Science

Science Core Courses

Environmental Science           Grade 9

Environmental Science explores the interrelatedness of people and the earth.  Students will learn about characteristics of populations, energy and civilization, renewable and nonrenewable energy sources,  biodiversity, agricultural methods and pest management, water management, air, aquatic and terrestrial pollution, and climate change, with environmental ethics, risk, economics, and environmental concerns woven throughout each topic. This course will develop students’ abilities to identify emerging global issues, understand interconnections on Earth, analyze environmental decisions, solve problems using risk management & economics, explore the history of energy consumption, analyze & evaluate nonrenewable & renewable energy sources, identify causes for loss of biodiversity, apply principles of water management, and explore waste management methods. Students will demonstrate critical thinking, collaboration, communication, and digital literacy as they act as scientists by experimenting, observing, collecting, and analyzing data, then sharing their findings with each other.

Prerequisite: Successful completion of Science 8. 

Approved for NCAA DI and DII athletic eligibility. 

Biology                  Grade 10

This lab-based course is a comprehensive introduction to the study of life. The course investigates a myriad of scientific topics including the molecular and cellular basis of life, heredity, ecology and evolution using a phenomenon-driven storyline that weaves together the various aspects of Biology. A focus of the class will be on scientific investigations. Learners will design a series of their own experiments, collect and analyze data, draw their own conclusions, and share their findings with their peers.

Prerequisite: Successful completion of Environmental Science. 

Approved for NCAA DI and DII athletic eligibility. 

Honors Biology           Grade 9-10

This lab-based course is a comprehensive introduction to the study of life. The topics covered in Honors Biology will be the same as in Biology, but with a greater focus on the details in preparation for the advanced study of Biology. The course investigates an in-depth look of many scientific topics including the molecular and cellular basis of life, heredity, ecology and evolution. A focus of the class will be on scientific investigations. Learners will design a series of their own experiments, collect and analyze data, draw their own conclusions, and share their findings with their peers.  

Prerequisite for Freshmen: Enrollment in Honors Geometry. 

Prerequisite: Minimum grade of a ‘90’ in Environmental Science and Teacher Recommendation Required.  

Approved for NCAA DI and DII athletic eligibility. 

Chemistry                Grade 11-12 

This lab-based course provides a comprehensive foundation in chemistry for students planning to attend a four-year college. Instruction emphasizes the understanding of chemical principles and methods for conducting quantitative analysis and executing laboratory experiments. Topics covered in the course include stoichiometry, gas laws, chemical reactions, solutions, atomic structure, molecular architecture, and bonding.   

Prerequisite: Successful completion of Biology.

Approved for NCAA DI and DII athletic eligibility. 

Honors Chemistry       Grade 11-12

This lab-based course engages students in a rigorous study of matter – its structure and interaction. Students learn about chemical principles through experiments, demonstrations, independent study, and class discussion. Students in Honors Chemistry must work collaboratively and individually to analyze data and make inferences about the laws of chemistry. Topics covered in the course include, but are not limited to: stoichiometry, gas laws, chemical reactions, solutions, atomic structure, molecular  architecture, bonding, acid-base chemistry, thermochemistry, kinetics, and chemical equilibrium.  

Prerequisite: Minimum grade of a ‘90’ in Honors Environmental Science and Teacher Recommendation Required.  

Approved for NCAA DI and DII athletic eligibility. 

Physics        Grade 11-12 

This lab-based course is a challenging introduction to the study of physical laws governing our universe. Understanding of the concepts and principles involved and the  ability to apply those concepts and principles to the solution of basic problems are the major goals of this course. Students in Physics learn about physical principles through class discussions, demonstrations, experiments and independent study. Students must work collaboratively and individually to collect and analyze data and make inferences about the laws of physics. Topics covered in the course include, but are not limited to: kinematics, dynamics, mechanics, fluids, electricity, optics, and waves.  

Prerequisite: Successful completion of Biology. 

Approved for NCAA DI and DII athletic eligibility. 

Honors Physics     Grade 11-12

This lab-based course is a challenging introduction to the study of physical laws governing our universe. Understanding of the concepts and principles involved and the ability to apply those concepts and principles to the solution of complex problems are the major goals of this course. Students in Honors Physics learn about physical principles through class discussions, demonstrations, experiments, group work, and independent  study. They must work collaboratively and individually to collect and analyze data and make inferences about the laws of physics. Topics covered in the course include, but are not limited to: mechanics, fluids, thermodynamics, electricity, magnetism, and waves.  

Prerequisite: Minimum grade of a ‘90’ in Biology or Chemistry and Teacher Recommendation Required.  

Approved for NCAA DI and DII athletic eligibility. 

Anatomy & Physiology   Grades 11-12

Anatomy and Physiology is a rigorous course that requires students to utilize a high level of memorization skills to learn a large quantity of specific anatomical detail. The course is geared towards students with an interest in the various healthcare professions.  It is the study of the structure, shape and function of body parts and their relationships to each other.  Students will investigate the body from multiple standpoints and  understand how the human body functions to maintain homeostasis. 

Prerequisite: Successful completion of Biology. 

Approved for NCAA DI and DII athletic eligibility. 

AP Chemistry    Grades 11-12

This college level AP Chemistry course is designed to emulate the General Chemistry lab-based course offered at 4-year colleges and universities. The course contributes to the  development of students’ abilities to think clearly and express their ideas, orally and in writing, with clarity and logic. Major topics covered in the course include, but are not limited to: Structure of Matter, States of Matter, ThermoChemistry Chemical Equalibrium, Kinetics, Organic, Rate of Reatction, and Chemical Reactions. Understanding  of the concepts and principles of chemistry, application of knowledge to laboratory work, and the solution of complex problems are the main components of this college-level course. Students enrolled in the AP Chemistry course are expected to make a commitment to taking the AP Examination administered by the College Board in May. 

Prerequisite: Minimum grade of a ‘90’ in Honors Chemistry and Teacher Recommendation Required.  

Approved for NCAA DI and DII athletic eligibility. 

AP Biology   Grades 11-12

This full year, college level, lab-based course is equivalent to a two semester introductory college-level Biology course in both content and expectations. AP Biology follows the syllabus set forth that focuses on learners developing skills through science practices and the understanding of the concepts within the four big ideas of biology. The units of study include biochemistry, cell structure and function, cellular energetics, cellular  communication, heredity, genetics, evolution, and ecology. Students enrolled in the AP Biology course are expected to make a commitment to taking the AP Examination administered by the College Board in May. 

Prerequisite: Minimum grade of a ‘90’ in Honors Biology and Honors Chemistry and Teacher Recommendation Required.  

Approved for NCAA DI and DII athletic eligibility. 

AP Physics 1: Algebra Based   Grades 11-12

AP Physics I is a college level, algebra-based Physics class designed to emulate the General Physics laboratory course offered by 4-year colleges and universities. Emphasis is placed on the students’ deep conceptual understanding of the  physical principles and their ability to apply these concepts towards complex problems. Topics covered in this course include: Newtonian Mechanics, Fluid Mechanics /Thermal Physics, Electricity and Magnetism, Waves and Optics, Atomic and Nuclear  Physics. The course will include a double period laboratory each week that will be used variously to introduce, reinforce, and apply concepts taught in the classroom. Students enrolled in the AP Physics I course are expected to make a commitment to taking the AP Examination administered by the College Board in May. 

Prerequisite: Minimum grade of a ‘90’ in Honors Physics and Teacher Recommendation Required.  

Approved for NCAA DI and DII athletic eligibility. 

Science Half-Year Core Courses

Forensics    Grades 11-12

This elective is intended to provide students with an understanding of the science behind crime detection. This lab-based course will examine how certain pieces of evidence help link the victim and suspect to the crime scene. Forensic Science is also an interdisciplinary course that incorporates subject matter from mathematics, Biology, Chemistry, and Physics in a hands-on approach to analyze physical evidence and solve crimes. Laboratory exercises will include techniques commonly employed by forensic investigators to examine physical evidence such as glass, soil, handwriting, fingerprints, gunshot residue, ballistic calculations, blood spatter, hairs, fibers, and DNA evidence.  

Prerequisite: None.

Approved for NCAA DI and DII athletic eligibility.  

Medical Science   Grades 11-12

Medical Science is a one-semester science elective. This course catered to students looking to continue their education in the science, math, engineering, and medical fields after high school. It offers students an introductory look at organic chemistry, biochemistry, pharmaceutical science, scientific research, and scientific applications, which are higher-level critical thinking required for college science and medical majors. During the course, students will learn the importance of organic compounds, such as proteins, carbohydrates, fatty acids, DNA, and RNA. In addition, they will learn about viruses and vaccine production, various diseases and cures, drug applications, different body functions, nutrition, and various applications to everyday life and control. All units integrate multiple investigative experiments, student-driven research, labs, and hands-on projects.

Prerequisite: Successful completion of Biology and the first semester of Chemistry.

Introduction to Gardening/Horticulture   Grades 11-12

Introduction to Gardening/Horticulture is a one-semester science elective. It offers students the opportunity to gain practical experience in planning, planting and maintaining a vegetable and/or flower garden. Students will learn to assess and create a site plan for a potential garden site. Using that plan, they will select plants suited to the environmental conditions; they will learn to space plants, plan and execute succession plantings according to maturity times, and familiarize themselves with appropriate companion plants, proper care of their plants, and pests and diseases that may impact the growth of those plants. Students will also learn properties of healthy soil, plant structure and function and propagation techniques. While the majority of the course focuses on edible plants, a final unit will include basic landscaping elements and the ecological importance of gardening with native plants. All units integrate multiple investigative experiments, labs and hands-on projects.

Prerequisite: None.

Science Full-Year Electives Courses

Engineering and Design I         Grades 9-12

The goal of the Engineering and Design I curriculum is for students to gain appreciation of the practices, techniques and thought processes that engineers employ to solve problems and create products for the improvement of the living standards of society. The course will be project-driven and the underlying STEM concepts will be taught in the context of the engineering projects rather than as standalone topics. Emphasis will be placed on contextual problem solving and technical documentation. Students will learn the core skills of engineering by completing two overlapping and interconnected sections - Foundations of Engineering Design, and Design and Management of Engineering Projects.  

Co-Requisite: Algebra I (co-requisite).

Approved for NCAA DI and DII athletic eligibility. 

Engineering and Design II   Grades 10-12

This second section will depend upon the skills developed during the foundations of the Engineering Design section. Students will apply engineering concepts to complete an engineering project. The projects may be selected from a list of projects or participate in a recognized engineering competition to fulfill the requirements of this course.  

Prerequisite: Successful completion of Engineering and Design I.

Approved for NCAA DI and DII athletic eligibility.