Science Courses

COURSE: Introduction to Biology

OPEN TO: Grade 9 (Placement is based primarily on High School Placement Test results and Junior High teacher recommendations.)

PREREQUISITE: None

CREDIT: 1

OVERVIEW:

The objective of this course is to provide students with information and experiences to study living things in the six major kingdoms. Major topics of study include: ecology, the cell, genetics, disease, zoology, human anatomy, and botany. The focus of this class will be the areas of biology that are most important to people. Humans, of course, are an important factor in the environment of our planet. We will look at our role in the ecosystem and see how other living things affect us and how we can affect them.

COURSE: Biology

OPEN TO: Grade 9 (Placement is based primarily in High School Placement Tests and Junior High teacher recommendation.)

PREREQUISITE: None

CREDIT: 1

OVERVIEW:

The objective of the course is to provide students with information and experiences in the study of living things. Major topics of study include: ecology, the cell, genetics, disease, zoology, and botany.

In the first semester we will delve into the cellular and molecular level of living things for a greater understanding of the individual organism. We will also discuss how a living thing acquires and passes on its characteristics. In the second semester our classes focus on the kingdoms of living things. We will study the features and characteristics of these groups. Time will also be spent on labs and activities that will allow students to study these living things in greater detail.

COURSE: Honors Biology

OPEN TO: Grade 9 (Placement is based on High School Placement Test results and Junior High teacher recommendation.)

CREDIT: 1

OVERVIEW:

The objective of the course is to provide students with information and experiences in the study of living things. Major topics of study include: ecology, the cell, genetics, disease, zoology, and botany.

In the first semester will delve into the cellular and molecular level of living things for a greater understanding of the individual organism. We will also discuss how a living thing acquires and passes on its characteristics.After studying the microscopic and molecular level of organisms, we will focus on the kingdoms of living things. We will study the features and characteristics of these groups. Time will also be spent on labs and activities that will allow students to study these living things in greater detail. This class will be very rigorous and move through the material at a brisk pace. Extra projects may also be included in the coursework.

COURSE: Applied Natural Science

OPEN TO: Grade 10

PREREQUISITE: Introduction to Biology

CREDIT: 1

OVERVIEW:

This sophomore class is designed to help students better understand the nature of the physical universe. The focus of this class will be practical applications of ideas and principles of earth, physical, and environmental science. Course content will include instruction in the following: earth science, weather, atmosphere, environmental science, and space science. Physical science topics (atoms, chemical reactions, and forces of nature) will be integrated throughout. Course material will be covered using a variety of methods including assigned readings, audio-visual presentations, teacher lecture, demonstrations, and student participation in laboratory experiences.

COURSE: Natural Science

OPEN TO: Grade 10

PREREQUISITE: Biology (Algebra I recommended) or teacher recommendation.

CREDIT: 1

OVERVIEW:

The overall focus of this course is to prepare students for furthering their scientific skills and knowledge in preparation for future course work at RTHS.  This course will provide students with hands-on opportunities to experience what it is like to experiment and collect meaningful data. Students will learn how to present, critique, and evaluate scientific claims both in this class, and as a consumer of information in the world we live in.  The course will focus mainly on the disciplines of physics and chemistry, but the hope would be that students will learn skills that they can carry over into any future coursework, or real life experience. 

COURSE: Environmental Science I (Living things and their environment)

OPEN TO: Grade 11 and 12

PREREQUISITE: 2 credits in science

CREDIT: ½ semester

OVERVIEW:

Understanding our environment is an important part of our lives in this day and age. In this class we will work to gain a better understanding of the systems of the Earth and how they relate to what happens around us. This is a course that will help students improve their STEM skills. Students will also practice science, math, and technical skills throughout the course. These include measuring, metric, math & statistics, gathering and interpreting scientific data, and graph construction and interpretation. Course content will include instruction in the following: interactions of living things with their environment, population, endangered species, and conservation of resources. The topics will be covered using a variety of methods including assigned readings, audio-visual presentations, teacher lecture, demonstrations, and student participation in laboratory experiences and/or field experiences. A special focus will on current topics related to our environment.

COURSE: Environmental Science II (Natural resources and systems of the Earth)

OPEN TO: Grade 11 and 12

PREREQUISITE: 2 credits in science - Note: This course can be taken even if you have not taken Environmental Science I.

CREDIT: ½ semester

OVERVIEW:

Understanding our environment is an important part of our lives in this day and age. In this class we will work to gain a better understanding of the systems of the Earth and how they relate to what happens around us. Students will also practice science, math, and technical skills throughout the course. These include measuring, metric, math & statistics, gathering and interpreting scientific data, and graph construction and interpretation.Course content will include instruction in the following: earth systems & resources, land and water use, pollution, global change, energy and consumption of resources. The topics will be covered using a variety of methods including assigned readings, audio-visual presentations, teacher lecture, demonstrations, and student participation in laboratory and/or field experiences. A special focus will on current topics related to our environment.

COURSE: Chemistry

OPEN TO: Grades 11-12

PREREQUISITE: Two credits of science classes or teacher recommendation. To qualify for this class, you should have at least B average in your freshmen and sophomore math and science classes. It is also required that you have taken or are concurrently taking Algebra II. Very strong skills in Algebra are important for this class.

CREDIT: 1

OVERVIEW:

This course is designed for students intending to go to college. Students need not be intending to major in science in college to take this course, but should be looking for a challenging and interesting college-prep course. The coursework and extensive lab activities focus on developing observation skills, analyzing experimental findings, and exploring the nature of the universe through the science of chemistry. Topics covered include: measurement, matter and energy, atomic structure, electron arrangement, mole relationships, the periodic table, bonding, formulas, chemical reactions and equations, gas laws, liquids and solutions, and acid/base chemistry. In addition, development of college-level study habits and independent thinking are stressed in order to prepare students for college-level coursework. Students will be expected to complete assignments outside of class (homework, lab reports, and assigned readings) in order to be successful in this course. Algebra is used extensively in this course, which helps students relate mathematical ideas to real-world problems. A grade of “B” or higher in Algebra I (or the most recent math course taken) is highly recommended.

COURSE: Honors Chemistry

OPEN TO: Grade 10 (Placement in Honors Chemistry is based on freshman (and sophomore) science teachers’ recommendations.)

PREREQUISITE: Honors Biology (or Biology with teacher recommendation). It is required that you have taken or are concurrently taking Algebra II and that you have very strong skills in Algebra.

CREDIT: 1

OVERVIEW:

This course is designed for students intending to go to college and study science, technology, engineering, math or healthcare. The coursework and extensive lab activities focus on developing observation skills, analyzing experimental findings, and exploring the nature of the universe through the science of chemistry. Topics covered include: measurement, matter and energy, atomic structure, electron arrangement, mole relationships, the periodic table, bonding, formulas, chemical reactions and equations, gas laws, liquids and solutions, equilibrium, thermochemistry, and acid/base chemistry. In addition, development of college-level study habits and independent thinking are stressed in order to prepare students for the challenges of a four year college. Students will be expected to complete assignments outside of class (homework, lab reports, and assigned readings) in order to be successful in this course. Algebra is used extensively in this course, which helps students relate mathematical ideas to real-world problems. A grade of “B” or higher in Algebra I (or the most recent math course taken) is highly recommended. This course can be taken as a single chemistry course in high school, or can serve as the first year of the two year AP Chemistry sequence for students intending to go on to AP Chemistry as juniors or seniors.

COURSE: AP Chemistry

OPEN TO: Grades 11-12

PREREQUISITES: Chemistry I and Algebra II (minimum grade of B-)

CREDIT: 1

OVERVIEW:

AP Chemistry is the equivalent of the first two semesters of college chemistry, and students can earn up to 8 college credits depending on their score on the AP Chemistry exam in May and the college they attend. This course is a very challenging, interesting, intensively hands-on second course in chemistry (for students who have completed Honors Chemistry). Students will continue to explore the topics covered in Honors Chemistry, but in more depth. These include chemical reactions, thermochemistry, gas laws, acid/base chemistry, and equilibrium. In addition, students will learn about electrochemistry and chemical kinetics. Independent learning is emphasized, in order to prepare students for independent work in college, which includes a semester research project or lab activity in any area of chemistry of interest to the student, designed and performed entirely by the student. This course relies heavily on advanced algebra skills, and students should have an A or B (or teacher recommendation) in their most recent math class. Students should also have done well in Honors Chemistry (A, B or teacher recommendation), and in general have good study habits.

COURSE: Biology II – (Microbiology & Cell Biology)

OPEN TO: Grades 11-12

PREREQUISITE: two credits of Science

CREDIT: ½

OVERVIEW:

Biology II will focus on biology of single-celled organisms. We will review cell structure and function. The class will then focus on studying microorganisms like viruses, bacteria, and protozoa. Genetics will also be a major topic of study and will include genetic engineering and its impact on society. The student will be required to complete an independent research project. The student will choose a problem, design an experiment, run the experiment, collect data, carry out library research and draw a conclusion.

SPECIAL NOTE: This course is offered on alternate years. 

COURSE: Human Anatomy & Physiology I

OPEN TO: Grades 11-12

PREREQUISITE: two credits of Science

CREDIT: ½

OVERVIEW:

Anatomy and Physiology is an elective science class, a semester in length. Anyone interested in any health field should strongly consider this class. Anatomy & Physiology I and II may be taken in any order and need not be taken during the same year. Anatomy & Physiology I will cover the following:

1. Organization

2. Chemistry of Life

3. Cells and Tissues

4. Integumentary System

5. Skeletal System

6. Muscular System

7. Nervous System

COURSE: Human Anatomy & Physiology II

OPEN TO: Grades 11-12 interested in any medical or related field

PREREQUISITE: two credits of Science

CREDIT: ½

OVERVIEW:

Anatomy & Physiology is an elective science class, a semester in length. Anyone interested in any health field should consider taking this class. Anatomy & Physiology I and II may be taken in any order and need not be taken during the same year. Anatomy & Physiology II will cover the following:

1. Overview of Organization

2. Endocrine System

3. Blood

4. Circulatory System

5. Lymphatic System

6. Respiratory System

7. Digestive System

8. Urinary System

9. Reproductive System

COURSE: Physics

OPEN TO: Grades 11-12

PREREQUISITE: Algebra II and two credits of Science. It is important to have strong math skills for this class. An A or B in Algebra II is highly recommended.

CREDIT: 1

OVERVIEW:

In this course, students explore the fundamental nature of matter and energy, and how they relate to each other. Students study areas such as: the motion of objects, energy transfer, forces, electricity and magnetism, waves, sound, optics, fluid dynamics, astrophysics, relativity and modern physics, and basic electric circuit theory. The first semester is an intensive hands-on course in engineering mechanics and physics, with a heavy emphasis on designing and constructing devices to solve engineering problems. Students complete projects such as building siege engines, bridges and building structures, and designing and testing their own rockets. The first semester is roughly equivalent to a first college physics course (without calculus). In the second semester, students select their own course content from a menu of options, based on interest of the students from year to year, completing more projects and lab activities to understand the basics of physics that they will study in their second college physics course. Additionally, because this is a math intensive course, students will explore how math and science are related in a very in-depth way, which will help students perform better in pre-calculus and calculus courses in high school and college. Generally, students find math makes a lot more sense after taking this course. Students are expected to have good study habits and be willing to complete assignments outside of class. Students should have an A or a B (or teacher recommendation) in their most recent math and science courses to take this course.

COURSE: Honors Physics

OPEN TO: Grade 12 (Grade 11 if taking AP Calculus)

PREREQUISITE: Honors pre-calculus with an A or B

CREDIT: 1

OVERVIEW:

In this lab-intensive course, students explore the Newtonian equations of motion of objects, force systems, energy, work, momentum, rotational physics, and simple harmonic motion of springs and pendulums. This course uses calculus to present these ideas, and will therefore help students perform better in AP Calculus. This is the equivalent of the first semester of a college physics course for science, engineering, math and pre-med majors. This course is considered a "weed out" course for science and engineering students in college, and many college freshmen fail it. So taking it in high school as preparation for it in college will dramatically improve a student's odds of success at a STEM major in college..

COURSE: Zoology

OPEN TO: Grades 11-12

PREREQUISITE: two credits of Science

CREDIT: ½

OVERVIEW:

Zoology is the study of all animal life. Throughout this course, students will develop a comprehensive Producer’s Management Guide for an animal of their choice. Student experiences will involve the study of animal anatomy, physiology, behavior, nutrition, reproduction, health, selection, and marketing. Throughout the course, students will consider the perceptions and preferences of individuals within local, regional, and world markets. Completing this class is good preparation for the college and/or work environment.