and stabilize a patient during an emergency. Students learn about biology, anatomy and physiology, genetics, microbiology, and epidemiology as they explore medical cases. PBS is a hands-on class for students seeking a career in medicine. This course builds the foundation for subsequent Biomed courses.

BIOMED III - MEDICAL INTERVENTIONS™ PLTW

CTS-3050

Length/Credit:      One Semester, Two Hour block, 1 credit | CTE elective or Science elective

Prerequisite:         Human Body Systems TM Biomed II PLTW, Open to grade 11-12

Location:                  Offered at CTE Academy only

This course may count for CTE or lab science elective credit. This course does not meet the requirement for the 4h year science for the South Dakota Opportunity Scholarship. 

Students follow the life of a fictitious family as they investigate how to prevent, diagnose, and treat disease. Students explore how to detect and fight infection; screen and evaluate the code in human DNA, evaluate cancer treatment options, and prevail when the organs of the body begin the fail. Through real-world cases, students are exposed to a range of interventions related to immunology, surgery, genetics, pharmacology, medical devices, and diagnostics. Each family case scenario will introduce multiple types of interventions and will reinforce concepts learned in the previous two courses, as well as present new content.

AP PHYSICS-1

SCP-5011/5012

Length/Credit:      One Year, 1 credit | Physical Science elective, lab science

Prerequisite:          Open to grade 10-12 

Students are expected to take the AP exam.

Accelerated Algebra II, Accelerated PreCalculus, or PreCalculus is recommended as concurrent math classes.  AP Physics-1 is highly recommended for any college-bound student considering a career in science or math (this could include the engineering, computer science, and medical fields, among others).

This course is the introductory course for students with advanced math abilities to explore “how things work” in the physical world.  (Note that students do not need to have completed a prior Physics course.) Students will study matter and energy and their interactions through forces, fields, and conservation laws. Waves as a transfer of energy and the use of probability to describe complex systems will also be covered. Students will be exposed to a variety of scientific practices, including mathematical equation solving, development of models and theories, and data collection and analysis. Specific curriculum topics for AP Physics-1 are:  one-dimensional motion, projectiles, Newton’s laws, work, energy, power, momentum, torque, rotational motion, gravitation, oscillations, waves, sound, and an introduction to electrical circuits.

CHEMISTRY

SCC-3011/3012

SCCN3011/3012 PBL Academy at Jefferson

Length/Credit:      One Year, 1 credit | Physical Science elective, lab science

Prerequisite:          Algebra I, Open to grade 9-12

Solve real life problems, determine, and justify best solutions and their implications in order to make recommendations for problem solving; use the scientific method, set up labs, organize data, and conduct experiments with correct use of scientific instruments; evaluate and communicate results of scientific experiments in oral and written form; make predictions and formulate conclusions from compiled data; study the properties of matter and the interaction of atoms and molecules.  

AP CHEMISTRY

SCC-5011/5012

Length/Credit:      One Year, 1 credit | Physical Science elective, lab science

Prerequisite:          Chemistry, Open to grade 10-12

Students are expected to take the AP exam. This course is for the student who wishes to take a second year of chemistry.

It is recommended for the college-bound student. This is equivalent to an introductory college freshman chemistry course.

Define, discuss, and explain numerous chemical terms and concepts; solve numerous types of chemical problems including mathematical solutions; use the scientific method; become proficient in laboratory work including use of equipment, compiling data, formulating conclusions, and writing reports; perform the outcomes at a level expected of a freshman college student; increase depth of understanding by considering new chemical topics; increase depth of understanding previously discussed topics; increase laboratory skills using complex lab topics and procedures.

EARTH SCIENCE

SCE-3010

Length/Credit:      One Semester, 0.5 credit, Physical Science elective, lab science

Prerequisite:          Biology, Open to grade 9-12

Do you like rocks and dinosaurs? Do you want to learn about the Earth and its history? Earth Science covers the early history of the Earth, the ever-changing Earth, fossils and dinosaurs, rocks and minerals, and the oceans. Come join Earth Science to learn more about our dynamic planet.

AP ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE

SCS-5011/5012

Length/Credit:      One Year,  1 credit | Physical Science elective, lab science

Prerequisite:          One year Biology, Algebra I, Open to grade 10-12

Students are expected to take the AP exam.

This course of study should foster a deeper understanding of and appreciation for nature by learning problems and solutions to environmental issues. Students will develop their expertise through discussions regarding ecological principles, population, conservation, pollution, natural resources and other issues. The class utilizes a college-seminar approach in which students discuss and answer questions in-class from assigned out of class reading or research. There is also a strong emphasis on laboratory and field investigations. As noted above, this class incorporates a variety of disciplines, so a student that has taken and understood Biology, Algebra I, and a physical science, preferably Chemistry, will have a better chance at succeeding at the AP level. Designed as a course to provide college-level environmental experiences, the AP Environmental Science course is an excellent option for any interested student.

ASTRONOMY/METEOROLOGY

SCS-3010

Length/Credit:      One Semester, 0.5 credit | Physical Science elective, lab science

Prerequisite:          Open to grade 10-12, Algebra I is recommended but can be taken concurrently. 

Laboratory activities require 20% to 30% of class time and include telescope use in night, sunspot labs and weather data collection.

Locate and name constellations and planets in the night sky; apply higher order thinking skills using charts and conditions to infer future and past events; make comparisons between the conditions on Earth and those on other planets; apply properties such as density, atomic structure, and phase changes in explaining conditions in stars and on other planets; identify major weather-determining factors to make predictions; identify major weather patterns on earth’s surface; interpret weather data from official current charts; organize data, and place weather information on maps.

ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE

SCSN3020 & SSVN3010

Length/Credit:      One Semester, two hour block, 1 credit

Prerequisite:          None, Open to grade 11-12

Location:                   PBL Academy at Jefferson

This course combines two disciplines to create an action-based curriculum. Not only will you learn the impact humans have on our environment, but you will also learn how you can actively participate in its preservation through civic action. Projects in Environmental Justice will address the historical evolution of environmental activism alongside the United States government, global intergovernmental efforts to address climate change, and local government’s involvement in the management of our South Dakota ecosystems.