SCIENCE DEPARTMENT

SCIENCE DEPARTMENT

The Science Department endeavors to give students the opportunity to grow in knowledge and understanding of themselves and others, knowledge and appreciation of their environment, and understanding and appreciation of how natural laws are developed. Although ALL science courses offered are laboratory courses, BIOLOGY, due to its content, is required for graduation. AP courses offered are most successful if the honors curriculum is followed.

202 BIOLOGY

Grade: 9

Prerequisite: Placement Test Scores 1 Credit

This program stresses the major concepts of biology which every person should know to understand themselves and the world in which they live. This class is designed with a minimum of math and a maximum of laboratory inquiry to present biological facts and discoveries.

204 BIOLOGY

Grade 9

Prerequisite: Placement Test Scores 1 Credit

Biology details the diversity of the processes and structures of living organisms which are related to the unifying principles and characteristics of all life. Biology will study living organisms and their interdependence with the environment. Laboratory skills and critical thinking are also a vital part of the course.

216 HONORS BIOLOGY

Grade: 9

Prerequisite: Placement Test Scores 1 Credit

Honors Biology will study living organisms and their interdependence with the environment. Students will explore the biology of cell structure and function, genetics and heredity, evolution, diversity of living organisms and their ecological roles. There will be an investigation of mammalian anatomy and physiology as well as other topics, including metabolism and bioethics. \

248 ADVANCED PLACEMENT BIOLOGY 1 Credit

Grade: 11, 12

Prerequisite: Completion of Biology and Chemistry with a 90% average or better in both classes or Teacher Recommendation

This course endeavors to prepare the college bound student in four major areas of science. These areas are: cell biology, human physiology, zoology, and botany. Form and function will be emphasized. A variety of approaches will be used, which include lecture, experimentation, research, dissection, and microscope work.

268 HUMANANATOMYAND PHYSIOLOGY (Dual Credit) 1 Credit

Grade: 11, 12

Prerequisite: Completion of Biology and Chemistry with a 90%Average or better in both classes or Teacher Recommendation

This is a rigorous, college level course which studies the activities that are characteristic of living matter within the human body. This course includes a detailed explanation of the physiology and anatomy of the systems of the human body. The student will develop an understanding of the relationship between structure and function and how these create homeostasis within a typical human body. This course is lab oriented with emphasis placed on animal dissections and examination of related anatomic models. In addition, students may apply to earn dual credit to receive college credit through the College of DuPage.

274 CHEMISTRY Grade: 10, 11, 12 Prerequisite: Completion of Biology 204 or Teacher Recommendation

1 Credit

Chemistry presents the students topics normally found in a classical high school chemistry class. Topics covered include atomic structure, mole theory, states of matter, chemical reactions, chemical bonding, and chemical structures. Math is used throughout the year. Topics are developed through class discussion and related lab experiments. Critical thinking and lab safety are stressed.

276 HONORS CHEMISTRY Grade: 10, 11, 12

Prerequisite: Teacher Recommendation 1 Credit

This course centers around the modern chemical theory of the mole and its relation to compounds, atomic structures, and solutions. Laboratory analysis and problem solving are essential and the student will acquire the tools necessary for further study in the field of science.

278 ADVANCED PLACEMENT CHEMISTRY

1 Credit

Grade: 11, 12

Prerequisite: Completion of Honors Chemistry with a 90% average or better or Teacher Recommendation

This is a course in the principles of Chemistry for students who have an interest in biological sciences, physical sciences or engineering. Topics will include: stoichiometry; properties of gases, liquids, solids and solutions; chemical equilibrium; chemical thermodynamics; and chemical kinetics. The areas of nuclear chemistry, periodic and descriptive properties of the elements, and some organic chemistry will be included.

281 ENVIRONMENTALDYNAMICS 1 Credit

Grade: 12

Prerequisite: Completion of Biology 202 & Physical Science 292 and Teacher Recommendation

Environmental Dynamics is a year long course that is designed to introduce students to major ecological concepts and the environmental problems that affect the world in which we live. The curriculum focuses on concepts that are real-life issues and promotes awareness and understanding of practical everyday problems that affect their lives. In this class there will be an emphasis on hands-on activities and laboratory exercises that will promote problem solving, refine laboratory procedure, and reinforce scientific reading and writing.

283 ENVIRONMENTALDYNAMICS

Grade: 11, 12

Prerequisite: Completion of Biology and Chemistry and Teacher Recommendation 1 Credit

Environmental Dynamics is a year-long course designed to show thematic connections between a variety of science disciplines including biology, chemistry, and physics. It gives students a coherent and realistic picture of the applications of a variety of scientific concepts as they manifest in our environment. The curriculum focuses on concepts that are real-life issues and promotes awareness and understanding of practical everyday problems that affect their lives. In this class there will be an emphasis on hands-on activities and laboratory exercises that will promote problem solving, refine laboratory procedure, and reinforce scientific reading and writing.

284 EARTH SCIENCE

Grade: 11, 12

Prerequisite: Teacher Recommendation 1 Credit

Earth Science includes these areas: Astronomy, Oceanography, Geology and Meteorology. Experimentation is an integral part of the course. Chicago’s geology, as it relates to local glaciation, and Chicago’s weather, is integrated in this course.

292 PHYSICALSCIENCE

Grade: 11

Prerequisite: Teacher Recommendation 1 Credit

This laboratory course will study matter and energy as well as their relationships to our technological world. Physical science is designed for students who would like to study matter and energy but do not plan to pursue a science related career. Therefore, students enrolled in this class have not taken chemistry or physics and will not do so in their senior year.

294 PHYSICS

Grade: 11, 12

Prerequisite: Teacher Recommendation 1 Credit

Physics is the study of energy. This course will cover several branches of Physics, namely, motion, forces, optics, waves, electricity and magnetism. As a math-based science, students will be expected to analyze and solve problems in each of these areas.

296 HONORS PHYSICS

Grade: 11, 12

Prerequisite: Teacher Recommendation 1 Credit

Physics is the study of the energy in the universe. Areas to be examined in this course include motion, forces, vectors, light, sound, electricity, magnetism and the grand unification theory. As a math-based science, students will be expected to analyze and solve problems in each area. This course is helpful to anyone interested in the further study of mathematics and science.

298 APPHYSICS 1 1 Credit

Grade: 11, 12

Prerequisite: HonorsAlgebra II with 93% or better, Honors Chemistry with 90% or better and Teacher Recommendation.

AP Physics 1 is an algebra-based, introductory college-level physics course. Students 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.