Course Number:  #700-701

Length of Course:  2 Trimesters – 1 Credit

Prerequisites:  None

Grade Level:  9 – 12

This course is designed to present the student with a basic understanding of biological concepts.  The following content expectations will be included:  ecology, nature of science, chemistry of life, cells and cell processes, heredity and genetics, classification and evolution, bacteria and viruses, and plant and animal processes.

Course Number:  #717-718 – Even Years

Length of Course:  2 Trimesters – 1 Credit

Prerequisites:  Biology, Chemistry

Grade Level:  11 – 12

This course presents a detailed study of the structure and the function of human body systems.  Emphasis is placed on normal body systems.  In addition, individual student reports and a research paper are required.  Laboratory work is designed to enhance concepts presented and includes the study of human and animal materials and models.

Course Number:  #704

Length of Course:  1 Trimester – ½ Credit

Prerequisites:  None

Grade Level:  10 - 12

Physical Science is a combination of Chemistry and Physics.  This class works on the most fundamental principles within these physical sciences.  This class will cover basic chemistry, energy, waves, and circuits.

Course Number: #713-714 – Even Years

Length of Course: 2 Trimesters – 1 Credit

Prerequisites: Geometry or Integrated

Math III

Grade Level: 11 – 12

Physics is a fun, fast paced course, which looks at the physical world around us. This course will use mathematics and calculations to explore how things work. This class will be full of experiments, projects, and fun. Topics of study include mechanics, dynamics & statics, and kinetics.

Course Number:  #705

Length of Course:  1 Trimester – ½ Credit

Prerequisites:  Physical Science Core, Chemistry, or Physics

Grade Level:  10 – 12

This course will revolve around project-based learning.  Students will be expected to participate in building projects as a group or as an individual.  This class will require students to bring materials from home.  An example would be students studying friction and building a frictionless car.  They would need to bring materials for the car (wheels, body, etc.).

Course Number:  #719

Length Of Course: 1 Trimester – ½  Credit

Prerequisites:  None

Grade Level:  10 – 12

This course is designed to give students an in-depth understanding of the principles related to physical geology.  The emphasis of the course is to allow students to experience the way geologists work in a variety of situations to interpret information about the earth.  Students will gain an understanding that without the geologic processes on Earth and in particular plate tectonics there would be no life on earth.  Students will study the impact that plate tectonics has on the earth in regards to the evolution of species and climates, the formation of the Earth’s natural resources and the recycling of these resources as well as the formation of various landforms.  In addition students will learn to read topographic maps, plot GPS readings with computer mapping programs and identify landforms and other information from Landsat satellite images.  The course should interest any student who wants to learn about the world around them.

Course Number:  #706

Length of Course:  1 Trimester – ½  Credit Prerequisites:  None

Grade Level:  9 – 12

Earth Science Core A emphasizes the geologic processes that occur on Earth.  Students will gain in-depth knowledge of the formation and uses of rocks and minerals.  In addition, the students will learn about the concept of plate tectonics and how it relates to topics such as earthquakes, volcanoes, the drifting of continents, mountain building, and the effect these all have on the life forms of Earth.  Other topics to be studied will include paleontology, glaciers and weathering and erosion.  The big idea of this course is that all of the geologic processes that occur on Earth are inter-related and have an effect on the dynamic nature of our planet.

Course Number:  #720

Length Of Course: 1 Trimester - ½ Credit

Prerequisites: None 

Grade Level:  10 - 12

Through data collection, interpretation, and compilation, students will engage in weather analysis and prediction. Curricular topics include: the chemical composition and physical structure of the atmosphere; solar radiation and the mechanisms of heat transfer in the atmosphere; the weather elements - temperatures, pressure, winds, humidity, cloud formation and cloud types, and precipitation processes and types; the air mass theory of frontal development; storms and severe weather phenomena; lake effect; weather map interpretation and prediction; and the field of climatology. Through student-centered, lab-based activities, students will gain real and practical knowledge of Earth's weather systems.  At the conclusion of this course, students will have practical and first hand experience in the ability to predict the weather.

Course Number:  #708

Length of Course:  1 Trimester – ½ Credit

Prerequisites:  None

Grade Level:  9 – 12

Earth Science Core B emphasizes three main topics related to the Earth.  The three topics that are taught include oceanography, meteorology and astronomy.  Each student will get an in-depth introduction to these topics.  Oceanography looks at the physical properties that occur in the ocean, both in the water column and on the ocean floor.  Meteorology will look at the daily and cyclic nature of our weather and climate.  Astronomy is the study of the universe.  In this section students will gain an appreciation for the vast nature of our universe and the objects that are in it.  After completing Earth Science A and B all students will have gained a vast appreciation for the complex nature of the physical systems that govern this planet.

Course Number:  #721

Length of Course:  1 Trimester – ½ Credit

Prerequisites:  None

Grade Level:  10 – 12

This course is designed to give students an understanding of the universe.  Astronomy is a fascinating field to study and is one area that scientists are continually learning new things.  In this course Astronomy students will engage in the formal study of our solar system; Earth-Sun and Earth-Moon systems; the nature, composition, and life cycles of stars, star clusters, constellations, and galaxies; scientific theories concerning the origin and evolution of the universe; and the history and importance of space exploration as well as identifying and participating in the latest research on space travel and the search for extra-solar planets.  This course will incorporate lab-based student-observation and interpretative nature of the study of astronomy.

Course Number:  #711-712

Length of Course:  2 Trimesters – 1 Credit

Prerequisites:  None

Grade Level:  11 – 12

Environmental Science is the study of the relationships between the environment and living organisms, and the impact each has on the other.  This course will give students a broad background in the various biological, physical, and chemical aspects of ecosystems and the environment.  Laboratory techniques, communication skills, and current issues/case studies will be utilized.  Oceanography will be covered in this class.

Course Number:  #715-716 – Odd Years

Length of Course:  3 Trimesters – 1-1/2 Credits

Prerequisites:  Biology

Grade Level:  11 – 12

This course is designed to present the student with an advanced understanding of biological concepts, including cellular and molecular biology, plant biology, genetics, ecology and zoology.  The approach of the course will be based on scientific inquiry, deductive and inductive methodology, and strong emphasis will be placed on laboratory modules.  Students will have the option of taking the AP Biology exam upon completion of the course.

Course Number: #709-710

Length of Course: 2 Trimesters – 1 Credit

Prerequisites: Geometry or Integrated

Math III

Grade Level: 10 – 12

Course Number:  #724-725 – Odd Years

Length of Course:  2 Trimesters – 1 Credit

Prerequisites:  “B” or better in Chemistry

Grade Level:  11 – 12