Science 25-26
BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
YEAR-LONG COURSES
H7040S1 & H7040S2 BIOLOGY
Credit: 1 unit
Open to Grades: 9-12
Biology is an entry level course in biology, introducing living things through a biochemical, cellular, organismic, and ecological approach. This course deals with the formation, functions, and interactions of living entities and their environment, and how laboratory experiments and varied classroom activities help students understand and apply current concepts.
H7060S1 & H7060S2 HONORS BIOLOGY
Credit: 1 unit
Open to Grades: 9-12
Honors Biology is an accelerated program, stressing the same concepts as Biology 7040, but moving at a faster pace and covering topics with more depth. Both Biology and Honors Biology are lab courses—the difference is in the amount of work covered and the pace of the class.
H7065S1 & H7065S2 AP BIOLOGY
Credit: 1 unit
Open to Grades: 11-12
Recommendation: Students who earned an A in Biology and a B or above in Chemistry will experience an appropriate yet challenging placement in this course.
This college level course builds on Biology and Chemistry concepts to go in depth on a wide range of Biology topics, including but not limited to chemical reactions of photosynthesis and respiration, ratio and math calculations in populations and genetic frequency, DNA, mutations, stem cells, gene editing, and the biochemistry of certain organ systems involved in homeostasis. Labs are a required aspect of the class, enhancing key concepts for better understanding. Enrolled students will be encouraged to take the corresponding AP exam in May. Note: This course will count as a weighted grade.
H7143S1 & H7143S2 HUMAN ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY (ACC) - (Pending Board Approval)
Credit: 1 unit
Open to Grades: 11-12
Human Anatomy and Physiology is an advanced course designed to deepen students' understanding of the intricate systems of the human body. Building on foundational knowledge from previous courses, this class explores the complex interactions and functions of the cardiovascular, respiratory, digestive, endocrine, and reproductive systems. Through a combination of lectures, hands-on labs, and interactive activities, students will investigate how these systems contribute to overall health and homeostasis. Emphasis will be placed on the integration of anatomical structure with physiological function, equipping students with a comprehensive understanding essential for careers in health sciences and related fields.Note: This course will count as a weighted grade.
SEMESTER COURSES
H7083 ANIMAL BEHAVIOR
Credit: ½ unit
Open to Grades: 10-12
Recommendation: Completion of Biology or Honors Biology
In this course you will be using the power of intrigue of science to explore and understand animal behavior. Animal behavior has the potential to be very important in our lives. We depend upon animals in many ways but so few of us understand them on their own terms. In this course we will use methods of animal behaviorists and a variety of other activities to try to understand why animals do what they do. Topics studies include: Field Methods, Genetics of Behavior, How the Nervous & Endocrine System Affect Behavior, Animal Communication, Animal Aggression, Reproduction and Learning. Live organisms are used for study purposes and field experience allows the students to perform a sample ethogram (animal behavior profile). One field trip to the St. Louis Zoo is included.
H7088 GENETICS
Credit: ½ unit
Open to Grades: 10-12
Recommendation: Completion of Biology or Honors Biology . Students who have earned a grade of “B” or better in Biology experience an appropriate yet challenging placement in this course.
Genetics builds on the student’s skills which were acquired in their freshman biology course. This course will review basic and advanced genetic concepts, stem cells, cancer, genetic and chromosomal diseases, and genetic technology like CRISPR. There is a strong focus on learning real life applications, as well as having discussions on ethics in science. The course final is a presentation of a genetic disease. Honors option is available.
H7069 INTRODUCTION TO OCEANOGRAPHY
Credit: ½ unit
Open to grades: 10-12
Recommendation: Students who have earned a grade of “C” or better in Biology and Chemistry will experience an appropriate yet challenging placement in this course. May take concurrently with Physics or other science course
This course will provide an introduction to the study of the ocean’s basic composition, physical movement, interaction of land and ocean in coastal environments, and marine biology and ocean resources. Students will understand the formation of the oceans, the chemical and physical processes the oceans undergo, why organisms live in their environments, and how humans interact and impact these different environments.
PHYSICAL SCIENCES
YEAR-LONG COURSES
H7100S1 & H7100S2 CHEMISTRY
Credit: 1 unit
Open to Grades: 10-12
Recommendation: Completion of or concurrent enrollment in Algebra
This course provides students with a basic understanding of the principles of chemistry. Emphasis is placed on everyday applications of these principles and concepts. Some math will be used but will not be the focus of development of principles or concepts. Topics include physical and chemical properties of matter, atomic structure, chemical bonding, chemical reactions, acids and bases, Kinetic Molecular Theory, and the gas laws. Students may wish to follow this course with Honors Chemistry if a more rigorous approach is desired.
H7120S1 & H7120S2 HONORS CHEMISTRY
Credit: 1 unit
Open to Grades 10-12
Recommendation: Completion or concurrent enrollment in GeometryStudents who have earned a grade of “C” or better in Geometry experience an appropriate yet challenging placement in this course.
Chemistry A is an accelerated high school chemistry course. The intent of the course is to develop a foundation of unifying chemical principles utilizing a laboratory and lecture settings. Topics covered are the same as those in 7100 Chemistry, but will be studied in greater depth and with a heavy math emphasis. Students must be proficient in the use of arithmetic skills and the basic techniques of algebra. Note: This course will count as a weighted grade.
H7142S1 & H7142S2 AP CHEMISTRY
Credit: 1 unit
Open to Grades: 11-12
Recommendation: Successful completion of Honors Chemistry. Students who have earned a grade of an “A” in Honors Chemistry experience an appropriate yet challenging placement in this course.
AP Chemistry is a second-year chemistry course for the college-bound student planning on a science related major. Students excelling in Honors Chemistry are urged to enroll. A college-level text is used and students must be able to comfortably handle challenging mathematical and abstract concepts. The course work will be intense and progress rapidly. Extended class time will be scheduled to cover the necessary material—this will be 30 minutes before school each day. Like most college level courses, students will be expected to cover material independently outside of class time and homework discussion during class will be minimal. Three chapters of work will be assigned over the summer. This course has a strong lab component. All students will be encouraged to take the AP exam in chemistry. This course is equivalent to one full year of college chemistry. The AP exam, given in the spring, will cover two semesters of college chemistry material. AP credit is based on exam score. Note: This course will count as a weighted grade.
H7160S1 & H7160S2 CONCEPTUAL PHYSICS
Credit: 1 unit
Open to Grades: 10-12
Recommendation: Completion or concurrent enrollment in Algebra
This course presents classical and modern physics qualitatively, with emphasis on the relevance of physics to the student’s own experience. Presentation of these ideas is done conceptually rather than mathematically. The topics presented are essentially those found on a traditional table of contents. Students will study mechanics, sound, light, basic electricity and magnetism, and quantum mechanics. Laboratory exercises are often used to emphasize and illustrate the lessons. Students who are concurrently enrolled in Algebra II/Trig or higher are appropriately placed in Physics or higher.
H70822S1 & H70822S2 AP ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE (Pending Board Approval)
Credit: 1 unit
Open to Grades: 11-12
Recommendation: Students should have completed two years of high school laboratory science—one year of life science and one year of physical science (e.g., a year of biology and a year of chemistry). Due to the quantitative analysis required in the course, students should also have taken at least one year of algebra.
The AP 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.
H7180S1 & H7180S2 PHYSICS
Credit: 1 unit
Open to Grades: 10-12
Recommendation: Completion or concurrent enrollment in Alg.2/Trig. Students who have earned a grade of “C” or better in Alg.2/Trig experience an appropriate yet challenging placement in this course.
Physics is a math-based introductory course for students who wish to satisfy the requirements of a college-prep curriculum without the greater challenge of AP Physics I. All students who are interested in mathematics will find that Physics gives them the opportunity to apply their algebra and trigonometry skills in practical problems. A traditional syllabus is followed. Topics that may be covered include motion, fluids, electricity, magnetism, sound, and light. Laboratory experiments and daily homework are essentials of the course.
H7185S1 &H7185S2 AP PHYSICS I
Credit: 1 unit
Open to Grades: 10-12
Recommendation: Successful completion or concurrent enrollment in Honors Chemistry and Algebra II/Trig.
This course is the first recommended physics course for many students, particularly those who wish to have careers in biology, chemistry, physics, medicine, nursing, or engineering. The year-long course is equivalent to a first-semester college course in algebra-based physics. The course covers Newtonian mechanics (including rotational dynamics and angular momentum); work, energy, and power; mechanical waves and sound. It will also introduce electric circuits. Enrolled students will be encouraged to take the corresponding AP exam in May. Note: This course will count as a weighted grade.
H7190S1 & H7190S2 AP PHYSICS II
Credit: 1 unit
Open to Grades: 11-12
Recommendation: Successful completion of AP Physics I
This course is recommended for students who are interested in continuing their study of physics in a challenging environment. The full-year AP Physics II is equivalent to a second-semester college course in algebra-based physics. The course covers fluid mechanics; thermodynamics; electricity and magnetism; optics; quantum; atomic and nuclear physics. Enrolled students will be strongly encouraged to take the corresponding AP exam in May. Note: This course will count as a weighted grade.
H7215S1 & H7215S2 AP PHYSICS C: MECHANICS
Credit: 1 unit
Open to Grades: 11-12
Recommendation: Successful completion of Honors Chemistry and completion of or concurrent enrollment in Calculus
This course is recommended for students excelling in math and science and who may be interested in a career in math, science, or engineering. This course is equivalent to a first-semester college course in calculus-based physics. The topics covered include kinematics, Newton’s laws of motion, energy and power, momentum, circular motion and rotation, gravitation, and oscillations. This course uses lab experiments to understand concepts and includes advanced problem solving skills, which may be calculus based. Enrolled students will be encouraged to take the corresponding AP exam in May. Note: This course will count as a weighted grade.
SEMESTER COURSES
H7300 ASTRONOMY
Credit: 1/2 unit
Open to Grades: 10-12
Recommendation: Students who have completed or are currently enrolled in Chemistry and Physics with a grade of C or better experience an appropriate yet challenging placement in this course.
This course will provide the student with an introduction to the concepts of modern astronomy, the origin and history of the Universe and the formation of the Earth and the solar system. Students will compare the Earth's properties with those of the other planets and explore how the heavens have influenced human thought and action. The course gives a description of astronomical phenomena using the laws of physics. This course emphasizes the seasonal changes observed in the night sky including constellations, galaxies, stars, planets, and the sun and the moon. Historical developments in astronomy will be explored. Although largely descriptive, the course will occasionally require the use of upper level mathematics.
H7150 FORENSIC SCIENCE
Credit: 1/2 unit
Open to Grades: 11-12
Recommendation: Completion of Chemistry. Students who have earned a grade of “C” or better in both semesters of Chemistry experience an appropriate yet challenging placement in this course.
This college prep course is intended to be an enrichment to current chemistry and physics courses. In this class, you will investigate scientific methods currently being used to test evidence found at crime scenes. You will investigate crime scene processing, visualizing and identifying latent fingerprints, fiber, hair, and glass analysis, drug testing, and other techniques. You will also complete three projects: investigate a topic in forensic science then present your findings to the class, create a news story chronicling a toxicology case study, and create a fictitious crime scene and explain to the class how to collect and test the evidence.
H7155 ACC ADVANCED FORENSIC SCIENCE
Credit: 1/2 unit
Open to Grades: 11-12
Recommendation: Successful completion of Forensic Science. Students who have earned a grade of “B” or better in Forensic Science experience an appropriate yet challenging placement in this course.
This course is intended for the more serious forensic science student. In this class, you will investigate advanced techniques in forensic science. You will investigate large crime scenes, handwriting, ink and paper forgery, fire investigations, forensic art, firearms and other toolmarks. You will also investigate a famous crime, prior to 1990, in forensic science and write a paper comparing forensics from that time to today. You will also be taking the St. Louis University final exam. It should be noted that Advanced Forensic Science is truly a college quality course offered at our high school. Note: Students may receive dual credit from St. Louis University through the 1818 program and this course will count as a weighted grade.
H7157 ADVANCED FORENSIC SCIENCE RESEARCH
Credit: 1/2 unit
Open to Grades: 11-12
Recommendation: Successful completion of Adv. Forensics Science and Instructor’s approval. Students who have earned a grade of “B” or better in Adv. Forensics experience an appropriate yet challenging placement in this course.
This course is a very independent course. Students need to be self-motivated and able to focus on completing a task on their own over a long period. In this course, you will learn to set up a database and website that will include several pieces of information about each entry. You will also learn to edit photographs using Photoshop and cross reference several pieces of information found in the photographs. You will be required to research a career path in Forensic Science and write a paper. You will need to choose two independent projects from several possible projects in forensic science research. In addition, you will be expected to choose a career to investigate.
H7097 SCIENCE INDEPENDENT RESEARCH
Credit: 1/2 unit for full year
Open to Grades: 11-12
Recommendation: “B” in life science (Biology) and physical science (Chemistry or Physics) and approval by a teacher who will act in a limited capacity as an advisor.This course provides students with the means and encouragement to undertake independent science research projects and is essentially a year-long, structured “science fair” class. Students will perform literature searches, contact experts, design a project or experiment, keep a log book, and enter a project in a science fair or similarly judged event. Self-motivation is essential.