Physics Courses

Area of Study

Course Title and Teacher

Departmental Notes

  1. Physics, Chemistry, and Biology core courses must be taken in sequential order.
  2. Students may transfer to a higher (or lower) level provided grades and prerequisites are appropriate, a teacher recommendation is provided, and counselor is able to successfully schedule the student.
  3. Electives may not be substituted for core requirements unless approved by the Science Supervisor and Principal.
  4. Students wishing to double up in a lab science must make sure that all lab times are able to be scheduled.
  5. Students may choose to “opt-out” of dissection in the following life science courses: Biology, CP Biology, Honors Biology, Sports Medicine & Anatomy, Human Anatomy Honors & Human Physiology Honors, and AP Biology. Consult the Student/Parent Handbook and/or the instructor’s web page for details concerning the opt-out process.

CP Physics

Full Year Course: Level of Instruction: Introductory: Grade 9

Credit Value: 6.0

Prerequisites: A grade of less than C in Grade 8 science and successful completion of Pre-Algebra (Math 8) and teacher recommendation.

This course introduces students to the study of basic Physics and the conceptual understanding of physical interactions. Although the conceptual understanding is stressed, mathematical applications may be used in this course that will be appropriate and applicable to the math backgrounds of the students.The major topics include kinematics, dynamics, impulse, momentum, energy, thermodynamics, waves, light, optics, sound, electricity, magnetism, and astronomy.


CP Physics Enriched

Full Year Course: Level of Instruction: CP: Grade 9

Credit Value: 6.0

Prerequisites: Minimum grade of C in Grade 8 Science or grade of less than C in Grade 8 Science Honors and grade less than C in Algebra 8 Honors or minimum grade of C in Algebra 8 CP and teacher recommendation.

CP Physics is a physical science course specifically for students wishing to get a head start on college readiness and math skills beginning their high school science program. Using physics as a unifying theme, topics will integrate a wide range of disciplines, both within and outside the “standard” science arena. The course will be a logical and natural continuation of previous science courses, incorporating both review of studied concepts along with an emphasis on the subsequent extensions of these concepts and topics, and the introduction of new advanced topics and concepts. This course will expand the understanding of kinematics, dynamics, momentum, energy conservation, waves, electrostatics and electric circuits, and optics.

Honors Physics

Full Year Course: Level of Instruction: H: Grade 9

Credit Value: 6.0

Prerequisites: Minimum grade of C in Grade 8 Science Honors or minimum grade of A- in Grade 8 Science and minimum grade of C in Algebra 8 Honors or minimum grade of A- in Algebra 8 CP and teacher recommendation.

**Recommended Co-requisite: Honors Geometry

Honors Physics is a physical science course specifically for students with a strong mathematical background beginning their high school science curriculum. This challenging course will expand the understanding of kinematics, dynamics, conservation of momentum and energy, electrostatics and circuits and waves. Using physics as a unifying theme, math skills and analysis will be used to develop and understand many Physics concepts that relate to everyday life. In addition, this course will lay the foundation for future understanding of concepts and skills in Chemistry and further sciences. This course emphasizes scientific abilities and communication in laboratory and group settings. The course will be a logical and natural continuation of previous science courses, incorporating both review of studied concepts along with an emphasis on the subsequent extensions of these concepts and topics, and the introduction of new advanced topics and concepts.