Science

Students are required to earn 3.0 credits in Science to earn an SKHS diploma. 

The science department at South Kingstown High School (SKHS) recognizes the common core of learning - communication, problem solving, content knowledge, and personal responsibility.  It is the goal of the department to cultivate scientific habits of mind, engagement in scientific inquiry, and reasoning in a scientific context.  All students graduating from SKHS will address the scientific and engineering practices, crosscutting concepts, and disciplinary core ideas set forth in the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) adopted by the State of Rhode Island and regulated by the Department of Education (RIDE).  Proficiency in the NGSS will be determined by completion of the Rhode Island Next Generation Science Assessment taken during the Spring semester of the Junior year.  Additionally, students will understand the use and application of technology and its significance in the scientific world.  All students must complete a minimum of three years of science (including two laboratory sciences) as described below. 

Core course selections (in earth & space science, biology, chemistry, and physics) are aligned with the NGSS.  All students must be exposed to core science concepts in order to demonstrate proficiency with the NGSS Performance Expectations in earth and space sciences, life science, and physical science.  The science department offers two options to proficiency in science including accelerated, and college and career preparation (CCP).  

All incoming Freshmen will take Biology, unless they meet the criteria for placement in the accelerated course sequence.  Selection criteria for entry into the accelerated course sequence includes Grade 8 testing results, course grades, and Grade 8 science teacher recommendation.  Incoming freshmen meeting the selection criteria may enter an accelerated sequence of science courses including Honors Biology (Grade 9), Honors Chemistry (Grade 10), and one science elective  (Physics 1 or URI Physics taken in Grade 11 or 12 is recommended).  Students in the CCP option enter Biology (Grade 9), Chemistry (Grade 10), and one Science elective (Grade 11 or 12).  Students in the CCP option have flexibility to enter honors courses, if appropriate.

Students may elect to apply to CTE pathways in the science department.  Course descriptions including the Career and Technical Education (CTE) designation (shown below) are part of a RIDE-approved CTE program. 

Current RIDE-approved CTE offerings include Certified Nursing Assistant, Emergency Medical Technician,  and Project Lead the Way (PLTW) Biomedical Science. NOTE:  The Biomedical Science pathway is not widely approved to meet college admissions expectations for future STEM majors.  It is required that students enrolled in the PLTW Biomedical Science pathway take these courses as electives, in addition to core science courses.

The fundamental goal of the course is to provide a contemporary approach to quantitative and conceptual understanding of Earth and space science including physical science concepts.  This course emphasizes the connection between science and real-world applications, providing an opportunity for analytical thinking and collaboration.   Content includes exposure to weather and climate, geology, oceanography, human sustainability, and astronomy.  Through inquiry-based learning, students will demonstrate an understanding of the physical laws of nature, applied mathematics, and engineering.  Students are responsible for the timely completion of laboratory experiences and projects.  Tools and technology are used to develop laboratory skills. Understanding of basic mathematical concepts is recommended in order to apply quantitative and problem solving techniques to scientific data.  This course is a laboratory science.   

This course emphasizes the basic principles common to all living things, including how life is interrelated and diverse, through the study of life at molecular, cellular and organismal levels.  Topics include ecology, biochemistry, cell biology, genetics, and evolution.  Information on careers in biology and health sciences is presented.  There is a focus on laboratory investigation, scientific writing and problem solving.  The course involves using lab data, mathematical computation and analysis.  This course is a laboratory science. 

This course emphasizes the basic principles common to all living things, including how life is interrelated and diverse, through the study of life at molecular, and cellular levels.   Topics include ecology, biochemistry, cell biology, genetics, and evolution.  Information on careers in biology and health sciences is presented.  There is a considerable focus on laboratory investigation, scientific writing and problem solving.  The course involves using lab data, mathematical computation and analysis.  The purpose of this course is to provide students with an opportunity to practice greater in-depth analysis of Biology concepts.  Extensive writing and reading, advanced mathematical calculations and additional inquiry opportunities will provide added rigor.  This course is recommended for those taking the SAT Subject Test in Biology. This course is a laboratory science.   

Recommendation: Based on the visual and often abstract nature of this course, students are recommended to have successfully completed or are concurrently enrolled in geometry or a higher level math course.

This course will provide students with an introduction to the concepts of modern astronomy, including the origin and history of the universe and solar system. We will examine how the heavens have influenced human thought and action and look at how our understanding of Earth’s place in the universe has changed over time. The course will demonstrate how the laws of physics are used to reveal mysteries of the universe. Elementary physics and mathematics will be used to obtain both a qualitative and a quantitative understanding of astronomy.  Spectroscopy, space technology, planetary motion, stellar evolution, measuring distances in space and the search for extraterrestrial life are among the topics covered.  This course is a laboratory science.  

This course will provide an introduction to biological, geological, physical, and chemical oceanography including an exploration of ocean technology and engineering.

Topics include: the geological structure of the ocean floor and mineral resources, paleoceanography, the chemical composition and properties of seawater and pollutants; the physical study of waves, tsunamis, tides, and currents, the diversity of marine ecosystems, and the role of the oceans in climate change.  The course also introduces students to the history of North American seafaring from the Pre-Colombian Era through the twentieth century. There will be an emphasis on New England’s relationship to the sea. We will explore the historical, economic, and political ties to the ocean. In understanding the scientific aspects of the ocean, it is essential to include our region’s history and dependence on the sea. The course is a laboratory science. 

Prerequisite: Successful completion of Honors Biology or Biology (students will need to have prior knowledge of classifications and taxonomy, ecosystem trophic levels, biochemistry, evolutionary biology, laboratory skills.)

This elective course is designed for students with a career or special interest and high motivation for an in-depth study of marine biology. This course focuses on the identification, classification and interaction of marine organisms from plankton to apex predators. There is a focus on fish diversity, sharks, marine mammals, and deep-sea biology. Topics students study including ecological concepts of the sandy beach, rocky shore and benthic communities in Rhode Island waters. The course is a laboratory science. 

Prerequisite: Successful completion of Honors Biology or Biology (students need to have prior knowledge of classifications and taxonomy, ecosystem trophic levels, biochemistry evolutionary biology laboratory skills.)

This course is a requirement for Allied Health CTE programs. 

NOTE: Concurrent enrollment in Honors Anatomy & Physiology 11451 OR PLTW-Human Body Systems 11476 is not allowed.

The relationships between structure and function in the human body are studied in this project-based course.  This is accomplished through experimentation, case studies, examination of organs and comparison of systems, including the nervous, skeletal, integumentary, digestive, cardiovascular, endocrine, vascular, respiratory and excretory systems, as well as the senses.  Emphasis is placed on medical terminology, gross anatomy, and diseases of the human body.  This course is a laboratory science.    

Prerequisite: Successful completion of Honors Biology or Biology (students need prior knowledge of cell structure and function, genetics and biochemistry as well as microcopy skills.)

CTE Course 

The relationships between structure and function in the human body are studied in this course.  This is accomplished through laboratory experience, dissections, case studies, and comparison of systems. Topics of study include biological chemistry, histology, and the nervous, skeletal, muscular, digestive, cardiovascular, endocrine, respiratory and excretory systems.  Students’ personal experiences related to disease, careers in the science field and current events are incorporated into the study. Students will have the opportunity to complete portfolio assignments in this course.  This course is useful to students intending to pursue a career in the healthcare field or planning on completing the SAT Subject Test in Biology.  This course is a laboratory science.   

Prerequisite: Successful completion of Biology with a grade of B or higher and teacher recommendation or successful completion of Honors Biology. (Students need prior knowledge of cell structure and function, genetics, and biochemistry as well as microscopy skills.) Successful completion or concurrent enrollment in Chemistry or Honors Chemistry is required. (Students need prior knowledge of atomic structure and chemical bonding.)

CTE Course 

NOTE: With sufficient enrollment this course will be offered in alternate academic years. See chart at top of the page. 

The AP Biology course is designed to be the equivalent of a two-semester college introductory biology course.  Topics to be discussed include: the chemistry of life, cell structure and function, cellular energetics, cell communication and the cell cycle, heredity, gene expression and regulation, natural selection, and ecology. All of these topics fall under the four big ideas for the course: Evolution, Energetics, Information Storage and Transmission, and Systems Interaction.  AP Biology aims to provide a laboratory experience equivalent to that of a typical college course.  This course is intended for students who have a strong interest in biology or who are considering a career in the biological sciences.  This course is a laboratory science.

This course requires a summer assignment.  Students who enroll in this AP course are required to complete the AP Biology exam offered in May.  Payment and online registration for the exam will be required during the first weeks of school in September.   

Prerequisite: Successful completion of Biology (with an A) or Honors Biology (with an A or B).

This course is designed for students interested in a broad picture of the inner workings of nature and sustainability practices. Students will explore the environmental, social, and economic issues that affect the present and future health of our community. Experiential learning will include agriculture and a small mammal field study.  Students will have the hands-on opportunity to work in the SKHS garden.  Course topics include: Earth’s climate, major biomes of the world, ecosystem structure, environmental problems, food webs, population control, predator/prey relationships, biodiversity, and botany. The program is highly recommended for students interested in pursuing environmental studies in college. This course is a laboratory science.    

An introductory course for those students interested in exploring humans’ interaction with plants as we strive to maintain a sustainable environment.   This semester includes fall harvest and garden maintenance.  Academic topics include the relationships between plants and other organisms, how plants cope in their environments, and plant-human interactions.  Growing could include fall greens and plant propagation techniques such as cuttings and layering.  The course will employ the SKHS greenhouse, gardens, and student kitchen.  Students will gain hands-on gardening and cooking skills that will last a lifetime.  They will develop an appreciation for the agricultural system that we all rely on to put food on our plates as well as the use of plants in the beautification of our surroundings.  This course is a laboratory science, recommended for students considering careers in botany, agriculture, and landscaping.

Horticulture is the cultivation of plants for food, comfort, and beauty.  An introductory course for those students interested in exploring human’s interaction with plants as we strive to maintain a sustainable environment.   This semester includes spring seedling production in the greenhouse culminating in a community plant sale.  Academic topics include soils, plant nutrition, and pest management.  Garden tasks include transplanting from the greenhouse to SKHS garden beds.  The course will employ the SKHS greenhouse, gardens, and student kitchen.  Students will gain hands-on gardening and cooking skills that will last a lifetime.  They will develop an appreciation for the agricultural system that we all rely on to put food on our plates as well as the use of plants in the beautification of our surroundings.  This course is a laboratory science, recommended for students considering careers in botany, agriculture, and landscaping.

NOTE: With sufficient enrollment, this course will be offered in alternate academic years. See chart at top of the page.

The AP Environmental Science course is equivalent to a one-semester introductory college environmental science course. The course is designed to be taken by students after successful completion of Biology and Chemistry. The goal of the AP Environmental Science course is to provide students with the scientific principles, concepts, and methodologies required to understand the interrelationships of the natural world, to identify and analyze environmental problems both natural and human-made, to evaluate the relative risks associated with these problems, and to examine alternative solutions for resolving or preventing them. Environmental science is interdisciplinary; it embraces a wide variety of topics from different areas of study such as Earth Systems and Resources, The Living World, Population, Land and Water Use, Energy Resources and Consumption, Pollution and Global Change. This course is a laboratory science.  

Students who enroll in this AP course are required to complete the AP Environmental Science exam in May.  Payment and online registration for the exam will be required during the first weeks of school in September. 

Prerequisite: Successful completion of Biology or Honors Biology. Successful completion or concurrent enrollment in Chemistry or Honors Chemistry.  

Recommended: Due to the quantitative analysis required in the course, students are recommended to have successfully completed at least one year of algebra.  Knowledge of earth science concepts is also recommended.

This course covers the behaviors employed by animals to facilitate their survival and improve their fitness.  It is designed to be taken by students after successful completion of Biology or Honors Biology.  Topics to be covered are learning and instinct, communication, animal migration,  reproduction and mating, parenting, and social behavior.  Concepts from genetics, natural selection and evolution will be applied to animal behavior.  Current articles on animal behavior will be read and discussed, and laboratory activities will be conducted.  A research project involving independent fieldwork is required.  This course is a laboratory science.

Prerequisite:  Successful completion of Biology or Honors Biology.

This is a laboratory course that meets the standards in preparation for further post-secondary science programs. Problem solving, concept building and reasoning skills are integral to this course.  This involves interpretation of word problems; application of acceptable methods for solving problems along with hands-on lab experience. Emphasis will also be placed on critical thinking, use of tools and technologies, scientific communication, and scientific inquiry and investigation, and alternate methods of assessment.  Focus is placed on the quantitative and qualitative analysis of problems and experimental evidence. Topics include Relationships between Matter and Energy, Properties and Classification of Matter, Atomic Structure, Electron Arrangement, Periodicity and the Periodic Table, Chemical Bonding, Reactions and Reaction types, Chemical Shorthand and Equations, Stoichiometry, and Gas Laws.  The course employs physical science concepts, technology and applied learning. A solid mathematical foundation including algebra and geometry is recommended to ensure success with the abstract and quantitative concepts in this course.   This course is a laboratory science. 

This is a laboratory course that meets the standards in preparation for further post-secondary science programs.  The program focuses on greater depth and breadth of the concepts covered in Chemistry 11431. Emphasis is placed on problem solving, concept building, critical thinking, scientific inquiry, and reasoning skills.  These skills are accomplished by means of word problems, application of acceptable methods for solving problems, alternate assessment, and hands-on lab experience. The curriculum employs a strong commitment to an accurate, authoritative and comprehensive view of chemical principles.   Topics include properties of matter, atomic theory, chemical reactions, periodicity and the periodic table, stoichiometry, thermochemistry, quantum theory, electron configuration, and chemical bonding.  A deep understanding of mathematical concepts and skills to apply mathematics in scientific context is strongly recommended for this course. 

This course is a laboratory science.  

Prerequisite:  Successful completion of Biology (with an A) or Honors Biology (with an A or B) is preferred.  

Recommended: Due to the quantitative analysis required in the course, students are recommended to have successfully completed or are concurrently enrolled in Algebra 2 or a higher level math course.

NOTE: With sufficient enrollment, this course will be offered in alternate academic years. See chart at top of the page. 

The AP Chemistry course is designed to be the equivalent of two semesters of general chemistry usually taken during the first college year.  Students in this course will attain a depth of understanding of fundamentals and a reasonable competence in dealing with chemical problems.  The course will contribute to the development of the students’ abilities to think clearly and to express their ideas, orally and in writing, with clarity and logic.  Topics to be discussed are: the kinetic-molecular theory, liquids, solids and solutions, acid-base reactions and buffer systems, oxidation-reduction reactions, equilibrium, kinetics and thermodynamics, and organic chemistry.  AP Chemistry aims to provide a laboratory experience equivalent to that of a typical college course.  This class is intended for students who have a strong interest in chemistry or are considering a STEM career.  A college text is used in this course.  This course is considered a laboratory science.  This course requires a summer assignment.  Students taking this course are eligible for credit in conjunction with the Rhode Island College Early Enrollment Program.  In order to receive a RI College transcript for the HS course, students are required to follow all RI College enrollment procedures and complete the enrollment process by the university registration dates. Student work will be assessed according to the university’s grading policy. 

Students who enroll in this AP course are required to complete the AP Chemistry exam in May.  Payment and online registration for the exam will be required during the first weeks of school in September.  This course is a laboratory science.  

Students taking this course must enroll for credit in conjunction with the Rhode Island College Early Enrollment Program. In order to receive a RI College transcript for the HS course, students are required to follow all RI College enrollment procedures and complete the enrollment process by the college’s registration dates. Student work will be assessed according to the college’s grading policy.

Prerequisite: Students should have successfully completed Chemistry or Honors Chemistry.

Recommended: Algebra 2 or Honors Algebra 2.

The fundamental goal of the course is to provide a mathematical and conceptual understanding of physics concepts.  The program emphasizes the development of mathematical problem-solving skills, along with laboratory techniques and computer skills.  A strong background in algebra, geometry and introductory trigonometry is required.  The course covers the structure and function of matter, motion, forces, energy conservation and transfer, momentum, torque and power.  A final culmination of this course requires that students identify, manage, and carry out a curriculum-encompassing engineering project.  This course is a laboratory science.  

Recommended: Successful completion or concurrent enrollment in Algebra 2 or Honors Algebra 2.

This introductory course is equivalent to a first-semester college course in algebra-based physics. The course covers Newtonian mechanics (including rotational dynamics and angular momentum); work, energy, and power; and mechanical waves and sound. It will also introduce electric circuits. This class is intended for students who have a strong interest in physics or are considering a STEM career.  The fundamental goal of this course is to provide a conceptualization of the physical environment and utilizes a university text. Students will develop concepts in basic physics, but there is an emphasis on mathematical problem solving skills and laboratory techniques. An integrated knowledge of algebra, geometry, and trigonometry is required. A final culmination of this course requires that students identify, manage, and carry out a curriculum–encompassing engineering project.  This course is a laboratory science.    

Students taking this course must enroll for credit in conjunction with the University of Rhode Island. The Concurrent Enrollment Program at the University of Rhode Island is designed for motivated students who seek to get a head start on college credit and who are looking to be challenged academically while in high school. High School students are expected to have a 3.0 minimum high school GPA. In order to receive a URI transcript for the HS course, students are required to follow all URI enrollment procedures and complete the enrollment process by the university registration dates. Student work will be assessed according to the university’s grading policy.

Recommended: Successful completion of Honors Geometry  and Honors Algebra 2.  It is strongly recommended that students have completed or are concurrently enrolled in Honors Pre-Calculus, Honors URI Precalculus 111 or a higher level math course.  

Note: This course will be offered in alternating years. See chart at top of the page. 

This advanced course considers traditional topics in physics beyond those in H URI Physics 111/185  and represents a preparation targeted for further study in the sciences or in engineering at the university level.  The fundamental goal of the course is to provide a further conceptualization of the physical environment. This course is equivalent to a second-semester college course in algebra-based physics. The course covers fluid mechanics; thermodynamics; electricity and magnetism; light and optics; and atomic and nuclear physics.  Mathematical analysis of situations and problem solving are heavily stressed, and laboratory design techniques supplement this goal.  This course is a laboratory science.  Students who enroll in this AP course are required to complete the AP Physics 2 exam in May.  Payment and online registration for the exam will be required during the first weeks of school in September.

Prerequisite: Successful completion of AP Physics 1 or Honors Physics 

Recommended: Concurrent enrollment in Honors Pre-Calculus or a higher level math course. 

In the introductory course of the Project Lead the Way (PLTW) Biomedical Science program, students explore concepts of biology and medicine to determine the factors that led to the death of a fictional person. While investigating the case, students examine autopsy reports, investigate medical history, and explore medical treatments that might have prolonged the person’s life. The activities and projects introduce students to human physiology, basic biology, medicine, and research processes while allowing them to design their own experiments to solve problems.

This course is a laboratory science.

Concurrent course: Biology 11421 or Honors Biology 11420 is required

CTE Course 

NOTE:  Concurrent enrollment in Honors Anatomy & Physiology OR Human Anatomy & Disease  is not allowed. 

Students examine the interactions of human body systems as they explore identity, power, movement, protection, and homeostasis. Exploring science in action, students build organs and tissues on a skeletal Maniken®; use data acquisition software to monitor body functions such as muscle movement, reflex and voluntary action, and respiration; and take on the roles of biomedical professionals to solve real-world medical cases.

This course is a laboratory science.

Prerequisite: Successful completion of PLTW-Principles of Biomedical Science (students need prior knowledge of cell structure and function, genetics, DNA and biochemistry as well as microscopy, micro-pipetting and plating skills)

CTE Course 

Students follow the life of a fictitious family as they investigate how to prevent, diagnose, and treat disease. Students explore how to detect and fight infection; screen and evaluate the code in human DNA; evaluate cancer treatment options; and prevail when the organs of the body begin to fail. Through real-world cases, students are exposed to a range of interventions related to immunology, surgery, genetics, pharmacology, medical devices, and diagnostics.

This course is a laboratory science.

Prerequisite: Successful completion of PLTW-Human Body Systems

CTE Course 

In the final course of the PLTW Biomedical Science sequence, students build on the knowledge and skills gained from previous courses to design innovative solutions for the most pressing health challenges of the 21st century. Students address topics ranging from public health and biomedical engineering to clinical medicine and physiology. They have the opportunity to work on an independent design project with a mentor or advisor from a university, medical facility, or research institution.

This course is a laboratory science.

Prerequisite: Successful completion of PLTW-Medical Interventions 

CTE Course 

This is a 4 credit concurrent enrollment URI course introduces computer programming in a creative way and provides the computational thinking skills of programming, algorithm development, and data analysis that can be used in other classes, such as NGSS science classes. 

Students taking this course must enroll for credit in conjunction with the University of Rhode Island. The Concurrent Enrollment Program at the University of Rhode Island is designed for motivated students who seek to get a head start on college credit and who are looking to be challenged academically while in high school. High School students are expected to have a 3.0 minimum high school GPA. In order to receive a URI transcript for the HS course, students are required to follow all URI enrollment procedures and complete the enrollment process by the university registration dates. Student work will be assessed according to the university’s grading policy.

There are no prerequisites for this course. 

This is a 4 credit concurrent enrollment URI course (CSF 102G: Cyber Security Technology & Issues in a Global Society). Cybersecurity introduces the tools and concepts of cybersecurity and encourages students to create solutions that allow people to share computing resources while protecting privacy. Nationally, computational resources are vulnerable and frequently attacked; in Cybersecurity, students solve problems by understanding and closing these vulnerabilities. This course raises students’ knowledge of and commitment to ethical computing behavior. It also aims to develop students’ skills as consumers, friends, citizens, and employees who can effectively contribute to communities with a dependable cyber-infrastructure that moves and processes information safely.   

Successful completion of this course meets the graduation requirement for 1 credit in Science.

Students taking this course must enroll for credit in conjunction with the University of Rhode Island. The Concurrent Enrollment Program at the University of Rhode Island is designed for motivated students who seek to get a head start on college credit and who are looking to be challenged academically while in high school. High School students are expected to have a 3.0 minimum high school GPA. In order to receive a URI transcript for the HS course, students are required to follow all URI enrollment procedures and complete the enrollment process by the university registration dates. Student work will be assessed according to the university’s grading policy.

Prerequisite: Successful completion of one of the following: AP/PLTW/URI Computer Science Principles or H URI CSC 101: Computing Concepts.

Have you ever wanted to know how video game designers create their motion graphics, 3D characters, and scenery within their games?  Then this course is for you!  This course will walk you through every step of creating motion graphics and 3D digital animation.  You will cover the fundamentals of navigating and modeling in Blender, along with texturing, rigging, animating, lighting, and rendering.  This is a competency-based course where you will run through specially crafted challenges that are designed to build your skills throughout the semester.  You will then take what you learned in each challenge to create unique creations designed by you.  

This is a 4 credit concurrent enrollment URI course (CSC 106: The Joy of Programming). Using Python® as a primary tool, students learn the fundamentals of coding, data processing, data security, and task automation, while learning to contribute to an inclusive, safe, and ethical computing culture. The course promotes computational thinking and coding fundamentals and introduces computational tools that foster creativity. Computer Science Principles helps students develop programming expertise and explore the workings of the Internet. Projects and problems include app development, visualization of data, cybersecurity, and simulation. PLTW is recognized by the College Board as an endorsed provider of curriculum and professional development for AP® Computer Science Principles (AP CSP). This endorsement affirms that all components of PLTW CSP’s offerings are aligned to the AP Curriculum Framework standards and the AP CSP assessment.

Students taking this course must enroll for credit in conjunction with the University of Rhode Island. The Concurrent Enrollment Program at the University of Rhode Island is designed for motivated students who seek to get a head start on college credit and who are looking to be challenged academically while in high school. High School students are expected to have a 3.0 minimum high school GPA. In order to receive a URI transcript for the HS course, students are required to follow all URI enrollment procedures and complete the enrollment process by the university registration dates. Student work will be assessed according to the university’s grading policy.

CTE Course