Advanced Science, Special Topics
Advanced Science, Special Topics is any science course that is grounded in extended laboratory, field, and literature investigations in one or more specialized science disciplines, such as anatomy/physiology, astronomy, biochemistry, botany, ecology, electromagnetism, genetics, geology, nuclear physics, organic chemistry, etc. Students enrolled in this course engage in an in-depth study of the application of science concepts, principles, and unifying themes that are unique to that science discipline and that address specific technological, environmental or health-related issues. Under the direction of a science advisor, students enrolled in this course will complete an end-of-course project and presentation, such as a scientific research paper or science fair project, integrating knowledge, skills, and concepts from the student’s course of study. Individual projects are preferred, but group projects may be appropriate if each student in the group has specific and unique responsibilities.
Anatomy and Physiology (dual credit offered through the Early College Program)
Anatomy & Physiology is a course in which students investigate concepts related to Health Science, with emphasis on interdependence of systems and contributions of each system to the maintenance of a healthy body. It introduces students to the cell, which is the basic structural and functional unit of all organisms, and covers tissues, integumentary, skeletal, muscular, and nervous systems as an integrated unit. Through instruction, including laboratory activities, students apply concepts associated with Human Anatomy & Physiology. Students will understand the structure, organization and function of the various components of the healthy body in order to apply this knowledge in all health-related fields.
Biology I
Biology I is a course based on the following core topics: cellular structure and function, matter cycles and energy transfer; interdependence; inheritance and variation in traits; evolution. Instruction should focus on developing student understanding that scientific knowledge is gained from observation of natural phenomena and experimentation, by designing and conducting investigations guided by theory, and by evaluating and communicating the results of those investigations according to accepted procedures.
Biology II (dual credit offered through the Early College Program)
Biology II is an advanced laboratory, field, and literature investigations-based course. Students enrolled in Biology II examine in greater depth the structures, functions, and processes of living organisms. Students also analyze and describe the relationship of Earth’s living organisms to each other and to the environment in which they live. In this course, students refine their scientific inquiry skills as they collaboratively and independently apply their knowledge of the unifying themes of biology to biological questions and problems related to personal and community issues in the life sciences.
Chemistry I
Chemistry I is a course based on the following core topics: properties and states of matter; atomic structure and the Periodic Table; bonding and molecular structure; reactions and stoichiometry; behavior of gases; thermochemistry; solutions; acids and bases. Students enrolled in Chemistry I compare, contrast, and synthesize useful models of the structure and properties of matter and the mechanisms of its interactions. Instruction should focus on developing student understanding that scientific knowledge is gained from observation of natural phenomena and experimentation, by designing and conducting investigations guided by theory, and by evaluating and communicating the results of those investigations according to accepted procedures.
Chemistry II
Chemistry II is an extended laboratory, field, and literature investigations-based course. Students enrolled in Chemistry II examine the chemical reactions of matter in living and nonliving materials. Based on the unifying themes of chemistry and the application of physical and mathematical models of the interactions of matter, students use the methods of scientific inquiry to answer chemical questions and solve problems concerning personal needs and community issues related to chemistry.
Integrated Chemistry-Physics
Integrated Chemistry-Physics is a course focused on the following core topics: constant velocity; uniform acceleration; Newton’s Laws of motion (one dimension); energy; particle theory of matter; describing substances; representing chemical change; electricity and magnetism; waves; nuclear energy. Instruction should focus on developing student understanding that scientific knowledge is gained from observation of natural phenomena and experimentation by designing and conducting investigations guided by theory and by evaluating and communicating the results of those investigations according to accepted procedures.
Physics I
Physics I is a course focused on the following core topics: constant velocity; constant acceleration; forces; energy; linear momentum in one dimension; simple harmonic oscillating systems; mechanical waves and sound; simple circuit analysis. Instruction should focus on developing student understanding that scientific knowledge is gained from observation of natural phenomena and experimentation, by designing and conducting investigations guided by theory, and by evaluating and communicating the results of those investigations according to accepted procedures.
