Listed below are all of the Science classes available to Senior High students:

Earth and Space Science

The purpose of this course is to broaden a student's understanding of the physical environment of both earth and space. It is the aim of this course to provide students with a greater understanding of the fundamentals of geology, meteorology, oceanography and astronomy. The computer lab is used extensively for research and presentation of Earth and Space concepts. Because of the reliance of these science fields on Physics, Chemistry, Biology and Mathematics, this course can also serve as a vehicle for demonstrating basic concepts in these fundamental sciences.

Foundations of Biology

This course is designed to provide an overview of the topics covered in Biology 421. Cells, life processes, genetics, evolution, and ecology are the major units of study. In order to provide hands-on learning, some laboratory exercises will be implemented into the regular class period, but no laboratory period will be scheduled.

Biology

The major aim of the first year biology course is to introduce the student to the modern world of biology. Students will be exposed to a core of knowledge that is directly related to the biochemical world of biology as it is functioning today. The program is organized to present life from the simplest levels of organization to the complex levels. Basic chemistry, cell biology and genetics provide information about the individual organisms. Interrelationships between these organisms and their surroundings are investigated through studies of the population, communities and ecosystems of the biosphere. Relevant double period laboratories are provided to give the student hands-on experience with scientific methods and procedures. This program is designed to supplement the study of living organisms begun in 7th grade Life Science and to provide a building point for those students who may choose to continue into further biological studies.

Advanced Placement Biology (weighted)

The AP Biology course is offered to students interested in pursuing biologically related careers such as medicine, nursing, physical therapy, and research. Topics are covered in an advanced manner and include chemistry, cells, metabolism, heredity, biotechnology, evolution, taxonomy, anatomy, physiology, and ecology. The laboratory segment of the course covers the twelve required AP laboratory exercises as well as supplementary activities. Dissection of the rat accompanies the anatomy and physiology portion of the course. After completion of the course, students my elect to take the AP Biology test or participate in the dual enrollment program with RACC to earn college credits. (PREREQUISITES: B in Biology and Chemistry and department approval)

Environmental Biology/Ecology

This semester elective course takes an interdisciplinary approach to the study of the environment and ecology. Using case studies and "hands-on" field studies at the local Shillington Park, the course provides the scientific basis for understanding how environmental systems work. Topics include ecosystem dynamics, discussion of the economic impact and consequences of the disruptions of natural systems, the importance of public policy and how environmental issues are linked to our everyday life. The course requires signed permission slips for regular trips to the Shillington Park. (PREREQUISITES: C in Biology, Grades 11 and 12, Grade 10 available depending on academic ranking)

Genetics

Genetics is a semester course designed to expose the student to the concepts and techniques of one of the most rapidly developing branches of biological sciences and medicine. Basic inheritance patterns and problems, human chromosome analysis, experimentation with the fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster, biotechnological processes and their implications are a few of the areas which will be covered. Laboratories, assignments, and a research paper on an inherited genetic disease will be completed by the student. (PREREQUISITES: C in Biology, Grade 11 and 12, department approval, Grade 10 availability depending on acadmic ranking)

Human Biology

Human Biology is a non-lab oriented program meeting six times per cycle for those students interested in the allied health professions such as a paramedic, certified nursing assistant, or LPN that would require a one or two year postsecondary degree. The human body and its major components will be examined within each system. Major emphasis will be placed upon specific disorders and diseases as well as an occupation focus within each body system. (PREREQUISITES: Grade 12, C in Foundations of Biology and Foundations of Chemistry or Biology and department approval)

Human Anatomy and Physiology

This course is a rigorously designed, non-laboratory program for those students interested in careers within the biological sciences that require a four year or more postsecondary degree, such as doctors, physical therapists, and registered nurses. The course is designed to investigate the fine details of the entire human body and all of its systems. The focus of the course is to discover the interrelationships of the anatomy and physiology within the body. An introductory college text is used. Students may select to take this course along with AP Biology or Physics, but not in place of either of these courses. (Grade 12) (PREREQUISITES: B in Biology, Chemistry and Physics or presently taking Physics and department approval)

Foundations of Chemistry

The basic concepts of chemistry are covered, including properties of matter, atomic theory, periodic table, chemical equations and bonding, heat, solutions, gas laws, and acids and bases. This is a non-laboratory class, however, instructed using a hands-on approach.

Chemistry

The purpose of the Chemistry program is to provide an understanding of matter and its changes. Basic instruction in chemical changes, electronic structure, chemical reactions, mole concept, kinetic molecular theory, atomic orbital theory, bonding, nomenclature, and periodic table trends will provide the student with background for further study of chemistry on the college level. The program is designed so that the laboratory experiences parallel the textbook topics. (PREREQUISITES: A in Algebra 1-for Chemistry 1431, C- in Algebra 1-for Chemistry 1432))

Advanced Placement Chemistry (weighted)

AP Chemistry is offered as an elective to students who have completed the first year chemistry course with a grade of A, have completed algebra 1 and 2 with a grade of A, and have completed physics. This challenging course is designed to prepare students for the AP Chemistry exam. Some of the topics covered are the electronic structure of atoms, descriptive chemistry, oxidation reduction reactions, gas behavior, chemical bonding, thermodynamics. kinetics, and chemical analysis. Independent work is emphasized in the laboratory program which is closely coordinated with the classroom work. This course has dual enrollment agreement with RACC. (PREREQUISITES: A in Chemistry and Algebra 2 and department approval)

Principles of Technology 1

A laboratory course in applied science that explores the physical principles underlying modern technology. Designed for students interested in technical careers.

Unit topics include: force, work, rate, resistance, energy, power, and force transformers. Each unit deals with these principles as they apply in each of the four kinds of systems that make-up the simplest to the most complex technological devices and equipment. These systems are: mechanical systems, fluid systems, electrical systems and thermal systems. (PREREQUISITE: Algebra 1)

Principles of Technology 2

The second year course is a natural extension of Principles of Technology 1 with a similar format. Unit topics include: energy, power, transformers, momentum, waves and vibrations, energy converters, transducers.

Physics

The major aim of this physics course is to serve students by enhancing their appreciation of the world around them. This does not exclude, of course, the equally-important aim of helping students to discover their talent in a physical science. This course follows a traditional approach to physics. It does not assume that all students are heading toward a scientific career; however, the disciplines involved are best suited to the academic student. Topics covered are: concepts of motion, energy, sound, light, and electromagnetism. (PREREQUISITES: C in Algebra 2 and previous sciences and department approval)

Advanced Placement Physics - Algebra (B)  (weighted)

This course is designed for the student who will be entering college and taking math and science courses. The class will be designed like a college course, but students will not be exposed to the rigors of a calculus-based physics course. Students should have had Pre-Calculus or be taking Pre-Calculus while enrolled in this course. Students may elect to take the AP Physics B test or participate in dual enrollment program with RACC to earn college credits. (PREREQUISITES: B in Algebra 2; must take Pre-Calculus at the same time)

Advanced Placement Physics - Calculus (C)  (weighted)

Accelerated Physics was designed to strengthen the background expected of students entering a very rigorous science program at a college or university. Students are recommended to participate in this program on the basis of their superior performance in both science and mathematics as well as their commitment to continue in an accelerated mathematics program. It is recommended but not required that the student have had both physics and calculus prior to taking this course. Students may elect to take the AP Physics C test to earn college credits. (PREREQUISITE: Department approval)