Science

1403 CAREER PREP EARTH AND ITS ENVIRONMENT

Length of course:  Full Year

Credit: 1.0

Weight: 1 (CRP)

Grade 9

Pathway:  All

Earth and Its Environment focuses on the function of Earth's systems. Emphasis is placed on the nature of science, plate tectonics, origin and evolution of the earth and solar system, environmental awareness, materials availability, and the cycles that circulate energy and material through the earth system. Through active learning, students will be introduced to the fundamental concepts of earth & environmental science. This class provides students an opportunity to develop their basic science skills while learning about the Earth.

1415 TECH PREP EARTH AND ITS ENVIRONMENT

Length of course:  Full Year

Credit: 1.0

Weight: 2 (TP)

Grade 9

Pathway:  All

Earth and Its Environment focuses on the function of Earth's systems. Emphasis is placed on the nature of science, plate tectonics, origin and evolution of the earth and solar system, environmental awareness, materials availability, and the cycles that circulate energy and material through the earth system. Through active learning, students will be introduced to the fundamental concepts of earth & environmental science.  This class is designed for students planning to continue their education at a two-year college or vocational/technical school after high school.

1416 COLLEGE PREP EARTH AND ITS ENVIRONMENT

Length of course:  Full Year

Credit: 1.0

Weight: 3 (CP)

Grade 9

Pathway:  All

Earth and Its Environment focuses on the function of Earth's systems. Emphasis is placed on the nature of science, plate tectonics, origin and evolution of the earth and solar system, environmental awareness, materials availability, and the cycles that circulate energy and material through the earth system.  Through active learning, students will be introduced to the fundamental concepts of earth & environmental science. This class is designed for students planning to continue their education at a four-year college after high school.

1417 HONORS EARTH AND ITS ENVIRONMENT

 Length of course:  Full Year

Credit: 1.0

Weight: 4 (H)

Grade 9

Pathway:  All

Earth and Its Environment focuses on the function of Earth's systems. Emphasis is placed on the nature of science, plate tectonics, origin and evolution of the earth and solar system, environmental awareness, materials availability, and the cycles that circulate energy and material through the earth system. Through active learning, students will be introduced to the fundamental concepts of earth & environmental science. This course is taught at an accelerated level and is designed for students planning to major in science at the college level.

1423 CAREER PREP BIOLOGY

Length of course:  Full Year

Credit: 1.0

Weight: 1 (CRP)

Grade 10

Pathway:  All

Students in this course will explore topics in Biology including: basic biological principles, the chemical basis for life, bioenergetics, homeostasis & transport, cell growth & reproduction, genetics and the theory of evolution.  This course will relate these topics to the students’ everyday life. Students will take the Biology Keystone Exam at the end of this course.

1425 TECH PREP BIOLOGY

Length of course:  Full Year

Credit: 1.0

Weight: 2 (TP)

Grade 10

Pathway:  All

Students in this course will explore topics in Biology including: basic biological principles, the chemical basis for life, bioenergetics, homeostasis & transport, cell growth & reproduction, genetics and the theory of evolution.  This course will take a hands-on approach to the application of these topics.  Students will take the Biology Keystone Exam at the end of this course. This class is designed for students planning to continue their education at a two-year college or vocational/technical school after high school.

1426 COLLEGE PREP BIOLOGY

 Length of course:  Full Year

Credit: 1.0

Weight: 3 (CP)

Grade 10

Pathway:  All

Students in this course will explore topics in Biology including: basic biological principles, the chemical basis for life, bioenergetics, homeostasis & transport, cell growth & reproduction, genetics and the theory of evolution.  This course will use labs and projects to reinforce the application of these topics.  Students will take the Biology Keystone Exam at the end of this course. This class is designed for students planning to continue their education at a four-year college after high school. 

1418 HONORS BIOLOGY

Length of course:  Full Year

Credit: 1.0

Weight: 4 (H)

Grade 10

Pathway:  All

This course is designed to stimulate reasoning and understanding of major biological topics and concepts. Students will develop basic biological concepts dealing with the chemical basis of life, cellular biology, energy systems, growth and division of cells, and special emphasis on nucleic acids and protein synthesis. Further topics will center on Mendelian genetics, human heredity, genetic engineering and recombinant DNA as well as the evolution of life. Student laboratory sessions and projects are used to reinforce these topics. Students will take the Biology Keystone exam at the end of this course.

1431 CAREER PREP INTEGRATED GENERAL SCIENCE

 Length of course:  Full Year

Credit: 1.0

Weight: 1 (CRP)

Grade 11

Pathway:  All

The main objective of this course is to integrate physics, science and biology to help make students aware of some of the ways in which these sciences influence their daily lives. Topics in the course include scientific skills, properties of matter, atomic structure, chemical bonding and reactions, motion, forces, energy, electricity, magnetism, sound and light waves. The course will also integrate biology topics (such as cell biology, bioenergetics, homeostasis and transport, and theory of evolution) as a review from their previous biology class to prepare students who need to retake and pass the Keystone Biology Test. The course provides many of the same concepts that were covered in biology class but contains more of an emphasis on application and practice of these concepts as opposed to textbook learning.

1432 TECH PREP INTEGRATED GENERAL SCIENCE

 Length of course:  Full Year

Credit: 1.0

Weight: 2 (TP)

Grade 11

Pathway:  All

The main objective of this course is to integrate physics, science and biology to help make students aware of some of the ways in which these sciences influence their daily lives. Topics in the course include scientific skills, properties of matter, atomic structure, chemical bonding and reactions, motion, forces, energy, electricity, magnetism, sound and light waves. The course will also integrate biology topics (such as cell biology, bioenergetics, homeostasis and transport, and theory of evolution) as a review from their previous biology class to prepare students who need to retake and pass the Keystone Biology Test. The course provides many of the same concepts that were covered in biology class but contains more of an emphasis on application and practice of these concepts as opposed to textbook learning.

1435 COLLEGE PREP CHEMISTRY

Length of course:  Full Year

Credit: 1.0

Weight: 3 (CP)

Grade 11

Pathway:  All

PREREQUISITE: Algebra I

This course is designed to give students a basic understanding of chemical principles. Upon completion of this course students should have the skills and content necessary to succeed in college level science courses. Major topics covered are atomic structure, bonding, reactions, states of matter, and solutions. Since there is an emphasis on both the theoretical and practical aspects of chemistry, students should expect an emphasis on problem solving and laboratory work. This course is designed to prepare students planning to attend college who must complete a lab-based science course.

1427 HONORS CHEMISTRY

Length of course:  Full Year

Credit: 1.0

Weight: 4 (H)

Grade 11

Pathway:  All

PREREQUISITE:  Algebra I

This course is designed to give students a basic understanding of chemical principles. Upon completion of this course, students should have the skills and content necessary to succeed in college level science courses. Major topics covered are atomic structure, bonding, reactions, states of matter, and solutions. Since there is an emphasis on both the theoretical and practical aspects of chemistry, students should expect an emphasis on problem solving and laboratory work. This course is designed for students planning to major in science at the college level.

 1436 COLLEGE PREP PHYSICS

Length of course:  Full Year

Credit: 1.0

Weight: 3 (CP)

Grade 12

Pathway:  All

The main purpose of this class is to look at the principles of physics.   It is designed to prepare students to live in a world in which science and technology are becoming increasingly essential for all of us and to help make students aware of some of the ways in which physics influences their daily lives. Topics in this course include scientific methods, Newton’s Laws of motion, fluid mechanics, gravity, heat, electricity and magnetism, sound and light waves, and fluid mechanics. This course is designed for students planning to attend a four-year college, but not major in science or math.

1438 HONORS PHYSICS

 Length of course:  Full Year

Credit: 1.0

Weight: 4 (H)

Grade 12

Pathway:  All

PREREQUISITE: Minimum grade of 85% in Honors Algebra II or 90% in CP Algebra II

This course is designed for all students planning to attend a four-year college and who will be majoring in science, engineering, or math. It provides a systematic introduction to the major principles of physics and emphasizes the development of problem-solving ability. While just a basic understanding of trigonometry skills (sine, cosine, tangent, etc.) will be sufficient, in order to do well in this class, you should be very proficient in algebra. Major units of emphasis include: Newtonian mechanics, sound and wave motion, optics and electricity. The scientific method and inquiry-based learning are integrated throughout this course.

1445 AP PHYSICS 1

 Length of course:  Full Year

Credit: 1.5

Weight: 5 (AP)

Grade 11-12

Pathway:  All

PREREQUISITE: Minimum grade of 95% in Honors Algebra II, 85% in Honors Analysis or 90% in Pre-calculus

AP Physics 1 is an algebra-based introductory physics course designed to provide the essentials necessary for a thorough understanding of introductory physics concepts. A very strong algebra and geometry background is presumed, and basic trigonometry will be necessary in this course. The AP Physics 1 course is conducted using inquiry-based instructional strategies that focus on experimentation to develop students’ conceptual understanding of physics principles. The approach to this course is highly quantitative and emphasizes problem solving and laboratory investigations with detailed graphical analysis. Throughout the course, the students construct and use multiple representations of physical processes, solve multi-step problems, design investigations, and reflect on knowledge through the use of scientific journals. Topics to be covered in this class include Newtonian Mechanics, Rotational motion, Simple Harmonic Motion, and Fluid mechanics. Students should expect to spend at least one hour per night on homework for this class.

SCIENCE ELECTIVE COURSES

1447 CP ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY

Length of course:  Full Year

Credit: 1.0

Weight: 3 (CP)

Grade 10-12

Pathway:  Science & Health (SH)

PREREQUISITE: Grade of 80% in CP/H Biology, CP/H Chemistry or  90% in TP Biology or TP Integrated General Science. 

This course is designed to explore the structure (Anatomy) and function (Physiology) of the human body. Students interested in a career in nursing, medicine, dentistry, veterinary medicine, osteopathy, chiropractic, pharmacy, medical technology or related science would benefit from this course of study.  Students will take a challenging, but engaging, look at the form and function of the major body systems including: musculoskeletal, cardiovascular, respiratory, immune, nervous, endocrine, reproductive, urinary and digestive systems. The course will be lab focused with a culminating cat dissection to explore all body systems discussed.

1446 AP ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE

 Length of course:  Full Year

Credit: 1.0

Weight: 5 (AP)

Grade 11-12

Pathway:  Science & Health (SH); Human Services (HS)

PREREQUISITES: Students should have completed two years of high school laboratory science—one year of life science and one year of physical science (e.g., a year of biology and a year of chemistry). Due to the quantitative analysis required in the course, students should also have taken at least one year of algebra. A course in earth sciences is recommended but not necessary.

The AP Environmental Science course is designed to be the equivalent of a one-semester, introductory college course in environmental science, through which students engage with the scientific principles, concepts, and methodologies required to understand the interrelationships within the natural world. The course requires that students identify and analyze natural and human-made environmental problems, evaluate the relative risks associated with these problems, and examine alternative solutions for resolving or preventing them. Environmental science is interdisciplinary, embracing topics from geology, biology, environmental studies, environmental science, chemistry, and geography. Twenty-five percent of instructional time is engagement in hands-on, inquiry-based laboratory and/or fieldwork investigations with a lab notebook requirement. Field studies included in this course are:  Swatara Creek stream study (2 half-days), Hershey waste treatment tour (2 hours), and various field studies using the garden on campus and the surrounding town.  The goal of AP Environmental Science is to prepare the student for the College Board exam in May.

1448 AP CHEMISTRY

Length of course:  Full Year

Credit: 2.0

Weight: 5 (AP)

Grade 11-12

Pathway:  All

PREREQUISITE: Honors or CP Chemistry recommended but not required. Completion or current enrollment in Algebra II. See Mr. Hanninen if taking as a first-year chemistry course.

This course is designed for the student who is interested in further study of chemistry. The advanced Placement course is meant to be the equivalent of a one-year, college- level chemistry course. It is recommended that AP Chemistry be taken after the successful completion of a first-year course in high school chemistry. However, if a student wishes to take AP chemistry as a first year chemistry course he/she may with a teacher recommendation. In addition, the recommended math prerequisite is the successful completion or current enrollment in a second-year algebra course.  The goal of AP Chemistry is to prepare the student for the AP Chemistry exam in May.

1449 AP BIOLOGY

Length of course:  Full Year

Credit: 1.5

Weight: 5 (AP)

Grade 10-12

Pathway:  All

PREREQUISITE: Honors or CP Biology are recommended, but not required.  See Mrs. Johnson if taking as a first-year biology course

This course is designed to meet the needs of those students planning a science-based study in college including areas such as biology, biochemistry, bioengineering, ecology, medicine, nursing, neuroscience and veterinary sciences. It is recommended that AP Biology be taken after the successful completion of a first-year course in high school biology. However, if a student wishes to take AP Biology as a first year biology course, they may with a teacher recommendation.  The course topics include biochemistry, bioenergetics, cell reproduction, genetics, biotechnology, evolution, botany, animal physiology and ecology. Emphasis is placed on scientific inquiry through the use of labs. The AP Biology course is equivalent to two-semester college introductory biology course for biology majors and is designed to prepare students for the Advanced Placement Biology Test in May.

1441 STEM CLASS

Length of course:  Semester

Credit: .5

Weight: 3 (CP)

Grade 9-12

Pathway:  Engineering & Industrial Technology (EIT);  Science & Health (SH)

STEM is an acronym for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics. STEM disciplines rely heavily upon one another in the professional and academic world. STEM class provides the opportunity for students to explore STEM in a problem-based learning environment. Students will work collaboratively to select and solve real-world engineering challenges, applying math and science skills in practical, creative ways. Students are expected to showcase worthy projects in various STEM-related competitions. The curriculum content will change yearly based on the themes of the competitions and the interest of the students in the course.

1442 EPIDEMIOLOGY: THE STUDY OF DISEASE

 Length of course:  Semester

Credit: .5

Weight: 3 (CP)

Grade 10-12

Pathway:  Engineering & Industrial Technology (EIT);  Science & Health (SH)

This course is designed to explore a branch of science, Epidemiology, which combines medicine, public health, international relations, and other disciplines to save lives worldwide. In this course, students will learn about current approaches to promoting health, preventing disease, and delivering services to communities in need.  Students will conduct epidemiologic research (identify health problems, develop hypotheses, design studies, analyze data, draw conclusions and present findings). The course will engage students in collaborative learning through group discussion, case studies, in-class activities, and a team project.  

1443 ASTRONOMY

 Length of course:  Semester

Credit: .5

Weight: 3 (CP)

Grade 10-12

Pathway:  Engineering & Industrial Technology (EIT);  Science & Health (SH)

To provide a broad introduction to Astronomy with qualitative descriptions of the Universe including planets, the Sun, stars and other objects.  Students will learn how our relative place, orientation, and motion in space dictate our changing view of the sky and conditions on Earth. The goals of this course are for students to understand the principles, theories, and methods of modern science, the relationship between science and technology, the implications of scientific discoveries, and the potential of science and technology to address problems of the contemporary world. 

1450 FORENSICS

Length of course:  Full year

Credit: 1.0

Weight: 3 (CP)

Grade 11-12

Pathway:  Engineering & Industrial Technology (EIT);  Science & Health (SH)

Students in the forensic science course will develop knowledge in the core disciplinary ideas described in the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) including science and inquiry. The course will introduce students to the scientific methodologies used in forensic investigations. The course aims to apply the NGSS Crosscutting Concepts that bridge disciplinary boundaries, uniting core ideas throughout the fields of science and engineering. Topics covered in the course include observation skills, investigative processes, analyzing crime scenes, types of evidence and evidence collection as well as an introduction to toxicology, autopsy, forensic anthropology and forensic entomology.

1419 INDEPENDENT STUDY – SCIENCE

This course, done independently, gives the student the opportunity to participate in personally designed “science” projects. In order to obtain a grade and credit, a worthwhile science project is required. Grading will be based on a contract developed with the Science Department. In many cases, a technically correct typed science research paper of adequate length and depth will be submitted. Each student enrolling in this course will select an “advisor” from the Lower Dauphin Science staff. The student will have access to any science teacher for any needed assistance. If the project is deemed suitable, the student may want to exhibit this project in the Capital Area Science Fair sponsored by the Patriot- News, Harrisburg, PA.  Independent Study is offered to provide individual students with the opportunity to explore special talents or interests.  Students will work with a classroom teacher to set personal learning goals and to determine the type of project or learning experience they would like to pursue.  The classroom teacher and student will agree upon and determine the credit value (.5, 1.0) and how a grade will be determined (percentage grade or Pass/Fail). Independent study is designed to supplement a student’s educational pathway but cannot exempt a student from Board approved core graduation requirements.  Students must complete Independent Study paperwork and be approved for the course by a building administrator.