Science Department
Science Department - Course Overviews
Earth Science
Course Number(s): SC7026, SC7027, SC7028
Credit(s): 3 Grade(s): 9
Course Type: Required
Prerequisite(s): None
Students will investigate and study the interactions between the four major Earth spheres including the geosphere, atmosphere, hydrosphere, and biosphere in order to explain Earth’s formation, processes, history, landscapes, and how and why Earth changes over time. The course will also explore how current actions of man are interacting with and affecting Earth’s spheres leading to local and global changes. Topics to be addressed include, but are not limited to science and engineering practices, nature of science, measurement, mapping Earth’s surface, minerals, rocks, plate tectonics, earthquakes, volcanoes, geologic time, meteorology, and Earth’s place in the universe.
Biology
Course Number(s): SC7038, SC7039, SC7040
Credit(s): 3 Grade(s): 10
Course Type: Required
Prerequisite(s): None
Biology is a second level course designed to give students a broad basic biological science background. The new curriculum will have a comprehensive scope with in-depth coverage of main topics and their application of current issues. Decision making skills, problem solving, critical thinking, integration of disciplines, and cultures, and reading/writing skills will be emphasized. Fall trimester will cover biological principles, biochemical processes, ecology, conservation, and introduction to the cell. Winter trimester will cover cell function, human anatomy and physiology, immune system and disease. Spring trimester will cover genetics and biotechnology, the plant kingdom, invertebrate and vertebrate biology, and environmental issues. This class is a hands-on lab experience in which students have to actively demonstrate their achievements. It is a required course for graduation, will follow a traditional grading system, and will be supplemented with current textbooks.
Chemistry
Course Number(s): SC7050, SC7051, SC7052
Credit(s): 3 Grade(s): 11-12
Prerequisite(s): None
Chemistry is the study of the composition of matter and the changes that matter undergoes. Chemistry is a college preparatory course. Problem solving involving algebra and laboratory work are emphasized. Topics include organization of matter, chemical names and formulas, stoichiometry, phases of matter, energy in chemical reactions, acids and bases, solutions and their behavior, chemical reactions, and organic chemistry survey.
Chemistry in the Community (Chem Com)
Course Number(s): SC7050, SC7051, SC7052
Credit(s): 3 Grade(s): 11-12
Prerequisite(s): None
ChemCom (Chemistry) is the study of the composition of matter and the changes that matter undergoes. ChemCom is not considered a college preparatory course, but rather a more practical or real-world chemistry course. Problem solving and laboratory work are included. Units include such real-world topics as energy, petroleum, and water quality. Topics also include organization of matter, chemical names and formulas, stoichiometry, phases of matter, energy in chemical reactions, acids and bases, solutions and their behavior, chemical reactions, and organic chemistry survey.
AP Chemistry
Course Number(s): 5550, 5551, 5552
Credit(s): 3 Grade(s): 11 - 12
Prerequisite(s): Chemistry
*Instructor Approval Required
AP Chemistry is designed to be the equivalent to the general chemistry course usually taken during the first year of college. Course time is spent in qualitative and quantitative laboratory work, new topics and review of previous year’s topics, and problem solving sessions. Students are expected to spend a minimum of five hours per week in unsupervised individual study. Students taking this course are highly encouraged to take the AP Chemistry exam in the spring, and are responsible for the exam fee. Colleges may grant college credit depending on the student’s score on the AP Chemistry exam.
CIS Physics by Inquiry
Course Number(s): SC7056
Credit(s): 3 Grade(s): 10-12
Prerequisite(s): None
*4 University of Minnesota Credits
*This class is designed for the middle third of a graduating class
This is a lab-based introduction of properties of matter, electric circuits, and light/color. Performing experiments similar to the way real scientists work. This has applications to real-world systems. It focuses on physics content and the nature of science and learning. Students explore physics ideas that can be used to explain interesting phenomena, including the relationship between force and motion, the nature of energy, energy transformations, and conservation of energy, and the small particle theory of matter. Students also learn the process by which knowledge is developed within a scientific community.
CIS Intro to College Physics
Course Number(s): SC7057
Credit(s): 3 Grade(s): 11-12
Prerequisite(s): Advanced Algebra 2 (grade of B or higher required)
*Equivalent to AP Physics 1 or the 1 semester of a freshman college physics course
*4 University of Minnesota Credits
Fundamental principles of physics in the context of everyday world. We will use kinematics/dynamics principles and quantitative/qualitative problem solving techniques to understand natural phenomena. Topics include motion in one and two dimensions, the laws of motion, energy and momentum. The course will follow the following outline: Lecture, Recitation, Lab. This course should be a must for students who are interested in pursuing studies in physics or engineering. It is highly recommended for students pursuing other science careers. It is also a great course for students wanting to improve their logic and problem solving skills. The course will provide students with the opportunity to learn fundamental physics principles and complex problem solving skills needed for most areas of advanced study. For those thinking of a career in engineering or physics it is highly recommended to take both CIS Intro to College Physics and AP Physics 2.
AP Physics 2: Electricity and Modern Physics
Course Number(s): SC7058, SC7059, SC7060
Credit(s): 3 Grade(s): 10-12
Prerequisite(s): Advanced Algebra 2 (grade of B or higher required)
*Equivalent to the 2nd semester of a college freshman physics course or the 2nd half of CIS Intro College Physics
This course will cover wave/electricity principles and quantitative/ qualitative problem solving techniques to understand natural phenomena. Topics include thermodynamics, light, electricity, magnetism, electricity, modern Physics and relativity. The course will use lecture, recitation, and lab work. This course is highly recommended for students who are interested in pursuing studies in physics or engineering and who are good at mathematics. The course will provide them with the opportunity to learn fundamental physics principles and complex problem solving skills needed for more advanced studies.
Anatomy and Physiology
Course Number(s): SC7062
Credit(s): 1 Grade(s): 10-12
Course Type: Elective
Prerequisite(s): Biology (a grade of C+ or better recommended)
*This course is suggested for students in the Health Science Career Academy
The course is a medically-oriented class for those college bound students interested in a career in a related medical profession or wishing to increase their knowledge of the human body. Topics included are; Tissues, Integumentary, Skeletal, Muscular, Nervous, and Endocrine systems.
Astronomy
Course Number(s): SC7063
Credit(s): 1 Grade(s): 10-12
Course Type: Elective
Prerequisite(s): None
Astronomy is the scientific study of the contents of the entire Universe. This course will provide the student with a study of the universe and the conditions, properties, and motions of bodies in space. The content includes, but is not limited to, historical astronomy, astronomical instruments, the celestial sphere, the solar system, the earth as a system in space, the earth/moon system, the sun as a star, and stars. This course will also include live outdoor observations with a telescope, weather permitting.
First Responder
Course Number(s): SC7076, SC7077
Credit(s): 2 Grade(s): 11-12
Prerequisite(s): None
Course Type: Elective
*Instructor Approval Required
This course is designed to provide the First Responder at the scene of a medical or trauma emergency, the necessary knowledge and skill to manage patient care until the arrival of ambulance personnel. The course is intended for law enforcement, firefighters, rescue personnel, ski patrol, athletic coaches, school nurses, camp counselors, special event coverage personnel, industrial emergency response teams, and other individuals charged with first response duties. This course meets or exceeds the guidelines established by the United States Department of Transportation and the Minnesota Department of Health. Each student will spend at least five hours a week preparing for class. Attendance is critical.
Geology
(not offered during the '24-'25 school year)
Course Number(s): SC7067
Credit(s): 1 Grade(s): 10-12
Course Type: Elective
Prerequisite(s): None
Geology is an in-depth study of how the earth is constructed and the processes that have formed the earth and continue to change the Earth’s surface. Topics will include: the understanding of the formation and identification of rocks and minerals; the types of volcanoes and how and why they erupt; the weathering of rocks and their effects on Earth’s surface and human populations; rivers and groundwater and the ecological impacts of humans on water sources; glaciers, deserts, beaches, and the ocean floor; earthquakes and their relationships to plate tectonics and the effects on humans; how tsunamis form; how mountains form; and fossils and their relationships to Earth’s past.
Limnology
Course Number(s): SC7068
Credit(s): 1 Grade(s): 10-12
Course Type: Elective
Prerequisite(s): None
This course is designed to make students aware of the processes, techniques and philosophies used to manage freshwater lake and stream ecosystems. This course will provide students with “in the field” experience developing their skills of observation, instrumentation, data collecting and drawing meaningful conclusions based on data collected. Area lakes and streams will be used as areas of research. This is a lab oriented course and topics include: stream and lake classification, physical, chemical and biological factors affecting lakes and streams, aquatic ecosystem management, aquatic ecosystem restoration, and a survey of various aquatic ecosystem problems.
Science Olympiad
Course Number(s): SC7081, SC7082
Credit(s): 2 Grade(s): 10-12
Course Type: Elective
Prerequisite(s): None
This course will be graded on a Pass/Fail grading scale.
*Instructor Approval Required
The Science Olympiad course would be elective science credits for grades 10-12 and is for students who are interested in joining science fields as a career. This course will be student-led and gives them choice in what they learn. Subject fields that would be included in this course and competitions are: Astronomy, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Wildlife Studies, along with subjects that involve programming and building. Students would be working in groups of two to four on events, these events are chosen by the state and national Science Olympiad board. If you are taking the course you are expected to participate in two Saturday competitions during the Winter Trimester. Teacher approval required for admittance. Students can still participate in the club if they don’t have room in their schedule for the class OR are in lower grades. Grading will be Pass/ Fail. Students in 9th grade can sign up for it with permission after meeting with Ms. Volz and filling out an interest form.
Weather (*not offered during the '23-'24 school year)
(offered during the '24-'25 school year)
Course Number(s): SC7061
Credit(s): 1 Grade(s): 10-12
Course Type: Elective
Prerequisite(s): None
Weather is an exploration of current topics including factors involved in climate change, as well as natural factors that determine a region's climate. Find out how to identify past climates, and discuss the general circulation model and its use in projecting future climate change. Examine sources and types of air pollution, and find out how developed and developing nations differ in their methods for controlling air pollution. Students will learn about the importance of the ozone layer, and atmospheric circulation and its relation to scale and observation. Study the single-cell and three-cell models of general circulation, and explore weather fronts, global wind patterns and jet streams. Learn about typical and severe weather patterns in different parts of the world, including mid-latitude cyclones, tornadoes, hurricanes, and monsoons.
