SCIENCE

SCIENCE OVERVIEW

The courses offered through the North Olmsted High School Science Department satisfy the Ohio Core science graduation requirements of Ohio Revised Code Section 3313.603. This section of the law requires that students successfully complete three credits in science which shall include the following or their equivalent: physical sciences, life sciences, and advanced study in chemistry, physics or other physical science; advanced biology or other life science; and/or astronomy, physical geology or other Earth or space science.

ORC 3313.603 requires that all science courses satisfying the Ohio Core science graduation requirements provide

inquiry-based laboratory experiences that engage students in asking valid scientific questions and gathering and analyzing information. In order to construct knowledge and understanding, courses must provide opportunities for all students to use the following inquiry and application processes, including appropriate laboratory safety techniques, in their learning activities:

Identify questions and concepts that guide scientific investigations;
Design and conduct science investigations;
Use technology and mathematics to improve investigations and communications;
Formulate and revise explanations and models using logic and evidence (critical thinking);
Recognize and analyze explanations and models; and
Communicate and support a scientific argument.

The North Olmsted High School Science Department highly recommends that all college bound students earn four credits of high school science including a minimum of one credit in each of the following disciplines - biology, chemistry and physics.

PHYSICAL SCIENCES

PHYSICAL SCIENCE

Grade - 9TH Credit - 1.00 credit

Course Number - 000711A 000711B Length of Course - Year

Prerequisite - None

Physical science introduces students to key concepts and theories that provide a foundation for further study in other science disciplines. Physical science comprises the systematic study of the physical world as it relates to fundamental concepts about matter, energy and motion. A unified understanding of phenomena in physical, living, Earth and space systems is the culmination of all previously learned concepts related to chemistry, physics, and Earth and space science, along with historical perspective and mathematical reasoning.

PHYSICS

Grade - 10TH – 12TH Credit - 1.00 credit

Course Number - 000740A 000740B Length of Course - Year

Prerequisite - Minimum C average in Algebra 1 and the current science teacher's recommendation.

Physics elaborates on the study of the key concepts of motion, forces, and energy as they relate to increasingly complex systems and applications that will provide a foundation for further study in science and scientific literacy. Students engage in investigations to understand and explain motion, forces, and energy in a variety of inquiry and design scenarios that incorporate scientific reasoning, analysis, communication skills, and real-world applications.

HONORS PHYSICS - W

Grade - 10TH – 12TH Credit - 1.00 credit

Course Number - 000742 000743 Length of Course - Year

Prerequisite - Enrolled concurrently in Algebra 2 or higher and a current science teacher's

recommendation

Honors Physics provides an accelerated, inquiry-based laboratory experience emphasizing the theoretical and mathematical concepts of physics. This course is recommended for students interested in pursuing a career in any medical field, engineering field, or the biological and physical sciences. Students should possess superior reading, mathematical, and critical thinking skills, and must be willing to accept the challenge of academic rigor, including out-of-class projects and assignments.

AP PHYSICS I - W

Grade - 10TH – 12TH Credit - 1.00 credit

Course Number - 000750A 000750B Length of Course - Year

Prerequisite - Enrolled concurrently in Algebra/Trig or AP Precalculus, and Current Science

Teacher’s Recommendation

AP Physics 1 is equivalent to the first semester of a typical introductory, algebra-based, college physics course, but is designed to be taught over a full academic year to enable AP students to develop a deep understanding of the content and to focus on applying their knowledge through rigorous inquiry investigations and activities. The course covers Newtonian mechanics (including rotational dynamics and angular momentum); work, energy, and power; oscillations and fluids.

No prior coursework in physics is necessary for students to enroll in this course. Students should possess superior reading, mathematical, and critical thinking skills and be willing to accept the challenge of academic rigor, including out-of-class projects and assignments. Grade point average in previous math coursework should be a C or better.

This course is recommended for students interested in pursuing a career in any medical field, engineering field, or the biological and physical sciences. Students are expected to take the AP Examination in the spring, which may lead to college credit. Students are advised to consult the college/university admissions office to determine the availability of college credit based on their selected college major and earned score on the AP examination.

CHEMISTRY

Grade - 10TH - 12TH Credit - 1.00 credit

Course Number - 000730 000731 Length of Course - Year

Prerequisite - Minimum C average in Algebra 1 and the current science teacher's recommendation

Chemistry introduces students to key concepts and theories that provide a foundation for further

study in other sciences as well as advanced science disciplines. Chemistry comprises a systematic

study of the predictive physical interactions of matter and subsequent events that occur in the

natural world. The study of matter through the exploration of classification, its structure, and its

interactions is emphasized. Investigations are used to understand and explain the behavior of

matter in a variety of inquiry and design scenarios that incorporate scientific reasoning,

analysis, communication skills, and real-world applications. An understanding of leading

theories and how they have informed current knowledge prepares students with higher-order

cognitive capabilities of evaluation, predication, and application.

HONORS CHEMISTRY - W

Grade - 9TH – 12TH Credit - 1.00 credit

Course Number - 000732 000733 Length of Course - Year

Prerequisite - Minimum B average in Algebra 1 and the current science teacher's recommendation

Honors Chemistry provides an accelerated, inquiry-based laboratory experience emphasizing the theoretical and mathematical concepts of chemistry. This course is recommended for students interested in pursuing a career in any medical field, engineering field, or the biological and physical sciences. Students should possess superior reading, mathematical, and critical thinking skills, and must be willing to accept the challenge of academic rigor.

AP CHEMISTRY - W

Grade - 10TH - 12TH Credit - 1.50 credit

Course Number - 000734 000735 Length of Course - Year

Prerequisite - Minimum C average in Honors Chemistry or B average in Chemistry with a teacher

recommendation; concurrently enrolled in Algebra 2 or higher math

Advanced Placement Chemistry is a first-year college-level Natural Science Core Course that provides

students the opportunity to earn up to 10 college credits as well as participate in the administration of

The AP Chemistry Examination in early May. AP Chemistry differs significantly from the usual first-year

high school course in chemistry with respect to the level of the textbook, the range, and depth of the topics covered, the emphasis on chemical calculations and the mathematical formulation of principles, the nature and variety of the laboratory work performed by the students, and the time and effort required of the students. AP Chemistry is designed to teach students how to develop a conceptual framework of chemistry, including an understanding of science as a process rather than an accumulation of facts; personal experience in scientific inquiry; recognition of unifying themes that integrate the major topics of chemistry; and application of chemical knowledge and critical thinking to social concerns.

This course is recommended for those students interested in careers in medicine, engineering, or the biological, life, and physical sciences. This course meets for 1.5 periods per day.

PHYSICAL GEOLOGY

Grade - 11TH - 12TH Credit - 1.00 credit

Course Number - 000716A 000716B Length of Course - Year

Prerequisite - None

Physical geology incorporates chemistry, physics, and environmental science and introduces students to key concepts, principles, and theories in geology. Investigations are used to understand and explain the behavior of matter in a variety of inquiry and design scenarios that incorporate scientific reasoning, analysis, communication skills, and real-world applications.

The study of Earth's Structure, Groundwater Erosion and Deposition, Oceanography, Paleontology, Anthropology, Seismology, Volcanism, Plate Tectonics, Earth Resources, and Glaciers will be emphasized. An outdoor field experience is a required element for this course.

LIFE SCIENCES

BIOLOGY

Grade - 10TH Credit - 1.00 credit

Course Number - 000720 000721 Length of Course - Year

Prerequisite - NONE

Biology investigates the composition, diversity, complexity and interconnectedness of life on Earth. Fundamental concepts of heredity and evolution provide a framework through inquiry-based instruction to explore the living world, the physical environment and the interactions within and between them. Students engage in investigations to understand and explain behavior of living things in a variety of scenarios that incorporate scientific reasoning, analysis, communication skills and real-world applications.

HONORS BIOLOGY - W

Grade - 9TH - 10TH Credit - 1.00 credit

Course Number - 000722 000723 Length of Course - Year

Prerequisite - Science teacher recommendation. For incoming 9th Graders: Minimum B average in 8th

Grade Science and teacher recommendation. 75th percentile or above on one of the current year’s Fall

or Winter Reading or Math MAP tests and a “A” semester average in 8th-grade Science - Parents must

sign the Written Acceleration form Honors Biology provides an accelerated inquiry-based laboratory

experience for students possessing superior skills in reading comprehension, critical thinking, and

application. Honors students must be willing to accept the challenge of academic rigor, including

out-of-class research and assignments.

AP BIOLOGY - W

Grade - 10TH - 12TH Credit - 1.50 credit

Course Number - 000724 000725 Length of Course - Year

Prerequisite - Minimum C average in Honors Chemistry; Honors Chemistry teachers' recommendations

AP Biology is a second year course designed to provide high school students with a learning experience equivalent to that of a full-year, introductory college course typically taken by biology majors during their first year. AP Biology includes those topics regularly covered in a college biology course for majors, and differs significantly from the usual first high school course in biology with respect to the level of textbook, the range and depth of topics covered, the type of laboratory work performed by the students, and the time and effort required of the students. AP Biology is designed to teach students how to develop a conceptual framework of modern biology, including an understanding of science as a process rather than an accumulation of facts; personal experience in scientific inquiry; recognition of unifying theme that integrate the major topics of biology; and application of biological knowledge and critical thinking to environmental and social concerns.

This course is recommended for students interested in careers in biology, medicine, bioengineering fields. All students who are willing to accept the challenge of a rigorous academic curriculum and meet all of the prerequisites should consider AP Biology. This course meets for 1.5 periods per day. Students are expected to take the AP Examination in the spring which may lead to college credit.

ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY

ANATOMY & PHYSIOLOGY

Grade - 11TH - 12TH Credit - 1.00 credit

Course Number - 000726A 000726B Length of Course - Year

Prerequisite - Current science teacher’s recommendation.

Anatomy and Physiology are the study of the structure and function of the human body. Anatomy and Physiology comprise a systematic study of the fundamental concepts of cellular structure, tissues, and organs of the human body. The study of the structure and function of the human body through analysis of the skeletal, muscular, cardiovascular, lymphatic, digestive, respiratory, urinary, nervous, integumentary, endocrine, and reproductive systems will be emphasized. Investigations are used to understand and explain the interrelationships between structure and function at the gross and microscopic levels of organization of the human body in a variety of inquiry and scenarios that incorporate scientific reasoning, analysis, communication skills and real-world applications.

HONORS ANATOMY & PHYSIOLOGY - W

Grade - 11TH - 12TH Credit - 1.00 credit

Course Number - 000727A 000727B Length of Course - Year

Prerequisite - Minimum C average in Honors Chemistry OR a B average in Chemistry.

Honors Anatomy and Physiology provides an accelerated, inquiry-based laboratory experience emphasizing a systematic approach to the structure and function of the human body. This course is recommended for students interested in pursuing a career in any medical field or the biological sciences. Students should possess superior reading, mathematical, and critical thinking skills, and must be willing to accept the challenge of academic rigor, including out-of-class projects and assignments.

ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE

Grade - 11TH - 12TH Credit - 1.00 credit

Course Number - 000718 000719 Length of Course - Year

Prerequisite - None

Environmental Science is designed for high school students to dig deeper into the study of their natural world. Students will identify past, current and future environmental issues and solutions. Investigations are used in this course to explain and understand the behavior of nature in a variety of inquiry and design scenarios that incorporate scientiﬁc reasoning, analysis, communication skills and real-world applications. This is a high school level course which satisﬁes the Ohio Core science graduation requirements. It includes inquiry-based laboratory experiences that engage students in asking valid scientiﬁc questions and gathering and analyzing information.

AP ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE - W

Grade - 11TH - 12TH Credit - 1.00 credit

Course Number - 000717A 000717B Length of Course - Year

Prerequisite - Successful completion of Algebra 1. Successful completion of Biology with a minimum of

90% and teacher recommendation, or successful completion of Honors Biology with a minimum of 80%

and teacher recommendation

AP Environmental is designed to provide high school students with a learning experience equivalent to

that of a semester, introductory college environmental science course. Students will study scientific

concepts, principles, and methodologies of environmental science. Students will identify and analyze

environmental problems and evaluate risks associated with these problems, and they will also examine

alternative solutions for resolution and prevention.

This course is recommended for students interested in studying our natural world or students interested

in fields pertaining to it. Students will meet for 1 period a day. Students will be encouraged to take the

AP Exam in the spring, which may lead to college credit.

SCIENCE ELECTIVES

BOTANY

Grade - 10TH - 12TH Credit - .50 credit

Course Number 000756 Length of Course - Semester

Prerequisite - Successful completion of Biology or Honors Biology; and

successful completion of a physical science course (physical science, physics, chemistry) or

currently enrolled in a physical science course, and a current science teacher’s recommendation.

Botany is the study of plants. This course will offer students a comprehensive introduction to the fascinating world of plants. Through a combination of lectures, hands-on labs, and field studies, students will explore the fundamental concepts of plant biology, including plant cell structure, plant anatomy & physiology, and classification. Emphasis will be placed on understanding how plants grow, develop, and interact with their environments. Students will also gain insight into the critical role that plants play in ecosystems and in supporting life on Earth.

This course is recommended for students who are interested in careers in botany, natural resource management, landscape architecture or design, horticulture, agriculture, ecology or environmental science. It is also recommended, but not required, that this course be taken in conjunction with Zoology so that students can earn a full science credit.

ZOOLOGY

Grade - 10TH - 12TH Credit - .50 credit

Course Number 000755 Length of Course - Semester

Prerequisite - Successful completion of Biology or Honors Biology, and successful completion of

a physical science course (physical science, physics, chemistry) or currently enrolled in a

physical science course, and the current science teacher's recommendation

Zoology is the study of animals. This course will provide an in-depth exploration of the animal kingdom,

with a particular focus on the morphology (structure) and systematics (classification) of both vertebrates

and invertebrates. Students will gain an understanding of the diversity of life forms, the evolutionary

relationships that connect them, and the anatomical and functional adaptations that enable animals to

thrive in different environments. Through interactive lessons, dissections, hands-on labs, and field work,

students will explore the key characteristics of the major animal phyla and learn to recognize and classify

animals based on their structural features.

This course is recommended for students who are interested in careers in zoology, wildlife biology, population biology, natural resource management, ecology or environmental science. It is also recommended, but not required, that this course be taken in conjunction with Botany so that students can earn a full science credit.

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