Science

Biology  : 1152/2152 

1 credit 

Required 

Biology is a full-year course which meets for one  period each day.  The course deals with important  topics at the cellular level through cell division and  the whole organism.  Laboratory activities centering on classification, biochemistry, genetic inheritance, and ecology are used throughout the course.  The presentation of ideas and concepts are stressed in relationship to how things work and why things happen the way they do.

Biology II : 0159 

0.5 credit 

10th, 11th, 12th 

Prereq:  Biology 

Biology II is a one-semester course covering the following topics: Evolutionary Classification of the Kingdom Animalia and Molecular/Cell Biology.  Sub topics that will be covered in many of the units will include Cellular development of organisms, Nitrogen based Biochemistry, Basic Ecological Principles/Sustainability, Evolution and Diversity. This is a hands-on lab/project based course. Students should have the ability to analyze, interpret and organize data into meaningful laboratory presentations.

Chemistry : 1160/2160 

1 credit 

10th, 11th, 12th  

Prereq: Algebra/Algebra A

Chemistry is a full-year course. Chemistry is a laboratory-centered course that uses mathematical procedures to explain chemical phenomena. Students will explore matter and its interactions by studying atomic theory, chemical bonding, reactions, and stoichiometry. These skills will be used to understand real-world applications such as nuclear chemistry, thermochemistry, gases, solutions, and acids and bases. Students will carry out laboratory investigations, create models of matter at the atomic and molecular level, collect data, and utilize calculations to analyze chemical and physical processes.

Earth to Space : 0157 

0.5 credit 

10th, 11th, 12th 

Earth to Space is a one-semester course.  The first part of this class explores the dynamic geological processes that occur on earth.  This includes a closer look into the history of the earth and why it looks the way it does today.  The second part of this course will examine our solar system and deep space.  This includes investigating our sun and planets, the life and death of stars, as well as black holes.

Ecology : 0155 

0.5 credit 

10th, 11th, 12th 

Prereq:  Biology 

Ecology is a one-semester course and prerequisite for AP Environmental Studies.  Ecology is a branch of biology that examines interactions of organisms with their environment.  Topics covered:  ecosystem flow of energy, nutrient cycles, local/ global terrestrial and aquatic biomes, trophic cascades, populations and current environmental issues.  Field trips are an important component in order to truly experience our local ecosystems and conduct lab activities.  Some field trips are for collecting data that the WI DNR will use in their databases. Students will also conduct an independent long term project that they will design, carry out, and produce a scientific report.

Human Anatomy : 1119/2119 

1 credit 

10th, 11th, 12th 

Prereq: Chemistry grade of C or better 

Human Anatomy is a full year course dealing with various aspects of the 11 human body systems.  

Major topics presented include:  

First semester - will deal with anatomical positions, directional terms, and an introduction to Greek and Latin terms in medicine. Systems covered include: skeletal, immune, and integumentary systems.  Additionally, we will integrate the genetic basis of disease into all units 

Second semester - will build on information presented in the first semester. This semester includes important anatomical terms, review of gross body areas and an overview of functions that must be performed to sustain life. The remainder of body systems are explored, including muscular, endocrine, blood and its role in the cardiovascular system, digestive, nervous, urinary, respiratory, and reproductive systems.

Physics : 1155/2155 

1 credit 

10th, 11th, 12th 

Prereq: Algebra/Algebra A 

Physics is a one-year course designed to provide a deep, conceptual understanding of the fundamental principles of the universe. Students will be engaged in lab experiments, problem solving, lectures, demonstrations, projects, and related films in order to develop conceptual understanding and basic scientific skills. Units covered are motion, forces, energy, collisions, gravity, waves, electricity and magnetism. 

It is recommended that students taking physics should have completed or are currently enrolled in Algebra I or Algebra B.

AP Physics : 1112/2112 

1 credit 

Prereq: Algebra II (or concurrently enrolled in) 

AP Physics I is an algebra-based, introductory college-level physics course that explores topics such as Newtonian mechanics (including rotational motion); work, energy, and power; mechanical waves and sound; and introductory, simple circuits. Through inquiry-based learning and labs, students will develop scientific critical thinking and reasoning skills.

Students who complete the course will be prepared for the AP exam in May as well as future college coursework, especially in life sciences. 

AP Biology : 1158/2158 

2 credits 

11th, 12th 

Prereq: Chemistry 

Advanced Placement (AP) Biology is a full-year course that meets for two class periods each semester. This course is designed to be the equivalent of a college introductory biology course usually taken by college freshman. AP Biology is a rigorous course that requires students to have strong study habits including reading, writing, and note-taking. Some students find it beneficial to have completed courses such as Biotechnology, Biology II, Ecology, or Human Anatomy prior to taking this course. Big ideas in AP Biology include Evolutionary Patterns, Biological Energy and Processes, Genetic Information Storage and Transmission, and the Complexities of Biological Interactions. This course prepares students to think critically about science as a process, including experimental design. 

Students who complete the course will be prepared for the AP exam in May as well as future college coursework, especially in life sciences. 

AP Chemistry : 1159/2159 

2 credits 

11th, 12th grade 

Prereq: Chemistry 

Advanced Placement (AP) Chemistry is a full-year course that meets for two class periods each semester. This course is designed to be the equivalent of a college introductory chemistry course. AP Chemistry is a rigorous course that requires students to have strong independent work habits. Big ideas in AP Chemistry include scientific practices, energy, transformations, structures and properties of matter, and mathematical routines in science. Some of the topics covered in Chemistry are covered more in-depth in AP Chemistry and are more mathematically oriented. There is also a large laboratory component of the class, and lab investigations will make up 25% of the course time. The pace of this course is rigorous, requiring an hour or more of homework or study time each evening.  There is also required summer assignment to prepare for AP Chemistry.

Students who complete the course will be prepared for the AP exam in May as well as future college coursework, especially in the physical sciences.  

AP Environmental Science :  1111/2111 

1 credit 

10th, 11th, 12th 

Prereq: Biology, Chemistry or Physics, Ecology (or concurrent enrollment) 

AP Environmental Science is an interdisciplinary course that combines biology, chemistry, earth science, and social studies to provide students with the scientific principles, concepts, and methodologies required to understand the interrelationships of the natural world. In addition to the study of the natural world, the course requires the student to identify and analyze environmental problems both natural and human-made, to evaluate the risks associated with the problems, and to examine alternative solutions for resolving and/or preventing them. Topics include resource use, environmental quality, pollution, waste treatment, human health, global changes and the tradeoff between economics and the environment. 

Students who enroll in AP Environmental Science will be expected to take the AP Environmental Science exam as time will be spent in class preparing the students for the test. Ecology is a prerequisite for this course, as the ecology portion of the AP test will be covered in the Ecology course. 

Students may take Ecology and AP Environmental Science concurrently, if they are enrolled in Ecology during the fall semester.  

Youth Apprenticeship 

Health Services Pathway or STEM-Biotechnology Pathway 

1 credit 

11th, 12th 

The Wisconsin Youth Apprenticeship program integrates school-based and work-based learning.  Youth apprenticeship students will continue taking classes at their high school while working as an apprentice at a participating business.  Students will be enrolled in a technical class related to their youth apprenticeship program.  These courses may be offered at either their high school or off campus.  Entry into a youth apprenticeship program requires an application process.  

See your school to career coordinator or school counselor to guide you through this process.  Refer to the Work-Based Learning page for more details about the Youth Apprenticeship Program.