Science
Most of the fundamental ideas of science are essentially simple, and may, as a rule, be expressed in a language comprehensible to everyone.
-- Albert Einstein (1879-1955)
-- Albert Einstein (1879-1955)
509 Earth Science
Semester/Year Course: Full Year
Required/Elective: Required
This course is required for freshman if they are not taking course 511 Biology Honors.
The Earth Science course is designed to develop a better understanding of the operation and interaction of the Earth’s systems. The course will be divided into the following six units: The Foundation of Science, The Exosphere, The Lithosphere, The Atmosphere, The Hydrosphere, and The Biosphere. The course also includes a hands-on laboratory component. Students will be expected to complete experiments in the laboratory and demonstrate that they have successfully met the goals for each lab
510 Biology
Semester/Year Course: Full year
Required/Elective: Required
The Biology course is designed to give students an understanding of biological concepts. Lecture topics for the course include, but are not limited to the following: Molecules and Cells (The Chemistry of Life, Cells, and Cellular Genetics), Heredity and Evolution (Heredity, Molecular Genetics, and Evolutionary Biology), Organisms and Populations (The Diversity of Organisms, The Structure and Function of Plants, The Structure and Function of Animals, and Ecology). The course also includes a hands-on laboratory component. Students will be expected to complete experiments in the laboratory and demonstrate that they have successfully met the goals for each lab
511 Biology Honors
Semester/Year Course: Full year
Required/Elective: Required
The Biology course is designed to give students an understanding of biological concepts. Lecture topics for the course include, but are not limited to the following: Molecules and Cells (The Chemistry of Life, Cells, and Cellular Genetics), Heredity and Evolution (Heredity, Molecular Genetics, and Evolutionary Biology), Organisms and Populations (The Diversity of Organisms, The Structure and Function of Plants, The Structure and Function of Animals, and Ecology). The course also includes a hands-on laboratory component. Students will be expected to complete experiments in the laboratory and demonstrate that they have successfully met the goals for each lab
530 Chemistry
521 Chemistry Honors
Semester/Year Course: Full Year
Required/Elective: Required
Chemistry is the study of “chemical” changes in matter. Laboratory experiments, questions, and problems lead students to recognize and analyze the obvious and subtle changes that take place in the formulas
of chemicals.
540 Physics
541 Physics Honors
Semester/Year Course: Full Year
Required/Elective: Elective
Physics is the mathematical study of the relationship between matter and various forms of energy, e.g. mechanical, heat, electrical, sound, light, and nuclear. Heavy emphasis is placed upon problem solving and experiments.
550 A.P. Biology
Semester/Year Course: Full Year
Required/Elective: Elective
The Advanced Placement Biology course is designed to give students a college level understanding of biological concepts in accordance with College Board expectations. Biology is a pre-requisite for this course and the student must also have taken or be concurrently enrolled in chemistry. Lecture topics for the course include, but are not limited to the following: the chemistry of life, cells, cellular genetics, heredity, molecular genetics, evolutionary biology, the diversity of organisms, structure and function of plants, structure and function of animals, and ecology. The course also includes a significant hands-on laboratory component. Students will be expected to complete and demonstrate that they have successfully met the goals for laboratory experiments as they are outlined in The College Board’s Biology Lab Manual for Students.
The universe cannot be read until we have learnt the language and become familiar with the characters in which it is written. It is written in mathematical language, and the letters are triangles, circles and other geometrical figures, without which means it is humanly impossible to comprehend a single word.
-- Galileo Galilee (1564 - 1642)
-- Galileo Galilee (1564 - 1642)
555 A.P. Chemistry
Semester/Year Course: Full Year
Required/Elective: Elective
The Advanced Placement Chemistry course is designed to give students a college level understanding of chemical concepts in accordance with College Board expectations. Biology and Chemistry are both required pre-requisites for this course. The student may NOT be concurrently enrolled in a Chemistry class. The student must have already successfully completed Chemistry at the honors level. This course will also have a very strong math component. At least a second full year of a high school algebra course is strongly recommended as a pre-requisite for this course. This course will meet as a double period, meeting for the equivalent of two full class periods per day. Lecture topics for the course will include, but are not limited to the following: Atomic Structure, Stoichiometry, Quantum Mechanics, Elemental Properties, Chemical Bonding, Molecular Geometry, Gases, Intermolecular Forces, Properties of Solutions, Nuclear Chemistry, Thermo chemistry, Chemical Kinetics, Chemical Equilibrium, Acids and Bases, Electrochemistry, and Organic Chemistry. The course also includes a significant hands-on laboratory component. At least one full double period per week will be allotted for laboratory work to further explore concepts covered in lecture. Students will be required to compile a portfolio of all their laboratory work in accordance with College Board expectations.
553 Anatomy and Physiology
Semester/Year Course: Full Year
Required/Elective: Elective
The Anatomy and Physiology course is designed to give students an understanding of the structure and function of the human body. Lecture topics for the course include, but are not limited to the following: Cells and Body Tissues, Cell Physiology, Skin and Body Membranes, The Skeletal System, The Muscular System, The Nervous System, Special Senses, The Endocrine System, Blood, The Cardiovascular System, The Lymphatic System, Body Defenses, The Respiratory System, The Digestive System, Body Metabolism, The Urinary System, and The Reproductive System. This course also includes a laboratory component. Students will be able to compare the microscopic structure of various tissues as well as the gross anatomy of a representative and comparative mammal through laboratory dissection.
557 Forensic Science
Semester/Year Course: Full Year
Required/Elective: Elective
The Forensic Science course is designed to explain the science used in forensic science techniques. It provides a description of specific types of evidence and the techniques to collect and analyze the evidence. As students progress through the course, they refine the techniques and apply them to other areas of study. Topics covered include crime-scene investigation; the collection, handling, and examination of trace evidence such as hair, fibers, pollen, and glass: fingerprint, blood and blood splatter examination; DNA, drug, handwriting, and tool mark analysis; impressions; ballistics; forensic anthropology; and the determination of the cause and time of death. The course also includes a hands-on laboratory component. Students will be expected to complete experiments in the laboratory and demonstrate that they have successfully met the goals for each lab.
The real end of science is the honor of the human mind. – Carl Jacobi (1804-1851)
