Science

 

 

 

Botany

Credit 0.5;  Semester;  Grades 11,12

Prerequisite:  Two years lab science

Course Objectives:  Students will learn to recognize, identify, and take care of native plants.  In addition students will relate plants to habitat and use them in determining the habitat type required in forestry studies.  Students may also prepare materials make from native plants.  This course will allow students to maintain and improve the native gardens at GHS.  Students will learn how to identify plants after dissecting them, prepare photos for a school binder of our gardens, and help elementary schools with their native gardens.  Students will learn to identify plants using a dichotomous key and apply the plant keys to identify habitat types used in forestry.

INTRODUCTION TO BIOTECHNOLOGY (BIOB_105)

Credit 0.5; Semester; Grades 11, 12

Prerequisite: Two years lab science

Materials Fee(s): All FVCC Dual Credit Fees, (First 6 credits are free); Laboratory materials fee of $50.
Required concurrent enrollment as a Running Start student in BIOB_05 through FVCC for 3 college credits.
Course Objectives: An introduction to the rapidly-expanding field of biotechnology and its applications to human and veterinary medicine, agriculture, bio-fuels, bio-remediation, and bioinformatics. Laboratory exercises will include basic laboratory safety, measurement methods, microbial cell culture, bacterial transformation, and other core skills used in the biotechnology laboratory.

BIOLOGY

Credit 1.0; Year; Grade 9

Prerequisite: None

Course Objectives: Biology examines major concepts of the life sciences through lab-based problem solving to augment classroom instruction. The goal of this course is to promote scientific literacy for all students in both lab skills and content knowledge. Core topics include: scientific method, ecosystems, populations, cells and cell processes, biochemistry, genetics, evolution, classification, and organismal diversity. Current research and applications of content are emphasized throughout. This is a graduation requirement for the class of 2013.

 

AP BIOLOGY  
Credit 1.0; Year; Grades 11, 12

Prerequisite: Chemistry Year and instructor’s signature.

Course Objectives: This course follows the AP curriculum and prepares students for the AP Biology exam in May. AP Biology is a course designed to be the equivalent of a two-semester college introductory biology course usually taken by biology majors during their first year. Three major areas in Biology are covered: Molecules and Cells 25%, Heredity and Evolution 25%, and Organisms and Populations 50%. This course will help students develop a conceptual framework for modern biology and an appreciation of science as a process. Essential to this conceptual understanding are a grasp of science as a process rather than as an accumulation of facts, personal experience in inquiry, application of major topics, critical thinking and environmental and social concerns through research.

 

EARTH SCIENCE
Credit 1.0; Year; Grade 10, 11, 12

Prerequisite: none

Course Objectives: Earth science is a study of phenomena affecting the formation, history and current conditions of Earth, its oceans and its atmosphere. This course explores a combination of sciences including astronomy, geology, oceanography and meteorology while students observe our world from the universe to their back yard. Investigations give students the opportunity to discover how earth science affects their lives as well as promote lab techniques and problem solving. Local Earth Science topics are strongly emphasized.

 

CHEMISTRY
Credit 1.0; Year; Grades 10, 11, 12
Prerequisite: Algebra 1 (Grade “C” or better)

Course Objectives: This course studies electrons and their interactions as they relate to matter. Many topics are covered including measurement, atomic structure, bonding, reactions, stoichiometry, gas laws, thermodynamics, kinetics, equilibrium, acids and bases. Theory and practicality will be interwoven to engage students in predicting, designing, experimenting, and describing the chemical interactions of everyday life. Problem-solving skills will be developed and enhanced. Mathematical relationships are emphasized, as well as the explanations of observed phenomena in terms of modern scientific theory. This course is recommended for any student who wishes to continue beyond two years of science.

 

AP CHEMISTRY
Credit 1.0; Year; Grades 10, 11, 12
Prerequisite: Geometry (Grade “B” or better), completion of or concurrent enrollment in Algebra 2/Trigonometry and instructor’s signature.

Course Objectives: This course follows the AP curriculum and prepares students for the AP Chemistry exam in May. It is the equivalent of a full year of college general chemistry. This class requires additional lab time outside of the regular class period. Students will build deeper understanding of chemical concepts by engaging in laboratory experiences that require detailed quantitative analysis. Topics of study include structure of matter, states of matter, reactions, descriptive chemistry, and chemical calculations.

 

PHYSICS
Credit 1.0, Year, Grades 11, 12
Prerequisite: Algebra 2 concurrent enrollment or completion with grade “C” or better

Course Objectives: This class is a non-calculus general physics survey. The main goals are to increase student understanding of natural laws and to develop analytical skills important for students' general physics knowledge. There will be an emphasis in mechanical physics, followed by a brief study of fluids, periodic motion, and wave characteristics. The successful student will solve problems, measure physical properties in the laboratory, perform calculations with these measurements, and write clear, comprehensive reports on the lab work.

 

AP PHYSICS 1 
Credit 1.0; Year; Grades 11, 12
Prerequisite: Two years lab science and completion of Algebra 2

Course Objectives: The goal of this course is to under-stand the world about us by recognizing and defining problems, observing, measuring, devising experiments, making hypotheses and theories, and communicating with other students. Topics studied include energy, motion, sound, and light. The successful student will solve problems, measure physical properties in the laboratory, perform calculations with these measurements, and write clear, comprehensive reports on the lab work.

 

AP PHYSICS C: MECHANICS (Offered every other year)

Credit 1.0; Year; Grades 11, 12

Prerequisite: Calculus or currently enrolled in Calculus

Course Objectives: This offering is a calculus based Physics class. It is the equivalent to the pre-engineering introductory course for university students. The emphasis is on understanding the concepts and skills, and using the concepts and formula to solve problems. Laboratory work is an integral part of this course.

 

FORENSICS
Credit 0.5; Semester; Grades 11, 12
Prerequisite: Two years lab science

Course Objectives: Forensic science is the application of science to those criminal and civil laws that are enforced by police agencies in a criminal justice system. In this course, students will employ the disciplines of chemistry, physics, biology, perform experiments, and psychology into the understanding of how forensic science is used in the analysis of the many types of evidence that may be recovered during a crime investigation.

 

ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY
Credit 0.5; Semester; Grades 11, 12
Prerequisite: Two years lab science

Course Objectives: Anatomy & Physiology is the study of major structure and function in the human body. Units that will be covered are cells, tissues, skeletal system, muscles, nervous system, circulatory system, excretory system, respiratory system, digestive system, endocrine system and the reproductive system. Instruction tools may include: dissection, demonstrations, laboratory, guest speakers, readings, videos and fieldtrips. Dissections are required. If you are not willing to do dissections, it is suggested that you do not take this class.

 

ASTRONOMY
Credit 0.5; Semester; Grades 11, 12
Prerequisite: Two years lab science

Course Objectives: The primary objective is to introduce students to fascinating aspects of astronomical science beyond that which is normally studied in the standard Earth Science class. Students will investigate earlier astronomical history, development of observational technology, various scientific theories of origins of the universe, forces of gravity, solar and stellar phenomena, galaxies, black holes, space exploration, and the future of humans in space. Students will hear guest speakers, perform experiments, prepare reports on several main themes, and make presentations involving the above methods of study.