Grades: 9, 10, 11, 12 Credit: one
Biology 1 is a laboratory-oriented course designed to give students a background in biological concepts as well as experience in using the methods of scientific inquiry. The course focuses on the life processes that occur within the cell, the anatomy and physiology of complex multi cellular organisms, and the ways by which life forms reproduce, develop, and adapt to conditions in their environment. The course includes a unit on human life education that addresses the topics of human reproduction and human development. Parents have the option of withdrawing their children from any or all topics included in the state-mandated Family Life Education portion. Students opting-out will be provided with alternative biology lessons. If dissections are a part of the laboratory experience, alternatives are available. Students are required to take the Standards of Learning End of Course Test.
Grades: 9, 10, 11, 12 Credit: one
Biology 1 Honors utilizes a molecular approach to the study of biology. This lab-centered course stresses cell processes and the anatomy and physiology of multi cellular organisms. Biology 1 Honors includes a unit on human life education that addresses the topics of human reproduction and human development. Parents have the option of withdrawing their children from any or all topics included in the state-mandated Family Life Education portion. Students opting-out will be provided with alternative biology lessons. Students will be involved in doing experimental/research projects, either independently or in teams. If dissections are a part of the laboratory experience, alternatives are available. Students are required to take the Standards of Learning End of Course Test.
Grades: 11, 12 Credit: one/weighted +.5
Prerequisite: Biology 1 and Chemistry 1
The purpose of this course is to prepare students to take the Advanced Placement Biology exam for which college credit and/or placement may be granted by an approving institution if a qualifying score is achieved. Advanced Placement Biology is a second-level biology course that utilizes laboratory research activities to acquaint students with the means by which biological information is collected and interpreted. The course is designed for students who have completed the core science curriculum and are now prepared to pursue more advanced and specialized studies. If dissections are a part of the laboratory experience, alternatives are available. All students are required to take the Advanced Placement exam.
Grades: 10, 11, 12 Credit: one
Prerequisite: One laboratory science course, Algebra 1
Chemistry 1 is designed to enable all students to acquire an understanding of how chemical theory is developed and how a chemist thinks and works. Students investigate the composition, properties, and reactions of matter. The approach is inductive and mathematical, as well as conceptual. Laboratory experiments and subsequent classroom analysis are integral components of the course. Students are required to take the Standards of Learning End of Course Test.
Grades: 10, 11, 12 Credit: one
Prerequisite: One laboratory science course, Algebra 1
Corequisite: Algebra 2
Chemistry 1 Honors utilizes an inductive and mathematical approach to the study of chemistry. Students investigate the composition, properties, and reactions of matter by performing laboratory experiments and obtaining evidence to support the development of the major concepts in chemistry. Students will be involved in doing experimental/research projects, either independently or in teams.
Students are required to take the Standards of Learning End of Course Test.
Grades: 11, 12 Credit: one/weighted +.5
Prerequisite: Chemistry 1
Corequisite: Recommended: Physics or Pre calculus with Trigonometry
The purpose of this course is to prepare students to take the Advanced Placement examination, for which college credit and/or placement may be given if a qualifying score is achieved. Advanced Placement Chemistry is a second-level, laboratory-centered course that provides an opportunity for students to undertake a more comprehensive investigation of some aspects of chemistry than is normally possible in the first-year chemistry course. It is designed for students who have completed a core science curriculum and are now ready to pursue more advanced and specialized studies. All students are required to take the Advanced Placement exam.
Grades: 11, 12 Credit: one
Prerequisite: Two laboratory science courses
Physics 1 introduces the central concepts of physics, including the conservation laws (mass, energy, and momentum), electricity and magnetism, and waves. This laboratory-centered course utilizes an approach that is inductive and mathematical as well as conceptual.
Grades: 11, 12 Credit: one
Prerequisite: Two laboratory science courses
Corequisite: Pre calculus with Trigonometry
Physics 1 Honors introduces the most central concepts of physics, including the dual wave-particle nature of light, conservation laws (mass, energy, and momentum), electricity and magnetism, and waves. This course is laboratory-centered and employs the methods of scientific inquiry. Students will be involved in doing experimental/research projects, either independently or in teams.
Grades: 10, 11, 12 Credit: one
Prerequisite: One laboratory science course
Active Physics is a physics course for students with weak mathematics skills. This course has a strong emphasis on experimentation using computers and probeware. The six units of study include the physics of sports, medicine, transportation, home, communication, and predictions. The physics content is presented in a problem solving manner to strengthen science and mathematics content knowledge and skills.
Grades: 11, 12 Credit: one/weighted +.5
Prerequisite: Physics 1
Corequisite: Calculus AB or Calculus BC
The purpose of this course is to prepare students to take the Advanced Placement Physics C examination, for which college credit and/or placement may be given if a qualifying score is achieved. Advanced Placement Physics is a second-level course which surveys a broad selection of physics topics at a level above Physics 1. It is designed for students who have completed a core science curriculum and are now ready to pursue more advanced and specialized studies. AP Physics C serves as the foundation in physics for students who wish to pursue physical science or engineering degrees. All students are required to take the Advanced Placement exam.
Grades: 11, 12 Credit: one
Prerequisite: Biology 1 and Chemistry 1
Geosystems includes content from geology, astronomy, oceanography, and meteorology with various forms of technology, social and environmental issues, and hands-on experiments. Students will explore concepts using computers, telecommunications equipment, graphing calculators, probeware, GPS, GIS, and image processing software. Students are required to take the Standards of Learning End of Course Test.
Grades: 11, 12 Credit: one
Prerequisite: Two laboratory science courses
Oceanography deals with geophysical and biological oceanography and covers such topics as the geology and geography of ocean basins, physical properties of sea water, marine chemistry, marine biology, salinity and density circulation in the oceans, waves, and tides and oceanographic instruments, tools, and methods. The course is designed to be an in-depth treatment of oceanography concepts. This course does not count as one of the science credits for the standard diploma. It can be used as the fourth credit for an advanced studies diploma, if the student has already taken three science courses from three different disciplines.
Grades: 11, 12 Credit: one
Prerequisite: Biology and Chemistry
Human Anatomy and Physiology provides students with an in-depth understanding and working knowledge of the human body. It covers the ten systems of the human body with emphasis on the mechanisms that maintain homeostasis. Lab activities cover both the physiological as well as the anatomical aspects of human biology. Careers in the medical sciences are explored and an independent project is required. If dissections are a part of the laboratory experience, alternatives are available. This course does not count as one of the science credits for the standard diploma. It can be used as the fourth science credit for an advanced studies diploma, if the student has already taken three science courses from three different disciplines.
Grades: 11, 12 Credit: one/weighted +.5
Prerequisite: Biology 1 and Chemistry 1
The purpose of this course is to prepare students to take the Advanced Placement examination, for which college credit and/or placement may be given if a qualifying score is achieved. The AP Environmental Science course is designed to be the equivalent of a one-semester, introductory college course in environmental science and is designed to stress scientific principles and analysis. The course includes a laboratory component. Students examine how science is a process, how energy conversions underlie all ecological processes and how the Earth is one interconnected system. Students will explore how humans alter the natural system and the cultural and social context of environmental problems. All students are required to take the Advanced Placement exam.