This course focuses upon the attainment of knowledge and understanding of fundamental physics principles.  Unlike physics courses traditionally taught at a 11th grade level, this course is designed to focus on the basic concepts of physics without the application of a lot of mathematics.  As with any of the science department's courses, skills such as science reasoning, experimental design, laboratory procedural and problem solving are integrated and developed through a study of physics topics.  The topics themselves include linear and rotational mechanics, electricity and magnetism, waves, and other topics.

This course emphasizes reading comprehension, data analysis, practical experimentation, hypothesis formulation, data collection, problem solving, critical thinking as they relate to the life sciences.  Genetics, cell structure, photosynthesis and respiration, and ecology, microbiology, botany and zoology are the areas of concentration.

This course emphasizes reading comprehension, data analysis, practical experimentation, hypothesis formulation, data collection, problem solving, critical thinking as they relate to the life sciences.  Genetics, cell structure, photosynthesis and respiration, ecology, microbiology, botany, zoology and other topics are studied and integrated.  This course is more rigorous than Core Biology in that the knowledge and concepts are explored more deeply.  Honors Biology culminates with a term project.

This course focuses upon data analysis, mathematical computations, and reading that are developed through a study of matter, atomic structure, chemical formulas, chemical reactions, periodic properties of elements, chemical bonding, and the behavior of atomic particles in accordance with the Kinetic Theory of Matter.  Connections to relevant societal and technological issues are emphasized.

This course focuses upon data analysis, mathematical computations, and reading that are developed through a study of matter, atomic structure, chemical formulas, chemical reactions, periodic properties of elements, chemical bonding, acid/base reactions, and the behavior of atomic particles in accordance with the Kinetic Theory of Matter.  Connections to relevant societal and technological issues are emphasized. This course may include extra projects that help define chemical concepts.  

This course focuses upon the attainment of knowledge and understanding of fundamental physics principles.  As with any of the science department's courses, skills such as science reasoning, experimental design, laboratory procedural and problem solving are integrated and developed through a study of physics topics.  The topics themselves include linear and rotational mechanics, electricity and magnetism, waves, and other modern topics.

Homework: 30-40 minutes per night
This course focuses upon the attainment of knowledge and understanding of fundamental physics principles and their mathematical descriptions.  As with any of the science department's courses, skills such as science reasoning, experimental design, laboratory procedural and problem solving are integrated and developed through a study of physics topics.  The topics themselves include linear and rotational mechanics, electricity and magnetism, waves, and other modern topics.  Algebra 1 and basic geometry skills are used in the study of these physics principles.  This course includes two term projects and a more integrated approach to the study of the physics concepts.

AP Environmental Science course is to provide students with the scientific principles, concepts, and methodologies required to understand the interrelationships of the natural world, to identify and analyze environmental problems both natural and human-made, to evaluate the relative risks associated with these problems both natural and human-made, to evaluate the relative risks associated with these problems, and examine alternative solutions for resolving and/or preventing them. 

*It is highly recommended that all students in an Advanced Placement course take the Advanced Placement Exam offered each May by the College Board.

This course focuses upon how both the Earth and the organisms that live on it have changed over time, as well as the basic facts and ideas necessary to answer that question, including cellular biology, energetics, evolution, ecology, genetics, genetic technology, animal structure and function, plant structure and function, and other topics.  These concepts will be taught utilizing a lecture/discussion based curriculum which includes advanced lab techniques, independent projects, directed practice, and student research.  The overall goal of this course is to give students an opportunity to take a college level course in a high school setting, and to prepare those students to perform up to their ability on the Advanced Placement test.

*It is highly recommended that all students in an Advanced Placement course take the Advanced Placement Exam offered each May by the College Board.

The AP Chemistry course is designed to be generally equivalent to a first-year of college general chemistry course. Students will be provided ample opportunity to attain a depth of understanding of fundamentals and some competence in solving chemical problems. As with any of the science department's courses, skills such as science reasoning, experimental design, laboratory procedures and problem solving are integrated and developed through a study of chemistry topics. However, the emphasis lies in preparation for the AP Chemistry test where the knowledge and skills are taken to a higher level of application. The topics, themselves, may change slightly from year to year depending on decisions made by the College Board. Among the topics are atomic structure, chemical bonding, gas laws, solids and liquids, solutions, reaction types, stoichiometry, equilibrium, chemical kinetics, thermodynamics, descriptive chemistry and laboratory skills. There is an emphasis on chemical calculations throughout the content, including attention to significant figures, precision and critical analysis of results.

*It is highly recommended that all students in an Advanced Placement course take the Advanced Placement Exam offered each May by the College Board.

This course focuses upon the attainment the knowledge and understanding of a base of physics principles that is broader and more highly specialized than in previous physics courses.  As with any of the science department's courses, skills such as science reasoning, experimental design, laboratory procedural and problem solving are integrated and developed through a study of physics topics.  However, the emphasis lies in preparation for the AP Physics test where the knowledge and skills are taken to a higher level of application.  AP Physics is a college level course that challenges students to extend what they learn to solve problems of various levels of structure and depth.  The topics, themselves, may change slightly from year to year depending on decisions made by the College Board.   Among the topics are Newtonian mechanics, waves and optics, fluid mechanics, thermodynamics, electricity and magnetism, quantum, and nuclear physics.  Strong algebra and basic trigonometry skills are helpful. 

*It is highly recommended that all students in an Advanced Placement course take the Advanced Placement Exam offered each May by the College Board.

The purpose of this course is to provide students with exposure to different engineering fields. Students will learn the theories behind various systems such as hydraulics, pneumatics, electronics, and mechanics. These theories will be applied to common designing problems. This is a lab course that will involve practical application and may include design and production projects. Guest speakers will discuss careers in engineering.

This course focuses on the basic principles of zoology. The course deals with animal taxonomy, animal anatomy/physiology, animal development, and behavior. The course will focus on basic life science laboratory skills and techniques. It can be taken before or after biology. The course will be focused on the freshman and sophomore level but it is open to all. Animal dissection will be a part of the laboratory portion. This course is listed as a science elective and will NOT meet the biology requirement.

This course focuses upon comprehending readings, analyzing data, formulating hypotheses, collecting data and categorizing skills that are integrated and developed through a study of plate tectonics, rocks and minerals, erosional processes and hydrology.

This course is designed for the college-bound student who has a special interest in human anatomy and physiology.  Honors Human Anatomy & Physiology emphasizes problem-solving, laboratory, dissection, and research skills that are integrated and developed through a study of human body systems.  The integumentary, skeletal, muscular, circulatory, respiratory, digestive, and excretory systems are examined in detail.  Laboratory reports, dissection write-ups, term projects and portfolio entries play an integral part in the student's grade.  DISSECTIONS ARE REQUIRED. The student who plans on enrolling in both AP Biology and Honors Human Anatomy & Physiology should take Honors Human Anatomy & Physiology first (although it is not a prerequisite for AP Biology).

This course focuses on researching the historical development in Astronomy, examining the possible ways Astronomy will change our world, evaluating the forces that shaped our solar system, proper use of a star chart and telescope and research space exploration.

Analytical Chemistry will explore the topics of nuclear chemistry and organic chemistry. Students will study nuclear reactions, radiation and radioactive decay in nuclear chemistry unit. The objectives for the organic chemistry unit will pertain to investigating functional groups, polymers and the different reaction types. There may be two field trips during this term.