Science

Biology             

This course provides learning experiences that will allow students to develop an appreciation for biological processes and to discover how life science is an integral part of other sciences and of society. Students will gain an understanding of the cell, molecular basis of heredity, and biological evolution. The course will direct students to investigate the interdependence of organisms as well as acquire an understanding of the matter, energy and organization in living systems, as well as their ability to demonstrate adaptive responses.

Biology Honors            

This course will provide learning experiences to aid students in developing an appreciation for biological processes and discovering how life science is an integral part of other sciences and society. Students will gain a deep understanding of the cell, the molecular basis of heredity, and biological evolution. Students will investigate the interdependence of organisms. The course will challenge students to acquire a thorough understanding of matter, energy, and organization in living systems, as well as their adaptive responses. Students will be expected to demonstrate independence in learning and to produce quality work.

AP Biology             

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. This course is designed to be a rigorous college-level two semester introductory biology course. The course will be fast-paced and use an in-depth curriculum requiring 12 labs both online and outside the confines of the online learning environment. The class follows the AP Syllabus approved by the College Board which prepares the students for the AP Biology exam in May.

Biology II (2nd Yr)             

This course will provide further study in biological life sciences. Topics will include cell biology, microbiology, botany, embryology, and genetics.

Chemistry           

This course will provide an introduction to the structure of matter and chemical reactions. Topics will include structure of atoms, structure and properties of matter, and chemical reactions.

Chemistry Honors           

This course is designed to engage highly motivated students in inquiry-based instruction and to develop a conceptual understanding of matter, energy, and their interaction. Students will integrate science content, scientific inquiry, experimentation and technological design to build science literacy. The course will emphasize creativity, critical thinking, problem-solving, collaboration; communication, initiative, and accountability as students analyze the structure of atoms, form an understanding of the behavior of atoms and relationship among pressure, temperature, volume and phase, and analyze chemical reactions. The course will demonstrate a differentiated curriculum with enrichment and studies of reduction-oxidation and entropy.

AP Chemistry           

The AP Chemistry course is designed to be the equivalent of the general chemistry course usually taken during the first college year. Students who take the AP Chemistry course, will develop a deep understanding of the concepts within the big ideas through the application of the science practices in the required laboratory component of the course. Students must complete a minimum of 16, hands-on lab investigations to support the learning objectives in the curriculum framework. At least 6 of the lab investigations must be guided inquiry-based labs. The class follows the AP Syllabus approved by the College Board which prepares the students for the AP Chemistry exam in May.

Earth/Environmental Science          

This course will provide learning opportunities for students so that they will build an understanding of earth materials, processes, changes, and uses with concerns for good stewardship. Students will also develop an understanding of plate tectonics and their human impacts and the origin and evolution of the earth system. The course will provide experiences to investigate the hydrosphere and its influences on the lithosphere, the atmosphere, and its processes influencing climate and air quality. Students will also acquire an understanding of the earth in the solar system and its position in the universe and will consider alternate choices facing human societies in their stewardship of the earth.

Earth/Environmental Science Honors           

This course will provide learning opportunities for students to build an understanding of earth materials, processes, changes, and uses with concerns for good stewardship. Through a faster, more independently-focused pace, students will develop an understanding of plate tectonics, their human impacts, and the origin and evolution of the earth system. Students will explore the dynamics of the atmosphere and its processes influencing climate and air quality. A deep exploration of the earth in the solar system and its position in the universe will occur; students will consider alternative choices facing human societies in their stewardship of the earth using higher-order thinking and problem-solving strategies.

AP Environmental Science        

This course will provide the equivalent of a college introductory environmental science course. Topics will include earth systems and resources, the living world, populations, land and water use, energy resources and consumption, pollution, and global change. This course differs significantly from high school level Earth and Environmental Science with respect to the range and depth of topics taught, lab work, and time and effort required of the students. The class follows the AP Syllabus approved by the College Board which prepares the students for the AP Environmental Science Exam in May.

Physical Science          

This course will provide students a foundation for the study of matter - properties and change; energy - conservation and transfer; forces and motion; and the interaction of energy and matter. Topics from the fields of chemistry and physics will be investigated.

Honors Physics          

This course will provide an in-depth study of matter and energy. Topics will include conservation of mass, energy, momentum and electricity. Substantial class time will be devoted to student-directed exploration and experimentation.

AP Physics 1: Algebra-Based              

AP Physics 1 is an algebra-based, introductory college-level physics course. Students cultivate their understanding of Physics through inquiry-based investigations as they explore topics such as Newtonian mechanics (including rotational motion); work, energy, and power; mechanical waves and sound; and introductory, simple circuits.  This course requires that 25 percent of the instructional time will be spent in hands-on laboratory work, with an emphasis on inquiry-based investigations that provide students with opportunities to apply the science practices. The class follows the AP Syllabus approved by the College Board which prepares the students for the AP Physics 1 exam in May. 

AP Physics C: Electricity and Magnetism                

The AP Physics C: Electricity and Magnetism course applies both differential and integral calculus, and builds upon the AP Physics C: Mechanics course by providing instruction in each of the following five content areas: Electrostatics; Conductors, capacitors, and dielectrics; Electric circuits; Magnetic fields; Electromagnetism.  This course is appropriate for students planning to specialize or major in physical science or engineering. The class follows the AP Syllabus approved by the College Board which prepares the students for the AP Physics C: Electricity and Magnetism exam in May.

AP Physics C: Mechanics                      

AP Physics C: Mechanics is a, calculus based, college-level physics course, especially appropriate for students planning to specialize or major in physical science or engineering. The course explores topics such as kinematics; Newton’s laws of motion; work, energy and power; systems of particles and linear momentum; circular motion and rotation; and oscillations and gravitation. Introductory differential and integral calculus is used throughout the course. The class follows the AP Syllabus approved by the College Board which prepares the students for the AP Physics C: Mechanics exam in May.

Greenhouse Biology                       

This course will provide students with foundational knowledge and vocabulary that is fundamental to the successful completion of Biology.  Successful completion of this semester long course will result in students processing a base understanding of the foundational principles of biology and a readiness to build a more complex understanding in their Biology course.