Grade: 9

Course Credit: 1 Science Credit

Course Length: Year

Prerequisite: None

NCAA Approved Course

Description:

Physics is the study of the properties and interactions of matter and energy. Through hands-on explorations that integrate math and technology, students will develop a strong understanding of content and skills. During first semester, the content focus is force and motion with crosscutting concepts of patterns and cause and effect relationships. During second semester, the content focus is energy (in a wide variety of forms) with crosscutting concepts of systems and the law of conservation of energy. The course is designed to lay a strong foundation of science concepts and skills that will be built upon in subsequent science courses. 

It is highly recommended that students taking Algebra in ninth grade enroll in Physics. Students in Geometry or higher should enroll in Physics if they feel they are not ready for the pace and mathematical requirements of Accelerated Physics.

Grade: 9

Course Credit: 1 Science Credit

Course Length: Year

Prerequisite: Algebra I

NCAA Approved Course

Description:

Accelerated Physics is the study of the properties and interactions of matter and energy. Through hands-on explorations that integrate math and technology, students will develop a strong understanding of content and skills. During first semester, the content focus is force and motion with crosscutting concepts of patterns and cause and effect relationships. During second semester, the content focus is energy (in a wide variety of forms) with crosscutting concepts of systems and the law of conservation of energy. The course is designed to lay a strong foundation of science concepts and skills that will be built upon in subsequent science courses.

Accelerated Physics will cover more topics at a greater depth and faster pace than Physics. Students taking Accelerated Physics should have a strong understanding of basic algebra. Trigonometry and advanced mathematical techniques will be taught and used through the course.

It is highly recommended that students taking Geometry Honors or higher enroll in Accelerated Physics. Students in Geometry should enroll in Accelerated Physics if they are comfortable with the pace and mathematical requirements. Students in Algebra should enroll in Physics.

Grade: 10

Course Credit: 1 Science Credit

Course Length: Year

Prerequisite: At least .5 credit earned in Physics

NCAA Approved Course

Description:

Chemistry is the study of matter and energy from a molecular point of view. Through laboratory experiences and practical application, students will investigate atomic structure and the periodic table, bonding, intermolecular forces, reactions and experimental design.

Grade: 10

Course Credit: 1 Science Credit

Course Length: Year

Prerequisite: One credit earned in Physics, approval from current Science Teacher, and completion of Chemistry Honors

NCAA Approved Course

Description:

Chemistry Honors is an in-depth, mathematical, and rigorous study of matter and energy from a molecular point of view. It is designed for those students with an advanced level of interest and motivation and who may be interested in careers in science, engineering or medicine. Through laboratory experiences and practical application, students will explore in-depth the areas of atomic structure and the periodic table, bonding, intermolecular forces, reactions, nuclear chemistry and experimental design.

Grade: 11, 12

Course Credit: 1 Science Credit

Course Length: Year

Prerequisite: One credit earned in Physics, and at least .5 credit earned in Chemistry or Chemistry Honors

NCAA Approved Course

Description:

Biology is the study of matter and energy within the living world. Through laboratory experiences and practical application, students will investigate concepts of modern biology, particularly in the areas of ecology, biochemistry, cell biology, energetics, genetics, DNA, and evolution.

Grade: 11, 12

Course Credit: 1 Science Credit

Course Length: Year

Prerequisite: One credit earned in Physics, credit earned in Chemistry (grade A) or Chemistry Honors (grade B or better) and approval from current Science Teacher.

NCAA Approved Course

Description:

Biology Honors is an extensive and rigorous study of matter and energy within the living world. It is designed for students with an advanced level of interest and motivation. Through laboratory experiences and practical application, students will more deeply investigate concepts of modern biology (ecology, biochemistry, cell biology, energetics, genetics, DNA, and evolution), with a greater emphasis on biochemistry, molecular biology and genetics. Principles of organic chemistry and energy are freely integrated within the course; students should have a good grounding in these topics.

Grade: 11, 12

Course Credit: .5 Elective Credit

Course Length: Fall Semester Only

Prerequisite: One credit earned in Biology

NCAA Approved Course

Description:

Anatomy & Physiology I is the study of the structure and function of the human body. Through lab experiences (including a dissection of a fetal pig and various mammalian organs) and practical application, students will investigate comparative anatomy, the organization of the human body, and the digestive, excretory, integumentary, skeletal and muscular systems. Diseases will be explored in all systems with an emphasis on cause, treatment, and prevention.

Grade: 11, 12

Course Credit: .5 Elective Credit

Course Length: Spring Semester Only

Prerequisite: One credit earned in Biology; Completion of Anatomy & Physiology I recommended

NCAA Approved Course

Description: 

Anatomy & Physiology II is the continuing study of the structure and function of the human body. Through lab experiences and practical application, students will investigate the nervous, endocrine, cardiovascular, respiratory, immune and reproductive systems. Homeostasis will continue to be explored with an emphasis on the effects of sleep, disease, and biotechnology on its maintenance.

Grade: 11, 12

Course Credit: 1 Elective Credit

Course Length: Year

Prerequisite: One credit earned in Physics, Chemistry, Algebra and Geometry

NCAA Approved Course

Description:

Space and Planetary Science builds on students’ innate sense of curiosity and wonder about the universe in which we live. Over the course of the year students will explore objects and phenomena on planets and in space through the use of observations, scientific experiments, and quantitative analysis. The content of the course follows the chronological order in which discoveries have been made by humans and is organized into three parts: (1) observational astronomy - events and objects that can be observed and studied with the naked eye, (2) light, stars, and cosmology, and (3) planetary systems and cycles.

Space and Planetary Science is year-long science elective taken mostly by seniors. It is recommended that students take this course after completing Physics, Chemistry, and Biology. Because of the the level of math it is also recommended that students complete Algebra and Geometry before taking this course.

Grade: 11, 12

Course Credit: 1 Elective Credit

Course Length: Year

Prerequisite:

As a second biology course: One credit earned in Biology and Chemistry (recommended B or better) and approval from current Science Teacher.

As a first Biology course: One credit earned in Physics and Honors Chemistry (recommended grade of A), and approval from current Science Teacher.

These prerequisites can be waived by the course instructor.

NCAA Approved Course

Description:

Students will analyze and relate orally and in writing an understanding of the major concepts of biology, including those of molecular and cell biology, genetics, population biology, and the physiology of plants and animals. In laboratory investigations, students will gather and analyze quantitative data to illustrate many of these concepts. AP Biology is a college level course in content and in difficulty. The AP Biology course is designed by The College Board to be taken only after the successful completion of a first course in high school biology.

Grade: 11, 12

Course Credit: 1 Elective Credit

Course Length: Year

Prerequisite: One credit earned in Chemistry and approval from current Science Teacher.

These prerequisites can be waived by the course instructor.

NCAA Approved Course

Description:

The AP Chemistry course is designed by The College Board to be taken only after the successful completion of a first course in high school chemistry. AP Chemistry is designed to be the equivalent of the general chemistry course typically taken during the first year of college. Students will refine and master their experimental and analytical abilities through laboratory and problem-solving situations. For many students, successful completion of this course enables them to take second year college work in the chemistry sequence. The course is structured around the six big ideas stated in the AP Chemistry Curriculum Framework provided by the College Board with special emphasis on the seven science practices also published therein. At least 25% of classroom instructional time will be dedicated to laboratory work. Students are expected to dedicate 30-60 minutes of independent work outside of class time at least five times per week.

Grade: 10, 11, 12

Course Credit: 1 Elective Credit

Course Length: Year

Prerequisite: One credit earned in Physics and Algebra II and approval from current Science Teacher.

These prerequisites can be waived by the course instructor.

NCAA Approved Course

Description:

Love science and math? AP Physics is a course that delves deeply into understanding how things work – using the foundations you’ve built in both of these areas of study. Students will complete the equivalent of a first semester course in college physics studying mechanics topics that include projectile motion, circular motion and gravitation, energy, linear and angular momentum, waves. In addition, electricity topics covered include electrostatics and DC circuits. Students will focus on experimentation to develop conceptual understanding of physics principles. Throughout the course students will integrate their math skills (Algebra and basic Trigonometry) to design and analyze investigations and solve multistep problems.

*The AP Physics class is designed to take the AP Physics 1 exam. Therefore, students should either be in Calculus or in Precalculus Honors with exceptional grades in Algebra II.