Science Classes
FRESHMAN PHYSICS H #410
LEVEL: HONORS 9
CREDIT: 1 ONE YEAR
Prerequisite: Concurrent enrollment in
Advanced Algebra Honors #210 or
Algebra I Honors #220
This course is designed to provide information on the fundamental concepts of physics. This inquirybased course covers unifying principles such as: mechanics, properties of matter, heat, sound, light, electricity and magnetism. Emphasis is placed on understanding conceptual physics while strengthening scientific skills and mathematical application. Students examine and analyze physics through application of honors level algebra. This honors algebra based laboratory course in physics is for the honors math student aiming toward the Chemistry Honors--Honors Biology/AP Biology sequence. This sequence will allow students the background and opportunity for the upper level AP sciences. The Physics First Honors course is excellent preparation for college entrance exams.
FRESHMAN PHYSICS #411
LEVEL: 9
CREDIT: 1 ONE YEAR
Prerequisite: Concurrent enrollment in
Algebra I #222 or Algebra I #224
Physics is fundamental to all other sciences. This conceptually based laboratory course in physics is for the student concurrently taking regular level Algebra. This course will allow the student to investigate topics such as: force, motion, energy, electricity, magnetism, waves, sound and light. The emphasis of this course will be to expose the student to the principles underlying the physics of everyday phenomena. Physics First is excellent preparation for Chemistry, Biology and college entrance exams.
BIOLOGY H #420
LEVEL: HONORS 10
CREDIT: 1 ONE YEAR
Prerequisite: Percentile of 85 or above
in reading on the high school
entrance exam. Signature of the
Science Department Chair required.
This course is designed to provide information on the fundamental concepts of living organisms. This inquiry-based course covers six unifying principles: organization, interdependence, continuity, development, change and equilibrium. Concepts covered include macromolecules, cells, energy, human body, biotechnology, classification, evolution and ecology. Emphasis is placed on showing the interdependence of structure and function. Students examine and analyze biological problems that surface in today's society. This is a life science course.
BIOLOGY #421
LEVEL: 10
CREDIT: 1 ONE YEAR
Prerequisite: NONE
This course is an introduction to the fundamental concepts of living organisms. With an ecological approach, this course progresses through a study of the fundamental concepts as well as structure and function of cells, microorganisms, plants, animals and the human body. This is a life science course.
ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY #422
LEVEL: HONORS 11-12
CREDIT: 1 ONE YEAR
Prerequisites: Minimum of "B"
average in Biology #421 or minimum
of "C" average in Biology #420; and
minimum of "B" average in Chemistry
#431; signature of science teacher
needed.
This laboratory course is offered for students who have an interest in a health field career and/or who want to increase their understanding of the human body. It includes a detailed study of the structure and function of the organ systems of the human body. The emphasis in this course focuses on the normal human condition. Because of the large number of anatomical terms students are required to memorize quickly and spell well. This is a life science course.
ASTRONOMY - FALL #423
LEVEL: 10-11-12
CREDIT: .5 ONE SEMESTER
Prerequisite: Completion of Biology
and completion or concurrent
enrollment in Chemistry; signature of
science teacher needed.
This course explores the inner solar system. With a hands-on approach, students will investigate the constellations, sun, moon and planets of our solar system. Students will become familiar with different types of telescopes during both day and evening observations. This is a physical science course.
ASTRONOMY - SPRING #424
LEVEL: 10-11-12
CREDIT: .5 ONE SEMESTER
Prerequisite: Completion of Biology
and completion or concurrent
enrollment in Chemistry; signature of
science teacher needed.
This course explores outside our solar system into deep space. With a hands-on approach, students will investigate stars, deep space objects such as planetary nebulae and the formation of the universe. Students will become familiar with different types of telescopes during both day and evening observations. This is a physical science course. It may be taken independently of Fall Astronomy or in conjunction with Fall Astronomy to complete a full year of Astronomy.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE #426
LEVEL: 10-11-12
CREDIT: .5 ONE SEMESTER
Prerequisites: Completion of Biology
and completion or concurrent
enrollment in Chemistry; signature of
science teacher needed.
Environmental Science is a laboratory science course involving the scientific impact of conditions on the earth's environment. The course provides background for making balanced judgments on environmental issues and helps prepare students to heed the Church's call for justice and responsible stewardship of Earth's resources. This is a physical science course.
ZOOLOGY #427
LEVEL: 10-11-12
CREDIT: 1 ONE YEAR
LAB FEE: $30.00
Prerequisite: Completion of Biology
with “C” or higher; signature of
science teacher needed.
This course provides the student with an opportunity to acquire an advanced-level knowledge of animal life. Emphasis is on the comparative approach and involves extensive dissection of representative animal species. Use of the classification system to gain understanding of similarities and differences in organisms is required. An analysis of the importance of genetics and ecological pressure shaping environmental fitness and survival is emphasized. This is a life science course.
PHYSICAL SCIENCE #429
LEVEL: 10-11
CREDIT: 1 ONE YEAR
Prerequisite: Completion of Algebra I
#222 or Algebra I #224 with an
average of "B" or concurrent
enrollment in junior year math;
not open to students who have
completed Chemistry #431 or Physics
#461; signature of science teacher
needed.
This course is a college preparatory course including basic chemistry and physics with emphasis on algebra as used in the study of matter and energy. The laboratory segment of this course serves as a primer for both chemistry and physics laboratory techniques and incorporates the math concepts learned in the classroom. This is a physical science course.
CHEMISTRY H #430
LEVEL: HONORS 10-11
CREDIT: 1 ONE YEAR
Prerequisites: Minimum of "C"
average in Honors Biology #420;
minimum of "B" average in Honors
Algebra I #220 or minimum of "B"
average in math for a junior; signature
of current science teacher.
This is a laboratory course designed for students needing a thorough background for further work in science. Topics in the course include measurement, atomic theory and structure, matter and energy, gas laws, bonding, solutions, acids, bases, pH, redox reactions, nuclear chemistry, organic chemistry and methods of analysis. This is a physical science course.
CHEMISTRY #431
LEVEL: 10-11-12
CREDIT: 1 ONE YEAR
Prerequisites: Minimum of "C"
average in Biology #421; minimum of
"C" average in Honors Algebra I #220
or "B" average in Algebra I #222 or
minimum of "C" average in Physical
Science #429; signature of current
science teacher.
This course is offered for students who are college bound but who are not choosing science as their major. This is a laboratory course designed for those interested not only in the principles involved, but also in how chemistry affects their daily lives. Topics include concepts of matter and energy, types of chemicals and their reactions, atomic theory and structure, solutions acids and bases, oxidation-reduction, pH, nuclear chemistry, and organic chemistry. How each of these aspects affects home products, life cycles, ecology, and the quality of the environment is an important aspect of the course. This is a physical science course.
AP CHEMISTRY #440
LEVEL: ADVANCED PLACEMENT
11-12
CREDIT: 1 ONE YEAR
Prerequisites: Completion of Algebra
II #241; minimum of "B" average in
Chemistry Honors #430; signature of
chemistry teacher.
This is an advanced, college-level course elected by students who wish a second year of chemistry. Course content includes stoichiometry, atomic theory, solids, liquids and gases, thermochemistry, solutions, chemical bonding, chemical reactions, chemical equilibrium and reaction kinetics. This course includes a heavy laboratory emphasis. This is a physical science course. This course is designed to prepare students for the Advanced Placement test.
AP BIOLOGY #450
LEVEL: ADVANCED PLACEMENT
11-12
CREDIT: 1 ONE YEAR
Prerequisites: Minimum of "B"
average in both Biology #421 and
Honors Chemistry #430; signature of
current science teacher. Completion
or concurrent enrollment in
Biotechnology is strongly
recommended.
This is an advanced, college-level course elected by students who wish a second year of biology. Course content includes the structure and function of cells, biochemistry, genetics, evolution, classification, structure and physiology of plants, animals and microorganisms, ecology and behavior. This is a life science course. This course is designed to prepare students for the Advanced Placement test.
UPPERCLASSMEN PHYSICS #460
LEVEL: HONORS 11-12
CREDIT: 1 ONE YEAR
Prerequisites: Minimum of "C"
average in Chemistry Honors #430 or
"A" average in Chemistry #431;
completion or concurrent enrollment
in Algebra II Honors #240 or higher;
signature of chemistry teacher;
signature of current math teacher.
This is a laboratory class intended for students in honors level mathematics. This course is a survey of physics, including topics such as mechanics, waves, sound, light, elementary atomic and nuclear physics, electricity and magnetism. Problem solving and applications of honors level mathematics will be stressed. This is a physical science course.
UPPERCLASSMEN PHYSICS #461
LEVEL: 11-12
CREDIT: 1 ONE YEAR
Prerequisites: Minimum of "C"
average in Chemistry #431;
completion or concurrent enrollment
in Algebra II #241 or higher; signature
of chemistry teacher; signature of
current math teacher.
This course surveys the range of general physics. Topics will include Newtonian mechanics, thermodynamics, wave properties, sound, light, electrostatics, and electricity and magnetism. Students will also learn problem solving and math skills as they apply them to physics. This is a physical science course.
AP PHYSICS #465
LEVEL: ADVANCED PLACEMENT
11-12
CREDIT: 1 ONE YEAR
Prerequisites: Minimum of “B”
average in Chemistry Honors #430;
minimum of “B” average in Algebra II
Honors #240 or concurrent
enrollment in Pre-
Calculus/Trigonometry #250;
signature of chemistry teacher;
signature of current math teacher.
This is a physics laboratory class intended for students interested in majoring in engineering, science or mathematics. Students interested in applications of honors level mathematics to science will also benefit. Topics include mechanics, waves, sound, light, electricity, thermodynamics, nuclear physics and magnetism. Problem solving will be stressed. This is a physical science course.
BIOTECHNOLOGY #466
LEVEL: HONORS 11-12
CREDIT: .5 ONE SEMESTER
LAB FEE: $30.00
Prerequisites: Minimum of “B”
average in Biology #421 or
completion of Biology #420;
minimum of “B” average in Chemistry
#431 or completion of Chemistry
#430; signature of science teacher
needed.
This course is designed to introduce students to areas and concepts involved in Biotechnology. It will focus on DNA, DNA technology, gene therapy, the Human Genome Project, forensics, genetically modified organisms, stem cells, cloning, fundamental and ethical issues of Biotechnology. The potential benefits and negative consequences of biotechnology applications to the lives of humans and other animals, plants and the environment will be explored. In addition, students will learn to apply scientific methods of study and concepts through research and handson experiments. This is a life science course.
SCIENCE RESEARCH #467
LEVEL: 11-12
CREDIT: 1 ONE YEAR
LAB FEE: STUDENT MAY BE
RESPONSIBLE FOR COST OF
EXPERIMENTATION
Prerequisites: Completion of two
years of science and two years of
mathematics; written signature of
science teacher needed.
This is a yearlong inquiry-based independent science research class. The primary goal is letting students experience what science is and how science works by engaging in real-life inquiry problem solving. Each student will develop their own research question, conduct research, collect data and publish their findings. Students will be paired with mentor scientists to collaborate on their research projects. At the end of the year, students will present both oral and written presentations of their findings. The class will publish an Independent Research Journal with all the research papers.
