Science Department

BIOLOGY (Honors and College Prep)

Biology students will focus on the study of life by examining the concepts of cellular biology, genetics, ecology, evolution, and physiology.  Students will also develop an understanding of the kingdoms of life.  The scientific process and laboratory skills will be emphasized along with biology’s connections to other scientific disciplines.

CHEMISTRY (Honors and College Prep)

Prerequisite: BIOLOGY I and ALGEBRA I

Students will be introduced to the principles and concepts of chemistry through a broad range of topics with special emphasis on the concepts of basic matter, the periodic table, and bonding.  Students will also develop an understanding of the principles of reactions and acid-base relationships.  Lab activities will develop problem-solving skills and reinforce key concepts.

ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE

Prerequisite: BIOLOGY I

Students will examine the relationships that exist between organisms and their environment, as well as investigate the basic elements of ecology and how our environment is composed of living and nonliving parts essential for our existence. Students will discover that changes are inherent to life and learn how these changes impact the environment and the organisms that live within it.  Students will also examine how human society impacts the environment and their role in preserving and conserving the world and its resources.

*BIOLOGY II

This advanced level Biology course builds on concepts from Biology I and includes topics such as microbiology, heredity, genetics, and basic body systems. There is an emphasis on labs. 

*CONCEPTUAL PHYSICS

Prerequisite: ALGEBRA II 

Students will learn about the principles that govern the physical world.  This course focuses on the concepts and analytics of the following topics:  measurement and scientific knowledge, motion, forces, energy,  electricity and magnetism, waves and atomic/nuclear physics.  Lab experiments are an integral part of the course.

*SCIENCE RESEARCH – HONORS

This class is designed for students (11th or 12th grades) who are interested in developing their critical thinking skills and understanding of the research methods in science. There will be a hands-on approach through lab skills and techniques. The class will be framed around water quality and bio-technology.  Students will start the year learning about science research and move into a long term project.  Students would be expected to compete in the science fair and present an oral defense of their research.

*ANATOMY & PHYSIOLOGY – HONORS

Prerequisite: 85% in CHEMISTRY

Students will explore all the inner workings of the human body and the reasons behind many of the illnesses and injuries that affect humans today.  Students will learn everything from how a heart beats to how the brain functions while reading this sentence.  Dissections will allow students to more closely examine the anatomy and physiology of body systems.

*ADVANCED PLACEMENT ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE

Prerequisite: 85% in BIOLOGY, CHEMISTRY I or ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE or AP Potential score

This course will have required summer work.

Students will learn scientific principles, concepts, and methodologies required to understand the inter-relationships of the natural world. They will identify and analyze environmental problems, evaluate the risks associated with these problems, and examine alternative solutions for resolving and/or preventing them. Students will be required to perform a field study outside the classroom. -College Board

*ADVANCED PLACEMENT PHYSICS 1: ALGEBRA-BASED

Prerequisite: 85% in ALGEBRA II – HONORS or AP Potential score; concurrent enrollment in AP PRE-CALCULUS 

This course will have required summer work.

AP Physics 1 is an algebra-based, introductory college-level physics course. Students cultivate their understanding of Physics through inquiry-based investigations as they explore these topics: kinematics; dynamics; circular motion and gravitation; energy; momentum; simple harmonic motion; torque and rotational motion; electric charge and electric force; DC circuits; and mechanical waves and sound. –College Board

*ADVANCED PLACEMENT BIOLOGY

Prerequisite: 85% in BIOLOGY, or CHEMISTRY I, or AP Potential score

This course will have required summer work.

Students will experience the same lectures and conduct the same complex experiments as those enrolled in a college level class.  Students will participate in an intense overview of a wide range of biological ideas and themes by covering all 12 of the major college labs included on the AP exam. –College Board

*COURSES THAT QUALIFY FOR ACADEMIC RIGOR