SCIENCE
DEPARTMENT
The courses in the
Science Department are carefully designed to meet the needs of our students as
they prepare for further education or the career of choice. We strive to help students grow in their problem
solving skills, analyze data, apply critical thinking, and to value the role of
science in a multiplicity of disciplines.
Students are placed in science courses based upon achievement, teacher
recommendations, mathematical ability, counselor recommendation, and student
interest. Freshmen, sophomores and
juniors must take a science course within the Science Department.
GEOPHYSICAL SCIENCE HONORS Grade 9 6 Credits
PREREQUISITE; A minimum grade of
90 in Grade 8 Science A or 95 in Grade 8 Science B.
The Geophysical
Science honors program is designed for the academically advanced science
student to focus on Earth Science, Chemistry and physics principles. The dynamics of the Earth system and the
individual sciences of astronomy, geology, meteorology, paleontology and
oceanography are investigated. Physical
science concepts necessary for the understanding of natural processes are
taught through a study of the Earth's subsystems in which they operate. Students enrolled in the honors program
should have excellent reading and mathematical skills and should be able to
function in a laboratory situation.
Emphasis is placed on problem solving, analysis of laboratory data and
the interpretation of graphs, models, maps and diagrams. The class meets six times per week that
includes a double laboratory period and satisfies the prerequisite for AP
Environmental Science.
GEOPHYSICAL SCIENCE A Grade 9 6
Credits
PREREQUISITE: A minimum grade of 75 in Grade 8 Science B.
Geophysical
Science A is designed to provide the student with a variety of investigative
opportunities encompassing astronomy, oceanography, geology, paleontology,
meteorology, chemistry, and forces and motion.
The course uses a college preparatory laboratory approach enabling the
student to learn about the dynamics of the Earth systems and physical concepts
necessary for understanding the Earth and the principles that govern it. The class meets six times a week that
includes a weekly double laboratory period and is a prerequisite for AP Environmental
Science.
PREREQUISITE:
Successful completion of Grade 8 science
Geophysical
Science B is designed without a strong emphasis on mathematics for the student
who enjoys a hands-on experience of science.
This approach provides learning experiences through the gathering of
scientific data and its analysis in an integrated laboratory environment. The areas of study include geology,
astronomy, oceanography, meteorology, paleontology, chemistry and forces and
motion.
PREREQUISITE: Algebra I in 8th
Grade and a grade of 90 in Grade 8 Science A.
The Biology
honors program is designed for the academically accelerated student with
exceptional abilities in verbal and mathematical skills. The course is a laboratory oriented,
problem-solving approach with an emphasis toward the biochemical and cellular
aspects of biology including heredity and genetics.
Ninth grade
students are recommended for this course by the middle school staff.
BIOLOGY HONORS Grade 10 6 Credits
PREREQUISITE: A grade of 85 in Geophysical Science Honors.
The Biology
honors program is designed for the academically accelerated student with
exceptional abilities in verbal and mathematical skills. The course is a laboratory oriented,
problem-solving approach with an emphasis toward the biochemical and cellular
aspects of biology including heredity and genetics.
Geophysical Science A/Honors may be taken
concurrently.
BIOLOGY A
Grade 10 6
Credits
PREREQUISITE: A grade of 75 or higher in Geophysical
Science A or any grade from Geophysical Science Honors
This course
is designed for students preparing for college who has a strong mathematics and
reading background. The emphasis of
this course is on the diversity of plant and animal life and their
relationships to the natural environment.
It emphasizes a laboratory approach in biological sciences such as
ecology, heredity and genetics, anatomy and physiology, and cellular biology.
PREREQUISITE: Geophysical Science A or B
This
course is designed for those students who are not scientifically oriented in
their future academic or vocational planning.
It is a laboratory-based course, which meets five times per week. Areas of study include cell structure and
function, plant and animal anatomy and physiology, heredity and genetics, and
ecological issues related to today’s society.
Emphasis is
placed on laboratory skill development and the practical application of
biological principles. Organizational
skills and study skills are also reinforced.
It is recommended for those students who have limited academic
proficiencies in math.
PREREQUISITE: A grade of 85 or above in Biology Honors.
Chemistry can be taken concurrently.
This is a challenging course designed for highly motivated students with
excellent reading and lab skills who have a strong interest in pursuing a
career in the health sciences such as nursing or physical therapy. Emphasis is placed on understanding the
anatomical and physiological components of the human body’s twelve systems and
related systemic diseases. Major dissections
of the cat will be in conjunction with each system under study.
PREREQUISITE: A grade of 80 or above in Biology A and Chemistry A. Chemistry can be taken concurrently.
This
course is recommended for students who are interested in the health
fields. The course will cover the
anatomy and physiology of the human body’s twelve systems and related systemic
diseases. Cat dissection will be done
in conjunction with the study of each system.
Students
should have an above average reading ability and should have taken college prep
science classes.
PREREQUISITE: Successful completion of the following with a
grade of 85 or better: Biology Honors
Algebra IIA, or currently enrolled in
Algebra IIA. Successful completion of Biology A with a grade of 90 or better
and a minimum grade of 85 in Algebra IIA (or concurrently enrolled in Algebra
IIA)
The
Chemistry Honors course is an accelerated, challenging course designed for the
highly motivated student who has a strong interest and background in both
mathematics and science. Using a
laboratory approach and atomic structure as a basis, students will be engaged
in problem-solving activities in the areas of stoichiometry, solution
chemistry, thermodynamics and kinetics, equilibrium, acid-base chemistry, and
electrochemistry.
CHEMISTRY A Grade
11 6
Credits
PREREQUISITE: A grade of 75 or higher in Geometry A,
Algebra IIA, Biology A or H. Algebra
IIA or higher may be taken concurrently.
This course
is designed to meet the interests of students who are preparing themselves for
a career in a science, technical or related field. It is laboratory oriented and covers the traditional areas of
atomic structure, stoichiometric relationships, kinetics, thermodynamics,
acid-base chemistry, states of matter, equilibrium, and electrochemistry. A TI 30 or equivalent calculator is
required.
CHEMISTRY B Grades
11, 12 5
Credits
PREREQUISITE: Biology B, a grade of 75 or higher in prior math
courses. Student must have successfully completed Geophysical Science Biology,
Algebra 1, and Geometry. Algebra II B
can be taken concurrently. Students
enrolled in Algebra IIA or higher are not eligible.
This course is designed to meet the needs of the academically motivated student who benefits from support with mathematics and problem solving skills. It is an activity based course which provides learning experiences through the gathering of scientific data and its analysis in an integrated lab environment. It meets five times per week. The areas of study include: motion, vectors, forces, Newton’s laws, momentum, torque, harmonics, optics and electricity. This course meets the criteria for all colleges as a laboratory science in the area of physics.
A TI 30 or equivalent scientific calculator is required.
PREREQUISITE: Geophysical Science,
Biology.
This course is designed for the
mathematically challenged student who will pursue a career that does not
require a college degree. This course
will enable students to understand the scientific forces that govern their
lives.
Students
taking this course will explore the practical applications of both chemistry
and physics. The interconnection
between those subjects and that of ecology, biology, and earth science will be
developed.
This course
will help to prepare students to be productive citizens in a society which is
becoming more complex and which demands a greater knowledge of science to help
make informed decisions. Areas of study
will include chemistry and physics concepts in the home, work and marketplace.
PHYSICS HONORS
Grades 11, 12 6
Credits
PREREQUISITE: Algebra IIA, Pre-Calculus. Pre-Calculus may be taken concurrently.
The Physics
I Honors course is designed for the student who is highly academically oriented
and possesses excellent math skills.
Topics to be studied include: motion, forces, energy, momentum, wave
phenomenon, electricity, light and optics.
Emphasis will be placed both on problem-solving and experimental
laboratory work. Students will work
both individually and in groups for laboratory assignments and special
projects.
PHYSICS A Grades 11, 12 6 Credits
PREREQUISITE: A grade of 75 or higher in Geometry and
Algebra 2A. PreCalculus or Advanced Trigonometry may be taken
concurrently.
This course is designed for the college preparatory
student with strong math skills. Topics of study will include linear motion,
kinematics equations, vectors, Newton’s laws, energy, momentum, torque,
harmonics, optics, and electricity. A strong emphasis is placed on laboratory
investigations, problem solving and individual projects. Students must receive
the recommendation of previous science teacher. This course meets the criteria for all colleges as a laboratory
science in the area of physics.
A TI
30 or equivalent scientific calculator is required.
PHYSICS B Grade
11, 12 5
Credits
PREREQUISITE: A grade of 75 or higher in prior math courses. Students must have
successful completion of Geophysical Science, Biology, Algebra 1 and
Geometry. Algebra IIB can be taken
concurrently.
This course is designed to meet the needs of the academically motivated student who benefits from support with mathematics and problem solving skills. It is an activity based course which provides learning experiences through the gathering of scientific data and its analysis in an integrated lab environment. It meets five times per week. The areas of study include: motion, vectors, forces, Newton’s laws, momentum, torque, harmonics, optics and electricity. This course meets the criteria for all colleges as a laboratory science in the area of physics.
ADVANCED PLACEMENT PHYSICS Grades 11, 12 7 Credits
PREREQUISITE: Physics H, Algebra II H, Pre-Calculus may be
taken concurrently.
This second
level investigative course addresses laboratory experiences and theory that
review the basic foundations of Physics.
The course extends and broadens the student’s understanding of
mechanics, thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, electronics, magnetism, modern and
nuclear physics. The course will
include projects, discussion, and units devised to prepare the students for the
Advanced Placement Examination.
ADVANCED PLACEMENT Grades 10,11, 12 7 Credits
ENVIRONMENTAL
SCIENCE
PREREQUISITE:
Geophysical Science A or Honors,
Biology A or Honors, Chemistry A or Honors (can be taken concurrently).
The AP
Environmental Science course is designed to be the equivalent of a one
semester, introductory college course in environmental science. The goal of the course is to provide
students with the scientific principles, concepts, and methodologies required
to understand the interrelationships of the natural world, to identify and
analyze environmental problems both natural and human-made, to evaluate the relative
risks associated with these problems, and to examine alternative solutions for
resolving and/or preventing them.
PREREQUISITE: Biology H and Chemistry H.
This course
is designed for highly accelerated academic students with a strong interest in
the biological sciences. This course
will include biochemistry, the relationship of biochemistry to genetics, the
patterns of structure and function throughout life forms and major topics of
mammalian anatomy and physiology. The
topics from Biology are expanded and covered in depth equivalent to first year
college level using a college level text and laboratory investigations adapted
from college laboratory manuals.
ADVANCED PLACEMENT CHEMISTRY Grades
11, 12 7
Credits
PREREQUISITE: Geometry A, Algebra
IIA, Pre-Calculus, and a grade of 85 or higher in Chemistry Honors. Pre-Calculus may be taken concurrently.
This course
is designed for a highly accelerated, academically advanced student with a
strong interest in pursuing a career in science related fields. It is presented as a college level course in
chemistry. Advanced level topics in
physical chemistry will be explored through a highly laboratory oriented
program. Emphasis is placed on
quantitative experimentation.
This course will prepare the student for
the advanced placement exam in chemistry if he or she elects to take the
exam.
PHYSICS AND TECHNOLOGY Grade 12
10 Credits
PREREQUISITE: Chemistry B,
Geometry B or C.
This
course is a conceptual approach to Physics with less emphasis on
mathematics. The course is designed for
students who would like hands-on experience in design, mechanical drawing,
construction, testing and evaluation, simulating the research and development
techniques currently used in industry.
Students are required to complete individual project portfolios. This
class meets two periods each day.