Science Courses
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Biology
2007-2008
Syllabus
Pre-requisites: None
Duration: Full Year
Credits: 1.0
Weighting: 4.0
Course no.: 402
The focus of biology will be cells, DNA, genetics, evolution, biodiversity,
and ecology.
Students are actively engaged in the “study of life” through detailed
investigative labs and
online activities. The double-period labs include both classic experiments
with new twists and
modern, cutting-edge labs. This combined text/technology program is designed
to facilitate
student learning by integrating material from the text, lectures, website,
and hands-on labs.
Assessment of student progress will be determined by weekly quizzes and bi-weekly
exams.
AP Biology
2007-2008
Syllabus
Pre-requisites: Biology (B+ or Better); Teacher Recommendation
Duration: Full Year
Credits: 1.0
Weighting: 5.0
Course no.: 403
This advanced placement biology course covers eight major themes in the Study
of Life:
Biochemistry, Cellular Biology, Genetics, Evolution, Biodiversity, Plant Form
and Function,
Animal Form and Function, and Ecology. The objectives are to build on the fundamental
principles learned previously in general biology, with an emphasis placed on
conceptual
understanding rather than rote memorization. Students will be actively engaged
in detailed
investigative labs and online activities. The double-period labs include classic
experiments, and
modern, cutting-edge labs. The AP program is designed to prepare students for
a comprehensive national exam to earn university credit for this course. Some
after-school or weekend lab work may be required, in preparation for the national
A.P. Biology exam in May. This is a demanding course equivalent to a college-level
course in introductory biology. It is recommended, but not required, that students
take on year of chemistry before they take this advanced biology course.
Chemistry
2007-2008
Syllabus
Pre-requisites: Biology
Duration: Full Year
Credits: 1.0
Weighting: 4.0
Course no.: 404
This course is designed to be taken in preparation for college level chemistry.
This course will
cover the topics needed for enrollment in a first year college chemistry course.
General
chemistry is designed with the college bound student in mind. This course aims
to equip
students with general chemistry knowledge. By the end of the course, the successful
student will have an understanding of basic chemistry principals as well as
laboratory skills. The program will be hands-on and students will regularly
be asked to do experiments. The write-up of
experiments will be an important part of the final grade. Little emphasis will
be placed on rote
learning but rather emphasis will be placed on the overall understanding of
concepts. Chemistry
is a math intensive science course.
Chemistry Honors - (Pre-AP
Chemistry)
2007-2008
Syllabus
Pre-requisites: Successful completion of Biology; Enrollment/Completion
of Algebra II; Teacher Recommendation
Duration: Full Year
Credits: 1.0
Weighting: 5.0
Course no.: 405
This course is designed to be taken in preparation for AP Chemistry. This course
is designed to
prepare students for the demands and work load of the AP Chemistry course.
It also serves as
the first general chemistry secondary school course. Pre AP Chemistry meets
the objectives of a good general chemistry course. Students will attain a depth
of understanding of fundamentals
and a reasonable competence in dealing with chemical problems. This course
differs from the
general chemistry course with respect to the kind of textbook used, the emphasis
on chemical
calculations and mathematical formulations of principles and the kind of laboratory
work done
by the student. This course is laboratory intensive.
AP Chemistry
2007-2008
Syllabus
Pre-requisites: Successful Completion of Chemistry
or Chemistry Honors; Teacher Recommendation; Concurrent Enrollment
in Pre-Calculus
Duration: Full Year
Credits: 1.0
Weighting: 5.0
Course no.: 409
This course is designed to be the equivalent of
the general chemistry course usually taken during the first college
year. For some students, this course enables them to undertake,
as freshmen, second-year work in the chemistry sequence at their
institution or register for courses in other fields where general
chemistry is a pre-requisite. For other students, the AP chemistry
course fulfills the laboratory science requirement and frees times
for other courses. AP Chemistry meets the objectives of a good
general chemistry course. Students will attain a depth of understanding
of fundamentals and a reasonable competence in dealing with chemical
problems. This course differs from the General Chemistry course
with respect to the kind of textbook used, the topics covered,
the emphasis on chemical calculations and mathematical formulations
of principles, and the kind of laboratory work done by the students.
This course is laboratory intensive. The advance work in chemistry
should not displace any other part of the student’s science
curriculum. It is highly desirable that a student have a course
in secondary school physics and a four-year college preparatory
program in mathematics.
Physics
2007-2008
Syllabus
Pre-requisites: Grades 11-12; Concurrent Enrollment
in Algebra II
Duration: Full Year
Credits: 1.0
Weighting: 4.0
Course no.: 406
This course emphasizes the development of the
concepts of physics within a lab framework.
Students practice the skills of data collection and analysis then
use their lab results to solve a
wider range of problems. Topics covered include mechanics, waves
and optics, and electricity
and magnetism. The textbook contains rigorous, challenging homework
problems. The
comprehensive nature of the course prepares the student for future
work in the sciences and
serves as a good preparatory course for the SAT II in physics.
AP Physics B
2007-2008
Syllabus
Pre-requisites: Physical Science; Concurrent Enrollment
in Pre-Calculus
Duration: Full Year
Credits: 1.0
Weighting: 5.0
Course no.: 408
This course provides a systematic introduction to the main principles
of physics and emphasizes the development of conceptual understanding
and problem-solving ability using algebra and trigonometry, but
rarely calculus. In most colleges, this is a one-year terminal
course including a laboratory component and is not the usual preparation
for more advanced physics and engineering courses. However, the
B course provides a foundation in physics for students in the life
sciences, pre-medicine, and some applied sciences, as well as other
fields not directly related to science.
Anatomy and Physiology
2007-2008
Syllabus
Pre-requisites: Biology and Chemistry
Duration: Full Year
Credits: 1.0
Weighting: 4.0
Course no.: 410
This course is a study of the human body emphasizing
the complementary nature of structure and function, molecular and
cellular interactions, homeostasis, and metabolic processes. It
includes a study of cells, tissues, membranes, and skeletal, muscular,
and reproductive systems.
updated as of:
11/16/2007
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