This course is based on the Life Science and Environmental Literacy and Sustainability Science Standards for Pennsylvania and is designed to prepare students for the Ecology portion of the Keystone Biology Exam.  The course will focus on human interaction with the environment as it relates to the impact on the hierarchy of life and biogeochemical cycles.  Additional topics include an introduction to biochemistry and cell theory. 

Prerequisites:  Life Science & meets Honors criteria

This course is designed to prepare students for the Keystone Biology Exam.  The course will focus on four main themes:  From Molecules to Organisms: Structures and Processes,  Ecosystems: Interactions, Energy, and Dynamics,  Heredity: Inheritance and Variation of Traits,   Biological Evolution: Unity and Diversity .  As part of the laboratory component of Biology, this course may involve dissections of preserved specimens.

Prerequisite: Environmental Science

This course is designed to prepare students for the Keystone Biology Exam.  The course will focus on four main themes:  From Molecules to Organisms: Structures and Processes, Heredity: Inheritance and Variation of Traits,   Biological Evolution: Unity and Diversity, and a review of Ecosystems: Interactions, Energy, and Dynamics from Environmental Biology .  As part of the laboratory component of Biology, this course may involve dissections of preserved specimens.

Integrated General Science is an introduction to the fundamental concepts of Chemistry using underlying Physics principles with real world applications.  Specific topics include:  Forces,  Newton’s laws, Gravitation, Momentum, Work, Conservation of Energy, Atomic Structure and the Periodic Table, Electromagnetic Waves, Chemical Bonding and Formulas, Electric Current, Ohm’s law, Electromagnetism, Thermodynamics, Phases, the Ideal Gas law, Organic Compounds, Balancing Chemical Equations, Classifying Reactions, Acid-Base and Redox Reactions, Mole-Mole Calculations, Mole-Heat Calculations, Nuclear Reactions, Climate Change and Alternative Energy Sources.  Basic algebraic skills will be used to analyze data, to mathematically model systems, and to make predictions.  The course may serve as a physical science course for the non-college bound student or as preparation for future high school courses in chemistry and physics.  This course is not for students who have completed Chemistry (Honors).

Prerequisite: Biology & meets Honors Criteria

This course covers the principles of genetics with application to the study of biological function at the level of molecules, cells, and multicellular organisms, including humans. Topics include Cellular Genetics, Transmission Genetics, DNA and Chromosomes, Population Genetics, Immunity and Cancer, and Genetic Technology. Activities include laboratory experiences, modeling, case studies, research, and readings.

Prerequisites: Honors Biology, Algebra II , & meets AP/Honors criteria

***Dual Enrollment credits offered through Lackawanna College

Advanced Placement Biology is a continuation of Honors Biology.  Topics covered in Advanced Placement Biology include Biochemistry, Cell Structure and Reproduction, Molecular Genetics, and Vertebrate Anatomy.  This is a traditional Biology class that includes supplementary laboratory activities.  On completion of both Honors Biology and Advanced Placement Biology, students should be well prepared to take the national Advanced Placement Exam in Biology.  Note: This class includes vertebrate animal dissection.

Prerequisites: Chemistry (Honors), Algebra II & meets AP/Honors Criteria

Co-Requisite: Pre-Calculus

***Dual Enrollment credits offered through Lackawanna College

Advanced Placement Chemistry is a college level course in general chemistry.  It is designed to meet the needs of students who plan on majoring in science, medicine, mathematics, or engineering after high school graduation.  Students must have completed Honors Chemistry in 10th grade as A.P. Chemistry will build on prior knowledge of basic chemistry skills and concepts such as stoichiometry, gas laws, electron configurations, and chemical bonding.  Topics covered in the A.P. Chemistry curriculum include but are not limited to: atomic theory, bonding and molecular structure, phases of matter & intermolecular forces, reactions and stoichiometry, kinetics, equilibrium, advanced thermodynamics, electrochemistry, and organic chemistry.  Students will study these concepts through demonstrations, laboratory experiments, problem solving exercises, student presentations, and class discussions.  Completion of the course and a laboratory portfolio with a score of 3 or higher on the A.P. Exam may gain university science credits. *Enrollment in AP Chemistry requires completion of a summer assignment.

Prerequisites: Honors Biology, Algebra II – Completed or taken concurrently, or Passing scores on Biology and Algebra Keystone exams and Integrated General Science & meets Honors criteria

***Dual Enrollment credits offered through Lackawanna College 

As a college preparatory course, students will study matter and its changes using data, models, and mathematical reasoning. Topics include properties and classification of matter, atomic theory, nuclear reactions, chemical formulas and nomenclature, stoichiometry, chemical reactions, thermodynamics, gases, quantum mechanics, periodic trends, chemical bonding and molecular structure, solids, liquids, solutions, acid-base theory, and environmental chemistry applications where appropriate.  This laboratory-based course will allow students to make observations, collect and analyze data, and draw conclusions during laboratory exercises.

Prerequisites: Trigonometry/Analytical Geometry or Pre-Calculus (concurrently or completed), Chemistry (Honors), Algebra II & meets Honors Criteria

Physics is a mathematical science course requiring a strong background in algebra and trigonometry.  The course is designed for the college bound student.  Students who plan on majoring in science, mathematics, pre-medicine, or engineering are especially encouraged to enroll.  Topics covered include Measurement, mathematical models, types of motion, kinematic equations, vectors, forces, momentum, conservation of energy, waves, sound, optics, electromagnetics, and modern physics applications (quantum theory & relativity) where appropriate.  Students will study these concepts through demonstrations, laboratory experiments, problem-solving exercises, and projects.

Prerequisite: Successful completion of Integrated General Science or Chemistry (Honors)

Wildlife Biology is a general education elective focusing on principles of zoology, botany, field biology, Pennsylvania flora and fauna, species identification, wildlife ecology and habitat management, basic statistics, and a brief overview of domestication and agriculture. *The course will include the dissection of preserved specimens. 

Prerequisite: Successful completion of Integrated General Science or Chemistry (Honors)

Students utilize different forms of media (Internet, newspapers, magazines, and television) to investigate current issues in science. The content of this course is driven by the current events of the world.  Class assignments and discussions focus on the importance and impact of current issues on world populations. This course can be taken up to two times in subsequent semesters or years.

In this course, students explore concepts of biology and medicine as they take on roles of different medical professionals to solve real-world problems. Over the course of the year, students are challenged in various scenarios including investigating a crime scene to solve a mystery, diagnosing and proposing treatment to patients in a family medical practice, to tracking down and containing a medical outbreak at a local hospital, stabilizing a patient during an emergency, and collaborating with others to design solutions to local and global medical problems. 

Prerequisite: Principles of Biomedical Science or taken concurrently or A.P. Biology

***Dual Enrollment credits offered through Lackawanna College 

Students examine the interactions of human body systems as they explore identity, power, movement, protection, and homeostasis. Exploring science in action, students build organs and tissues on a skeletal Manikin; use data acquisition software to monitor body functions such as muscle movement, reflex and voluntary action, and respiration; and take on the roles of biomedical professionals to solve real-world medical cases.

Prerequisite: Human Body Systems or taken concurrently

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 to fail. Through real-world cases, students are exposed to a range of interventions related to immunology, surgery, genetics, pharmacology, medical devices, and diagnostics.

Prerequisite: Medical Interventions or taken concurrently

In the final course of the PLTW Biomedical Science sequence, students build on the knowledge and skills gained from previous courses to design innovative solutions for the most pressing health challenges of the 21st century. Students address topics ranging from public health and biomedical engineering to clinical medicine and physiology. Students work on an independent design project in which they produce a scientific research paper, poster, slides presentation and present their findings to a panel of experts.