Science Electives - Environmental
AP ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE
SC80 – 1 Science Credit - Full Year
Prerequisites: Biology and Chemistry
The goal of the AP Environmental Science course is to provide students with the scientific principles, concepts, and methodologies required to
• understand the interrelationships of the natural world
• identify and analyze environmental problems, both natural and human-made
• evaluate the relative risks associated with these problems
• examine alternative solutions for resolving or preventing them
Environmental science is interdisciplinary; it embraces a wide variety of topics from different areas of study. Some topics are renewable energy, ecology, earth science and conservation. This course meets every other day for the entire year.
All students enrolled are required to take the AP exam in May for which there is a fee of $95.
SALTWATER ECOSYSTEMS
SC70 - ½ Science Credit - ½ Year
This course is an introduction to marine biology with particular emphasis on local marine ecosystems. Students will study how organisms are adapted to life in the ocean. Emphasis will be placed on the local shark, sea turtle and cetacean populations. Dissections and field work are required. There are no pre-requisites for this class.
OCEANOGRAPHY
SC66 - 1 Science Credit - Full Year
Prerequisites: 9th grade Physics, Biology, Chemistry, grades of B or better in Science, and recommendation from teacher.
This course is designed to be the equivalent of a college level introduction to an oceanography clAass for students very interested in studying oceans. Students will study the major concepts and processes in oceanography in the classroom and through field work. The topics include: origins, ocean basins, sediments and tectonics, water and properties, atmosphere and ocean circulations, tides and waves and life in the ocean.
Upon successful completion of the course, students will earn 3 college credits through the University of Massachusetts.