Earth/Environmental Science
This course is designed for students with moderate interests and abilities in science. Students are expected to recognize, apply, and evaluate scientific knowledge and principles as they relate to the understanding of Earth’s systems. Emphasis is placed on matter, energy, crystal dynamics, environmental awareness, materials availability, and the cycles that circulate energy and material through the earth’s system. This course fulfills the Environmental Science requirement for graduation.
CREDIT: 1 TYPE: Standard
Earth/Environmental Science Honors
This course is designed for students with advanced interests and abilities in science. Students performing at this level are expected to recognize, apply, evaluate, adapt, and formulate scientific knowledge and principles, and complete very rigorous and detailed assignments including verbal presentations, and thorough written assignments incorporating and describing results of independent research. Emphasis is placed on matter, energy, crystal dynamics, environmental awareness, materials availability, and the cycles that circulate energy and material through the Earth’s systems. This course fulfills the Environmental Science requirement for graduation.
CREDIT: 1 TYPE: Honors
Advanced Placement Environmental Science
The goal of the AP Environmental Science course is to provide students with the understanding of the relationships found in the natural world. Students will identify, analyze, and evaluate both natural and human-made environmental problems along with proposed solutions and prevention strategies. Topics include science as a process, energy conversions, interconnected systems, human impacts on the natural world, environments problems as a result of cultural and social influences, and management of resources through sustainable practices. This course fulfills the Environmental Science requirement for graduation.
CREDIT: 1 TYPE: Advanced Placement PREREQUISITE: Biology I Honors or Biology I; Chemistry Recommended
Biology I
Topics include scientific inquiry, energy, genetics, and cellular basis of life, ecology and the diversity of life. This course has a state End of Course exam that counts 20% of the final grade.
CREDIT: 1 TYPE: Standard
Biology I Honors
This course follows the same curriculum as Biology, but topics will be studied in greater depth. Students will engage in advanced studies of biological concepts and complete student projects. This course has a state EOC exam that counts 20% of the grade.
CREDIT: 1 TYPE: Honors PREREQUISITE: Math I
Biology II Honors
This course focuses on concepts built in Biology I, with increased depth and understanding of the biological concepts. Topics include cellular biology, biochemistry, biotechnology, genetics and microbiology. It emphasizes laboratory-centered activities, research and advanced laboratory techniques.
CREDIT: 1 TYPE: Honors PREREQUISITE: Biology I or Biology I Honors
Advanced Placement Biology
This course is designed to be the equivalent of a college introductory biology course. AP Biology aims to provide students with the conceptual framework, factual knowledge, and the analytic skills to deal critically with the rapidly changing science of biology. Topics explored include biochemistry, cellular biology, energetics, reproduction, genetics, molecular biology, biotechnology, evolution, and ecology.
CREDIT: 1 TYPE: Advanced Placement PREREQUISITE: Biology I Honors or Biology I
Physical Science
This course focuses on the composition and behavior of matter. Students will gain an understanding of chemistry principles including structure and properties of matter. Students will investigate physics concepts including force, motion, energy and its conservation, electricity, and magnetism. Students are expected to apply the scientific method in inquiry-based activities to facilitate their understanding of the fundamental concepts of physical science. This course fulfills the physical science requirement for graduation.
CREDIT: 1 TYPE: Standard
Chemistry I
In chemistry, students will investigate the structure and properties of matter, organization of the periodic table, chemical reactions, conservation of energy and matter, and the interaction of energy and matter. The focus of activities and laboratory investigations is to reinforce the basic chemical concepts. This course fulfills the physical science requirement for graduation.
CREDIT: 1 TYPE: Standard PREREQUISITE: Math II or Math II Honors
Chemistry I Honors
Honors chemistry is intended for students who have strong interests and abilities in science and math. The curriculum follows the same standard course of study as Chemistry I, but includes additional advanced mathematical and conceptual topics. This course fulfills the physical science requirement for graduation.
CREDIT: 1 TYPE: Honors PREREQUISITE: Math II or Math II Honors
Chemistry II Honors
This is a continuation of Chemistry I Honors, covering topics in greater detail and depth. Topics include the Periodic Table, elements and compounds, chemical reactions, stoichiometry, states of matter, thermochemistry, electro-chemistry and equilibrium. This course will include an exploration of lab techniques and procedures relevant to an introductory College Chemistry class.
CREDIT: 1 TYPE: Honors PREREQUISITE: Chemistry I or Chemistry I Honors
Advanced Placement Chemistry
AP Chemistry is designed to be the equivalent of a college-level introductory chemistry course. The activities and laboratory investigations build on concepts introduced in Chemistry, including stoichiometry, chemical equilibrium, acid-base reactions, thermochemistry, oxidation-reduction reactions, chemical kinetics, solution properties, and precipitation reactions.
CREDIT: 1 TYPE: Advanced Placement PREREQUISITE: Chemistry I or Chemistry I Honors
Physics Honors
Physics Honors is a laboratory course that uses scientific inquiry to investigate and analyze nature. Topics include kinematics, Newton’s Laws, impulse and momentum, conservation of energy, waves, charges and DC Circuits, and magnetism. Students will design, construct and conduct experiments that will lead to a conceptual and a mathematical understanding of each concept.
CREDIT: 1 TYPE: Honors PREREQUISITE: NC Math 3 or NC Math 3 Honors; Chemistry I
Advanced Placement Physics 1
Content areas included in AP Physics 1 are the study of motion and forces, energy and momentum, rotational dynamics, gravitation, oscillations and waves. The course focuses on developing conceptual understanding and problem-solving and laboratory skills. There is a hands-on laboratory component that emphasizes methods of measurement, analysis, and modeling.
CREDIT: 1 TYPE: Advanced Placement PREREQUISITE or COREQUISITE: NC Math 3 or NC Math 3 Honors AND Chemistry I or Chemistry I Honors
Advanced Placement Physics 2
Content areas included in AP Physics II are electricity and magnetism, and modern physics. AP Physics II has its own AP exam separate from AP Physics I.
CREDIT: 1 TYPE: Advanced Placement PREREQUISITE: AP Physics I with a grade of B or higher
SCIENCE ELECTIVES
The following elective courses will be offered depending upon sufficient enrollment and instructor availability.
Anatomy and Physiology
This course will provide and overview of the organ systems of the body including the cells, tissues, and organs with make up their structures, as well as theirfunctions, interactions, and regulatory mechanisms. Dissection in required.
CREDIT: 1 TYPE: Standard PREREQUISITE: Biology I
Anatomy and Physiology – Honors
This course will provide and overview of the organ systems of the body including the cells, tissues, and organs with make up their structures, as well as their functions, interactions, and regulatory mechanisms. Dissection in required. Students taking the course for Honors credit will engage with the content at a deeper level of understanding and complete more application-based assignments.
CREDIT: 1 TYPE: Honors PREREQUISITE: Biology I
Astronomy
This course introduces the science of modern astronomy with a concentration on the solar system. Emphasis is placed on the history and physics of astronomy and an introduction to the solar system, including the planets, comets and meteors.
CREDIT: 1 TYPE: Standard
Ecology
Ecology is a laboratory science course that enables students to develop an understanding of the natural and man-made environment and the environmental problems the world faces. Students explore ecological concepts through an inquiry approach. Embedded standards for inquiry, technology and engineering are taught in the context of the content standards for individuals, populations, communities, biomes, humans and sustainability.
CREDIT: 1 TYPE: Standard
Forensic Science Honors
Forensic Science introduces students to the application of science to connect a violation of law to a specific criminal, criminal act, or behavior and victim. Students will learn terminology and procedures related to the search and examination of physical evidence in criminal cases as they are performed in a typical crime laboratory. Using scientific methods, students will collect and analyze evidence such as fingerprints, hairs, fibers, blood spatter and DNA fingerprints. Students will also learn the history and the legal aspects as they relate to each discipline of forensic science.
CREDIT: 1 TYPE: Honors PREREQUISITE or COREQUISITE: Biology; Physical Science or Chemistry
Geology
This course is designed to take an in-depth, process oriented approach to the study of the earth from its origin to the present with implications for the future. Topics will include geophysical processes, rocks and minerals, plate tectonics, historical geology and Astro-geology.
CREDIT: 1 TYPE: Standard
Marine Science
Marine Science is a course for the serious student to pursue in-depth study of both fresh water and salt water environments. The topics surveyed include the geologic aspects, animal life, plant life, and resources related to both environments. Field studies are planned.
CREDIT: 1 TYPE: Standard PREREQUISITE: Biology I or Biology I Honors
Meteorology
This course is an introduction to the study of meteorology and atmospheric science. This is an applied science that lends itself to familiar everyday life. Students will learn how the interactions between temperature, air pressure, wind, humidity and precipitation interact to create weather, how to forecast weather, basic weather elements and surface systems, as well as climate.
CREDIT: 1 TYPE: Standard
Photography in Science
This course is designed to develop and improve the overall photographic and observational skills of novice and intermediate level photographers. Students will learn to use digital cameras to capture and manipulate images of animals, plants and landscape effectively. The use of scanners and photo microscopy will be employed to expand each student's view of nature. Field trips for shooting pictures and viewing photographic exhibits will add to the educational experience of the participants.
CREDIT: 1 TYPE: Standard
Zoology
This course allows students with a strong interest in animals to explore both vertebrates and invertebrates. Topics include cells, phylogeny, evolution, physiological organization, embryology and ecology. Careers and biotechnology available in Zoology will be explored. Dissections and field studies are components of the course.
CREDIT: 1 TYPE: Standard PREREQUISITE: Biology I or Biology I Honors
Zoology Honors
This honors level class will go into more depth and detail of topics covered in the standard Zoology course. Students must possess a strong interest in studying vertebrates and invertebrates. Topics include cellular biology, phylogeny, evolution, physiological organization, embryology and ecology. Careers and biotechnology opportunities in Zoology will be explored. Dissection, field studies and a student research project are required.
CREDIT: 1 TYPE: Honors PREREQUISITE: Biology I or Biology I Honors