| Environmental Earth Science | Biology | Chemistry | Physics |
As we move into the 21st century, science and technology play an increasingly important role in all aspects of our society; therefore, it is imperative that our future decision makers develop a positive attitude toward solving problems through science education. This attitude fosters a curiosity to understand and appreciate the natural world as well as to comprehend the impact of science and technology on the individual, culture and society.
Science is more than a body of facts, a set of principles, or a collection of sophisticated tools; it is a structured, active method of asking and answering questions. A basic knowledge of scientific principles is one component necessary to form the foundation for future endeavors in the area of science. Likewise, an understanding of the logical thought processes involved in science is essential for developing a framework to apply to future learning. Creating this foundation and framework involves a well-articulated and developmentally appropriate science program which stresses the inquiry method through laboratory experiences as well as printed materials. Our end result will create scientifically literate individuals who will effectively use their science education to make wise decisions and become responsible, problem solving citizens.
1. to develop those values and attitudes which underline the personal involvement of the individual with his or her environment and with mankind.
2. to develop the rational thinking processes which underlie scientific modes of inquiry.
3. to develop fundamental skills in the manipulations of materials and equipment; in the care and handling of living organisms; and in the collection, organization and communication of scientific information.
4. to develop knowledge of process, facts, principles, generalizations and applications -- the products of science -- and to encourage their use in the interpretation of the natural environment.
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This course will use management of natural resources as a base for learning scientific principles by studying the interrelationship of humans to land, sea, air, and space. Emphasis will be placed on research, lab experiences, and independent student projects. The pace of the course will be more rapid and the homework expectation will be higher than that required for Environmental Earth Science.
Environmental Earth Science Honors will be the foundation for skills and content necessary for further study in biological and physical sciences. It is required for all freshmen seeking honors credit in Science.
This course will use management of natural resources as a base for learning scientific principles by studying the interrelationship of humans to land, sea, air, and space. Emphasis will be placed on field and lab work to understand the impact of decreased resources, increased population and what must occur for continued human survival.
Environmental Earth Science will be the foundation for skills and content necessary for further study in biological and physical sciences. It is required for all freshmen for science credit.
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Honors Biology Level 1 Grade 10
Credits: 1.00 Full Year
Prerequisite: Students must have earned at least a B in Honors
Environmental Earth Science and/or have the permission of the department
coordinator.
Honors Biology demands a faster pace allowing topics to be covered in
greater detail. Emphasis will be placed on major concepts in biology
related to the chemistry of life, protein synthesis, gene theory, genetic
continuity, homeostasis ecological principles and cellular interactions.
This course will meet six periods each week to accommodate one double lab
weekly. Students will be required to take the SAT II Biology exam as a
component of this course.
Biology: The Science of Life Level 2 Grade 10
Credits: 1.00 Full Year
This is a comprehensive, investigation oriented introduction to
biology. Individual concepts from ecology, zoology, genetics, human
anatomy, physiology, and botany are integrated to relate to the overview
concept of the development of life forms and processes through time.
Basic college content is addressed with additional attention paid to the
multi-disciplinary study of the inter-relationships between human
populations and the biotic community both locally and globally.
Emphasis is placed on laboratory work which is designed to expand and
develop basic scientific skills learned in previous years and to integrate
textual content with inquiry skills. Using a "hands-on" approach, the
laboratory component aims to allow the student to unite biological
concepts with operational understandings in the areas of biotic inter-
action, life form evolution, genetic continuity, metabolism, and
physiology. This course meets six periods each week to accommodate one
double lab weekly.
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Honors Chemistry Level 1 Grade 11
Credits: 1.00 Full Year
Prerequisite: Students must have earned at least a B in Honors Biology,
Advanced Algebra. (FST or Pre-Calculus may be taken concurrently.)
Honors Chemistry demands a faster pace allowing topics to be covered
in greater detail. Quantitative relationships are routinely studied and
used, requiring proficiency in honors level mathematics. Course content
will prepare students to take the required SAT II exam in Chemistry by
including history of chemistry, matter and energy, stoichiometry, atomic
structure and periodic properties, physical chemistry concepts of gas
laws, kinetics, equilibrium and thermodynamics, solution chemistry,
organic and nuclear chemistry. This course meets six periods each week to
accommodate one double period lab session weekly. Students will be
required to take the SAT II test in Chemistry as part of this course.
College Preparatory Chemistry Level 2 Grades 11,12
Credits: 1.00 Full Year
Prerequisite: Successful completion of Biology, Advanced Algebra
(Advanced Algebra may be taken concurrently.)
This course is designed to develop chemistry literacy among students,
to enhance development of strong problem solving skills as well as process
and inquiry skills necessary for competency in the laboratory. Units
covered include: scientific method, measurement, and observation; matter
and energy; equations and reactions; stoichiometry; atomic structure,
periodicity of properties, bonding; kinetic theory, gas laws, kinetics and
equilibrium; solutions, ionization and electrolytes, acids, bases and
salts. This course meets six periods each week to accommodate one double
period lab session weekly.
Advanced Placement Chemistry Level 1 Grade 12
Credits: 1.00 Full Year
Prerequisite: Students must have earned at least a B in Honors Chemistry,
Advanced Algebra and FST, and Physics (Physics may be taken
concurrently). The science department coordinator must be consulted for
course approval and placement before registration.
The AP Chemistry course is designed to be the equivalent of the
general chemistry course taken during the first college year. It is
designed to be taken only after the successful completion of a first year
in high school chemistry. Emphasis in this course is on chemical
calculations and mathematical formulation of principles. Theoretical
aspects of chemical concepts will be stressed. The text used is a college
text, and the laboratory program is the equivalent of a college lab
experience. In order to ensure successful completion of the AP course,
students must be willing to spend at least five hours weekly in individual
study. This course will meet seven periods each week to accommodate two
double period lab sessions weekly. Students registering for this course
must register and take the AP Chemistry exam. Payment for this exam must
be made by the end of the first full week of school in the fall.
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Honors Physics Level 1 Grades 11,12
Credits: 1.00 Full Year
Prerequisite: Permission is required from the course teacher, science
coordinator, and the guidance counselor, and in general, students will be
expected to have achieved grades of at least B in Algebra, Geometry, and
two previous high school honors science courses.
Honors Physics covers the same topics as College Preparatory Physics,
but does so with greater emphasis on quantitative solution techniques,
greater depth on topics, and an increased emphasis on independent
laboratory work. The course is particularly appropriate for students
planning (or seriously considering) college work in engineering, the
physical sciences, or related majors. Many topics will be addressed at
the level of a college freshman course for technical majors. Work load
will include significant amounts of homework and laboratory writeups, plus
outside development of demonstrations for presentation in class. Prior
familiarity with computers is highly desirable but not mandatory.
Students will be required to take the SAT II Test in Physics as part of
the course. This course will meet six periods each week to accommodate
one double lab weekly.
College Preparatory Physics Level 2 Grades 11,12
Credits: 1.00 Full Year
Prerequisite: Students will need a demonstrated ability in mathematics
and introductory science. Students should have achieved a grade of at
least B- in each of Algebra, Geometry, and a previous high school science
course.
This course studies the nature of matter, energy, and interactions
involving matter and energy. Specific topics include Newtonian mechanics
(forces, mass, momentum, kinetic and potential energy, gravitation, and
collision dynamics), heat, light, optics, electricity, magnetism, atomic
structure, nuclear forces, special relativity, and sound. The course
involves extensive laboratory work, usually requiring independent decision
making by the student on methods and techniques. Qualitative (non-
numerical) understanding is required, with quantitative (numerical) work
where time permits.
Material in the course is described wherever practical in terms of
everyday objects and experiences. Career opportunitites related to the
various topics are described during the topic studies. This course meets
six periods per week to accommodate one double lab weekly.
Advanced Placement Biology Level 1 Grade 12
Credits: 1.00 Full Year
Prerequisite: Students must have earned at least a B in three Honors
level science courses including Honors Biology. The science department
coordinator must be consulted for course approval and placement before
registration.
This course is designed to be the equivalent of an introductory
biology course usually taken by biology majors during their first year of
college.
AP courses differ significantly from the traditional high school
science program with respect to the kind of textbook used, the range and
topics covered, the kind of laboratory work done, and in the time and
effort required of students. The goals of the course are derived from
analysis of information given by professors in recent nationwide surveys
and cover three main areas: molecules and cells, 25 percent; genetics and
evolution, 25 percent; organisms and populations, 50 percent. AP Biology
aims to provide students with the conceptual framework, factual knowledge,
and analytical skills necessary to deal critically with the rapidly
changing science of biology. This course will meet seven periods per week
to accommodate two double lab sessions weekly. The student registering
for this course must register and take the AP Biology exam. Payment for
this exam must be made by the end of the first full week of school in the
fall.