Science 9 I & II: 3401/ 3402

Prerequisite: none

Grade 9
In Science 9, you will review the nature of science, the practices of science investigation and the engineering design process. You will explore earth and space by applying 3-Dimensional learning to determine relationships among earth’s systems. Topics include: The History of Planet Earth, Earth Materials and Systems, Biogeology, Human Impacts on Earth Systems, and Developing Possible Solutions. Anticipate an engaging curriculum focused on labs and phenomena, offering both challenges and rewards to equip you for your upcoming science courses.  

Anatomy and Physiology I : 3001 

Prerequisites: Biology or AP Biology

Grades 11-12

This elective science course investigates the structure and function of parts of the human anatomy.   Emphasis is placed on the understanding of human systems.  Extensive dissection (sheep heart, eye and brain and an adult cat)  occurs during the quarter.  Students are required to participate in dissections during this course.  This is a challenging course designed for students planning on post-secondary education in a science-related field after high school.

Major Course Goals: Students will be able to name and locate the bones of the body and superficial muscles, parts of the brain, heart, and eye, body cavities and structures. 

Anatomy and Physiology II: 3008 

Prerequisite: Anatomy and Physiology I

Grades 11-12

This course investigates the structure and function of the human body. Emphasis is placed on further understanding human systems. Dissection and laboratory experiments are a required part of this class .Dissections include: Sheep lungs, liver, and kidneys. This is a challenging fast-paced class designed for students that are planning on post-secondary education in a science related field.

Major Course Goals: Students will be able to describe and explain the structure and function of the major human body systems including: respiratory, urinary, endocrine and digestive. Great emphasis will be placed on metabolism and biochemistry. 

Physics I & II : 3848/3849

Prerequisite: Algebra II or equivalent, or Higher, current enrollment in Pre-calculus - recommended

Grades 11-12

This course is intended for students who may be considering post-secondary study in the physical sciences but not specifically physics or engineering.

Topics include kinematics, dynamics, conservation of energy and momentum, thermodynamics, sound, optics, electricity, and magnetism. Practical applications and laboratory work are emphasized. As the prerequisite implies, students who elect this class should be comfortable with basic algebra and trigonometry. 

This course covers similar material to Enriched Physics, but with more support at every opportunity.

Enriched Physics: 3842

Prerequisites: Completion of or current enrollment in Calculus. Completion of Modern or AP Chemistry

Grades 11-12

This is an introductory college-level course that prepares students for further study of the physical science. This first-semester block course covers all the material in Physics I & II, just in greater depth and with less support. This course is intended for students who may be considering post-secondary study in the STEM fields like Physics and/or Engineering. Major topics include motion (kinematics), forces (dynamics), conservation of energy and momentum, thermodynamics, waves and sound, light (optics), electricity, and magnetism. Practical applications and laboratory work are emphasized. As the prerequisite implies, students who elect this class should be comfortable with algebra and trigonometry.

AP Physics: 3843

Prerequisite: Completion of Enriched Physics. Completion of or current enrollment in Calculus.

Grades 11-12

A continuation of Enriched Physics. This course is intended for students who may be considering post-secondary study in the STEM fields like Physics and/or Engineering. Major topics include motion (kinematics), forces (dynamics), conservation of energy and momentum, rotational motion, gravitation, vibrations and waves. The focus of this course will be applying calculus to physics concepts learned in Enriched Physics and preparation for the AP Physics I - Algebra Based and the AP Physics C - Mechanics exams. Practical applications and laboratory work are emphasized. This is a singleton course only offered during second semester. 

Earth & Space: 3002

Prerequisite: Geometry

Grades 11-12

Astronomy is a branch of physics with its origins dating back thousands of years. This part of the course will focus on all parts of our universe, especially our solar system, the Milky Way Galaxy, and the stars in it. For the Earth science you will learn about weather, wind, clouds, and the atmosphere.

In addition to these topics, this course will also look at how astronomy, astrophysics, space travel, and our understanding of the universe are continually changing. Online simulations will be used along with small-scale lab experiments to touch on concepts such as distance measurements, the use of optical devices, the nature of light, the structure of stars and planets, and the distribution of stars and galaxies within the universe.

Principles of Chemistry I & II: 3705/ 3706 

Prerequisite: Minimum math requirements - successful completion of HS Algebra 

Grades 11-12

This course is designed for students who have an interest in attending post-secondary school, but are not planning to pursue a career in science-related fields. The mathematics emphasis of this course is not as strong as Modern Chemistry. Students wanting to attend college for science related fields, including medicine and engineering, are encouraged to take the college prep Modern Chemistry class. Students in this class study atomic structure, bonding, formula writing, chemical reactions, states of matter, solutions, gases, and calculations involving elements and compounds. Major Course Goals: Students will be able to: 1) follow written and verbal directions in a laboratory situation, 2) analyze data collected in laboratory work and draw conclusions from data collected, 3) understand the ideas and basic concepts of matter, 4) understand the concepts of chemistry in order to solve problems relating to chemical laws in a logical procedure, 5) solve problems using the factor-label method.

Modern Chemistry I & II: 3701/3702

Prerequisite: Minimum math requirements - Completion of HS Algebra with a B or higher or currently enrolled in Algebra II 

Grades 11-12

This course is a college prep course intended to teach the concepts of chemistry. This course is a 

must for students considering a four-year degree in a science field or for students who have been successful in previous science and math classes. The mathematics emphasis of the course is stronger than Principles of Chemistry. Students study metric measurements, atomic structure, periodic classification, bonding, formula writing, chemical nomenclature, chemical equations, types of chemical reactions, calculations involving element and compounds, solids/liquids/gases, water, solutions, acids and bases, reaction rates and equilibrium, organic chemistry, and nuclear chemistry. Major Course Goals: Students will be able to: 1) follow written and verbal directions in a laboratory situation, 2) analyze data collected in laboratory work and draw conclusions from data collected, 3) understand the ideas and basic concepts of matter, 4) understand the concepts of chemistry in order to solve problems relating to chemical laws in a logical procedure, 5) solve problems using the factor-label method and significant figures. 

Enriched Chemistry: 3740

Prerequisite: Currently enrolled in Algebra II, minimum or teacher recommendation

Grades 11-12

Enriched Chemistry provides a self-motivated and academically enthusiastic student a highly intellectual approach to the study of chemistry. This course moves at an accelerated pace and has the same content as the initial 2/3 of a first year college chemistry course. Topics include, but are not limited to, stoichiometry, solutions, thermochemistry, quantum chemistry, periodicity, bonding, gas laws, phase changes and intermolecular forces, kinetics, equilibria, and acid/base chemistry. The ability to problem solve is emphasized. This is a block course only offered in the first semester. Enriched Chemistry is a prerequisite to AP Chemistry, which is a continuation of this course. 

AP Chemistry: 3741 

Prerequisite: Completion of Enriched Chemistry 

Grades 11-12

A continuation of Enriched Chemistry concentrating on the content contained in the final 1/3 of a first year college chemistry course. Topics include acid/base equilibria, thermodynamics, electrochemistry, nuclear chemistry, metals and nonmetals, and organic chemistry. This is a singleton course only offered during second semester. Both Enriched Chemistry and AP Chemistry must be completed to take the AP test.

Intro to Organic Chemistry: 3742 

Prerequisite: One year or one full block of general chemistry 

Grades 11-12

This elective course introduces some of the topics of carbon chemistry. In this course you will learn about the basic structure, naming, functions and reactions of various classes of organic compounds. This one-semester course will review the importance of bonding and focus on alkanes and cycloalkanes, alkenes and alkynes, aromatic compounds, halogen compounds, etc. The course will also focus on the development of specific organic laboratory skills such as determining melting and boiling points and separation techniques. Throughout the course you will develop skills in critical thinking, analysis of consumer products, writing lab reports, and proper and safe laboratory techniques. This course is a valuable background for students planning on majoring in chemistry or another science at college or planning on going into a medically-related field such as medical technology, nursing, veterinary science, dentistry or medicine. 1 credit course