BIOLOGY
RISING WOLF BIOLOGY (Same Year-long course in Semester Block)
Credit 1.0; Year; Grade 9, 10, 11, 12
Description:  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. 

AP BIOLOGY (Offered every other year 2026-2027)
Credit 1.0; Year; Grades 11, 12
Prerequisite:  Chemistry, Biology and instructor’s signature.
Description:  Course follows the AP curriculum and prepares students for the AP Biology exam in May. Th course is 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 40%, Heredity and Evolution 30%, and Organisms and Populations 30%. 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. 

BOTANY
Credit 0.5; Semester; Grades 11, 12
Prerequisite:  Two years lab science; must include Biology.
Description:  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 made from native plants. This course will allows 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.

ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY
Credit 0.5; Semester; Grades 11, 12
Prerequisite: Two years lab science; must include Biology
Description:  Anatomy and Physiology is the study of major structure and function in the human body. Students will explore the major systems in the body through dissection, demonstrations, laboratory, lecture, 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.  

INTRODUCTION TO BIOTECHNOLOGY (BIOB_105) (FVCC Concurrent Enrollment Course)
Credit 0.5, (3 FVCC Natural Science (NL) credits); Semester; Grades 11, 12 
Prerequisite: Two years lab science; must include Biology
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.
Description:  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.

VETERINARY SCIENCE
Credit 2.0 Science/Vocational; Year; Double Period; Grades 11, 12
Location:  HER Agricultural Education Center
Materials Fee:  $15
Description:  Veterinary Science class will develop knowledge and skills pertaining to large animals (cattle, sheep, pigs) and small animals (dogs and cats) while exploring a variety of careers in veterinary medicine. Students will learn proper animal handling, anatomy, diseases, nutrition, and reproduction along with the body systems of the animals.  These systems include but are not limited to circulatory, respiratory, skeletal, and nervous, etc.  The course will include listening to and spending time with doctors of veterinary medicine, veterinary technicians as well as nutrition specialists.  Along with these units of instruction, we will develop leadership skills and abilities through FFA.

EARTH SCIENCE
Credit 1.0; Year; Grades 9, 10, 11, 12
Description:  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.

ASTRONOMY
Credit 0.5; Semester; Grades 11, 12
Prerequisite:  Two years lab science
Description:  This lab based astronomy course is designed to introduce students to the fascinating universe around them. Students will investigate the size and scale of the universe, constellations, the development of observational technology, the origins of the universe and our solar system, forces of gravity and inertia, solar and stellar phenomena, galaxies, black holes, space exploration, and the future of humans in space.

ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE (AP ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE Option)
Credit 1.0; Year; Grades 11, 12 
Prerequisite: Two Years of lab science recommended and current Science teacher signature
Description:  Environmental Science course is designed to engage students with the scientific principles, concepts, and methodologies required to understand the interrelationships within the natural world. The course requires that students identify and analyze natural and human-made environmental problems, evaluate the relative risks associated with these problems, and examine alternative solutions for resolving or preventing them. Environmental science is interdisciplinary, embracing topics from geology, biology, environmental studies, environmental science, chemistry, and geography. NOTE: Environmental Science is only offered within the Glacier Outdoor Education Program block.  Please see page 47 for more information.

CHEMISTRY
RISING WOLF CHEMISTRY (Same Year-long course in Semester Block)
Credit 1.0; Year; Grades 10, 11, 12
Prerequisite: Algebra 1; (Grade “B” or better) or successful completion of Geometry
Description: 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. 

AP CHEMISTRY
Credit 1.0; Year; Grades 10, 11, 12
Prerequisite: Geometry; (Grade “B” or better), and concurrent enrollment in Algebra 2 and instructor’s signature.
Description: 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 *Note: This course has an Early Bird (Zero Period) option to sign up for 2024-2025.
Credit 1.0; Year; Grades 10, 11, 12    
Prerequisite: Algebra 2 (or concurrent enrollment) with grade C or better
Description: Standard physics explores motion and the why behind the motion both conceptually and mathematically. This year-long lab course introduces students to general physics using lectures, labs, projects, simulations, and demonstrations. Classroom instruction is used to help students become better problem-solvers as they learn about motion and forces, work and energy, gravitation, momentum and collisions, fluids, waves and sound, electricity and magnetism, special relativity, and more. Note: Sophomores should talk to the instructor before registering.

AP PHYSICS 1
Credit 1.0; Year; Grades 11, 12
Prerequisite:  Two years lab science and completion of Geometry grade “B” or better.
Description:  This course follows the AP curriculum and prepares students for the AP Physics exam in May.  The goal of this course is to understand 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 and motion.  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 2025-2026)
Credit 1.0; Year; Grades 11, 12
Prerequisite: Calculus or currently enrolled in Calculus
Description: This course is a calculus-based physics course that follows the AP curriculum and will prepare students to take the AP exam in May. AP Physics C is designed to be equivalent to the first semester of calculus-based college physics required by many STEM related degrees such as engineering. The course focuses on developing conceptual understanding of Newtonian physics, critical thinking skills, and applying mathematical equations to describe the motion of objects. Topics include kinematics, Newton's Laws of Motion, rotation, work and energy, momentum, and simple harmonic motion. Labs will be an integral part of this course.

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