Honors Chemistry is intended for the highly successful and motivated science and math student who may be intending to major in science or science related areas. Furthermore, the pace is accelerated, the depth and scope of the coverage are expanded, and there is a greater expectation for the students to take responsibility for learning outside the classroom. Through lecture and laboratory investigations, this course goes beyond introducing the fundamental concepts and requires students to apply learned concepts to new situations, interpret qualitative and quantitative data, and use mathematics to infer numerical relationships. Laboratory work is an integral part of the course and is very analytical in nature. Students who are self-directed learners with demonstrated mastery of math and science and excellent reading comprehension skills are considered for this course. This is a firm one-year commitment.

This course is a study of fundamental concepts in biology. Students will explore the scientific method, the microscope, the nature of life, ecology, cell structure and function, genetics, evolution, and the diversity of life including animal systems. There will be hands-on laboratory experiences, including dissections, to ensure the comprehension of science concepts.

The Honors Biology course begins with the development of fundamental topics. These include a historical view, the scientific method, the microscope, characteristics of living organisms, the cell and the chemical basis of life followed by an introduction to genetics and classification. It continues by investigation of life forms from the primitive to the most complex (plants, animals, and humans) and their interaction with the environment. The course is intended to make students aware of the interrelationship and interdependence of all living things, their capacity for environmental adaptations, the significance of these for human welfare and respect for all life. This course includes laboratory investigations, including dissections.

This Chemistry course is a laboratory course that targets those students who are not necessarily pursuing a science major in college. This course introduces the fundamental laws and principles of chemistry including: atomic structure and the periodic table, chemical bonding and structure, chemical reactivity and applications to acid-base and redox reactions, states of matter and gas laws, reaction stoichiometry, thermo-chemistry and equilibrium. The course, which includes lecture and accompanying laboratory investigations, is designed to give students the opportunity to apply these fundamentals to practical situations. The laboratory involves the discovery of key concepts through the analysis of student generated data and observations. Students are expected to show competency in basic algebraic manipulations and word problems.

College Prep Physics is an introductory-level physics course that provides an overview of basic physics within a conceptual framework. The course framework is concentrated on exploring the concepts of physical principles through lecture and experiment. Highlighted and emphasized applications of these principles are those that relate to everyday life. Within each unit of material, topics are presented with an emphasis on conceptual understanding. Mathematical relationships are introduced to assist the students in understanding each concept. Basic arithmetic, algebra, and trigonometry skills will be utilized. Laboratory techniques such as the application of the scientific method, data collection, graphic representation of data, and discussion of laboratory results will be taught with short, one-period laboratory experiences. The topics that may be covered include: linear and rotational motion; vectors and projectile motion; forces and Newton's laws; gravitation; energy; momentum; electricity and magnetism; waves

and sound; and light and optics.

Honors Physics is a laboratory course in physics intended for students who wish to more fully develop lab skills. Equal time shall be devoted to explanation of phenomena, laboratory exercises, and problem solving. This honors course requires a working knowledge of trigonometry, as basic trigonometric functions are integrated throughout the course. Students are expected to demonstrate competency in interpreting graphs, solving word problems, and performing basic algebraic manipulations (such as solving an unknown in an equation, using the quadratic formula, and determining the slope and y-intercept of a linear graph). Weekly laboratory experiments are integrated into each unit throughout the course. Students should expect each laboratory assessment to include proper measurement techniques, data collection, and a written and graphical analysis of the physical principles presented. Topics covered may include: measurement and proper laboratory techniques, linear and rotational motion, vectors and projectile motion, forces and Newton’s laws, gravitation, energy, momentum, electricity and magnetism, waves and sound, and light and optics.

Environmental Science is a course designed for students seeking a fourth year of a laboratory science. It is a two-semester science course that incorporates the principles of physics, chemistry and biology into a study of the environment and aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems. Topics included are earth systems and resources, energy flow and biogeochemical cycles, energy resources, global changes, land and water use, pollution, and population. The environmental science course will prepare students to understand the current environmental concerns, assess the risks associated with these issues and study options to resolve or prevent the problems. Experiences both in the laboratory and in the field allow students to use firsthand observation to investigate the environment. Students need to plan for two mandatory field studies that will require them to be out of school for the entire day. Quarterly service hours in the environment are an additional required component of the course.

Honors Anatomy and Physiology is a two semester laboratory course that studies the structures and functions of the human body. This college level course explores the relationships and balance between body systems. Lecture material will be reinforced with appropriate laboratory experiences including in-depth analysis and assessment of laboratory data and results, dissections and lab practicals.

AP Biology, taught at the introductory college level, prepares students to pursue science majors in college and to take the Advanced Placement Exam in May. Among the many topics covered in depth are: molecules and cells, genetics and evolution, and organisms and populations. Additionally, AP Biology will utilize the natural sciences (biology, chemistry, and physics) and will demonstrate the connectivity. Students will need a working understanding of the instrumentation for this course. Current biology topics will be explored in depth. This course includes significant laboratory experiences, including dissections.

AP Chemistry is highly recommended for those interested in majoring in chemistry, health sciences and engineering at the collegiate level. AP Chemistry is designed for students who seek a deeper understanding of the structure of matter and how this correlates to its behavior. The major topics that were discussed in the Honors Chemistry or Chemistry courses are revisited in more detail, with emphasis on the theory.

 

Students are expected to have a strong background in Algebra since AP Chemistry involves numerical problem solving and word problem analysis both in the content course and the laboratory. The goal of AP Chemistry is to provide the student a foundation of knowledge on which to rationalize, summarize and predict the structure and properties of materials that make up chemistry. Students are encouraged to think independently and become an active part of the learning process. Homework problems are not graded but are used to initiate discussion, questions, and awareness that various methods can be used for problem solving.

 

AP Chemistry is lab-oriented with special emphasis on quantitative and qualitative methods of analysis. Several guided inquiry-based labs will support the learning objectives in the curriculum framework. As with any AP course, AP Chemistry requires a high level of work and commitment; therefore, students must be self-motivated, independent learners. In addition, this course meets 40% more than most classes to accommodate the lab work. Students must consider the heavy workload in relation to commitments for other courses, total course load, and activities outside of class.

AP Physics  C:  Electricity and Magnetism is an elective, second-year, calculus-based physics course.  The primary goal of this course is to integrate physics and calculus into a college-level problem-solving course that reinforces both these disciplines in the process of analyzing real world applications.  Treatment of topics throughout the course will be significantly deeper and more rigorous than in any first-year physics course.  Students will study Newtonian Mechanics, Conservation Laws, including Energy and momentum, circular and angular motion.  Students successfully completing this course will be well-prepared for the College Board AP Physics C:  Electricity and Magnetism exam administered in mid-May.  Students are required to enroll in AP Physics C:  Mechanics in addition to enrollment in this course for a full year commitment.