Science
COLLEGE-PREPARATORY/ WORK-READY PROGRAM
9th Grade: Physical Science Biology
10th Grade: Physical Science Biology Chemistry Physics
11th and 12th Grade: Chemistry Physics Environmental Science Anatomy/Physiology Botany and Zoology Geology Astronomy Forensic Science
ADVANCED PLACEMENT ACADEMIC PROGRAM
9th Grade: Honors Biology
10th Grade: Honors Chemistry Honors Physics
11th and 12th Grade: AP Biology AP Chemistry AP Physics I or II AP Environmental Science Anatomy/Physiology Botany and Zoology
OPTIONAL PROGRAM
9th Grade: Physical Science
10th Grade: Biology
11th and 12th Grade: Chemistry Environmental Science Physics Anatomy/Physiology Botany and Zoology Geology Astronomy Forensic Science
LIFE SCIENCE
30113S1/30113S2
Biology
Semester(s): 2
Prerequisite: None
Grade Level(s): 9, 10
Biology surveys the structure and interrelationships of living organisms. Areas of study include cellular biology, the molecular basis of heredity, inheritance and adaptation, the interdependence of organisms, matter, energy, and organization of living things, and biological responses from molecules to organisms. Emphasis is placed on the science and engineering practices through laboratory investigations and problem-based projects.
30213S1/30213S2
Honors Biology
Semester(s): 2
Prerequisite: None
Grade Level(s): 9, 10
Honors Biology features an expanded curriculum and more in-depth laboratory investigations wherein students explore the structure and the interrelationships of living organisms. Areas of study include cellular biology, the molecular basis of heredity, inheritance and adaptation, the interdependence of organisms, matter, energy, and organization of living things, and biological responses from molecules to organisms. Emphasis is placed on the science and engineering practices through laboratory investigations, problem-based projects, and collaborative grouping.
30243S1/30243S2
AP Biology
Semester(s): 2
Prerequisite: Biology and Chemistry OR Honors Physical Science
Grade Level(s): 10, 11, 12
AP Biology cultivates students' understanding of biology through inquiry-based investigations as they explore topics such as evolution, energetics, information storage and transfer, and system interactions.
30130
Botany
Semester(s): 1
Prerequisite: Biology
Grade Level(s): 11, 12
Botany is an advanced study of the plant kingdom, which includes major plant phyla, plant organ systems and their functions, and plant classification.
30140
Zoology
Semester(s): 1
Prerequisite: Biology
Grade Level(s): 11, 12
Zoology is an advanced study of the Animal Kingdom, focusing on vertebrates and invertebrates. Classification, structures, functions, and behavior are stressed.
30173S1/30173S2
Anatomy/Physiology
Semester(s): 2
Prerequisite: Biology and Chemistry
Grade Level(s): 11, 12
Anatomy/Physiology is a lab-based course that studies the structures and functions of the human body. It begins at the cellular level and continues through the body’s organ systems. Dissections for comparisons may be part of the course. Additional Information: Students in courses with dissection requirements also have the option to use one of the many humane alternatives available.
30193S1/30193S2
Forensic Science
Semester(s): 2
Prerequisite: Biology, Chemistry, Physics, and Algebra I
Grade Level(s): 11, 12
Forensic Science is a lab-based course that explores the scientific basis of forensics. It is a rich, cross-disciplinary class that utilizes the scientific processes and knowledge from diverse fields such as physics, chemistry, and biology to collect and analyze evidence to solve crimes. Students study a number of subfields within forensics in order to examine a wide variety of crimes.
PHYSICAL SCIENCE
30123S1/30123S2
Physical Science
Semester(s): 2
Prerequisite: Algebra I or concurrent enrollment
Grade Level(s): 9
Physical Science investigates the basic principles of chemistry and physics and how they apply to areas of earth and life science. Embedded standards for inquiry, engineering technology, and mathematics are taught through activities, labs, projects, and cooperative groups.
30203S1/S2
Honors Physical Science
Semesters: 2
Prerequisites: None
Grades: 9-12
This course provides a robust introduction to chemistry and physics for 9th grade students who want to be better prepared to take advanced coursework in the 10th grade. This course can serve as a prerequisite for AP Biology so students can enter into the course with a broad understanding of the basic concepts of chemistry and physics.
30163S1/30163S2
Chemistry
Semester(s): 2
Prerequisite: Biology and Algebra I
Grade Level(s): 10, 11, 12
Chemistry is a lab-based course that focuses on the fundamental concepts of matter, its structure, properties, composition, and the changes that matter undergoes. Topics include atomic structure, bonding, kinetic molecular theory, thermo-chemistry, and reaction types (including acid-base and reduction-oxidation). Laboratory experiments are used to help introduce and clarify topics and a major emphasis is placed on problem-solving.
30223S1/30223S2
Honors Chemistry
Semester(s): 2
Prerequisite: Biology and Algebra I
Grade Level(s): 10, 11, 12
Honors Chemistry features an expanded curriculum and more in-depth laboratory investigations. Students explore the fundamental concepts in the study of matter, its structure, properties, composition, and the changes that matter undergoes. Topics include atomic structure, bonding, kinetic molecular theory, thermo-chemistry, and reaction types (including acid-base and reduction-oxidation).
30253S1/30253S2
AP Chemistry
Semester(s): 2
Prerequisite: Chemistry and Algebra II OR Honors Physical Science
Grade Level(s): 11, 12
AP Chemistry serves as a foundation to support future advanced coursework in chemistry. Through inquiry-based, lab investigations, students develop critical thinking and reasoning skills as well as cultivate their understanding of chemistry and science practices as they explore topics such as scale, proportion, and quantity, structure and properties of substances, transformations, and energy.
30183S1/30183S2
Physics
Semester(s): 2
Prerequisite: Algebra I
Grade Level(s): 10, 11, 12
Physics utilizes mathematics and investigative science laboratory activities to describe the relationships between matter and energy. The topics covered include mechanics, heat, wave motion, optics, electricity, and nuclear physics.
30233S1/30233S2
Honors Physics
Semester(s): 2
Prerequisite: Algebra I
Grade Level(s): 10, 11, 12
Honors Physics features an expanded curriculum that utilizes mathematics and investigative science laboratory activities to describe the relationships between matter and energy. The topics covered include mechanics, heat, wave motion, optics, electricity, and nuclear physics.
30273S1/30273S2
AP Physics I
Semester(s): 2
Prerequisite: Algebra II
Grade Level(s): 11, 12
AP Physics I is an algebra-based physics course that explores concepts like systems, fields, force interactions, change, conversation, and waves. Students cultivate their understanding through classroom study, activities, and hands-on, inquiry-based laboratory work.
30283S1/30283S2
AP Physics II
Semester(s): 2
Prerequisite: AP Physics I
Grade Level(s): 11, 12
AP Physics II is an algebra-based course that explores topics such as systems, fields, force interactions, change, conservation, waves, and probability. Hands-on laboratory work with an emphasis on inquiry-based investigations provide students with opportunities to apply the science practices.
EARTH AND SPACE SCIENCE
30153S1/30153S2
Environmental Science
Semester(s): 2
Prerequisite: Biology
Grade Level(s): 10, 11, 12
Environmental Science uses an ecosystem approach to develop the major ecological concepts, environmental complexities and relevant, and up-to-date environmental issues. Students develop their conceptual understanding of how natural systems work, how they are sustained, and how environmental degradation is the direct result of human actions.
30263S1/30263S2
AP Environmental Science
Semester(s): 2
Prerequisite: Biology
Grade Level(s): 11, 12
AP Environmental Science engages students with the scientific principles, concepts, and methodologies required to understand the interrelationships of the natural world. Students explore energy transfer, interactions between earth systems, interactions between different species and the environment, and sustainability through lab-based investigations.
30133S1/30133S2
Geology
Semester(s): 2
Prerequisite: Biology and Physical Science or Chemistry
Grade Level(s): 11, 12
Geology is an in-depth study of how the Earth is constructed and the processes that continue to change the Earth’s surface. Topics include the understanding of the formation and identification of rocks and minerals, the types of volcanoes and how and why they erupt, the weathering of rocks and their effects on Earth’s surface and human populations, rivers and groundwater and the ecological impacts of humans on water sources, glaciers, deserts, beaches, and the ocean floor, earthquakes and their relationships to plate tectonics and the effects on humans, how mountains form, and fossils and their relationships to Earth’s past.
30143S1/30143S2
Astronomy
Semester(s): 2
Prerequisite: Biology and Physical Science or Chemistry
Grade Level(s): 11, 12
Astronomy enables students to develop and apply knowledge of the universe and compare the conditions, properties, and motions of bodies in space. Emphasis is placed on concepts basic to Earth which includes materials, processes, history, and the environment. This course provides students with a study of the universe and the conditions, properties, and motions of bodies in space. Historical astronomy, astronomical instruments, the celestial sphere, the solar system, the earth as a system in space, the earth/moon system, the sun as a star, and stars are also explored.
The following Career and Technology Education (CTE) courses qualify as a science unit for graduation and OK Promise.
Aerospace Engineering
Biomedical Innovation
Biotechnology II
Human Body Systems
Medical Interventions
Principles of Biomedical Science