SCIENCE PROGRAM
NJ Student Learning Standards in Science
Science Practices: All students will understand that science is both a body of knowledge and an evidence-based, model-building enterprise that continually extends, refines, and revises knowledge. The four Science Practices strands encompass the knowledge and reasoning skills that students must acquire to be proficient in science.
Physical Science: All students will understand that physical science principles, including fundamental ideas about matter, energy, and motion, are powerful conceptual tools for making sense of phenomena in physical, living, and Earth systems science.
Life Science: All students will understand that life science principles are powerful conceptual tools for making sense of the complexity, diversity, and interconnectedness of life on Earth. Order in natural systems arises in accordance with rules that govern the physical world, and the order of natural systems can be modeled and predicted through the use of mathematics.
Earth Systems Science: All students will understand that Earth operates as a set of complex, dynamic, and interconnected systems, and is a part of the all-encompassing system of the universe.
**********
PLEASE NOTE:
· Students MUST successfully complete three years of Science including physical science, biology, and chemistry (or environmental science) in order to fulfill graduation requirements. Four years of scientific study are strongly recommended for all students intending to further their education beyond high school.
· All students in 11th grade must complete the state test of NJSLA-S.
SCIENCE PROGRAM
Course Offerings
Academic Grade Level Credits
Physical/Earth Science 9 5.0
Biology 10-12 5.0
Chemistry 11-12 5.0
Environmental Science 11-12 5.0
Physics 12 5.0
Honors/Advanced Placement (AP) Grade Level Credits
Physical/Earth Science Honors 9 5.0
Biology Honors 9-12 5.0
Chemistry Honors 11-12 5.0
AP Biology 11-12 5.0
Environmental Science Honors 11-12 5.0
Physics Honors 12 5.0
Elective Courses Grade Level Credits
Anatomy & Physiology 12 5.0
Crime Scene Investigation 11-12 2.5
Marine Sciences 11-12 2.5
Weather 9-12 2.5
Physical/Earth Science - Grade Level: 9
Duration: 200 minutes/week Credits: 5
This academic laboratory course will develop the major concepts of Physics, Chemistry and Earth Science through experimentation, discovery, and application. The content of the course will consist of astronomy, geology, weather, climate, matter, atoms, periodic table, and Newton’s laws of motion.
Biology - Grade Level: 10-12
Duration: 200 minutes/week Credits: 5
This academic Biology laboratory course covers topics such as molecular and cellular biology, plant diversification, animal structure and function, photosynthesis and respiration, biochemistry, evolution, and applied genetics. Students will be required to perform, observe, and collect data and answer questions regarding investigations. Dissection is involved. Students who do not wish to perform a dissection may participate by alternate means. Students in this course will be required take the NJ State Biology Competency Test.
Biology Honors - Grade Level: 9-12 Weighted Course
Prerequisite: See Honors/Advanced Prerequisites Page
Duration: 200 minutes/week Credits: 5
This accelerated academic laboratory course is designed for those highly self-motivated, science-oriented students who are considering a major in the sciences in college. The students in this course will be expected to demonstrate seriousness of purpose and a desire to put forth an extra effort. There will be a strong emphasis on cellular biology and biochemistry. The more traditional topics of genetics, taxonomy, phylogenetic progression, anatomy and physiology, botany, and environmental issues will also be an important and vital part of this course. Dissection is involved. Students who do not wish to perform a dissection may participate by alternate means. Students in this course will be required to take the NJ State Biology Competency Test.
Chemistry - Grade Level: 11-12
Prerequisite: a. Algebra l
b. A minimum final average of 78% in Biology or Environmental Science
Duration: 200 minutes/week Credits: 5
This first year academic chemistry laboratory course provides the student with a solid foundation in chemistry. The topics covered include the properties of matter, chemical reactions and equations, molar relationships, stoichiometry, the gas laws, atomic structure, periodic properties, bonding, solutions, thermodynamics, chemical kinetics, equilibrium, acids and bases, electrochemistry, and chemical analysis. The laboratory portion of the course emphasizes safety in the chemistry laboratory and experiments that illustrate the concepts covered in the classroom. Students learn how to properly observe and record experimental data, analyze results, and communicate experiment conclusions.
Chemistry Honors - Grade Level: 11-12 Weighted Course
Prerequisites: See Honors/Advanced Prerequisites Page
Duration: 200 minutes/week Credits: 5
This first year accelerated academic chemistry laboratory course covers topics in greater depth and detail than academic chemistry and is the equivalent of a college level chemistry course. The topics covered include the properties of matter, chemical reactions and equations, molar relationship, stoichiometry, the gas laws, atomic structure, periodic properties, bonding, solutions, thermodynamics, chemical kinetics, equilibrium, acids and bases, electrochemistry, and chemical analysis. The laboratory portion of the course emphasizes safety in the chemistry laboratory and experiments that illustrate the concepts covered in the classroom. Students learn how to properly observe and record experimental data, analyze results, and communicate experiment conclusions.
Environmental Science - Grade Level: 11-12
Prerequisites: Physical/Earth Science and Biology
Duration: 200 minutes/week Credits: 5
Environmental Science is an academic laboratory course. Three laboratory courses (15 credits) are required for graduation. This course explores the multidisciplinary science of the environment. It will focus on important current issues such as human population dynamics, global climate change, air and water pollution, hazardous and solid waste, along with renewable energy resources. Other topics include the over harvesting of dynamic biological resources, biodiversity, soil management, deforestation, and endangered species. A hands-on laboratory requirement is a core part of the course. An online textbook will be used in this course.
AP Biology - Grade Level: 11-12 Weighted Course
Prerequisite: a. A minimum final average of 85% in preceding Honors science; b. A minimum
final average of 92% in preceding Academic science; c. Teacher recommendation
Duration: 200 minutes/week Credits: 5
This Advanced Placement laboratory course is designed for the individual whose intentions are to pursue a science related major in college. The AP level explores the finer details of biological processes and requires a highly motivated student. The student will be required to recall many of the principles acquired in biology and chemistry. Topics to be covered include molecules and cells, energy and metabolism, heredity and evolution, organisms and populations, ecology, and a comparative invertebrate study. The successful completion and comprehension of these topics will prepare the student for the Advanced Placement National exam. (Note: Students are responsible for completing summer work prior to the first day of class. Students will be required to sit for the AP exam at the end of the year.)
Physics - Grade Level: 12
Prerequisites: A minimum final average of 78% in Algebra 2
Duration: 200 minutes/week Credits: 5
Physics is an academic laboratory course which concerns the principles and laws of natural events. Topics studied include the following: heat, magnetism, astronomy, electricity, color, sound, radio, and mechanics. The academic laboratory experience is an important part of this analysis. In addition, the concurrent enrollment in PreCalculus and/or Calculus will be of great benefit to the student.
Physics Honors - Grade Level: 12 Weighted Course
Prerequisites: A minimum final average of 85% in Algebra 2
Duration: 200 minutes/week Credits: 5
Physics is an accelerated academic laboratory course which concerns the principles and laws of natural events. Topics studied include the following: heat, magnetism, astronomy, electricity, color, sound, radio, and mechanics. The academic laboratory experience is an important part of this analysis. This honors class will be heavy in mathematics. The concurrent enrollment in PreCalculus and/or Calculus will be of great benefit to the student. Students in this course will be required to participate in the science fair.
Electives
Anatomy and Physiology - Grade Level: 12
Prerequisites: Biology
Duration: 200 minutes/week Credits: 5
This advanced academic laboratory course is a combination of lecture and laboratory designed for students interested in the allied health fields. The lecture topics covered are anatomical medical terminology, cell structure, tissues, the skin, skeletal system, muscular system and nervous system. The laboratory topics include cells, tissues and an examination of the anatomy and physiology of the integument skeletal, muscular and nervous systems. Both gross and microscopic work is emphasized.
Crime Scene Investigation - Grade Level: 11-12
Prerequisite: a. Algebra 1; b. Biology; c. Chemistry (may be enrolled simultaneously)
Duration: 200 minutes/week (1 semester) Credits: 2.5
This academic elective course introduces students to crime scene investigation both in the theoretical and in laboratory methods. Crime scene investigation focuses on learning the techniques for the scientific examination of physical evidence such as fibers, glass, hair, soil, bullets, fingerprints and shoeprints. Students review the theoretical bases of methods of comparison and their influence on scientific interpretation.
Marine Sciences - Grade Level: 11-12
Prerequisite: a. Biology
Duration: 200 minutes/week (1 semester) Credits: 2.5
This hands-on and project-based course is designed for students with an interest in environmental science as it relates to the biosphere in general in addition to the many aspects of the marine world, specifically those bodies of water that surround our local community. As a part of the class, learners will develop the ability to identify real-world environmental issues that exist within the various ecosystems on earth and within aquatic habitats. Cause and effect relationships between populations and environmental stability will be explored. Students will evaluate claims regarding loss of biodiversity and its effect on Earth’s ecosystems. By examining the availability of natural resources and occurrences of natural hazards, students will design, evaluate, and refine solutions to reduce the human impacts on Earth’s systems. Students will also explore the composition of the ocean, marine organisms - their habitats, tides, waves, and coasts, and how humans are impacting oceans on a global scale. Classroom activities include laboratory investigations and activities, research projects, problem solving, data collection, and strategic thinking to increase student awareness of the importance of the marine community in our ever changing world.
Weather - Grade Level: 9-12
Prerequisite: Physical/Earth Science Credits: 2.5
Duration: 200 minutes/week (1 semester)
In this course, students will study the many facets that influence the weather on a day to day basis. The study of weather is called meteorology, and this course will explore the physical laws, relationships, and processes that control the atmosphere. Topics to be examined include the basic elements of weather (atmospheric composition, circulation, clouds, precipitation, temperature, and humidity), frontal systems, storms, forecasting, climatology, severe weather (thunderstorms, tornadoes, and hurricanes), and weather modification. Daily weather observations and forecasts will be made for dissemination to the school community and is integral to the course.