SCIENCE

COURSE SEQUENCES:

GRADE 9

Conceptual Physics

GRADE 10

Biology

GRADE 11

Chemistry Earth and Space Science

Honors Conceptual Physics Honors Biology Honors Chemistry

GRADE 12

Physics AP Physics Biotechnology Anatomy and Physiology AP Environmental Science

CONCEPTUAL PHYSICS

SC105 | GRADE 9 | FULL YEAR

Prerequisites: None Conceptual Physics is an introductory science course designed to prepare students for all future high school and college science courses including chemistry, biology, advanced physics, and Earth science. Topics include matter and energy, gravity, electricity, and motion. This is a lab-based science course.

HONORS CONCEPTUAL PHYSICS

SC110 | GRADE 9 | FULL YEAR

Prerequisites: Instructor approval based on admissions file, teacher recommendation, and student interest. Honors Conceptual Physics provides an accelerated and in-depth approach to the study of future science courses, including chemistry, biology, advanced physics, and Earth science. Topics include matter, energy, gravity, electricity, and motion. This is a lab-based science course.

BIOLOGY

SC205 | GRADES 10-12 | FULL YEAR

Prerequisite: Integrated Science Biology is a laboratory-oriented and algebra-based course that covers the study of life. Topics include the nature of science, the chemistry of life, cell structure and function, cell reproduction, DNA structure and protein synthesis, genetics, photosynthesis and cellular respiration, ecology, and the evolution of life in its many forms. Students are expected to become proficient in the use of laboratory equipment and the procedures and use of methods of science to solve problems.

HONORS BIOLOGY

SC210 | GRADES 10-12 | FULL YEAR

Prerequisites: C or higher in Honors Integrated Science; teacher recommendation. Honors Biology provides an accelerated and in-depth approach to the study of life. It is a laboratory-oriented and algebra-based course that includes topics such as the nature of science, cell structure and function, cell reproduction, DNA structure and protein synthesis, genetics, biochemistry of photosynthesis and cellular respiration, ecology, and the evolution of life in its many forms. Students are expected to become proficient in the use of laboratory equipment and the procedures and use of methods of science to solve problems. Honors Biology students complete a summer assignment. Failure to complete the summer assignment will affect a student’s grade.

SC300 | GRADES 11-12 | FULL YEAR

Prerequisites: None Earth and Space Science is an investigative study of the Earth and its environment in space. Students learn about local and foreign environments to better understand our human relationship with the natural world. During the first semester, the course content falls largely within the realm of Geology. Special emphasis is placed on the local area, its natural processes, and natural history. The second semester emphasizes atmospheric science and astronomy as we compare the Earth to other celestial bodies and the cosmos. Consideration of environmental and energy issues are weaved throughout both semesters.

CHEMISTRY

SC305 | GRADES 11-12 | FULL YEAR

Prerequisites: C or higher in Biology; C or higher in Algebra; concurrent enrollment in Algebra 2, and teacher recommendation. This laboratory-based, college preparatory course covers topics of significant figures, chemical formulas, moles, balancing chemical equations, predicting reactions, energy in reactions, atomic theory, quantum mechanics, bonding molecular shapes, solution chemistry, stoichiometry, reaction equilibrium, and periodic properties.

HONORS CHEMISTRY: UW DUAL CREDIT CHEM 110

SC310 | GRADES 11-12 | FULL YEAR

Prerequisites: Teacher recommendation This is a College in the Classroom Program course that allows students to earn high school credits with an opportunity to earn 5 college credit hours from University of Washington. Honors Chemistry covers much of the same content as Chemistry but at a greater depth and follows the University of Washington curriculum. Students are required to pay a course fee for ALEKS.

PHYSICS

SC405 | GRADES 10-12 | FULL YEAR

Prerequisites: C or higher in Biology; C or higher in Chemistry; concurrent enrollment in Algebra 2 or more advanced Math course. Physics is a laboratory-oriented and algebra-based study of the relationship between matter and energy. This course emphasizes mechanics and waves with thermodynamics and electricity, as time permits. Quantum mechanics, also called modern physics, is taken in Chemistry and Honors Chemistry.

AP PHYSICS

SC410 | GRADES 11-12 | FULL YEAR

Prerequisites: C or higher in Chemistry; concurrent enrollment in Algebra 2; teacher recommendation. This AP course is comparable to a college-level physics course that focuses on mechanics. It is taught with an emphasis on algebraic applications of Newton’s equations and their connection to the world we live in. This course prepares students for the AP Physics I Exam in the spring for the opportunity to earn college credits.

BIOTECHNOLOGY

SC415 | GRADES 11-12 | FULL YEAR

Prerequisites: B or higher in Algebra 1, Biology, Chemistry or Integrated Science; teacher recommendation. This is a year-long laboratory-oriented and algebra-based course bridges biology, chemistry, and technology in an occupational setting and fits the “school to work” criteria.

ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY

SC420 | GRADES 11-12 | FULL YEAR

Prerequisites: C or higher in Biology; teacher recommendation. This year-long, laboratory-oriented and algebra-based course explores, in detail, the anatomy and physiology of the human body. Students explore all systems of the human body, including the nervous, skeletal, muscular, integumentary, circulatory, respiratory, digestive, excretory, reproductive, endocrine, and immune systems.