Biology - UC Approved

Grade level: 9th grade (Two Semesters)

Pre-requisite: None

Course description: This course is a laboratory course that introduces students to the diversity of plants and animals and to the biological processes and principles governing the living conditions.

Biology Honors* - UC Approved

Grade level: 9th - 10th grade (Two Semesters)

Pre-requisite: Geometry or concurrent enrollment in Geometry and Science Department Head approval

Course description:
This honors course focuses on providing students with a more in depth knowledge of the living world and its relationship with the non-living world as well as lab skills needed to take further courses such as Physiology, Chemistry or AP Biology. *As an honors class this course requires students to do more reading than a regular science class. The Science Department guidelines for honors classes emphasize the importance of higher order thinking skills and writing skills within a rigorous academic context.

Physical Science – UC Approved

Grade level: 11th - 12th grade (Two Semesters)

Pre-requisite: None

Course description:
An introductory course designed to allow students to explore the basic concepts of physical science. Students will be introduced to the nature of matter, changes in matter, motion and energy, electricity and magnetism.

Physiology - UC Approved

Grade level: 10th - 11th grade (Two Semesters)

Pre-requisite: Geometry or concurrent enrollment in Geometry and Biology

Course description:
This course is a study of human body systems. The textbook, “Introduction to the Human Body”, serves as a guide for students beginning the exploration of human structure and function and the basic mechanisms of disease. This course not only presents introductory material on the elegance and efficiency of the human body, but also presents pathologic conditions associated with each body system. Students will gain knowledge of both normal and abnormal aspects of human biology.

Chemistry - UC Approved

Grade level: 10th - 12th grade (Two Semesters)

Pre-requisite: Algebra 2 or concurrent enrollment in Algebra 2 and Biology

Course description:
This course provides students with the knowledge of basic chemistry and lab skills required to understand the application of chemical principles and to prepare students for college-level lab work.

Chemistry Honors* - UC Approved

Grade level: 10th - 12th grade (Two Semesters)

Pre-requisite: Algebra 2 or Algebra 2/Trigonometry H, Biology H, and Science Department Head approval

Course description:
This honors course provides students with the knowledge of advanced chemistry and lab skills required to understand the application of chemical principles and to prepare students for college-level lab work and the AP Chemistry course.

*As an honors class this course requires students to do more reading than a regular science class. The Science Department guidelines for honors classes emphasize the importance of higher order thinking skills and writing skills within a rigorous academic context.

Physics - UC Approved

Grade level: 11th - 12th grade (Two Semesters)

Pre-requisite: Algebra 2 or Algebra 2/Trigonometry H, Chemistry or Chemistry H, and Science Department Head approval

Course description:
This is a one-year introductory physics course which uses algebraic functions as a base for exploring the fundamentals of physics from mechanics through modern physics with added emphasis on real life applications.

Biology Advanced Placement* - UC Approved

Grade level: 11th - 12th grade (Two Semesters)

Pre-requisite: Algebra 2 or Algebra 2/Trigonometry H, Chemistry or Chemistry H, and Science Department Head approval

Course description:
This advanced placement course is designed to be a first year college level biology class where students are prepared to be independent thinkers both conceptually and through laboratory work. Students have an opportunity to travel to Costa Rica to further their scientific problem-solving and critical thinking skills. This course is offered every other year in rotation with the AP Chemistry course.

*As an Advanced Placement class meant to equal a freshman college course, this class requires students to do significantly more work than a regular science class. In order to succeed, students should possess solid reading and writing skills, along with a willingness to spend considerable time to homework and study. All students in this class will be expected to pay for and take the AP Biology exam in May 2010; a primary class goal will be to prepare for this test. AP curriculum guidelines stress higher order thinking skills and writing skills within a rigorous academic context.

Chemistry Advanced Placement* - UC Approved (2010-2011 School Year)

Grade level: 11th - 12th grade (Two Semesters)

Pre-requisite: Algebra 2 or Algebra 2/Trigonometry H, Chemistry or Chemistry H, and Science Department Head approval

Course description:
This advanced placement course is designed to be a first year college level Chemistry class where students are prepared to be independent thinkers both conceptually and through a laboratory experience. This course is offered every other year in rotation with the AP Biology course.

*As an Advanced Placement class meant to equal a freshman college course, this class requires students to do significantly more work than a regular science class. In order to succeed, students should possess solid reading and writing skills, along with a willingness to spend considerable time to homework and study. All students in this class will be expected to pay for and take the AP Chemistry exam in May 2011; a primary class goal will be to prepare for this test. AP curriculum guidelines stress higher order thinking skills and writing skills within a rigorous academic context.