Science

Grade: 12
Year: 1.0 Science credit
Prerequisite: Biology, Chemistry

Anatomy and Physiology is designed for students with an interest in the human body and/or health sciences. This course starts with a basic overview of cells and their components, as well as a review of the chemistry necessary to properly understand how cells and parts of the human body function. Students will study the organ system in great depth, including structure, shape, function, and relationship to other systems. This course involves a mixture of lecture, lab work, and dissection. Students must be able to do dissections in this class.

Grade: 12
Year: 1.0 Science credit
Prerequisite: Biology, Chemistry (or concurrent enrollment with a chemistry course)

AP Biology is designed to be the equivalent of an introductory college Biology course. The curriculum for this class is the College Board Advanced Placement Biology Curriculum. Units of study will include the chemistry of life, cells, cellular energetics, heredity, molecular genetics, evolutionary biology, and ecology. This course differs significantly from a high school course with respect to the laboratory work done and the time and effort of the student outside of class. It is expected that all students enrolled in this class will sit for the May exam. Exam fees apply. Students should expect 2 hours or more of homework per class session and teacher-led, outside-of-class, AP study sessions.

Grades: 10, 11, 12
Year: 1.0 Science credit
Prerequisite: Biology Honors, Algebra 2, Chemistry Honors

AP Chemistry is designed to be the equivalent of an introductory college Chemistry course. The curriculum for this class is the College Board Advanced Placement Chemistry Curriculum. Units of study will include the atomic theory and atomic structure, chemical bonding, nuclear chemistry, gases, liquids and solids, solutions, reaction types, stoichiometry, equilibrium, kinetics, thermodynamics, and descriptive chemistry. This course differs significantly from a high school course with respect to the laboratory work done and the time and effort of the student outside of class. It is expected that all students enrolled in this class will sit for the May exam. Exam fees apply. Students should expect a minimum of one hour of homework per class session and teacher-led outside-of-class AP study sessions.

Grade: 12
Year: 1.0 Science credit
Prerequisite: Biology, Chemistry

AP Environmental Science is designed to be the equivalent of an introductory college Environmental Science course. The curriculum for this class is the College Board Advanced Placement Environmental Science Curriculum. Units of study will include Earth science concepts, the atmosphere, global water resources and use, soil and soil dynamics, ecosystem structure, energy flow, global water resources and use, soil and soil dynamics, ecosystem structure, energy flow, ecosystem diversity, natural ecosystem change, and natural biogeochemical cycles. This course differs significantly from a high school course with respect to the laboratory work done and the time and effort of the student outside of class. It is expected that all students enrolled in this class will sit for the May exam. Exam fees apply. Students should expect 1 hour of homework per class session and teacher led outside-of-class AP study sessions.

Grades: 10, 11, 12
Year: 1.0 Science credit
Prerequisite: Biology Honors, Chemistry Honors

AP Physics 1: Algebra-Based is equivalent to a first-semester college course in algebra-based physics. The course covers Newtonian mechanics (including rotational dynamics and angular momentum), work, energy, and power, and mechanical waves and sound. It will also introduce electric circuits. This course differs from a high school course with respect to the laboratory work done and the time and effort of the student outside of class. It is expected that all students enrolled in this class will sit for the May exam. Exam fees apply. Depending on score and college admission, students can receive up to 5 college credits for a successful score. Students should expect 1 hour of homework per class session and teacher led outside-of-class AP study sessions.

Grades: 12
Year: 1.0 Science credit
Prerequisites: AP Physics 1 and AP Calculus AB or BC (or co-requisite of AP Calculus AB or BC)

AP Physics C is a Calculus-based, college-level physics course that serves as the foundation in physics for students majoring in science or engineering. Strong emphasis is placed on solving a variety of challenging problems, some of which require basic and intermediate calculus. The course will comprise a variety of topics in Newtonian mechanics, including kinematics, Newton’s laws, momentum, energy, rotational motion, gravitation, simple harmonic motion, electrostatics, electric circuits, magnetic fields and electromagnetism. The depth and pace of the subject matter require a background in both physics and math. It is expected that all students enrolled in this class will sit for the May exam. Exam fees apply. This course differs significantly from a regular high school course with respect to laboratory work and time outside of class.

Grade: 9
Year: 1.0 Science credit

In this class, students will explore relationships between structure and function in organisms and the interaction of cells and organisms with each other and their environments. Units of study will include ecology, chemistry of life, cellular structure and function, genetics, evolution, classification, and human systems. Laboratory activities reinforce concepts and principles presented.

Grade: 9
Year: 1.0 Science credit

In this class, students will explore relationships between structure and function in organisms and the interaction of cells and organisms with each other and their environments. Units of study will include ecology, chemistry of life, cellular structure and function, genetics, evolution, classification, and human systems. Laboratory activities reinforce concepts and principles presented. This course covers the same topics as the regular biology program, but in a greater depth and at an accelerated rate. This course is designed to prepare students for AP, IB, CE, or selective university pathways.

Grade: 12
Semester: 0.5 Science credit
Prerequisites: Biology, Chemistry or Physics

*To receive CE credit, student must have grade waiver or qualifying score (Accuplacer, ACT, AP, SAT)
Focused analysis of the causes and mechanics of human illness and death will be presented for each of the major human body systems. Selected diseases will be studied in greater detail including etiology, pathogenesis, epidemiology, sociology, and therapy.

Grade: 12
Semester: 0.5 Science credit
Prerequisites: Biology, Chemistry or Physics

*To receive CE credit, student must have grade waiver or qualifying score (Accuplacer, ACT, AP, SAT)
Examines the basis of biology in the modern world and surveys the current knowledge and conceptual framework of the discipline. Biology as a science - the process of gaining new knowledge - is explored as is the impact of biological science on society. This course includes laboratory experiences.

Grade: 12
Year: 1.0 Science credit

*To receive CE credit, student must have grade waiver or qualifying score (Accuplacer, ACT, AP, SAT)
This course introduces the principles of meteorology, climatology, world vegetation patterns, and world regional climate classification. The course is conducted through an integrated process of lectures, discussions, and laboratory assignments. This course aligns with Colorado Community College. Students will have the opportunity to earn high school credit while, at the same time, enrolling in and earning community college credits with the opportunity to transfer credit to an institution of higher education. If a student is interested in earning community college credit, an additional application is required.

Grade: 10, 11
Year: 1.0 Science credit
Prerequisite: Biology and Algebra 1

This course provides the opportunity to develop knowledge and understanding about the structure and properties of matter, the interaction between mass and energy, and how it relates to our planet. Units of study include matter and its changes, atomic structure, chemical composition, nomenclature, reactions, stoichiometry, gas laws, periodicity, bond- ing, molecular geometry, thermodynamics, and special topics in Earth Science. Laboratory activities reinforce concepts and principles presented in this course.

Grade: 10
Year: 1.0 Science credit
Prerequisite: Biology Honors

This course provides the opportunity to develop knowledge and understanding about the structure and properties of matter, the interaction between mass and energy, and how it relates to our planet. Units of study include matter and its changes, atomic structure, chemical composition, nomenclature, reactions, stoichiometry, gas laws, periodicity, bonding, molecular geometry, thermodynamics, and special topics in Earth Science. Laboratory activities reinforce concepts and principles presented in this course. This course covers the same topics as the regular Chemistry program, but in a greater depth and at an accelerated rate.

Grade: 11
Year: 1.0 Science credit
Prerequisite: Acceptance to the IB Diploma Program

IB Biology is a fast-paced laboratory science course which emphasizes the unifying concepts of biology. The first year focuses on statistics, biochemistry, cells and cell processes, genetics, evolution, and classification. Scientific investigation and original lab work will also be emphasized. This university level course requires a heavy reading load and intensive study. Students are expected to take IB Bio HL 2 in 12th grade.

Grade: 12
Year: 1.0 Science credit
Prerequisite: IB Biology HL 1

Topics from the first year are expanded and the focus is on ecology and conservation, human health and physiology, and neurobiology and behavior. Scientific investigation and original lab work will also be emphasized. This university level course requires a heavy reading load and intensive study. Students will be prepared to take the Biology HL exam. Students interested in a medical career should consider concurrent registration in IB Chemistry or taking Chemistry Honors sometime during the 10-12th grade years.

Grade: 11
Year: 1.0 Science credit
Prerequisite: Acceptance to the IB Diploma Program

This class is a lab-based survey investigation of the physical world from Newtonian mechanics through the beginnings of 20th-century understanding of the atom. A quarter of course time is devoted to practical work, where students gain direct experience with the ideas and processes of physics. This is a math-intensive course, not just for pre-engineering students, but for any IB student looking to do well in college. Students will be prepared for the IB Physics HL exams.

Grade: 12
Year: 1.0 Science credit
Prerequisite: IB Physics HL 1

This is a continuation of IB Physics 1. Topics expand on earlier ones with the addition of two options. At least a quarter of course time is devoted to practical work, where students gain direct experience with the ideas and processes of physics. This is a math-intensive course, not just for pre-engineering students, but for any IB student looking to do well in college. Students will be prepared for the IB Physics HL exams.

Grades: 11, 12
Year: 1.0 Science credit
Prerequisite: Biology Honors and Chemistry Honors

This course is open to non-IB seniors based on availability. This is a one-year standard-level chemistry course for IB students. The course involves the study of the science that underpins physical performance. The course incorporates the traditional areas of anatomy and physiology, biomechanics, psychology, and nutrition. Students cover a range of topics and carry out practical (experimental) investigations in both laboratory and field settings. This provides an opportunity to acquire the knowledge and understanding necessary to apply scientific principles and critically analyze human performance in sports and exercise science. The course will also address international issues and ethics by considering sport, exercise, and health relative to the individual in a global context. At the end of the course, students will be prepared for the IB SL exams.

Grade: 10
Year: 1.0 Science credit
Prerequisite: coordinator approval

Physical Science is a full-year course designed to provide the student with a solid foundation in basic chemistry and physics. Students will study common forms, properties, and changes in both matter and energy, and will relate physics and chemistry concepts to the process of scientific investigation while reinforcing algebraic math skills used to solve science problems.
*This class will not count as an additional core year for NCAA Clearinghouse if the student has successfully completed Chemistry or Physics.

Grade: 11, 12
Year: 1.0 Science credit
Prerequisite: Biology and Chemistry

This course uses mathematical applications and conceptual principles to help students understand the physical laws of our universe. Units of study include forces, motion, energy, light, waves, electricity, magnetism, and astronomy. Laboratory work and the principles of algebra and trigonometry serve to promote understanding and illustrate the experimental and mathematical nature of physics.

Grade: 12
Semester: 0.5 Science credit
Prerequisite: Biology, Chemistry or Physics

Students will explore the properties and characteristics of the Earth, Moon, and Sun. We will discover how ancient astronomers studied our universe and mapped the sky. We will also study the planets and their recent discoveries. All levels of seniors are welcome to take this course.

Grade: 12
Semester: 0.5 Science credit
Prerequisite: Biology, Chemistry or Physics

Students will explore how we use light and telescopes to study the stars, galaxies, and universe. We will go beyond our solar system to study topics such as the size of the universe, a star's life cycle, constellations, the origin of the universe, and more. All levels of seniors are welcome to take this course.