Science 

FRESHMAN SCIENCE 1 credit (Required)

Grade 9

0410-Honors Freshman Science

Prerequisite:  Successful completion of Algebra I and teacher recommendation

This full year class will study numerous physics topics including properties of matter, Newtonian mechanics, momentum, heat, sound and light, electricity and magnetism, and astronomy.  Students will be expected to manipulate single variable equations; collect, interpret, and analyze data; and maintain organized class materials. Students enrolling in this class should be highly motivated, proficient in the properties of mathematics, and learning new techniques, and have exemplary note taking and organization skills. This course will prepare students for future offerings of Chemistry and Biology and Physics for their sophomore, junior and senior years. Students who successfully complete this course will meet the Freshman Science standards.

0412-College Prep Freshman Science

Prerequisite: Co-enrollment in a minimum of CP Algebra I and teacher recommendation

Students who will be enrolled in CP Algebra I as a 9th grader and have successfully completed 8th grade science tend to be both challenged and successful in College Prep Freshman Science. This full year class will study a comprehensive set of physics topics on the conceptual level.  These topics include properties of matter, motion, forces, momentum, energy, heat, sound, light, and electricity. Although this course will focus on the concepts involved in these topics, students will be required to solve problems and analyze data using concepts presented in Algebra I. This will prepare students for future offerings of Chemistry and Biology for their sophomore and junior years. Students who successfully complete this course will meet the Freshman Science standards.

0414-Freshman Science

Prerequisite: Teacher Recommendation

Students who will be enrolled in Algebra I (course 0314) as a 9th grader and have successfully completed 8th grade science tend to be both challenged and successful in Freshman Science. This class will study a comprehensive set of physics topics on the conceptual level. These topics include properties of matter, motion, forces, momentum, energy, heat, sound, light, and electricity. This will prepare students for future offerings of Chemistry and Biology in their sophomore and junior years. Students who successfully complete this course will meet the Freshman Science standards.

CHEMISTRY                                                                                                                  1 credit (Required)

Grade 10

0420-Honors Chemistry

Prerequisite: Successful completion of Freshman Science, Geometry, and teacher recommendation

This full year course is designed for students with exceptional skills in the areas of mathematics and science. To be considered for honors courses, students must be highly motivated and have a teacher recommendation. This course includes instruction and laboratory exercises on topics including chemical formulas and equations, stoichiometric relationships, electron configuration, kinetic molecular theory and states of matter, nuclear chemistry, acid-base theory, and thermochemistry. The mathematical and theoretical nature of chemistry will be studied in greater depth than in CP Chemistry. Students perform many laboratory exercises as well as regular classroom work. Lab reports, homework assignments, and unit tests are required. Students who successfully complete this course will meet the Chemistry standards.

0422-College Prep Chemistry

Prerequisite: Successful completion of Freshman Science, Algebra I, and teacher recommendation

This course is a standard first course in chemistry designed for college bound students. It includes instruction and laboratory exercises on topics including: chemical formulas and equations, stoichiometric relationships, electron configuration, kinetic molecular theory and states of matter, nuclear chemistry, and acid-base chemistry.  Students perform many laboratory exercises as well as regular classroom work.  Lab reports, homework assignments, and unit tests are required. Students who successfully complete this course will meet the Chemistry standards.

0424-Chemistry

Prerequisite: Freshman Science and successful completion of Algebra I 

This course will take a hands-on approach to everyday chemistry issues. Topics include atoms and chemical bonding, chemical equations and reactions, gas laws, and nuclear chemistry. Student progress will be measured using laboratory performance, class participation, and traditional tests and quizzes. Students who successfully complete this course will meet the Chemistry standards.

BIOLOGY 1 credit (Required)

Grades 11, 12

0430-Honors Biology

Prerequisite: Chemistry and teacher recommendation

This lab science course is a full year course designed for the motivated, creative and exceptionally skilled student in Biology. It includes instruction and laboratory exercises on molecular biology, cells, genetics, evolution, classification, bacteria and viruses, protists, invertebrates, vertebrates, plant life and human biology. Evaluation consists of a variety of assessments including chapter tests, quizzes, lab reports, homework, mid-year and final exams, short research projects, PowerPoint presentations and longer-term experiments. To be considered for honors courses, students must be highly motivated and have a teacher recommendation. Students who successfully complete this course will meet the Biology standards.

0432-College Prep Biology

Prerequisite: Chemistry and teacher recommendation

This is a lab science open to all college bound students.  It includes instruction and laboratory exercises on molecular biology, cells, genetics, evolution, classification, bacteria and viruses, rotests, invertebrates, vertebrates, plant life and human biology. Evaluation consists of a variety of assessments including chapter tests, quizzes, lab reports, homework, mid-year and final exams, short research projects, PowerPoint presentations and longer-term experiments. Students who successfully complete this course will meet the Biology standards.

0434-Biology  

Prerequisite: Chemistry and teacher recommendation  

This course will be a hands-on approach to everyday biology issues. A variety of life science topics are covered including animals, plants, the human body and nutrition. A practical, real life approach is used.  Students are required to take class notes, participate in labs and discussion, and complete homework assignments.  Regular quizzes as well as projects and portfolios are used for assessment. Students who successfully complete this course will meet the Biology standards.

0425-Advanced Placement Chemistry 1 credit

Grades 11, 12

Prerequisite: Algebra II, CP or Honors Chemistry, and teacher recommendation

Advanced Placement Chemistry is a full year course open to students who have successfully completed CP or Honors Chemistry and Algebra II. Students taking this course are required to take the Advanced Placement Exam in Chemistry in the spring and are responsible for the exam fee. This Chemistry course differs from the first year Chemistry course in the level of the textbooks used; the range and depth of the topics covered; the kind of laboratory work and analysis performed by students; and the time, effort, motivation, and discipline required of students. 

AP Chemistry is designed to meet the objectives of a general chemistry course at the college level. Topics include: matter and measurement; the atomic nature of matter; bonding theories; intermolecular forces and the behavior of solids, liquids, and gasses; chemical kinetics; chemical equilibrium; acid-base theory; thermodynamics; and electrochemistry.  Students will further develop their knowledge of the facts, principles, and underlying theories of chemistry. The laboratory component of the course requires students to design experiments, collect and analyze data, report results, and draw data-based conclusions. Students also become familiar with many advanced laboratory and data analysis techniques in chemistry. Students interested in pursuing a career in science, engineering, or in the medical field are strongly encouraged to consider this course.

0435-Advanced Placement Biology 1 credit

Grade 11, 12

Prerequisite:  Chemistry, Biology, and teacher recommendation

Advanced Placement Biology is a full year course open to students who have taken a previous Biology course and completed Chemistry.  The student taking this course is required to take the Advanced Placement Exam in Biology in the spring. The student is responsible for the exam fee.  This Biology course differs from the first year Biology course in the kind of textbooks used, the range and depth of the topics covered, the kind of laboratory work done by the students and the degree of time, effort, motivation and discipline required of the students. The Advanced Placement course in Biology is designed to meet the objectives of a general biology course at the college level. It provides a comprehensive, in-depth study of the biological mechanisms of living organisms.  There are three major units developed in the course: molecules and cells; genetics and evolution; organisms and populations.  Students are expected to develop considerable knowledge of the facts, principles and processes of biology. The laboratory component of the course is very extensive, serving to provide models of how biological information is collected, how it is interpreted, and how one formulates hypotheses from available data and makes further predictions from it.  Students also become familiar with many advanced laboratory techniques in biology.  Many activities in the course are designed to help students understand that biology is a human endeavor with social consequences.

0444-Advanced Placement Physics I     1 credit

Grades 11, 12                                                                                       

Prerequisite:  Freshman Science, Geometry, Algebra II, and teacher recommendation

This class is the equivalent to a first-semester college course in algebra-based physics. Students completing this course will be well-positioned to successfully take calculus-based Physics I in college. The course covers translational kinematics; Newtonian forces and dynamics; circular motion and gravitation; work, energy, and power; rotational kinematics; oscillations, and waves. This full-year course in Physics I is algebra-based and requires good problem-solving skills. Students must be motivated, creative and have a teacher recommendation. Labs and formal Lab write-ups are part of the curriculum. Proficiency and comfort with mathematical techniques is essential. Understanding of the fundamental principles involved, and the ability to apply these principles in the solution of problems are the major goals of the course. The student taking this course is required to take the Advanced Placement Exam in AP Physics. The student is responsible for the exam fee.

0442-College Prep Physics  1 credit  

Grades 11,12                                                                                         

Prerequisite: Freshman Science, Geometry, Algebra II, and teacher recommendation 

This full-year course in Physics is algebra-based and requires good problem solving skills.  Students must be motivated, creative and have a teacher recommendation. Topics studied include in-depth studies of kinematics, forces, dynamics, circular motion and gravitation, work, energy and power; rotational kinematics and waves. Labs and formal Lab write-ups are part of the curriculum. Proficiency and comfort with mathematical techniques is essential.

0448- College Prep Marine Biology 1 credit

Grades 11, 12

Prerequisite: Chemistry, Biology, and teacher recommendation

Marine biology is a full year course focusing on the characteristics and classification of types of marine organisms, marine ecosystems, and human impacts on marine environments. During the course students will learn:

• How to create and use dichotomous keys for seaweed, mollusks, and arthropods

• Characteristics of major groups of marine organisms

• Factors affecting ocean physics and chemistry

• How human actions affect marine ecosystems and organisms

Grades are based on labs, projects, quizzes, and tests. Students may have the opportunity to attend several field trips that include specimen identification and collection at local beaches. 

0449- College Prep Human Anatomy and Physiology 1 credit

Grades 11, 12

Prerequisite: Chemistry, Biology, and teacher recommendation

This course is intended for those highly motivated students who may wish to pursue a career in nursing, medicine, veterinary science, etc., or those who may just wish to know more about their own bodies.  The anatomy and functional aspects of each body system are explored in detail. Students will perform a variety of dissections and physiological experiments throughout the year as well as complete projects.  Evaluation is based on tests, quizzes, homework assignments, lab reports, projects and discussions.

0451- College Prep Forensic Science 1 credit

Grades 11, 12

Prerequisite: Chemistry and Biology

Forensic Science is a laboratory and project-based course that will lead students through a foundation of law and criminal justice, history of forensics, and modern scientific advances in the field. The scientific method, data analysis, and the power of observation and critical thinking to solve a problem are addressed throughout the course. This course will involve a combination of traditional assessments, independent research/projects, and laboratory assignments.