Department Chair: Mr. Josue Flores jflores@sja.us
In all science courses offered, students conduct field and laboratory investigations using safe, environmentally appropriate, and ethical practices. The use of technology is incorporated throughout the science curriculum to gather and organize data. Students use the scientific method, critical thinking and scientific problem solving to interpret and analyze information to draw informed conclusions, make inferences, or to propose possible solutions. Students will also use critical thinking to make informed decisions in real-life situations and in evaluating the impact of research on scientific thought, society, and the environment.
SCIENCE 7: PHYSICAL SCIENCE
This course builds on the scientific processes and concepts introduced in previous years, integrating the physical sciences to conduct scientific inquiry. It is the expectation that students will experience the content of Physical Science through inquiry learning. Hands-on laboratory investigations, individual studies, and group activities constitute a major portion of the learning experience. Using available technology, students will investigate forces and motion, the chemical and physical properties of matter, the ways in which matter and energy interact within the natural world, and the forms and properties of energy. Conservation of matter and energy is an underlying theme throughout the course. Physical Science will provide the knowledge, prerequisite skills, and habits of mind needed for problem solving and decision making about matters of scientific and technological concern. Physical science provides a basic foundation for advanced studies in chemistry and physics. A full-year required course for students in grade seven.
HONORS SCIENCE 7: PHYSICAL SCIENCE
This course includes all the major concepts and skills taught in the physical science course. The course differs in that the student is expected to develop a higher level of critical thinking, problem solving, and ability to apply concepts through a more rigorous, faster paced, more in-depth curriculum. This course will require a great deal of self-discipline and independent study. Prerequisite: Departmental recommendation and administrative approval. Weight: 1.05. A full-year course that satisfies the science requirement for students in grade seven.
SCIENCE 8: ENVIRONMENTAL SYSTEMS
In Environmental Systems, students conduct field and laboratory investigations concerning a variety of topics. These topics include: biotic and abiotic factors in habitats; ecosystems and biomes; interrelationships among resources and an environmental system; sources and flow of energy and changes within an environmental systems. Credit: 1.0. A full-year course for students in grade eight that satisfies one (1.0) science credit required for high school graduation.
HONORS SCIENCE 8: ENVIRONMENTAL SYSTEMS
This course includes all the major concepts and skills taught in the environmental systems course. The course differs in that the student is expected to develop a higher level of critical thinking, problem solving, and ability to apply concepts through a more rigorous, faster paced, more in-depth curriculum. This course will require a great deal of self-discipline and independent study. Prerequisite: Departmental recommendation and administrative approval. Credit: 1.0. Weight: 1.05. A full-year course for students in grade eight that satisfies one (1.0) science credit required for high school graduation.
BIOLOGY
Students in Biology study a variety of topics that include: structures and functions of cells and viruses; growth and development of organisms; cells, tissues, and organs; nucleic acids and genetics; biological evolution; taxonomy, metabolism and energy transfers in living organisms; living systems; homeostasis; ecosystems; and plants and the environment. Credit: 1.0; A full-year required course for freshmen.
HONORS BIOLOGY
This course includes all the major concepts and skills taught in Biology, but with an emphasis on higher level skills and problem solving. The students are expected to apply the learned concepts at a faster pace and with a more in depth curriculum. The course will require a great deal of self-discipline and independent study. Prerequisite: Departmental recommendation and administrative approval. Weight: 1.05. A full-year course which fulfills the Biology requirement.
CHEMISTRY
In Chemistry students study a variety of topics that include: scientific measurement, characteristics of matter, atomic structure and bonding, chemical nomenclature, chemical equations, stoichiometry, the states of matter, thermochemistry, behavior of gases, chemical periodicity, reaction rates and equilibrium, solutions, acids and bases, neutralization and salts, redox-reactions, nuclear fusion and fission. Students will investigate how chemistry is an integral part of our daily lives. Credit: 1.0; A full-year required course for sophomores.
HONORS CHEMISTRY
This rigorous course is designed for highly motivated students. In comparison to the regular Chemistry course, it demands a higher level of critical thinking, application of concepts, self-discipline, and a great deal of independent study. Topics will be examined in greater depth and at a faster pace. In addition to the core topics covered in the Chemistry course, this course covers: phase diagrams, thermo-chemical equations, calorimetry and standard heats of formation, departures from the gas laws, the quantum concept, the photoelectric effect, quantum mechanics, bond dissociation constants, equilibrium constants, buffers, and an introduction to Organic Chemistry. Prerequisite: Departmental recommendation and administrative approval. Credit: 1.0; Weight: 1.05; A full-year course which fulfills the Chemistry requirement.
FUNDAMENTALS OF PHYSICS
This course studies the fundamental concepts of mechanics using vectors and dimensional analysis. It goes on to study the sources of all motion, energy, and how that energy is both transferred and conserved. The purpose of this course is to equip students with a working knowledge of our physical world, with special emphasis on the underlying principles governing everyday machines. Even though physics cannot be taught without an involvement of mathematics, the impact of math in this course is kept to a minimum. Students study a variety of topics that include motion, forces, energy, matter, heat, thermodynamics, characteristics and behavior of sound, and light waves. Prerequisites: Departmental recommendation and administrative approval. Credit: 1.0; A full-year course which fulfills the Physics requirement.
PHYSICS
This course studies the fundamental concepts of mechanics using vectors and dimensional analysis. It goes on to study the sources of all motion and energy, and how that energy is both transferred and conserved. Mathematics is the language of physics; therefore a solid experience covering the basic concepts of Algebra and Geometry in order to solve problems using scientific data is required. Knowledge of the trigonometric functions of sine, cosine, and tangent is essential. Students study a variety of topics that include motion, forces, energy, matter, heat, thermodynamics, and the characteristics and behavior of sound and light Credit: 1.0; A full-year required course for juniors or seniors.
HONORS PHYSICS
This course covers the topics outlined in the regular Physics course, but with a more rigorous, in-depth mathematical approach. This course is for highly motivated students with exceptional mathematical capabilities. Students can expect to be challenged in a direction that is parallel to that of the general motion of the class, however in a much deeper sense, laying the in-roads to sound understanding of the discipline of Physics. Prerequisites: Departmental recommendation and administrative approval. Credit: 1.0; Weight: 1.05; A full-year course which fulfills the Physics requirement.
ADVANCED PLACEMENT BIOLOGY
The AP Biology course is designed to be the equivalent of a college introductory course taken by first year biology majors. The coursework and laboratory assignments are equivalent to those conducted at the college level. The AP Biology course aims to provide students with factual knowledge in a conceptual framework and is designed to be taken by students after successful completion of a first course in high school biology and high school chemistry. In accordance with the College Board guidelines, the topics within the course cover these three main areas: molecules and cells, heredity and evolution, and organisms and plants. Students will be expected to take the AP Biology examination in May. Any student seriously considering a career in science or any health-related profession should consider enrolling in this course. Prerequisites: Biology, Chemistry, Physics; Departmental recommendation and administrative approval. Credit: 1.5; Weight: 1.10; A full-year elective course for juniors or seniors.
ADVANCED PLACEMENT CHEMISTRY
This course is designed to be the equivalent of the general Chemistry course usually taken during the first year of college and meets the objectives prescribed by the AP Chemistry Course description published by The College Board. A primary goal of the course is to attain a depth of understanding of fundamental concepts and a reasonable competence in dealing with general chemistry problems. The course develops the student’s abilities to think critically and analytically and to express his/her ideas, orally and in writing, with clarity and logic. Students will be expected to take the AP Chemistry examination in May. Any student seriously considering a career in science, engineering, or a health-related profession should enroll in this course. Prerequisites: Biology, Chemistry, and Physics; concurrent enrollment in Calculus preferred; Departmental recommendation and administrative approval. Credit: 1.5; Weight: 1.10; a full year elective for juniors or seniors.
ADVANCED PLACEMENT PHYSICS
The Physics B course includes topics in both classical and modern physics. A thorough knowledge of algebra and basic trigonometry is required for the course; the basic ideas of calculus may be introduced in connection with physical concepts, such as acceleration and work. Understanding of the basic principles involved and the ability to apply these principles in the solution of problems are the major goals of the course. The Physics B course seeks to be representative in topics covered in similar college courses and is grouped into five general areas: Newtonian mechanics, fluid mechanics and thermal physics, electricity and magnetism, waves and optics, and atomic and nuclear physics. Students will be expected to take the AP Physics examination in May. Any student seriously considering a career in science or physics as a basis for life sciences, medicine, geology and related areas should consider enrolling in this course. Prerequisites: Biology, Chemistry, Physics; Departmental recommendation and administrative approval. Credit: 1.5; Weight: 1.10; A full year elective course for juniors or seniors.
HONORS ANATOMY & PHYSIOLOGY
This course is designed to give students an in-depth introduction to the anatomy and physiology of the human body. It will provide students with an opportunity to study the structures and functions of several important organ systems, from the molecular level to the level and interactions of the entire body. The student will learn how the body functions, how to maintain its normal functions, and the consequences of injury and disease. Students will come to understand the interrelationships among the various organ systems, which maintain a healthy functioning individual. Important lifestyle and health related issues will be stressed, providing students with important information to be applied in their own lives.
Prerequisites: Biology, Chemistry, Physics. Credit 1.0; Weight: 1.05; A full-year elective course for juniors or seniors.