Science

Anatomy & Physiology 

grade: 11-12 | prerequisite: Chemistry or Physical Science 

credits earned: 1.0 credit course

This is a college level anatomy & physiology course covering the following body systems: nervous system, cardiovascular system, respiratory system, muscle physiology, immune system, and digestive system. Throughout the year students will focus on the following themes: 1) How structure relates to function, and 2) Body homeostasis. As a college level course, it is taught with lecture, labs, projects and papers. Students will be expected to have the skills and motivation necessary to independently study, as the course information is detailed and fast paced and the majority of the grade will come from exams, projects and papers.

BIOENGINEERING 

grade: 10-12 | prerequisite: Biology

credit earned: 1.0 credit course

This course covers a broad range of topics in the health science, biomedical, bio-health fields in order to provide students with a general understanding of these areas of study. The course provides hands-on activities to better understand these topics and explore the role of engineering and design as they relate to a variety of medical professions. This course can be taken for CTE or Science credit.

Forensics 

grade: 10-12 | prerequisite: Biology 

credits earned: 1.0 credit course

Forensic Science is an exciting year-long laboratory science elective designed to examine the crucial role of science-based inquiry in the criminal justice system. Truly an interdisciplinary course, Forensic Science integrates core concepts from biology, chemistry, math, literature, writing, criminalistics, law, ethics, and even psychology. Students enrolled in this course will have the unique opportunity to put their problem-solving skills to work in the analysis and interpretation of authentic lab investigations and case studies based on the techniques used in real-life forensic labs! Topics of study include: crime scene processing, evidence analysis, forensic anthropology, DNA analysis technology, blood spatter analysis, hair and fingerprint analysis, as well as decomposition. Supplemental materials include segments from TV shows, films, literature, as well as actual court case examples.

GREATER YELLOWSTONE ECOSYSTEM 

grade: 10-12 | prerequisite: Biology 

credits earned: 1.0 credit course

Did you realize that living in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem means that you are living in one of the largest nearly-intact temperate ecosystems on earth?  This unique location has many different stewards working to both preserve and conserve this amazing place!  In this class we will learn about many of the organizations and people working in the GYE and explore a variety of different local scientific projects that are underway.  This class will have many presenters, so routine attendance is mandatory in respect of presenter time and contribution to the class.  If you have ever wondered what outdoor-related careers there might be in this area, or have an interest in learning more about the type of work that goes on here including forest, park, and animal conservation, then this is the class for you!

NUTRITION & ENVIRONMENT*

grade: 11-12 | prerequisite: Chemistry

credits earned: 1.0 credit course

This course will include hands-on food science labs and look at many aspects of nutrition: macro and micro nutrients, emerging research on the gut microbiome, and research connecting modern issues such as diabetes, obesity and heart disease with a highly processed food culture. We will also focus on composting and creating nutrient rich soil. This will be an ongoing lab throughout the duration of the course, and will also serve as a testing site for many different indicators, such as pH, and mineral content.   

The course will expand  upon a basic understanding of organic chemistry that is built in Chemistry 1.  Students will explore environmental toxins, common in many pesticides, and look at the impacts on human health, while ultimately also addressing many of the socio-economic impacts of food availability and processed food engineering. 

AP Biology*

grade: 11-12 | prerequisite: Biology & Chemistry

credits earned: 1.0 credit course

Advanced Placement Biology is designed to be the equivalent of a college level introductory biology course typically taken by biology majors in their first year. This course differs significantly from high school biology with respect to the textbook used, depth of topics covered, laboratory work, and time, effort, and independent study required of students. The main goal of AP Biology is to provide students with the factual knowledge, analytical skills, and conceptual understanding necessary to deal critically with the constantly changing science of modern biology. Major topics of study include molecules and cells, heredity and evolution, and organisms and populations. This course follows the national AP Biology curriculum. Students are required to take the national AP Biology exam in order to earn AP credit.