Science Core Courses

Biology

SC100A/B

Grade 9, 1 credit, On-Level weighted GPA Biology is a laboratory science course that covers the study of living things. Biology focuses on the study of life by examining the fundamental concepts of cellular biology, genetics, ecology, and physiology. The scientific process and laboratory skills are emphasized along with connections to other scientific disciplines. Completion of this course also fulfills the state requirement for cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) training. Prerequisite: None

Honors Biology

SC110A/B

Grade 9, 1 credit, Honors weighted GPA Honors Biology covers the same objectives as Biology in more depth and complexity. This course also prepares students for Advanced Placement Biology. Completion of this course also fulfills the state requirement for cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) training. Prerequisite: None

Chemistry

SC200A/B

Grade 10, 1 credit, On-Level weighted GPA Chemistry is a laboratory science course that focuses on characteristics of matter, energy transformations, atomic structure, behavior of gasses, bonding, solutes, and chemical reactions. The scientific process and laboratory skills are emphasized along with connections to other scientific disciplines. Prerequisite: One high school science and Algebra I

Honors Chemistry

SC210A/B

Grade 10, 1 credit, Honors weighted GPA Honors Chemistry covers the same objectives as Chemistry in more depth and complexity. This course also prepares students for Advanced Placement Chemistry. Prerequisite: One high school science and Algebra I

AP Biology

SC120A/B

Grade 10-12, 1 credit, AP/DC weighted GPA AP Biology is an advanced, lab-based course that provides a college-level foundation to support future advanced coursework in life science. 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. Prerequisite: Biology or Honors Biology Corequisite: Chemistry or Honors Chemistry

Grade 10, 1 credit, On-Level weighted GPA In Integrated Physics and Chemistry, students conduct laboratory investigations and draw conclusions using critical thinking and scientific problem solving. This course covers the foundational concepts of physics and chemistry. Students must be recommended for placement in IPC as extra preparation for chemistry and physics courses. Prerequisite: None

Earth and Space Science

ESSCIA/B

Grade 11-12, 1 credit, On-Level weighted GPA Earth and Space Science is a capstone course designed to build on students ’ prior scientific and academic knowledge and skills to develop an understanding of Earth’ s system in space and time. Prerequisite: This is a capstone course that requires three units of science, one which may be taken concurrently, and three units of mathematics, one of which may be taken concurrently.

AP Chemistry

SC220A/B

Grade 11-12, 1 credit, AP/DC weighted GPA AP Chemistry is an advanced, lab-based course that provides a college-level foundation to support post-secondary 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. Prerequisite: Chemistry or Honors Chemistry

Physics

SC300A/B

Grade 11-12, 1 credit, On-Level weighted GPA Physics is a laboratory science course that covers laws of motion, conservation of energy and momentum, force, thermodynamics, characteristics and behavior of waves, electricity and magnetism, and quantum physics. This course provides students with a conceptual and mathematical foundation of physics content in addition to building analytical and scientific skills. Prerequisite: Algebra 1

AP Physics 1

SC321A/B

Grade 11-12, 1 credit, AP/DC weighted GPA AP Physics 1 is an advanced, lab-based course that provides a college-level foundation to support future advanced coursework in physical science. 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, electric charge and electric force, DC circuits, and sound. AP Physics 1 is a first year, algebra-based physics course. Corequisite: PreCalculus or Algebra II

Grade 11-12, 1 credit, On-Level weighted GPA In Environmental Systems, students conduct field and laboratory investigations and draw conclusions using critical thinking and scientific problem solving. Students study a variety of topics that include: biotic and abiotic factors in habitats, ecosystems and biomes, interrelationships among resources and an environmental system, sources and flow of energy through an environmental system, relationship between carrying capacity and changes in populations and ecosystems, and changes in environments. Prerequisite: Biology and either IPC or Chemistry

AP Physics C

SC320A/B

Grade 12, 2 credits (1 period), AP/DC weighted GPA AP Physics C is a calculus-based course that provides a college-level foundation to support post-secondary coursework in physical science. Investigations include topics in classical mechanics during the fall and studies of electricity and magnetism in the spring. This course will prepare students to take both the Physics C: Mechanics and Physics C: Electricity and Magnetism examinations offered by the College Board. Prerequisite: AP Physics 1 or Physics Corequisite: Calculus

AP Environmental Science

SC420A/B

Grade 11-12, 1 credit, AP/DC weighted GPA AP Environmental Science is a lab-based course that provides students with the scientific principles, concepts, and methodologies required to understand the interrelationships of the natural world. Students will be expected to identify and analyze environmental problems both natural and human-made, evaluate the relative risks associated with these problems, and examine alternative solutions for resolving or preventing them. Environmental science is interdisciplinary and embraces a wide variety of topics from different areas of study. Prerequisite: Biology and Chemistry

Biology for Non-Science Majors: BIOL 1408- Dual Credit

SC130A

Grade 11-12, 0.5 credit, AP/DC weighted GPA, 4 College Hours. Lecture: Provides a survey of biological principles with an emphasis on humans, including chemistry of life, cells, structure, function, and reproduction. Lab: Laboratory activities will reinforce a survey of biological principles with an emphasis on humans, including chemistry of life, cells, structure, function, and reproduction. This course includes a lab and is taught at Collin College in Celina. Prerequisite: College acceptance and registration required Corequisites: If you take this course, you must also take BIOL 1409