Science

COURSE DESCRIPTIONS

INTEGRATED PHYSICAL SCIENCE
A two semester lab and lecture course where one semester emphasizes Earth's systems including the solar system, Earth’s history, plate tectonics, atmospheric science, climatology, astronomy and emerging technologies. The other semester students will learn the basic mechanics of motion, forces, work, power, magnetism, electricity, and energy. This class is lab and activity intensive and serves as an excellent foundation for future high school science courses while focusing on real life application of science, math and technology .  

Grade 9 1 Credit

HONORS INTEGRATED PHYSICAL SCIENCE
A two semester lab and lecture course where one semester emphasizes the basic mechanics of motion, forces, work, power, machines, electricity and energy.  The other semester students will learn about Earth's systems including atmospheric science, climatology, astronomy and emerging technologies.  As an honors class, students will have a more rigorous workload striving for a greater depth of knowledge, with an added emphasis of human impact in relation to these science concepts. 

Prerequisite: Teacher Recommendation

Grade 9 1 credit

CHEMISTRY
This lab and lecture course is a basic chemistry overview covering the atom, periodic table, bonding, chemical quantities, nuclear reactions and predicting products of chemical equations. Recommended for students pursuing a career in health sciences.    

Grade 10 1 credit

HONORS CHEMISTRY
This is a course for sophomores that are college bound and is an in depth study of the general principles of chemistry at the high school level.  Heavy emphasis is placed on chemical principles, problem solving, and basic laboratory techniques.  Course places a heavy emphasis on mathematics used in the field.  A scientific calculator is required ($15.00). 

Prerequisite: Teacher Recommendation  

Grade 10 1 credit

LIFE SCIENCE
Life Science is an engaging, concept-driven exploration of the fundamental processes that sustain life. Students will investigate the structure and function of macromolecules, the cellular basis of all living organisms, and the flow of energy through biological systems. Core units include photosynthesis, cellular respiration, and cellular energetics, with an emphasis on how cells capture, transform, and use energy to maintain homeostasis. Through hands-on labs, collaborative activities, and real-world applications, students will develop scientific literacy and strengthen their ability to ask questions, analyze data, and construct evidence-based explanations. This course provides a strong foundation for Biology.
Grade 10 1 credit

BIOLOGY
Biology is the study of life.  This course includes a broad overview of the scientific method, cytology, genetics, ecology, taxonomy, evolution, energy changes, & homeostasis. 
Students will take the Missouri End of Course exam in this class. 

Grade 11 1 credit

HONORS BIOLOGY
Biology is the study of life.  This course includes an intensive study of the scientific method, cytology, genetics, photosynthesis, ecology, taxonomy, evolution, energy changes, homeostasis, and zoology.  Students must meet the designed requirements for entry to this class.  

Students will take the Missouri End of Course exam in this class.  

Prerequisite: Teacher Recommendation  

Grade 11 1 credit

HONORS ADVANCED BIOLOGY
An introduction to college level biology with emphasis directed toward an understanding of the basic characteristics, processes, and activities of living organisms.  Laboratory experiments and dissections will be an integral part of this course.  Four hours of college credit are available for juniors or seniors who earn a “D” or above and pay the appropriate fees on time.  Students must have an unweighted GPA of 3.00 to enroll for college credit.   This course can be used to meet general education requirements for introductory biology at most universities.  

Prerequisite: Honors Biology OR Biology with Teacher Recommendation

College Credit  

Grade 12 1 credit

HONORS ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY
This course offers an intensive study of the structure and function of the human body, designed for students interested in health careers. Laboratory experiments and dissections will be an integral part of this course.  Four hours of college credit are available for juniors or seniors who earn a “D” or above and pay the appropriate fees on time.  Students must have an unweighted GPA of 3.0 to enroll for college credit.   This course can be used to meet general education requirements for Anatomy I at most universities.  

Prerequisite: Honors Biology OR Biology with Teacher Recommendation

College Credit  

Grade 12 1 credit

HONORS COLLEGE CHEMISTRY I
(Introductory College Chemistry) Covers the same material as in Honors Chemistry I but at the collegiate level with four hours of college credit available for those who earn a "C" or better and pay the required fees. Much greater emphasis is placed on the mastery of the course materials and labs with a greater emphasis on material memorization. A scientific calculator is required. 

Prerequisite: Honors Chemistry and Teacher Recommendation

College Credit  

Grades 11-12 0.5 credit

HONORS COLLEGE CHEMISTRY II

Course Description Here

Prerequisite: Honors College Chemistry I and Teacher Recommendation

College Credit

Grades 11-12 0.5 credit

CONSERVATION ECOLOGY
This one semester lecture/lab (field study) serves as an introduction to conservation biology. This course will have an emphasis on Missouri Ecology in the outdoors. This course will cover the topics of ecology, reproduction, adaptation, organism, populations, extinction, and diversity/disturbance. This will include a field study component where students meet outdoors in nature weekly for lab activities. This field study component will include two field trips to Missouri Conservation Areas and Nature Centers. 

Grades 10-12 0.5 credit  

HISTORICAL GEOLOGY
This course covers the fundamentals of geology: rocks, minerals, geologic time, plate tectonics, earthquakes, volcanoes, surface processes, and earth resources. The lab delves into the chemistry of minerals, how rocks form, geologic mapping with GPS, and geology in the field, and other fundamental topics. Geology courses are excellent options for college bound students who would like to add a fourth year of science credit to their transcript and can be taken in combination with other sciences. 

Grades 10-12 0.5 credit

INTRO TO BOTANY
This course provides instruction related to the broad field of horticulture and botany with the emphasis on the scientific and technical knowledge related to the discipline, as well as the ways we use this knowledge to establish a relationship with our environment. Topics in this course include information on plant structure and function, plant growth, plant diversity, basic plant identification, general botany, soil analysis, gardening and land use, and more.                    

Grades 10-12 0.5 credit 

ZOOLOGY

Zoology is a one semester course that covers the scientific study of animal life, builds on centuries of human inquiry into the animal world.  This course provides an introduction to the evolution and  classification of animals, comparative anatomy and physiology of various invertebrates and vertebrates, animal behavior and relationships, preservation of the species, and careers in science.  This class will provide a thematic and hands-on approach to learning animal science through classroom activities, dissections, inquiry experiments, projects, and problem solving.  The course is designed for all interested students but will especially benefit students who enjoy biology or a future science major.

Grades 10-12 0.5 credit

FORENSIC SCIENCE

Forensics is a one semester course that covers the investigative sciences.  Forensics is the application of science to those criminal and civil laws that are enforced by police agencies in a criminal justice system.  The science involved covers biology, chemistry, physics, and geology applied to certain situations.  We will be using these sciences to look at fingerprints, footprints, and hair samples among other things. 

Grades 10-12 0.5 credit