HS Science Course Descriptions
SCIENCE – COURSE DESCRIPTIONS
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE
GRADE: 9
Prerequisite(s): NONE
Credit: 1
The study of many components of our environment, including the human impact on our planet. Outcomes focus on scientific inquiry, the physical world, the living environment, resource conservation, humans’ impact on the environment, and legal and civic responsibility. Course focuses on student data collection and analysis through laboratory experiences and field work including descriptive and comparative studies as well as investigation.
EARTH SCIENCE I – HONORS
GRADES: 9- 12
Prerequisite(s): “B” AVERAGE IN PREVIOUS SCIENCE COURSE
Credit: 1 STUDENT SCORING 440 OR ABOVE ON SCIENCE 8 SOL
College Preparatory Earth Science explores the Earth, both currently and historically through astronomy, meteorology, oceanography, hydrology, geology and ecology. It focuses on the earth’s structure, its processes and its place in the universe. This course combines knowledge of subject matter with deductive thinking. The Standard of Learning (SOL) Earth Science Test will be administered near the end of this course. This program is dependent upon enrollment and faculty availability.
EARTH SCIENCE CONNECTIONS
GRADES: 10- 12
Prerequisite(s): FAILED THE EARTH SCIENCE SOL
Credit: 1 ELECTIVE
This connections class is designed to provide remediation and reinforcement in the standards required to successfully complete the Earth Science SOL test. The class is structured to identify areas of weaknesses and provide instruction at a pace conducive to mastering the required skills and objectives. The Standards of Learning Earth Science Test may be administered near the end of the course.
EARTH SCIENCE II – ADVANCED SURVEY OF EARTH SCIENCE TOPICS
GRADES: 11- 12
Prerequisite(s): NONE
Credit: 1
Earth Science II is an in-depth investigation of the earth’s components and processes as well as its place in the universe. Oceanography, Astronomy, and Meteorology topics will be investigated in greater detail, as well as processes that affect the lithosphere and hydrosphere. Emphasis will be given to the use of scientific processes, research, technology, and the interpretation of maps, charts, tables, and profiles.
BIOLOGY I PART I
GRADES: 10-12
Prerequisite(s): NONE
Credit: 1 ELECTIVE
This course provides a discussion of the unique properties of living things that set them apart from nonliving organisms; as well as, an overview of the five living kingdoms, systems of the human body, and basic biological concepts. The structure, function, genetics, and behavior of life forms are studied. Basic experimental procedures are used in a laboratory setting with emphasis on everyday life and living. The first half of the Curriculum framework will be covered.
BIOLOGY I PART II
GRADES: 10- 12
Prerequisite(s): NONE
Credit: 1
This course provides a discussion of the unique properties of living things that set them apart from nonliving organisms; as well as, an overview of the five living kingdoms, systems of the human body, and basic biological concepts. The structure, function, genetics, and behavior of life forms are studied. Basic experimental procedures are used in a laboratory setting with emphasis on everyday life and living. The Standards of Learning (SOL) Biology Test will be administered near the end of this course.
BIOLOGY I
GRADES: 10- 12
Prerequisite(s): NONE
Credit: 1
This course provides a discussion of the unique properties of living things that set them apart from nonliving organisms; as well as, an overview of the five living kingdoms, systems of the human body, and basic biological concepts. The structure, function, genetics, and behavior of life forms are studied. Basic experimental procedures are used in a laboratory setting with emphasis on everyday life and living. The Standards of Learning (SOL) Biology Test will be administered near the end of this course.
BIOLOGY CONNECTIONS
GRADES: 10- 12
Prerequisite(s): FAILED THE BIOLOGY SOL
Credit: 1 ELECTIVE
This connection class is designed to provide remediation and reinforcement in the standards required to successfully complete the Biology Standards of Learning test. The class is structured to identify areas of weakness and provide instruction at a pace conducive to mastering the required skills and objectives in Biology. The Standards of Learning Biology Test will be administered near the end of the course.
BIOLOGY I - HONORS
GRADES: 10- 12
PREREQUISITE(S): “B” AVERAGE IN PREVIOUS SCIENCE COURSE
Credit: 1 AND TEACHER RECOMMENDATION
College Preparatory Biology includes a discussion of the unique properties of living organisms that set them apart from the nonliving. The presentation of molecular and cellular biology gives a background for the concepts of reproduction and genetics. Understanding the continuity of life and the transmission of characteristics of offspring by hereditary determiners gives meaning to organic variation and scientific classification. Units including hands-on experience with micro- biology, multicellular plants, invertebrate animal life, vertebrate animal life, and human biology follow in logical sequence. Scientific methodology will be used to examine scientific explanations and to conduct controlled experiments related to various biological concepts. The Standards of Learning (SOL) Biology Test will be administered near the end of this course. This program is dependent upon enrollment and faculty availability.
BIOLOGY II – ANATOMY/PHYSIOLOGY
GRADES: 11- 12
Prerequisite(s): NONE
Credit: 1
Human Anatomy and Physiology is the in depth study of the human body, beginning with the structure of the cell and its biochemical processes and concluding with an overview of the human as an entire organism. Emphasis will be placed on the various systems that compose the human body, including, but not limited to the integumentary, skeletal, muscular, nervous, digestive, circulatory, respiratory, and excretory systems. Students will also examine disorders of these various systems.
GENERAL BIOLOGY 101/102
GRADE: 12
Prerequisite(s): PASS THE APPROPRIATE PLACEMENT TEST, ALGEBRA II, CHEMISTRY
DUAL ENROLLMENT COURSES – 8 college credit hours
Credit: 1 PER SEMESTER
This course explores fundamental characteristics of living matter from the molecular level to the ecological community with emphasis on general biological principles. It introduces the diversity of living organisms, their structure, function and evolution. This is a two-semester program. This program is dependent upon enrollment and faculty availability.
ECOLOGY
GRADES: 11- 12
Prerequisite(s): NONE
Credit: 1
This interdisciplinary science course is a study of environmental problems and ecology alternative solutions to these problems. The integral natures of all parts of the environment as well as specific environmental problems are stressed. Such topics as man and his relationship to ecology, the environment, energy resource limitations, land and water use, and air pollution are included.
CHEMISTRY
GRADES: 11- 12
Prerequisite(s): BIOLOGY I AND ALGEBRA II (PREVIOUSLY OR CONCURRENTLY)
Credit: 1
Chemistry includes hands-on experiences in the laboratory as well as learning such chemical theories as the structure and behavior of matter; metrics; the mole concept; study of acids, bases and salts; and oxidation-reduction and electrical potential. Descriptive material includes nuclear, organic, and analytical chemistry. The Standards of Learning (SOL) Test may be administered near the end of this course.
PHYSICS
GRADES: 11-12
Credit: 1
Students build on basic physical science principles by exploring in-depth the nature and characteristics of energy and its dynamic interaction with matter. Key content covered in the course includes: force and motion, energy transformations, wave phenomena and the electromagnetic spectrum, optics, electricity, fields, and non-Newtonian physics. This course stresses the practical application of physics in other areas of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. The effects of physics in the natural world is investigated through the study of critical, contemporary global topics. Physics emphasizes a complex understanding of experimentation, the analysis of data, and the use of reasoning and logic to evaluate evidence.