Biology II

Grade: 11th, 12th

Description: Biology II will include a more in-depth study of topics covered in Biology I, as well as a study of anatomy, basic biochemistry, cellular respiration, embryology, and physiology. Students will ask questions and define problems; develop and use models to make predictions; plan and carry out scientific investigations; analyze and interpret data; use mathematical and computational thinking; construct, explain and design solutions; use evidence to support claims; and obtain, evaluate and communicate information as related to topics covered in Biology II. Students will be expected to participate in dissections and work as a collaborative group on labs.

Prerequisites: Biology I

Biology II – Adv. Placement + Biology II Lab: Extra Quality Point Awarded for C or Above

Description: AP Biology is an introductory college-level biology course. Students cultivate their understanding of biology through inquiry-based investigations as they explore the following topics: evolution, cellular processes, energy and communication, genetics, information transfer, ecology, and interactions. Students will gain experience in hands-on laboratory work, with an emphasis on inquiry-based investigations that provide students with opportunities to apply the science practices. Note: Students who take this class are required to take the AP Exam.

Prerequisites: C or above average in Biology I and Chemistry I; AP Coordinator Approval. 

Chemistry I

Grade: 10th, 11th, 12th

Description: Chemistry I focuses on the study of the following units: Matter and Its Interactions; Motion and Stability: Forces and Interactions; and Energy with topics related to nuclear processes, atoms, the Periodic Table, chemical reactions, and energy. Students will ask questions and define problems; develop and use models to make predictions; plan and carry out scientific investigations; analyze and interpret data; use mathematical and computational thinking; construct, explain and design solutions; use evidence to support claims; and obtain, evaluate and communicate information as related to topics covered in Chemistry I. Honors, Gifted, Great Scholars Academy, and/or Magnet sections may be available for eligible students.

Prerequisites: C or BETTER in Algebra I and credit/enrollment in Algebra II.

Chemistry II – Adv. Placement + Chemistry II Lab: Extra Quality Point Awarded for C or Above

Grade: 11th, 12th

Description: The AP Chemistry course provides students with a college-level foundation to support future advanced coursework in chemistry. Students cultivate their understanding of chemistry through inquiry-based investigations, as they explore topics such as: atomic structure, intermolecular forces and bonding, chemical reactions, kinetics, thermodynamics, and equilibrium. Students will engage in lab investigations with emphasis on inquiry-based labs. It is recommended that students keep a lab notebook throughout. Note: Students who take this class are required to take the AP Exam.

Prerequisite: C or above average in Algebra II and Chemistry I; AP Coordinator Approval.

Environmental Science – Adv. Placement: Extra Quality Point Awarded for C or Above

Grade: 10th, 11th, 12th

Description: The AP Environmental Science course is designed to be the equivalent of a one-semester, introductory college course in environmental science. Students engage with the scientific principles, concepts, and methodologies required to understand the interrelationships of the natural world. The course requires that students identify and analyze natural and human-made environmental problems, evaluate the relative risks associated with these problems, and examine alternative solutions for resolving or preventing them. Environmental Science is interdisciplinary, embracing topics from geology, biology, environmental studies, environmental science, chemistry, and geography. Note: Students who take this class are required to take the AP Exam.

Prerequisite: C or above average in Algebra I, Biology I, and Chemistry I; AP Coordinator Approval 

Physical Science Honors

Grade: 10th, 11th, 12th

Description: This is an introduction course to Chemistry and Physics. Students will move at a more accelerated pace and will do more research and projects in addition to the academic course work. This course also involves the investigation of forces, motion, work and energy, the structure and properties of matter, chemical reactions in a laboratory setting, and the interrelationship of matter and energy in the physical world. An exploration of the nature and history of science and related careers is also incorporated in the course work. This course is the basis for further study of physics, chemistry, and other related sciences. Mathematical skills through pre-algebra are used in problem solving. Moderate workload can be expected through projects/assignments requiring out of class effort.

Physics

Grade: 11th, 12th

Description: Physics is a college-prep physics course focusing on real world applications, hands-on inquiry and application-based lab work, and number-based problem solving. Topics will be drawn from kinematics, statics, dynamics, rotational kinematics, energy, mechanical waves, optics, and other assorted topics that might be seen in an introductory college level physics course. Students will be asked to demonstrate qualitative understanding of topics and to quantitatively solve problems related to each topic. The primary goal is for students to establish the prerequisite skills necessary to be successful if they choose to take an introductory level physics course in college.

Prerequisites: C or above average in Math courses and enrollment or credit in Algebra II

AP Physics I: Algebra Based – Adv. Placement 

Grade: 11th, 12th

Description: This course is an introductory physics course in which students will cultivate their understanding of physics through inquiry-based investigations as they explore these topics: kinematics; dynamics; circular motion and gravitation; energy; momentum; simple harmonic motion; torque and rotational motion; electric charge and electric force; DC circuits; and mechanical waves and sound. Students will participate in hands-on laboratory work to explore and demonstrate foundational principles of Physics in preparation for the AP Physics I exam. Note: Students who take this class are required to take an AP Exam.

Prerequisites: C or above average in Math courses and enrollment or credit in Algebra II; AP Coordinator Approval

AP Physics C – Mechanics – Adv. Placement: Extra Quality Point Awarded for C or Above

Grade: 11th, 12th

Description: AP Physics C: Mechanics is equivalent to a one-semester, calculus-based, college-level physics course, especially appropriate for students planning to specialize or major in physical science or engineering. The course explores topics such as kinematics; Newton’s laws of motion; work, energy and power; systems of particles and linear momentum; circular motion and rotation; and oscillations and gravitation. Introductory differential and integral calculus is used throughout the course. The course includes a hands-on lab component comparable to a semester-long introductory college-level physics laboratory. Students ask questions, make observations and predictions, design experiments, analyze data, and construct arguments in a collaborative setting. Each student should complete a lab notebook or portfolio of lab reports. Note: Students who take this class are required to take the AP Exam.

Prerequisites: Credit or enrollment in AP Calculus AB; AP Coordinator Approval.

AP Physics C – Electricity and Magnetism – Adv. Placement: Extra Quality Point Awarded for C or Above

Grade: 11th, 12th

Description: AP Physics C: Electricity and Magnetism is equivalent to a one-semester, calculus-based, college-level physics course, especially appropriate for students planning to specialize or major in physical science or engineering. The course explores topics such as electrostatics; conductors, capacitors, and dielectrics; electric circuits; magnetic fields; and electromagnetism. Introductory differential and integral calculus is used throughout the course. The course will include a hands-on laboratory component comparable to a semester-long introductory college-level physics laboratory. Students ask questions, make observations and predictions, design experiments, analyze data, and construct arguments in a collaborative setting, where they direct and monitor their progress. Each student should complete a lab notebook or portfolio of lab reports. Note: Students who take this class are required to take the AP Exam.

Prerequisites: Credit or enrollment in AP Calculus AB; AP Coordinator Approval