Biology

Course Type: Core                   Course Length: Full year                      Credits: 5.00

Biology core content is focused on the use of life science principles as conceptual tools to make sense of the complexity, diversity, and interconnectedness of life on Earth. Students will engage in authentic learning experiences that encourage the application of biological knowledge to make decisions and solve problems in real life. Students will learn and understand Organization and Development, Matter and Energy Transformations, Interdependence, Heredity and Reproduction, and Evolution and Diversity. Students will apply their new knowledge in the form of projects such as research papers.

 

Chemistry (and Accelerated Chemistry)

Course Type: Core                   Course Length: Full year                      Credits: 5.00

All students will gain an understanding of the structure and behavior of matter, as well as an introduction to Chemistry, Measurements and Calculations, Atomic structure, electronic configuration, Periodic table, Bonding, Chemical reactions and Formula, Nature of gases, Acids, Bases and Salts, Reaction rates, nuclear Chemistry, Biochemistry, Matter and Change, Redox reactions and  Organic Chemistry form the part of the course.

 

Environmental Science

 

Course Type: Core                   Course Length: Full year                      Credits: 5.00

The environmental science class focuses mainly on environmental issues. Students will study air, water, land, ecology and the impact of humans on the environment. Students will take 3-4 quizzes and 1-2 tests along with CW/HW.  Students will apply their new knowledge in the form of projects such as research papers.  Organization and time management are also emphasized.

 

Physical Science

Course Type: Core                   Course Length: Full year                      Credits: 5.00

This course is a second year science course in the high school, exploring the concepts of Physical Sciences- parts of Physics and parts of Chemistry. Students will learn about Calculations and measurements in Science, matter and energy, atoms and periodic table, bonding, chemical reactions, gases, states of matter, forces, motion, heat , sound, electricity, light, magnetism, solar system and alternative sources of energy .Hands- on and application based, this course needs mathematical applications quite often.

 

Physics

Course Type: Core                   Course Length: Full year                      Credits: 5.00

This course will serve as an introduction to the science of physics. Basic principles of physics will be covered and students will use mathematical skills acquired in Algebra 1 and Geometry to solve problems. Basic trigonometry will be required and students will learn how to employ vectors for problem resolution. This course will include but not be limited to Mechanics, Heat, Optics, Electromagnetism, Sound and Wave Phenomenon. Only those students who have successfully completed Algebra 1 and Geometry and have achieve a grade of C+ or better should consider this course as it is strongly math dependent. Those with lesser math grades should consider improvement in math before taking this course.

 

AP Physics C – Electricity and Magnetism 

Course Type: Elective              Course Length: Full year                      Credits: 5.00

This course is a college-level, calculus-based Physics course intended for students planning to study science, engineering, or other technical disciplines beyond high school.  Although most of the specific content areas of this course are set by The College Board, practical applications of the topics covered and more “in-depth” coverage of select topics are included in this course, as time constraints and student interest allows. This course will run for the full school year. The core focus of this course will be electricity and magnetism to meet AP requirements and to prepare students for the Spring AP test. After successfully covering all material required for this course, the course will cover selected topics of student interest if time permits. Students will be engaged with several laboratory experiments which take place toward the end of the course after preparation for the AP Exam is completed.

Prerequisites: Passing grade or currently enrolled in Calculus with prior approval of the physics teacher.

 

AP Biology

Course Type: Elective              Course Length: Full year                      Credits: 5.00

AP Biology is a rigorous and demanding course, which is the equivalent of an introductory college biology course.  Content will be covered in more depth and greater expectations will be placed on interpretation and analysis of information than previous biology courses.  In addition, statistical analysis of data and modeling of concepts will be expected.  A significant amount of studying must be completed at home to allow time for discussion, labs, and inquiry during class time. The College Board has redesigned the curriculum starting in the 2013 school year, and although the amount of material has been reduced, the emphasis on scientific thinking and analytical thinking has increased.  The course will be structured differently this year due to the changes and to allow for more class time for labs and discussions.  The new AP Biology curriculum encompasses 4 ‘big ideas’, with Essential Knowledge and Process Skills that support each one:

 

Big Idea 1: Evolution – the process of evolution drives the diversity and unity of life

Big Idea 2: Cellular Processes (Energy and Communication) – Biological systems utilize free energy and molecular building blocks to grow.

Big Idea 3: Genetics and Information Transfer – living systems store, retrieve, transmit, and respond to information essential to life processes

Big Idea 4: Interactions – Biological systems interact and these systems and their interactions possess complex properties.

 

Prerequisites: Recommendation from science teacher

 

Accelerated Anatomy and Physiology

Course Type: Elective              Course Length: Full year                      Credits: 5.00

This course provides a comprehensive study of the anatomy and physiology of the human body.

Topics include body organization; homeostasis; cytology; histology; and the integumentary,

skeletal, muscular, nervous systems and special senses. Upon completion, students should be

able to demonstrate an in-depth understanding of principles of anatomy and physiology and their

interrelationships.

 

Forensic Science

Course Type: Elective              Course Length: One semester               Credits: 2.50

 

 

Genetics

Course Type: Elective              Course Length: One semester               Credits: 2.50

 

Prerequisites: Grade of B or higher in Biology.  Students with a lower grade will be considered with teacher recommendation.

 

Intro to Engineering

Course Type: Elective              Course Length: Full Year                      Credits: 5.00

Intro to Engineering leads students on a fast paced and hands on discovery of the key engineering disciplines and varied roles engineers play in society today.  Students apply methodology and process improvement techniques in a team and project based setting. Site visits, school visits, electronics learning lab, and reverse engineering are just a few of the highlights.

 

Students leave the course with a deeper understanding of self, their career path, and the opportunities in engineering and technology. Disciplines covered include: Automotive, Aerospace, Mechanical, Packaging, Architectural, Structural, Electrical, Environmental, Chemical, Nano, and Industrial Engineering.

 

Microbiology

Course Type: Elective              Course Length: One semester               Credits: 2.50

 

Prerequisites: Grade of B or higher in Biology.  Students with a lower grade will be considered with teacher recommendation.