Health and Physical Education credits are required, and three science credits are also required for graduation. Credits include Biology I, and a second credit in Physical Science, Chemistry or Ecology. The third science credit can be chosen from: Environmental Science, for the student who is not interested in pursuing a science major in college; Chemistry, for the college-bound student, or Physics or AP Biology, for the student planning a career in science. Anatomy and Physiology, not a third credit, is offered for students wanting to specialize in this field. The student is required to obtain and use OSHA safety goggles for all science courses.
Biology I
1 Credit – 2 Semesters
Required for 9th grade
This course is a general overview of living things, the history of their development, classification, molecular and cellular biology, evolution, and genetics. Pertinent lab work is done in small groups. Authentic assessment tools and group and self-evaluation exercises are incorporated into the curriculum.
Health
½ Credit – 1 Semester
Required course for 9th grade
The Health Education course outline includes: mental and emotional health, family and social health, growth and development, nutrition, personal health, alcohol, tobacco, and drugs, communicable and chronic diseases, and consumer and community health.
Physical Education
½ Credit – 1 Semester
Required course for 9th grade
The Physical Education course outline includes: health-related fitness, fitness concepts, team building, volleyball, mat ball, fitness and skill building games, flag football, team speedball, racket sports, basketball, dance, and safety and first aid.
Physical Science
1 Credit – 2 Semesters
Required course for 10th grade
This course is required for the sophomore not enrolled in Biology or Chemistry. It is an introduction to the physical sciences. The course integrates basic chemistry, physics, mathematical principles, and technological applications. Emphasis is placed on scientific literacy, application of science to everyday life, metrics, laboratory techniques, and authentic assessment tools.
Chemistry I
1 Credit – 2 Semesters
Required course for 10th & 11th grades; Elective for 12th grade
Prerequisite: “C” average in previous science and math courses, Honors Algebra I, or Algebra II or concurrent enrollment in Algebra II, Math and Science teachers signatures.
This is a science college-preparatory course. The course deals with matter, its structure and properties, chemical reactions and applications of chemical principles to everyday life. Emphasis is placed on scientific literacy and on scientific reasoning through the use of observations, experimentation, quantitative laboratory investigations, technological applications, mathematical applications and problem solving. Authentic assessment and group and self-evaluation tools are part of the curriculum.
Advanced Physical Education: Lifetime Fitness
½ Credit – 1 Semester
Elective course for 10th, 11th & 12th grades
Prerequisite: Freshman P.E., Teacher signature
This one semester elective course offers an opportunity to extend the fitness and wellness concepts introduced in the required P.E. course taken during freshman year. The course will emphasize fitness activities for lifetime wellness, specifically incorporating flexibility, body composition, strength training and aerobic activities. Students will learn about the development of their bodies, setting goals for themselves, and designing their own personal fitness programs. Areas of emphasis will include self-concept, body awareness, the five types of fitness, nutrition for performance, and consumer awareness.
Ecology: The Study of Our Environment
1 Credit – 2 Semesters
Elective course for 11th & 12th grades
Prerequisite: Satisfactory completion of two previous science courses
This course is designed for the student who is interested in ecology and environmental issues. The course will focus on the study of habitats, air, water, soil, pollution, and other ecological principles. Emphasis will be placed on interpreting data such as tables, charts, graphs, and observations. Analysis of these data will be emphasized with problem-solving activities and hands-on laboratory investigations with technological applications.
Anatomy and Physiology
1 Credit – 2 Semesters
Elective course for 11th & 12th grades
Prerequisite: Biology I (C average), Teachers signature
This course is designed for students interested in the biological sciences and planning to pursue a degree in a science-related discipline in college. The course will focus on the anatomy (structure) and physiology (function) of the human body. Lab work will emphasize the relatedness of structure to function with the human system and the interconnectedness of each system within the body. Authentic assessment tools as well as group and self-evaluation exercises are incorporated into the curriculum.
Physics
1 Credit – 2 Semesters
Elective course for 11th & 12th grades
Prerequisite: Pre Calculus or concurrent enrollment, Chemistry I (B average), Algebra II (C+ average), Science teacher signature.
This is a science college-preparatory course. It is highly recommended for any student considering science as a college major. This course fulfills a science requirement. Emphasis is on applying mathematical principles to scientific models and the physical universe. It will deal with fundamental laws of governing the physical universe, including Newton’s Laws, Heat, Sound, Light, Electrical Energy and Circuits. The ability to apply mathematical principles is essential to this course. Problem solving and scientific literacy will be developed in the students.
AP Biology
1 Credit – 2 Semesters
Elective course for 11th & 12th grades
Prerequisite: Biology I (“B” average), Chemistry I (“B” average), Complete Student Application, current Science teacher signature.
The curriculum for this course is based on National Advanced Placement Biology Guidelines. Course content includes units on evolution, cellular biochemistry, molecular biology, genetics, plant biology, anatomy, and physiology. Discussion and research into technological advances in the field of biology are integral parts of this course. Laboratory work includes computerized activities as well as dissections of preserved fetal pig specimens. This course is intended for students who intend to pursue a career in the science field. Students are encouraged to take the AP Exam in May.