Warren Hills Regional School District

Warren Hills Regional High School

Course of Study 2008-2009

Department of Science

Warren Hills requires students to pass three science courses as a graduation requirement. Courses with extended time designations for lab activities award six academic credits, instead of the usual five.

All college bound students should take CP or Honors courses in Biology, Chemistry, and Physics. Speak to your counselor if this is not your plan.

Agriculture courses may be used for graduation credit only after the student has passed a CP Integrated Science course. Speak to your guidance counselor if this is your intention.

Students who elect a course for which they have not been recommended are required to complete an appeal form. If the appeal is granted, a course preference form must be signed by a parent or guardian. No request will be considered after April 1, of the current school year.

i. Recommended High School Science Sequence

See the printed version of the course of study or the PDF version for this table

Courses which are under-subscribed may not run.

ii. Course Descriptions

401 Integrated Science Level 1 (5 credits grades 9-12)

Prerequisite: 69-73 or better by the end of the second marking period in 8th grade science.

Integrated Science Level 1 is an introductory high school preparatory college science course. In Integrated Science Level 1, the students will study the same variety of physical and earth science topics covered in Level 2. These topics will be covered at an appropriate skill level to meet the needs of the students. This course will prepare the student for the other preparatory and/or academic science courses he or she will take in subsequent years.

402 CP Integrated Science Level 2 (5 credits grades 9-12)

Prerequisite: 74-92 or better by the end of the second marking period in 8th grade science.

CP Integrated Science Level 2, is an introductory high school preparatory college science course. In CP Integrated Science Level 2, the students will study a variety of topics in the areas of physical and earth sciences. This course will prepare the student for the other preparatory and/or academic science courses he or she will take in subsequent years.

410 Biology Level 1 (5 credits grades 10-12)

Prerequisite: 68 or better by the end of the second marking period in CP Integrated Science Level 1 or 2

Biology Level 1 is the study of life forms and life processes. Through discussion and activities the student will become aware of human biology, other life forms, the requirement for life, and environmental issues. In this course an emphasis is placed on the student’s development of his or her own biologically related values. Work with live and preserved specimens is an integral part of this course.

412 CP Biology Level 2 (6 credits grades 10-12)

Prerequisite: 68 or better by the end of the second marking period in CP Integrated Science Level 1 or 2

CP Biology Level 2 is a prerequisite for students intending to take more advanced biology courses. It deals with a study of life requirements, life systems, life forms, and environmental considerations. CP Biology Level 2 is an extended time course to accommodate the lab requirements. Work with live and preserved specimens is an integral part of this course.

400 Honors Biology (6 credits grade 9)

Prerequisite: To enter this course a student should have earned grades of 93 or better by the end of the second marking period in previous science courses and be a very strong mathematics student. Students meeting this prerequisite may substitute CP Biology Level 2 for Honors Biology with the approval of the science department supervisor.

Honors Biology is an accelerated course in biology for those students who have demonstrated above average achievement and interest in science. Major areas of study are cellular biology, genetics, microbiology, zoology, and related factors of ecology and conservation. Working with live and preserved specimens is an integral part of this course. Honors Biology is an extended time course to accommodate the lab requirements.

413 AP Biology (6 credits grades 11-12)

Prerequisite: 87 or better by the end of the second marking period and teacher’s recommendation in Technical Chemistry and CP Biology Level 2 courses.

Advanced Placement Biology is a college level course. The course is composed of three major areas of study complete with appropriate laboratory experiences. The areas are: 1. molecular and cellular biology, including cellular chemistry, cellular structure and function, cell division and genetics; 2. organismal biology, including structure, function, and reproduction in plants and animals; and 3. population biology, including theories of the origin of life, evolution, ecology, and behavior. Work with live and preserved specimens is an integral part of this course. AP Biology is an extended time course to accommodate the lab requirements. It is expected that students enrolled in this course will take the AP Biology Exam.

414 CP Chemistry - Conceptual (5 credits grades 10-12)

Prerequisite: Passing Integrated Science.

CP Chemistry - Conceptual is a college prep chemistry course for students not planning to pursue careers in the technical areas of science, engineering, medicine or mathematics. It covers most of the areas studied in the Chemistry - Technical course described below, but in a less mathematical fashion. Chemistry - Conceptual is a lab course but is not an extended time course.

415 CP Chemistry - Technical (6 credits grades 10-12)

Prerequisite: Passing Integrated Science.

CP Chemistry - Technical is a college prep chemistry course designed for students who intend to pursue careers in the technical fields of science, engineering, medicine and/or mathematics. Perspective students should have earned grades of 87 or better in previous mathematics and science courses. In this course the student will examine matter and the changes it undergoes. Topics in the course include atomic structure, bonding, solutions, chemical equations, inorganic and organic reactions and equilibriums. This course places an emphasis on atomic theory and molecular structure. Chemistry - Technical is an extended time course to accommodate the lab requirements.

417 Honors Chemistry (6 credits grade 10)

Honors Chemistry should be elected with teacher recommendation by college bound students, who have demonstrated superior achievement in past science and math courses. Grades of 90 or better in both areas are necessary. This course is accelerated and more comprehensive than Chemistry-Technical, although it considers the same major areas of chemistry. Honors Chemistry is an extended time course to accommodate the lab requirements.

419 AP Chemistry (6 credits grades 11-12)

Prerequisite: 87 or better by the end of the second marking period and teacher’s recommendation from Chemistry -Technical or Honors Chemistry.

Advanced Placement Chemistry is a college level course. Areas of study will include structure of matter, states of matter, types of chemical reactions, stoichiometry, equilibriums, kinetics, thermodynamics and descriptive chemistry. An important part of this course is the laboratory experience. Students will be expected to acquire skills in performing laboratory manipulations, making observations, recording data and calculating and interpreting results. In the laboratory an emphasis will be placed on the design of experiments and adherence to proper experimental procedures. AP Chemistry is an extended time course to accommodate the lab requirements. It is expected that students enrolled in this course will take the AP Chemistry Exam.

421 CP Physics (6 credits grades 11-12)

Prerequisite: Passing Integrated Science and Chemistry with a 78.

CP Physics is intended for the pre college student not pursuing a career in mathematics, the physical sciences, or engineering. It is desirable that the student taking CP Physics will have completed Algebra II with a final grade of at least 87. CP Physics will study motion, energy, sound, light, heat, and electromagnetic and nuclear radiation. Practical applications to daily life will be explored. CP Physics is an extended time course to accommodate the lab requirements.

423 Honors Physics (6 credits grades 11-12)

Prerequisite: Passing Integrated Science and Chemistry with a 87.

Honors Physics is a college prep physics course designed for those students who intend to pursue careers in the technical sciences, engineering, medicine, or mathematics. Students in this course should have completed trigonometry with a grade of 87 or better, or be currently taking trigonometry. Honors physics uses a mathematical and laboratory approach to the study of mechanics, electricity, magnetism, heat, sound, and electromagnetic and nuclear radiation. Honors Physics is an extended time course to accommodate the lab requirements.

424 AP Physics (6 credits grades 11-12)

Prerequisite: 87 or better by the end of the second marking period in previous math and science courses.

AP Physics is a college level course. It should be selected by only those students who have demonstrated superior ability and achievement (90 or better) in previous mathematics and science courses. It is recommended that students be taking calculus concurrently or that they review their qualifications for this course with the instructor. Areas of study will include mechanics, electricity, magnetism, electromagnetic and nuclear radiation, heat, and sound. AP Physics is an extended time course to accommodate the lab requirements. It is expected that students enrolled in this course will take the appropriate AP Physics Exam.

425 Honors Anatomy and Physiology (5 credits grades 11-12)

Prerequisite: 87 or better by the end of second marking period in Technical Chemistry and Biology Level 2

Anatomy and Physiology is an in-depth study of selected areas of human biology. Areas of study will include biochemistry, cell structure, genetics, embryology, physiology, and anatomy. This course is designed for students who have completed Technical Chemistry and Biology Level 2.. A grade of a 87 or better should have been achieved in both of these courses. Work with live and preserved specimen is an integral part of anatomy and physiology.

450 Summary Science (5 credits grades 11-12)

Summary Science is a course designed for the student who has completed two other high school science courses and is not planning to attend a four year college. In this course, the student will review, reinforce, and summarize much of the information covered in previous science courses. Connections between and the interdependence of the major areas of science will be examined, as will current advancements in science and technology. Through lab and other activities, the students will be involved in the processes of science, such as, making predictions; making accurate observations; gathering data; presenting data; manipulating data; and drawing conclusions.

436 Floral Design (2.5 credits grades 10-12)

Floral Design introduces students to career possibilities in the floral industry and provides basic instruction in the techniques of floral design and merchandising. Students will learn to identify and use cut flowers, cut foliage, potted plants, and dried materials of importance to the floral industry. FFA and SAE are a part of this course. Students not wishing to participate in FFA and SAE will be given other career oriented assignments.

427 Plant and Soil Science (5 credits grades 9-12)

Plant and Soil Science will introduce the student to the scientific study of plants and soils. Students will learn, through projects, labs, and class work, how plants and soils are studied and classified and how soil and plants affect economies, environments, and the every day lives of people around the world. Plant and Soil Science is the foundation course which prepares students for future courses dealing with food, fiber, and natural resource systems. FFA and SAE are a part of this course. Students not wishing to participate in FFA and SAE will be given other career oriented assignments.

432 Horticulture (5 credits grades 10-12)

Prerequisite: Successfully complete Plant and Soil Science.

Horticulture is an advanced plant science course. Students must successfully complete Plant and Soil Science before enrolling in Horticulture. Horticulture will allow students to explore career areas in greenhouse and nursery production, landscape design and management, and other applied horticultural sciences. Classroom instruction is supported by a variety of laboratory applications that combine science and technology. Horticulture will also provide a further examination of the plant and soil sciences as they pertain to horticultural applications. FFA and SAE are a part of this course. Students not wishing to participate in FFA and SAE will be given other career oriented assignments.

429 Environmental Science (5 credits grades 10-12)

Environmental Science is a full year course that provides an overview of this applied science. Students enrolled in Environmental Science learn specific principals and their applications in research, careers and society. The scientific method of inquiry, research, observation, data collection, and reporting results provide a framework to learn about the significance of environmental science and its related career opportunities. Classroom instruction is supported by a variety of laboratory applications that combine science and technology in traditional and non traditional laboratory settings. The course incorporates studies of interacting systems and how they affect the environment, the society, and the world population. Students will be introduced to a range of topics including soils, aquatics, wildlife, forestry, environmental issue legislation, environmental technology and equipment, leadership, and career development. FFA and SAE are a part of this course. Students not wishing to participate in FFA and SAE will be given other career oriented assignments.

438 Animal Science Studies (5 credits grades 10-12)

Animal Science Studies will introduce the student to career and entrepreneurship opportunities in the animal science industry. The animals studied will include food, pleasure, draft, service, laboratory, and exotic forms. Through class work and projects, students in Animal Science Studies will learn about animals as organisms, the importance of animals, animal nutrition, animal health, animal reproduction and representative animal technologies. FFA and SAE are a part of this course. Students not wishing to participate in FFA and SAE will be given other career oriented assignments.

455 Forensic Science (5 credits grade 12 only)

Prerequisite: Successfully complete biology and chemistry

In Forensic Science, students will consider the types of evidence useful in criminal investigations. Included will be such areas as finger prints, DNA, and fibers. Appropriate collection, processing, and analyzing protocols will be learned. In this course, students will be expected to utilize critical thinking skills and learned forensic techniques, in conjunction with previously learned concepts from biology and chemistry, to analyze and draw conclusions from crime scene evidence.