Science

HONORS EARTH AND SPACE SCIENCE*   (SCI1500)
Credit:  1 credit - meets 50 mins, 6 days per cycle, full year
Prerequisites:  Gifted student identification, regular Science 8 with at least an 93% each quarter.
Open to:  Freshmen
Other:  Grades weighted 105% for GPA and class rank

Students will develop an in-depth understanding of the Earth sciences, their historical development, impact on society, and the tools and techniques used in their advancement. Emphasis is placed on the development of higher level thinking skills and the ability to communicate scientific concepts and theories clearly.


ACADEMIC EARTH & SPACE SCIENCE  (SCI1300)
Credit:  1 credit - meets 50 mins, 6 days per cycle, full year
Prerequisites:  None
Open to:  Freshmen

Students will develop an understanding of the Earth Sciences, their historical development, impact on society, and the tools and techniques used in their advancement.


HONORS BIOLOGY*   (SCI2500)
Credit:  1.17 credits, meets 50 mins, 6 days (7 periods) per cycle, full year
Prerequisites: Honors Earth and Space with at least an 85% final average, gifted student identification, Academic Earth and Space with at least a 93% final average, or permission of the department.
Open to:  Sophomores
Other:  Grades weighted 105% for GPA and class rank

This course involves an in-depth study of the major themes of biology - Molecular and Cellular Biology, Genetics, Evolution and Ecology. . Students are provided with the opportunity to develop their library and laboratory investigative skills.


ACADEMIC BIOLOGY   (SCI2300)
Credit:  1.17 credits, meets 50 mins, 6 days (7 periods) per cycle, full year
Prerequisites:   Completion of Academic or Honors Earth & Space Science
Open to:  College-preparatory sophomores

All major biological themes are studied in a logical sequence. This course offers an understanding of our biological heritage and our place in the biosphere. Content and activities stress understanding of molecular, cellular, and the organizing aspects of modern biology.  In addition to content knowledge students will be required to perform biology laboratory exercises to reinforce concepts covered during the year.  Students are challenged to think analytically, to search for answers, to use good judgment and to apply newly acquired knowledge to related situations.


ACADEMIC BIOLOGY CAREERS  (SCI2310)
Credit:  1 credit - meets 50 mins, 6 days per cycle, full year
Prerequisites:   Completion of Academic or Honors Earth & Space Science
Open to:  College-preparatory sophomores

All major biological themes are studied in a logical sequence. This course offers an understanding of our biological heritage and our place in the biosphere. Content and activities stress understanding of molecular, cellular, and the organizing aspects of modern biology.  In addition to content knowledge students will be required to perform biology laboratory exercises to reinforce concepts covered during the year.  Students are challenged to think analytically, to search for answers, to use good judgment and to apply newly acquired knowledge to related situations.



BIOLOGY   (SCI2100)
Credit:  1
Prerequisites:  Completion of Academic Earth & Space Science
Meetings:  48 minutes, every day, full year
Open to:  All Sophomores
 
This course focuses on the broad fundamental major themes of Biology, which include Molecular and Cellular Biology, Genetics, Evolution and Ecology. Hands on experiences are used to reinforce these themes 


APPLIED SCIENCE – LIVING THINGS (SCI3160)
Credit:  1 credit - meets 50 mins, 6 days per cycle, full year
Prerequisites:  None
Open to:  Juniors and Seniors

This course opens with a survey of the six kingdoms of living things.  Students will compare and contrast the anatomy (dissections), physiology, habitats and means of energy acquisition of representatives of the six kingdoms.  The second semester will be devoted to studying the anatomy, physiology, maintenance of the major human body systems.


APPLIED SCIENCE – TECH & ENVIRO (SCI3150)
Credit:  1 credit - meets 50 mins, 6 days per cycle, full year
Prerequisites:  None
Open to:  Juniors and Seniors

This course is a survey of concepts, skills, and applications of science and technology and the related learning skills needed for successful, responsible, and informed citizenship.  Course skills and content include measuring, surveying, and navigation. Forces, motion, energy and their applications as well as technologies of the past, present and future will also be explored.  Basic ecology and environmental science concepts will round out the course.


HONORS CHEMISTRY*   (SCI3500)
Credit:  1.17 credits, meets 50 mins, 6 days (7 periods) per cycle, full year
Prerequisites:   Academic Biology with at least a 93% final average or Honors Biology with at least an 85% final average; completion of Algebra I, Algebra II, Geometry; and departmental approval.
Open to:  Juniors, Gifted Ed. students and academically qualified students.
Other:  Grades weighted 105% for GPA and class rank

Honors level college preparatory chemistry, which will be a comprehensive study of the principles of chemistry.  Recommended for students having solid mathematical backgrounds, strong interest in the sciences, and considering careers in medicine, engineering or the sciences.  Students that plan to continue into AP Chemistry are encouraged to take this course.


ACADEMIC CHEMISTRY*   (SCI3300)
Credit:  1.17 credits, meets 50 mins, 6 days (7 periods) per cycle, full year
Prerequisites:  Honors Biology with at least an 77% final average or Academic Biology with at least a 85% final average; completion of Algebra I, (Geometry and Algebra II which may be taken concurrently with this course).
Open to:  Juniors, Seniors
Other:  Grades weighted 105% for GPA and class rank

A college preparatory course, which is a study of the fundamental principles of chemistry and is designed to prepare students to continue into college level chemistry.  The scope of the course stresses theory with extensive mathematical applications. Frequent student experimentation is integrated with the course work. This course is designed for students who anticipate taking college level work in any science, engineering or medical field. It is a prerequisite for AP Chemistry.


CHEMISTRY   (SCI3100)
Credit:  1 credit - meets 50 mins, 6 days per cycle, full year
Prerequisites:  Academic Biology or Academic Biology Career with at least a 77% final average, Algebra and Geometry (Geometry may be taken concurrently with chemistry).
Open to:  Juniors, Seniors

A college preparatory course, which is an introduction to chemical principles with the chemistry.  This course is designed for college prep students that are not entering the science field. There will be investigative laboratory work correlated to the various topics, but mathematical applications will be minimized. 


ACADEMIC PHYSICS*  (SCI3310)
Credit:  1.17 credits, meets 50 mins, 6 days (7 periods) per cycle, full year
Prerequisites:  Completion of Algebra I & II, Geometry, and Trigonometry (Trigonometry may be taken concurrently with this course)
Open to: Juniors, Seniors
Other:  Grades weighted 105% for GPA and class rank

This course is intended for the science oriented college bound student and will prepare students for college physics. Theoretical concepts and the related mathematics are stressed throughout the course. The subjects dealt with include: mechanics, electricity and magnetism, waves, optics, relativity, atomic and nuclear physics. The course involves: formal and informal problem solving, demonstrations, labs, group work, films, computers, and projects.


PHYSICS   (SCI3110)
Credit:  1 credit - meets 50 mins, 6 days per cycle, full year
Prerequisites:  Completion of Algebra I and Geometry, and Algebra II (Algebra II may be taken concurrently with this course).
Open to: Juniors, Seniors
   
This course is designed for the non-science oriented college bound student. The mathematics is less intense than in College Prep Physics. The subjects dealt with include: mechanics, electricity and magnetism, waves, optics, relativity, atomic and nuclear physics. The course involves demonstrations, problem solving, labs, group work, films, computers and projects.


ADVANCED BIOLOGY*   (SCI3530)
Credit:  1.17 credits, meets 50 mins, 6 days (7 periods) per cycle, full year
Prerequisites:  At least a 85% final average in Honors Biology or an 93% final average in Academic Biology
Open to:  Juniors, Seniors
Other:  Grades weighted 110% for GPA and class rank

This course is divided into three units of study. Students will study disease transmission and how we fight disease with our natural defenses and with medicine in Immunology. Followed by a brief review of Genetics and an in-depth examination of gene expression, modern genetic technologies and relevant social issues in genetics. The third unit, Marine Biology, will include a field trip to Wallops Island, VA. This course is highly recommended for students considering careers or college level work in biology. 


ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY* (SCI3540)
Credit:  1.17 credits, meets 50 mins, 6 days (7 periods) per cycle, full year
Prerequisites:  At least a 77% final average in Academic Biology
Open to: Juniors, Seniors
Other:  Grades weighted 105% for GPA and class rank

This course is dedicated to the study of human anatomy and physiology. Most body systems are studied. Instruction is supplemented by laboratory exercises at both the microscopic and macroscopic levels. The student will dissect a fetal pig. Lecture material supplements the laboratory studies. This course is highly recommended for those students who are interested in the areas of biology, nursing, medicine and other paramedical professions.


AP CHEMISTRY*   (SCI4700)
Credit:  1.17 credits, meets 50 mins, 6 days (7 periods) per cycle, full year
Prerequisites:  Honors Chemistry with at least an 85% final average, gifted student identification, Academic Chemistry with at least a 93% final average, or permission of the department.
Open to:  Seniors
Other:  Grades weighted 110% for GPA and class rank

This second year chemistry course is designed primarily for students intending to pursue college-level work in the science, engineering or medical fields.  As an AP course it is designed to be the equivalent of a college level general chemistry course with emphasis on physical, qualitative, quantitative and organic areas; it will have correlated collegiate level laboratory experimentation. Students in this course are expected to take the AP Examination.

Typical Science Sequences