Science

PHYSICAL SCIENCE

Course: 122201/222201 Credit: 1.0 Length: Year Year Taken: 9 or teacher consent

Prerequisite: None Fee: $10.00

This course is designed to serve as a foundation for students planning to take additional work in Earth Science, Chemistry, and Physics.  This course may not be pursued concurrently with Physics or Chemistry and may not be taken after a student has completed either of these courses.

*If not grade 9, need the consent of the instructor.

BIOLOGY I

Course: 122011/222011 Credit: 1.0 Length: Year Year Taken: 9-12

Prerequisite: Required for all students for graduation. Fee: $10.00

The study of life.  Topics covered: Ecology, cells, cell processes, evolution, bacteria, protists, fungi, plants, invertebrate and vertebrate animals, human body, disease, and genetics. 

BIOLOGY IB I

Course: 122061/222061 Credit: 1.0 Length: Year Year Taken: 11-12

Prerequisite: “C” average in Biology I and Chemistry I, or have the consent of the instructor.

Fee: $10.00

Biology IB I is offered on a higher level as part of a two-year course.  The junior year will cover the following topics:  Bio Chemistry, Cells, DNA, Genetics, Respiration / Photosynthesis and Plants

BIOLOGY IB II

Course: 122071/222071 Credit: 1.0 Length: Year Year Taken: 12

Prerequisite: Passing grades in Biology IB I or have the consent of the instructor.

Fee: $10.00

Biology IB II is offered on a higher level as part of a two-year course.  The senior year will cover the following topics:   Ecology / Conservation / Evolution and Human Anatomy and Physiology. The Group 4 Project to the Plover River along with the Internal Assessment “design” lab will be completed during 1st semester. This course will help prepare the students for possible advanced university standing or may help earn university credit after taking the exams in May. In order to take the IB exam in Biology, the student must pass Biology IB I. Please research the following websites for further information on local, national and international university recognition policies: http://www.ibo.org/university-admission/ and http://uwhelp.wisconsin.edu/testing/ib.aspx .

CHEMISTRY I

Course: 122091/222091 Credit: 1.0 Length: Year Year Taken: 10-12

Prerequisite: “C” average in Algebra 1 and Biology I or have the consent of the instructor

Fee: $10.00

Chemistry I deals with an overview of the field of chemistry.  This is followed by a study of the principles of chemical reactions.  A scientific or graphing calculator is required for this course. Chemistry I is designed to prepare students for higher level Chemistry courses such as Chemistry IB & college level Chemistry.

CHEMISTRY B

Course: 122101/222101 Credit: 1.0 Length: Year Year Taken: 11-12

Prerequisite: Passing grades in  Algebra 1 and Biology I or have the consent of the instructor

Fee: $10.00

This course provides an overview of the basic concepts of Chemistry.  The course is activity oriented, but basic Algebra is needed.  It also looks at Chemistry and its relation to science as a whole.

CHEMISTRY IB II

Course: 122111/222111 Credit: 1.0 Length: Year Year Taken: 11-12

Prerequisite: Chemistry I (advanced students) Fee: $10.00

Advanced Topics of Organic and Inorganic Chemistry. Course is intended for students pursuing careers in science or enrolled in the IB program. This course along with Chemistry I, covers the content of IB Standard Level Chemistry. This course will help prepare the students for possible advanced university standing or may help earn university credit after taking the exams in May. Please research the following websites for further information on local, national and international university recognition policies:  http://www.ibo.org/university-admission/, and http://uwhelp.wisconsin.edu/testing/ib.aspx.

PHYSICS B

Course: 122221/222221 Credit: 1.0 Length: Year Year Taken: 11-12

Prerequisite: Biology I and Algebra 1 Fee: $10.00

This physics course is similar to Physics IB I but a little slower paced.  Topics include motion, mechanics, waves and electricity.  Students should have a decent understanding of basic algebra skills and be able to solve for variables in an equation.  Major events that occur in the class are Rube Goldberg night where students build and present Rube Goldberg projects for the public and Great America Theme Park where students are invited to go on a field trip to Six Flags Great America and analyze rides for their final semester project.

PHYSICS IB I

Course: 122211/222211 Credit: 1.0 Length: Year Year Taken: 11-12

Prerequisite: “C” average in prior mathematics and science courses or have the consent of the instructor.

Fee: $10.00

Physics IB I is geared toward stronger math and science students.  Students are expected to bring a scientific calculator to class each day as the class has a large emphasis on computation and story problems.  Students wishing to test in Physics IB should plan on taking the 2nd year of Physics IB after successful completion of Physics IB I.  The purpose of the first year is to introduce students to the major areas of physics such as motion, forces, energy, waves and electricity.  There is a heavy emphasis on demonstrations and labs as well as problem solving in the course.  Physics students will build a Rube Goldberg project to present to the public for Rube Goldberg evening in the spring.  The final course project culminates in the amusement park at “Six Flags Great America”.

NOTE: IB policy only allows students in grade 11 to take SL exam; grade 12 for the HL exam if you wish to test in the Physics IB.  So this means that a junior in Physics IB II would not be allowed to test HL for IB.

PHYSICS IB II

Course: 122231/222231 Credit: 1.0 Length: Year Year Taken: 12

Prerequisite: Physics I IB Fee: $10.00

Advanced Physics will extend the study of many topics started the first year in Physics IB I course. Additional topics relate to waves, power, climate change, quantum and nuclear physics, heat, optics, and engineering physics. Upon completion of this course, students will have the option of taking either the Standard level or Higher level IB Physics Exam. Scoring well on this exam may allow the student to get higher placement or college credit. This course will help prepare the students for possible advanced university standing or may help earn university credit after taking the exams in May. Note: IB policy only allows students in grade 12 to take HL exam. Please research the following websites for further information on local, national and international university recognition policies:  http://www.ibo.org/university-admission/, and http://uwhelp.wisconsin.edu/testing/ib.aspx.

ASTRONOMY/ EARTH SCIENCE

Course: 122001/222001 Credit: .50 Length: Semester 1 or 2 Year Taken: 10-12

Prerequisite: Passing grades in prior Science courses and Algebra I Fee: $5.00

Astronomy/Earth Science will be offered each semester.  This course begins with the study of the moon and solar system, and gradually works to the far reaches of the universe.  Some basic mathematics is required in the study of size/distance relationships, modeling and light intensity.  Use will be made of the planetarium at West High School.  Part of the course requirement involves the students making outdoor observations in a journal.

BIOLOGY II (HUMAN ANATOMY & PHYSIOLOGY)

Course: 122031/222031 Credit: .50 Length: Semester 1 or 2 Year Taken: 11-12

Prerequisite: Biology I Fee: $5.00

Covers the different human body systems. Anatomy is the study of the structure and shape of the body and body parts and their relationships to one another. Physiology is the study of how the body and its parts work or function.

FIELD BIOLOGY

Course: 122171 Credit: .50 Length: Semester 1 Year Taken: 11-12

Prerequisite: Biology I or consent of the instructor Fee: $5.00

Content:  Field Biology is a field research course.  Students will spend time outside conducting research.  The class will cover Ecological concepts such as forest ecology, water ecology, invasion species, birds, WI lakes, wildlife, population change and community dynamics.

ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE

Course: 122161/222161 Credit: .50 Length: Semester 1 or 2 Year Taken: 10-12

Prerequisite: Biology I Fee: $5.00

The goal of this course is to provide students with scientific principles, and concepts required to understand the relationships of the natural world.

Topics include: The characteristics of ecosystems, biodiversity, and natural resource use. Content is supported by fieldtrips, laboratory and project work.

MEDICAL TERMINOLOGY

Course: 122361/222361 Credit: .50 Length: Semester 1 or 2 Year Taken: 11-12

Prerequisite: Biology I or consent of the instructor Fee: $5.00.

Student responsible for ordering and buying the correct book

Medical Terminology guides you along the path of vocabulary development that thoroughly prepares you to communicate as a medical professional, insurer, lawyer, equipment supplier, pharmaceutical representative and others who interact with health care providers and consumers. It is a lifelong learning course that can be used to help you understand every day medical terms whether it is at the doctor’s office or just watching TV. This rigorous course focuses on the component parts of medical terms: prefixes, suffixes, and word roots. Students practice formation, analysis, and reconstruction of terms with emphasis on spelling, definition and pronunciation. Students are then introduced to the operative, diagnostic, therapeutic and symptomatic terminology of all the body systems as well as structure, function and surgical terminology. Hands on activities are an integral part of the course to help with memorization. Students who successfully complete this course may qualify for a dual credit through Northcentral Technical College.

Additional Elective Courses from the Agriscience, Science, and Family and Consumer Science Departments help meet WSD high school graduation requirements. See course descriptions for more details.

• Principles of Engineering (Tech Ed Dept.- West)

• Vet Science (Agriscience Dept.)

• Horticulture/Greenhouse (Agriscience Dept.)

• Advanced Conservation (Agriscience Dept.)

• Food Science (FCS Dept.)