PHYSICAL SCIENCE prerequisite - none 5 credits This course is intended as an overview of the basic concepts in chemistry and physics. Students will investigate motion, Newton's Laws, work and energy, wave phenomena, electricity and magnetism, phases of matter, chemical and physical changes, atomic structure, bonding, and chemical reactions. Students are exposed to both the theoretical and experimental aspects of each topic, with emphasis on scientific modeling and mathematics problem solving. Physical science makes a wide range of physical phenomena meaningful to students and is thus applicable to all students of grades 9-12.

HONORS PHYSICAL SCIENCE prerequisite - none 5 credits This course offers a more in-depth treatment of the topics covered in Physical Science. Major topics of study include the scientific method, forces and motion, energy, wave phenomena, phase of matter, chemical and physical properties, and the structure of matter.

BIOLOGY prerequisite - Physical Science 5 credits This course is intended as an overview of the basic concepts in biology. Students will investigate the cell, genetics, evolution, reproduction photosynthesis and energy production. Students are exposed to the overall classifications scheme used in the biological sciences. Through classroom discussion, observation and laboratory investigation, students will become familiar with the various forms of life on Earth. Biology provides students with an understanding of the natural world, and is thus applicable to all students of grades 9-12.

BIOLOGY CP w/lab prerequisite - Physical Science 6 credits The study of biology is an attempt to make sense of the living component of our natural world. Biology, like other sciences, includes both the process of scientific inquiry through which knowledge is attained and the knowledge which results from the inquiry. An emphasis on molecular and cellular biology gives a background for understanding the concepts of reproduction and genetics. Understanding the continuity of life and transmission of characteristics to offspring by hereditary gives meaning to organic variation and scientific classification.

The laboratory exercises will reinforce and expand the facts, principles and concepts presented in the classroom. The laboratory will encourage skills in observation, record keeping, data interpreta¬tion and operation of technical equipment.

HONORS BIOLOGY w/lab prerequisite - Honors Physical Science 6 credits The study of biology is an attempt to make sense of the living component in our natural world. Biol¬ogy, like other sciences, includes both the process of scientific inquiry through which knowledge is attained: the knowledge which results from the inquiry. An emphasis on molecular and cellular biology gives a background for understanding the concepts of reproduction and genetics. Understanding the continuity of life and transmission of characteristics to offspring by hereditary determiners gives meaning to organic variation and scientific classification.

CONCEPTUAL CHEMISTRY prerequisite - Physical Science, Biology 5 credits In this course students will investigate the structure and properties of matter. Topics covered in conceptual chemistry include classification of matter, chemical symbols and formulas, chemical reactions, atomic theory, periodicity, bonding, kinetic theory, and acid-base chemistry. Students are exposed to both the theoretical and experimental aspects of each topic, with emphasis on its relation to the everyday world.

CHEMISTRY CP lab prerequisite--Physical Science, Algebra l, Biology 6 credits Chemistry is designed to give the student an understanding and appreciation for the development of this science. Chemistry includes the study of measurements in the metric system, matter and classification, periodic law, bonding and formula writing, chemical equations and stoichiometry, gas laws, solutions and oxidation-reduction. Some of the major topics covered are: atomic theory, the Periodic Table of the Elements, chemical reactions, acid-base theory, chemical bonding, kinetic molecular theory and solutions. Laboratory experiments are used to support the topics that are studied. This course will provide the students with their first true application of their mathematics skills in real problem-solving situations.

HONORS CHEMISTRY w/lab prerequisite--Honors: Physical Science, Algebra l, Biology 6 credits This is a more detailed study of the topics in chemistry, with an emphasis on mathematical modeling and error analysis. Additional topics of study include calorimetry, organic nomenclature and predicting reaction products. Some of the major topics covered are: atomic theory, the Periodic Table of the Elements, chemical reactions, acid-base theory, chemical bonding, kinetic molecular theory and solutions. Laboratory experiments are to support the topics that are studied. This course will provide the students with their first true application of their mathematics skills in real problem-solving situa¬tions.

PHYSICS CP w/lab prerequisite--Biology, Chemistry, Algebra l, Geometry 6 credits Through experimentation and classroom discussion, students will become more aware and discrimi¬natory of the physical world about them. Physics begins with the study of classical Newtonian physics and proceeds through metric measurement, kinematics, Newton's laws, linear and circular mo¬tion, simple harmonic motion, work, power, energy and machines, heat, sound, light and electricity. This lab course will give students a solid background for further study in the sciences, health or engi¬neering fields. Students are expected to develop competence in laboratory techniques and to work for extended periods of time with minimum direction.

HONORS PHYSICS w/lab prerequisite-Honors: Biology, Chemistry, Algebra l, Geometry 6 credits Students will study mathematical models for a variety of physical phenomena. Topics of study include dimensional analysis, vectors, linear and nonlinear motion, forces and Newton's Laws, univer¬sal gravitation, momentum, energy and optics. This course is intended for advanced students who have an Algebra II and science background. Students are expected to develop competence in labo¬ratory techniques and to work for extended periods of time with minimum direction.

EARTH SCIENCE All students will gain an understanding of the structure, dynamics, and geophysical systems of the Earth. The study of science should include a study of the planet Earth and its relationship to the rest of the universe. This course describes what students should know about the composition of the Earth and the forces that shape it. Building upon knowledge and skills gained in preceding grades, by the end of this school year, students will explain the interrelationship of the geosphere, hydrosphere, and the atmosphere, describe how weather (in the short term) and climate (in the long term) involve the transfer of energy in and out of the atmosphere & use the theory of plate tectonics to explain the relationship among earthquakes, volcanoes, mid-ocean ridges, and deep-sea trenches.

ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE All students will develop an understanding of the environment as a system of interdependent components affected by human activity and natural phenomena. The course will create an awareness of the need to protect, conserve and preserve natural resources, which is a goal of science education. This course calls for students to develop knowledge of environmental issues, including management of natural resources, production and use of energy, waste management, and the interdependence of ecosystems.

PRINCIPLES OF BIOCHEMISTRY, Prerequisites: Biology, Chemistry Academy: Health Careers and Engineering students will mostly benefit, but open to all. Description: This course focuses on the basic chemical mechanisms of life. Biochemistry begins with an introduction to the organic chemistry students will need, including aliphatic hydrocarbons, aromatics, important functional groups, and reactions. Students are then introduced to carbohydrates, lipids, and proteins. The course also provides an overview of the important topics of biochemistry, including the behaviors of enzymes, neurotransmitters, nucleic acids, bioenergetics, and biochemical pathways. The course demands a firm grasp of the fundamentals of biology and chemistry. Projects: Labs such as spectrophotometric protein assays, extractions, glycolysis, etc.

COMPUTER PROGRAMMING, Prerequisite: Algebra I Academy: Engineering students will mostly benefit, but open to all. Projects: They will write computer programs. Department: Science. Description: This course provides an overview of object oriented programming in the C++ language. Students learn to use basic program control statements like if, switch, while, and for, then move on to more advanced topics like pointers, functions, and arrays. Students then move to user defined data types and class structures. Mathematical proficiency is essential.