Science Courses

Grades: 9-12 (Full Year)
Prerequisite: None

Biology 1 provides a laboratory aided course that includes a study of structure and function of living organisms and the interactions of living things with their environments. This study explores the functions and processes of cells, tissues, organs, and systems within various species. The interdependence of organisms within populations, communities, ecosystems, and the biosphere is also studied. The students study the history and development of biological knowledge, careers related to biology, and basic biological questions and problems related to everyday life.

Grades: 10-12 (Full Year)
Prerequisite: Biology 1

This is an extension of the first year biology program. Units considered are life of the cell, biological molecules, energy flow in the cell, photosynthesis, inheritance, cellular reproduction, the plant kingdom, the animal kingdom, plant anatomy and physiology, animal anatomy and physiology, ecology, and evolution. The laboratory is utilized as a supplement to aid the student to understand some of the more difficult concepts.

Grades: 10-12 (Full Year)
Prerequisite: "B" average or better in Biology 1

This is a course that was added for students who are interested in medical careers. The human body is studied in great detail. The student gains information as to how the human machine is built and works. The laboratory is a tool to aid the students to understand some of the more difficult concepts.

Grades: 10-12 (Full Year)
Prerequisite: None

This course introduces a study of the earth's lithosphere, atmosphere, hydrosphere, and it celestial environment. This course emphasizes the study of energy at work informing and modifying earth materials, land forms, and continents through geological time. Students have opportunities to gain an understanding of the history of the development of the earth problems related to personal needs and social issues.

Grades: 10-12 (Full Year)
Prerequisite: Algebra 1 or currently enrolled in Algebra 1

This course introduces the fundamental concepts of scientific inquiry, the structure of matter, chemical reactions, forces, motion, and the interactions between energy and matter. This course will serve students as a laboratory-based introduction to the possible future course work in chemistry or physics, while ensuring a mastery of the basics of each discipline. The ultimate goal of this course is to produce scientifically literate citizens, capable of using their knowledge of physical science to solve real-world problems and to make personal, social, and ethical decisions that have consequences beyond classroom walls.

Grades: 11-12 (Full Year)
Prerequisites: Geometry or currently enrolled in Geometry

Chemistry provides a laboratory aided course that studies matter, its forms and its properties. This study explores what matter is, the organization of matter, the language of matter, the phase of matter, matter as a solution and its behavior, and matter as it relates to chemical reactions. In this course students gain an understanding of chemistry's history, explore different career options in chemistry, and chemistry's relevance to daily and social issues.

Grades: 12 (Full Year)
Prerequisite: Chemistry 1

Chemistry 2 is an extension of the first year chemistry program. Information introduced in Chemistry 1 will be expanded and studied in greater detail. This course features a nine-week qualitative analysis laboratory. Labs will also be used to aid the course work studied throughout the year. This course will include such topics as chemical kinetics, chemical equilibrium, acid-base reactions and their equilibrium, electrochemistry, nuclear chemistry, and organic chemistry.

Grades: 11-12 (Full Year)
Prerequisite: Geometry, Algebra 2, or currently enrolled in Algebra 2 or Trigonometry.

Physics 1 aids the student in synthesizing the fundamental concepts and principles concerning matter and energy through the laboratory study of mechanics, wave motions, heat, light, electricity, magnetism, electromagnetism, and atomic and nuclear physics. Students have opportunities to (1) acquire an awareness of the history of physics and its role in the birth of technology, (2) explore the use of its models, theories, and laws in various careers, and (3) cope with physics questions and problems related to personal needs and social issues.