SCIENCE

Course Offerings Sheet

SCIENCE COURSE FLOW CHART

34001 & 34002 ANATOMY & PHYSIOLOGY

GRADE: 12 | SCORE: Non-Weighted | PHS CREDIT: 2 | YEAR | ELECTIVE

PREREQUISITE: Demonstrated success in Biology or Biology Honors (C or above).

The course is offered to students who are interested in pursuing a health-related career, as well as someone with a general interest in how the human body functions. College prep course to introduce students to the systems of the human body, but also to help prepare them for further anatomical and physiological study after high school. The goal is to have 80% mastery of content or higher during all units.

Concentrated study of the human organ systems with the study of the anatomy & physiology of each system covered. Anatomical studies include dissection of particular organs and other learning activities. Physiological studies, laboratories, and activities help students gain an understanding of how the human body works and maintains homeostasis. Includes guest speakers and ethical decision-making activities. Vernier probeware is used to measure the performance of student body systems. Sample studies include - Development of Cancer, Tissue Engineering,, Muscle contraction and reflexes, Cardiac Physiology, Respiratory Physiology, Urinary Physiology.

Learning occurs in groups and individually as each student works to master the content. Assessment of learning occurs at regular intervals. Dissection and comparison of fetal pig anatomy is a required activity at the end of the school year.

33001 & 33002 BIOLOGY

GRADE: 11 | SCORE: Non-Weighted | PHS CREDIT: 2 | YEAR | REQUIRED

Exploration of the life sciences

This is a full year course in introductory biology that is designed for students with an interest in learning more about biology and other life sciences. Activity-based exploration of life, spanning biochemistry to global ecology. Studies are in-depth concerning cell biology, genetics, evolution, microbiology, and ecology. Current societal and technological issues in biology are explored throughout the year. IA Science Standards (life, earth & space science) incorporated into this course.

33011 & 33012 BIOLOGY HONORS

PREREQUISITE: Physical Science, Chemistry, or Chemistry Honors 2.) The student has a cumulative G.P.A of 3.00 or above.

This course can be taken in place of the Biology graduation requirement.

A full year course in introductory biology that is designed for students with an interest in learning more about biology and other life sciences. Activity-based exploration of life, spanning biochemistry to global ecology. Studies are in-depth concerning cell biology, genetics, evolution, microbiology, and ecology. Current societal and technological issues in biology are explored throughout the year. Some labs involve the use of technology and biotechnology which makes it somewhat different than Biology. IA Science Standards (life, earth & space science) incorporated into this course.

34100 BIOTECHNOLOGY

GRADE: 10, 11, 12 | SCORE: Non-Weighted | PHS CREDIT: 1 | SEMESTER | ELECTIVE

PREREQUISITE: Demonstrated success in Biology or has an interest in the field

A one-semester course designed for students interested in the following industries: Academic/Government/Regulatory Industries, Agriculture, Bioinstrumentation, Industrial Products, Pharmaceuticals/Medicine. Students may be interested in careers as a scientist, research associate, biotechnician, biomanufacturing, and medicine.

A semester-long course with a hands-on approach to standard lab operating procedures, recombinant DNA production, protein and DNA diagnostics, agricultural and pharmaceutical biotechnology. This course is designed to introduce students to and make them comfortable with lab procedures and techniques. It is skills-based and meant for students of all academic levels. It is an integrated science where students can apply what they have learned in earlier science classes. Students have a chance to develop the skills to do real and original research, which can be applied in the workplace and other science courses.

32011 & 32012 CHEMISTRY

GRADE: 10 | SCORE: Non-Weighted | PHS CREDIT: 2 | YEAR | REQUIRED

PREREQUISITE: Physical Science & Math 1

A two-semester course in general chemistry that is designed to be activity based and engage the students in the ideas of chemistry with less emphasis on mathematical problem-solving. This course studies composition, properties, and reactions of substances. Topics explore such concepts as the behavior of solids, liquids, and gases; the periodic table, and atomic structure. Chemical formulas, equations, and nuclear reactions are also included in this course. Earth science topics including climate change, changes to the Earth’s surfaces, the life cycles of stars will be incorporated into the Chemistry concepts. IA Science Standards (physical science and earth & space science) incorporated into this course.

32021 & 32022 CHEMISTRY HONORS

PREREQUISITE: Physical Science & Math 1 1.) The student has a cumulative G.P.A of 3.00 or above

This course can be taken in place of the Chemistry graduation requirement.

A full year course in general chemistry designed for the college prep sophomore, junior and/or senior student who is interested in pursuing or has a high interest in science or scientific careers. Emphasis is placed on the application of chemistry topics with quantitative analysis (mathematical applications). Topics and concepts stressed include but not limited to: scientific method in measurement and investigation, the mole concept in chemical reactions, atomic and molecular structure, kinetic-molecular theory, chemical equilibrium, periodic trends, introduction to Organic chemistry, and nuclear chemistry. Earth Science NGSS will be incorporated into the chemistry content. Earth science topics including climate change, changes to the Earth’s surfaces, the life cycles of stars. Laboratory work is required. Safe practices, proper equipment usage, and procedures will be introduced and covered. Methods of instruction include lectures, demonstrations and student laboratory experiments. Evaluation of a student's progress is based mostly upon chapter and/or unit tests, quizzes, and analysis of laboratory investigations. IA Science Standards (physical science and earth & space science) incorporated into this course.

34110 ENTOMOLOGY: HUMAN VS. INSECT

GRADE: 9, 10, 11, 12 | SCORE: Non-Weighted | PHS CREDIT: 1 | SEMESTER | ELECTIVE

This class is a College prep course introducing the concepts of Entomology (the study of Insects) and the career options available within the field. The course is offered to students who are interested in pursuing post-secondary study in the biological sciences or have a general interest in how insects impact the world around us.

A semester-long course with a hands-on approach to the taxonomy and impact insects have on humans. We will collect specimens throughout the semester to produce a collection at the end of the semester. Students will be introduced to the diversity of insects with an in-depth look at the impacts insects have on agriculture and human health. We will discuss vector-borne disease worldwide, study how insects help solve crime, and finally address advances in pharmacology dealing with insects. With agriculture, we will take a hard look at the benefits and issues insects have on crop production, pesticide concerns, and discuss GMOs here in Iowa.

31011 & 31012 PHYSICAL SCIENCE

GRADE: 9 | SCORE: Non-Weighted | PHS CREDIT: 2 | YEAR | REQUIRED

Physical science is an introduction to physics, chemistry, and earth and space science. An activity-based course spanning motion to space; including in-depth studies of forces, energy, planetary motion, matter, thermodynamics, climatology, waves, and the nature of science. Current societal and technological issues in physical science are explored throughout the year using integrated problem-solving activities to better understand physical science content in relevant ways. IA science Science Standards (physical and earth & space science) incorporated into this course.

33101 & 33102 PHYSICS

GRADE: 11, 12 | SCORE: Non-Weighted | PHS CREDIT: 2 | YEAR | ELECTIVE

PREREQUISITE: Math 3, Physical Science, and Chemistry or Chemistry Honors

Physics is a year long course focused on the study of matter and the energy it has. The first semester covers the topics of forces and laws of nature affecting matter, such as equilibrium, motion, and momentum. The second semester involves relationships between work, energy, fluid dynamics, sound, light, magnetic, and electric phenomena. Laboratory and problem solving are used to teach these topics. This course is designed to be preparation for taking science and engineering courses in college.