Welcome to the High School Science Curriculum page. To view course descriptions and syllabi please scroll to the class name and click the subject.

Biology

This course is designed for all students. The following areas are covered: Basic biological principals, chemical basis for life, ecology, bioenergetics, homeostasis and transport, cellular growth and reproduction, genetics, and the theory of evolution. In each area the students are made aware of the interrelationships that exist within the living world and life’s dependence on the nonliving one. The course will meet daily for one year. There is also a required Keystone exam at the end of the course.

Course Syllabus – HS Syllabus – SCI – Biology

Honors Biology

This course is designed for all students. The following areas are covered: basic biological principals, chemical basis for life, ecology, bioenergetics, homeostasis and transport, cellular growth and reproduction, genetics, and the theory of evolution. In each area, the students are made aware of the interrelationships that exist within the living world and life’s dependence on the nonliving one. The course will meet daily for one semester. There is also a required Keystone exam at the end of the course.

Course Syllabus – HS Syllabus – SCI – Honors Biology

Intro to Agriculture, Food, and Natural Resources (AFNR)

Intro to AFNR introduces students to agricultural opportunities and pathways of study in agriculture. Science, mathematics, reading, and writing components are woven in the context of agriculture and students will use the introductory skills and knowledge developed in this course throughout the Agriculture curriculum. Throughout the course are activities to develop and improve employability skills of students through practice applications. Students explore career and post-secondary opportunities in each area of the course. Students experience hands-on activities, projects, and problems. Student experiences involve the study of communication, the science of agriculture, plants, animals, natural resources, students learn to solve problems, conduct research, analyze data, work in teams, and take responsibility for their work, actions, and learning.

Course Syllabus – HS Syllabus – Introduction to Agriculture, Food, & Natural Resources

Animal Science – Zoology

The major focus of the Animal Science – Zoology course is to expose students to animal science, agriculture, and related career options. Students participating in this course will have experiences in various animal science concepts with exciting hands-on activities, projects, and problems. Students’ experiences will involve the study of animal anatomy, physiology, behavior, nutrition, reproduction, health, selection, and marketing. For example, students will acquire skills in meeting the nutritional needs of animals while developing balanced, economical rations.

Course Syllabus – HS Syllabus – SCI – Animal Science – Zoology

Plant Science – Botany

In Plant Science – Botany, students will experience various plant science concepts through exciting “hands-on” activities, projects, and problems. Student experiences will include the study of plant anatomy and physiology, classification, and the fundamentals of plant production and harvesting. Students will learn how to apply scientific knowledge and skills to use plants effectively for agronomic, forestry, and horticultural industries. Students will work on major projects and problems similar to those that plant science specialists, such as horticulturalists, agronomists, greenhouse and nursery managers, and plant research specialists, face in their respective careers by improving their investigative, experimental and communication skills.

Course Syllabus – HS Syllabus – CTE – Plant Science-Botany

Chemistry

This course is designed for students expecting to pursue formal education after high school. The students will develop an understanding of the basic principles of chemistry and their applications to other fields of science. The students will gain skills using unit factor method in problem solving. They will apply the laws and theories of chemistry in a mathematical manner. Laboratory skills will be developed through practice. The division is approximately 20% laboratory, 40% problem solving and 40% chemical principles and theories. This course meets every day for one block.

Course Syllabus – HS Syllabus – SCI – Chemistry

Honors Chemistry/PC Now Chemistry

Honors Chemistry will be a first year chemistry course for student covering basic chemistry information at a relatively fast pace and including related math and content in each unit. This chemistry course is designed for students planning on continued education in the science fields and who have a strong math background. It is a Prerequisite for AP Chemistry and for AP Biology. Some students may take Organic Chemistry simultaneously with Honors Chemistry, though it is recommended to take Organic after a first year chemistry course. This course should follow Honors Biology (or a proficient or better in the Biology Keystone) and successful completion of algebra 1. It will be offered as an option to Chemistry 1.

Course Syllabus – HS Syllabus – SCI – Honors Chemistry

Intro to Physics

This course will cover a wide range of basic physics concepts. These concepts will be viewed from a more practical side with some theoretical concepts. Topics such as the relationship between energy and forces, the study of Newton’s laws of motion, and the problem-solving method will be discussed, along with exploring the physics behind the operation of everyday items such as, tools and machinery. This course is intended to provide an understanding of how physics affects and describes our everyday lives. This course would benefit students pursuing careers which would not require advanced science studies, as well as technical students wanting to understand the science behind today’s technology.

Course Syllabus – HS Syllabus – SCI – Intro To Physics

Physics

This course will cover a wide range of basic physics concepts. These concepts will be viewed from the theoretical side and a more practical side. Topics such as the relationship between energy and matter, the study of Newton’s laws of motion, and problem solving using vectors will be discussed. Exploring the physics behind the operation of everyday items such as, tools and machinery. This course is intended to provide an understanding of how physics affects and describes our universe. This course would benefit students pursuing careers which would not require advanced science studies, as well as technical students wanting to understand the science behind today’s technology.

Course Syllabus – HS Syllabus – SCI – Physics

Honors Physics

This course will cover many of the same topics as Intro to Physics, however with much greater depth. The major focus of the course will be vector algebra, kinematics (study of motion), Newton’s Laws of Motion, momentum work, power, and energy. Activities will involve the study of physics theories along with problem solving and laboratory work. This course is intended to prepare students to begin college level physics. While this is not an advanced placement course, most topics will be covered to the depth necessary to aid students taking future physics courses.

Course Syllabus – HS Syllabus – SCI – Honors Physics

Environmental Science

Environmental health Science is a course that is very lab and project based. This course will cover topics related to preserving our environment and making us better caretakers of the earth. Current topics of study include climate change, bees, and oceanography. Upon successful completion of this course, students should be able to use the scientific skills and process and major environmental science concepts to understand interrelationships of the natural world and to analyze environmental issues and their solutions.

Course Syllabus – HS Syllabus – SCI – Environmental Science

Food Science and Safety 

In Food Science and Safety, students will complete hands-on activities, projects, and problems that simulate actual concepts and situations found in the food science and safety industry, allowing students to build content knowledge and technical skills. Students will investigate areas of food science including food safety, food chemistry, food processing, food product development, and marketing. Students will maintain a research level Laboratory Notebook throughout the course documenting their experiences in the laboratory. Research and experimental design will be highlighted as students develop and conduct industry appropriate investigations. Students will investigate, experiment, and learn about documenting a project, solving problems, and communicating solutions to their peers and members of the professional community.

Course Syllabus – HS Syllabus – SCI – Food Science and Safety

Organic Chemistry

Organic Chemistry is designed as a one semester course for students who have successfully completed Chemistry 1 and are interested in continuing their chemistry knowledge for another semester. The class will include the study of carbon, its compounds, and reactions with these compounds. Learning will be through both lecture and laboratory experiences. This class is strongly suggested for those students who are not taking AP Chemistry, and are planning on entering post-graduate work in the sciences, including engineering, health or veterinary fields. It is also recommended for students who completed AP Chemistry.

Course Syllabus – HS Syllabus – SCI – Organic Chemistry

AP Chemistry

The AP Chemistry course meet the entire year, with a whole block every day for each semester. It is designed to deliver to the student the knowledge equivalent to either three quarters or two semesters of college level chemistry. The class will also prepare the student to take the AP exam in May. The course is an intensive study of freshman college chemistry, which includes college level laboratory activities. The course is extremely fast-paced and requires an average of one hour per night study time. Prerequisite for AP Chemistry is a mid-B year average for Chemistry 1A. Those students who choose to take this class with such an average or better will have a good chance for success in AP Chemistry.

Course Syllabus – HS Syllabus – SCI – AP Chemistry

AP Biology

The purpose of this advanced level course is to prepare students for college level concepts in the Biological Sciences. The course content follows the Advanced Placement Course Description provided by The College Board. Students will take the Advanced Placement test in May. Subject matter centers on the following topics: cell physiology, biochemistry and molecular biology, botany, evolution, virology, bacteriology and genetics. The course is an intensive study of freshman college biology, which includes college level laboratory activities. The course is extremely fast-paced and requires an average of one hour per night study time. The Advance Placement course is designed for students who will major in Science, Mathematics, Engineering, or Pre-Med, but is also a path for other college-bound students to receive a college Biology credit.

Course Syllabus – Coming soon!

PC Now/Honors Anatomy & Physiology

This course will give students a thorough background in the systems that make up 75-80% of an initial college level Anatomy and Physiology course or Human Biology course. The text used in this class is a college level book that emphasizes deductive reason and critical thinking. This class will study human body systems as they build on the concept of homeostasis and how body systems relate to each other. Therefore, memorization of material is not as important as the understanding of concepts and their use.

Course Syllabus – HS Syllabus – SCI – PC NOW – Anatomy & Physiology

Medical Terminology

This course provides an overview designed of basic techniques of medical word building. It also provides a study of anatomical, physiological, and pathological terminology with emphasis on word structures and definition of root words, suffixes, and prefixes from Greek and Latin. Additional emphasis is placed on spelling and pronunciation. The techniques of critical thinking, problem solving, collaboration and real life application will be developed through project-based learning. These techniques can readily be applied to acquire an extensive medical vocabulary for those preparing for a career in the medical field.

Course Syllabus – HS Syllabus – SCI – Medical Terminology