Science

ENGLISH           MATH           SOCIAL STUDIES             PE & HEALTH               ELECTIVES            ESOL           VIRTUAL VIRGINIA

Typical Course Progressions 

Environmental Science                                    

Grade 9                                                    Credit 1

This course serves as a foundation course for students enrolling in Earth Science or Biology the following year.  Major concepts studied include energy, earth’s surface and interior, renewable and nonrenewable resources, pollutions, and environmental issues of the world.  Students analyze and identify environmental problems both natural and human made and evaluate the relative risks associated with these problems. 

Biology                                                     

Grades  9-10                                                          Credit 1            

This course acquaints the student with living organisms, their cellular makeup, their life processes, and their diversity. Microscope use and dissection are among the many laboratory activities utilized. This course, developed within a framework of principle biological theories, also emphasizes critical thinking and science process skills.  This is an SOL class. 

Biology Honors                                  

Grades 9-10                                                    Credit 1

In this advanced-level course, students will use scientific research methods to investigate scientific principles.  Students will explore the animal, plant, and protean kingdoms and the life processes of the major groups of each kingdom.  Students who select this course should be interested in pursuing a science-related career and should have strong study and organizational skills.  This is an SOL class. 

Earth Science                                                  

Grades 10-12                                           Credit 1

This course provides students with an opportunity to explore the various physical phenomena that affect the earth. This course, which encompasses research design concepts, helps students become more aware of their surroundings through the study of astronomy, space science, meteorology, oceanography, physical geology, and environmental resources. This is an SOL class. 

Chemistry                                                        

Grades 10-12                                      Credit 1

Prerequisite: Successful completion of Algebra I                                                                                

This laboratory-based course includes basic laboratory techniques and safety, properties and classification of matter, theories of atomic structure, and types of chemical reactions.  This is an SOL class. 

Chemistry  Honors                                          

Grades 10-12                                               Credit 1

Prerequisite: Successful completion of Algebra I 

Corequisite: Algebra II  

This advanced laboratory-oriented course includes basic laboratory techniques and safety, properties and classification of matter, theories of atomic structure, and types of chemical reactions.  Students will use the laboratory components of this course to satisfy the lab requirements for AP Biology. Students who select this course should be interested in pursuing a science-related career and should have strong study and organizational skills.  This is an SOL class. 

Physics                                                

Grades 11-12                                                   Credit 1

This course is a practical based physics course that covers many of the traditional topics in physics.  The focus of the course is to explain the physics behind many of the things that students deal with in their daily lives. Math will be at an Algebra I level.

Physics Honors                                   

Grades 11-12                                                   Credit 1

Prerequisite: Successful completion of Algebra I

Physics Honors introduces the most central concepts of physics, including the dual wave-particle nature of light, kinematics, dynamics, the conservation laws (mass, energy, and momentum), electricity, magnetism, and waves. This course is laboratory-centered and employs the methods of scientific inquiry. Students will be involved in an externally moderated experimental/research project, either independently or in teams.

Earth Science II: Astronomy                                          

Grades 11-12                                       Credit  1

Prerequisite: Successful completion of Earth Science

The study of space including the Big Bang theory; and the origin and evolution of stars, star systems, and galaxies. This will also include position of Earth in the solar system; sun-Earth-moon relationships (seasons, tides, and eclipses); characteristics of the sun, planets and their moons, comets, meteors, and asteroids; and the history and contributions of space exploration. 

Biology II: Anatomy and Physiology                                    

Grades 11-12                                       Credit 1           

Prerequisite: Successful completion of Biology or Biology Honors

This advanced course focuses on the principles of human anatomy and physiology.  Students will complete a comprehensive curriculum that examines all of the major body systems and the processes that sustain life.  An additional part of the curriculum will focus on dissection.  Students enrolled in Biology II should be highly motivated and prepared to focus on the concepts of this challenging, fast-paced  course.  This course, designed for students who have completed the core science curriculum, prepares them to pursue more advanced and specialized studies. 

Advanced Placement Biology                                            

Grades 11-12                                             Credit 1

Prerequisite: Successful completion of Biology and Chemistry

AP Biology is an introductory college-level biology course. Students cultivate their understanding of biology through inquiry-based investigations as they explore the following topics: evolution, cellular processes, energy and communication, genetics, information transfer, ecology, and interactions. The AP Biology course is equivalent to a two-semester college introductory biology course for biology majors.  

There is an AP exam associated with this course. AP exams are not required. Students electing to take an AP exam are responsible for paying the exam fee.

Advanced Placement Chemistry                                            

Grades 11 - 12                                            Credit 1

Prerequisite: Successful completion of Chemistry and Algebra II 

The AP Chemistry course provides students with a college-level foundation to support future advanced coursework in chemistry. Students cultivate their understanding of chemistry through inquiry-based investigations, as they explore content such as: atomic structure, intermolecular forces and bonding, chemical reactions, kinetics, thermodynamics, and equilibrium. The AP Chemistry course is designed to be the equivalent of the general chemistry course usually taken during the first college year.

There is an AP exam associated with this course. AP exams are not required. Students electing to take an AP exam are responsible for paying the exam fee.

Advanced Placement Environmental Science   (not offered 2025-2026)                                          

Grades 11-12                                             Credit 1

Recommended: Biology  and Chemistry OR Earth Science or Teacher recommendation.

This college-level course is the equivalent of a one-semester introductory college course in environmental science. Unlike most other introductory-level college science courses, environmental science is offered from a wide variety of departments, including geology, biology, environmental science, chemistry, and geography. AP Environmental Science provides students exposure to the scientific principles, concepts, and methodologies required to understand the interrelationships of the natural world. Students will also identify, and analyze environmental problems both natural and human-made, to evaluate the relative risks associated with these problems, and to examine alternative solutions for resolving or preventing them from occurring. 

There is an AP exam associated with this course. AP exams are not required. Students electing to take an AP exam are responsible for paying the exam fee.

Advanced Placement Physics        (not offered 2025-2026)                                     

Grades 11 - 12                                            Credit 1

Recommended: Successful completion of Algebra II

AP Physics 1 is an algebra-based, introductory college-level physics course. Students cultivate their understanding of physics through classroom study, in-class activity, and hands-on, inquiry-based laboratory work as they explore concepts like systems, fields, force interactions, change, conservation, and waves.

There is an AP exam associated with this course. AP exams are not required. Students electing to take an AP exam are responsible for paying the exam fee.