Courses Offered

Under general supervision, this position assists the Science Teacher in implementing a science laboratory program for high school students.  The position requires an aptitude for the sciences, especially Biotechnology.  A nominal amount of clerical work is part of this position. This course meets the graduation requirement for a Lab Science credit.

Life Science Foundations is an introductory course in life sciences. The course provides a basic understanding of living things. Topics covered will include cell biology, biochemistry, current biological issues, genetics, reproduction, evolution, taxonomy and ecology.

Pre-AP Honors Biology is an introductory course in life sciences and is designed to help prepare students to take AP Biology. Pre-AP Honors Biology will address the High School Life Sciences NGSS Standards. It deals with a broad range of topics including cell biology, biochemistry, current biological issues, genetics, reproduction, evolution, taxonomy and ecology. This course includes lecture, lab (including dissections), field work and discussion activities and requires the use of various types of lab equipment. This course meets the graduation requirement for Science and for Lab Science for university admission

AP® Biology is a course that is designed to be the equivalent of a two-semester college introductory biology course usually taken by biology majors during their first year. AP® Biology includes topics regularly covered in a biology course for majors and uses a college textbook, college laboratory work, and requires the time and effort required of college students. AP® Biology is to be taken by students after the successful completion of a first course in high school biology and one in high school chemistry. AP® Biology aims to provide students with the skills necessary to deal critically with the rapidly changing science of biology. Students will develop advanced inquiry and reasoning skills to engage in the science practices emphasized in the course. The course includes lectures, lab work (including dissections), discussion activities and field work. Students are expected to take the AP® Biology Exam in the spring. Students showing themselves to be qualified on the AP® Exam may be permitted to undertake upper-level courses in biology or to register for courses for which biology is a prerequisite their freshman year. Other students may have fulfilled a basic requirement for a laboratory-science course and will be able to undertake other courses to pursue their majors.

The course is designed as a college preparatory class. This course is a comprehensive investigation of the structure and function of the human body. Human Anatomy is designed to aid those students who anticipate careers in health occupations, medicine, and biological sciences, and is a lab-oriented dissection heavy course.

Anatomy & Physiology is for those interested in science-related fields. Human Anatomy is a discussion and laboratory based study of the human body. The study will range from molecules, cells, body systems, and processes. Dissection of a cat and other appropriate organs will compliment course work. This course is designed for college preparation, especially for biology and health career majors. This course meets the graduation requirement for Science and for Lab Science for university admission.

The course content includes subject matter beyond the scope of advanced biology. This course includes in-depth look at comparative vertebrate anatomy and physiology, indicating evidence of the path of evolution. Accompanying dissections include the frog, mud puppy salamander, dogfish shark, the fetal pig, snake, pigeon, turtle, fetal calf, fetal horse, and other various animal parts. The dog dissection during the independent research portion of the course is a possibility. In the past, this class has been offered as an Independent Study Opportunity.

Chemistry is a rigorous class that is designed to prepare students for upper level courses at Foster (including AP Chemistry) and college-level science.  The goals of the course are for students to learn about the structure and reactivity of matter through lectures, laboratory experiments and projects. Emphasis is placed on using chemistry to understand our daily lives and key issues in the world. Success in the course will require abstract thinking, mathematical proficiency and the ability to synthesize knowledge. Chemistry Foundations is specifically intended for student who do not meet the math requirement for general Chemistry. Students will be required to work both independently and in groups. This course meets the graduation requirement for Lab Science, and for Lab Science for university admission.

Chemistry is the study of the characteristics and behavior of matter at the atomic level.  Emphasis is placed on developing a mental model of matter through the observation of chemical phenomena and the collection and analysis of data. Students will be using mathematical calculations and logic to explain chemical behavior and discover the scientific laws describing particle behavior and reactions under various conditions. This course will provide a foundation for entry into college level chemistry. Topics include kinetic theory, energy, measurement and calculations, modern atomic theory, chemical and nuclear reactions, nomenclature, bonding, stoichiometry and chemistry in Earth and space systems.  It is designed to be taken at the junior and senior level.

Physical Science Foundations is an introductory course in the physical sciences. This course will address the physical sciences Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) Core Ideas. This course includes lecture, lab and discussion activities and requires the use of various types of lab equipment. There will also be project based learning opportunities. Students are expected to master the knowledge and skills of the Physical Sciences. The goal of this course is to prepare students for entry into Inquiry 1. This course meets the graduation requirement for a Lab Science credit. It is not an Algebra-based Lab Science.