MatawanRegional

High SchoolElective Highlights

Science

Honors Lab Anatomy &Physiology

This is a full year course focusing on 3-Dimensional artmaking, exploring basicElements & Anatomy and Physiology isan in depth study of the human body.The course will investigate all of theorgan systems as to structure, functionand interaction with each other. Thiscourse integrates concepts and skillsrelated to the health care sciences andindustry. You will learn the microscopicand macroscopic anatomy. You will thenlearn the physiology of each tissue andorgan system. The course will take youthrough problems that may developwith these tissues and organs and howto treat these problems in health care. The course is heavily involved inlaboratory techniques, dissections ofmultiple organs including the brain,heart, kidney, eye and in the end therabbit. We discover the anatomy of theorgans and how they function throughhands on experience. Practical work asphysical therapists or trainers isemphasized as you solve injuryproblems. The course is intended forthe serious science student who isinterested in medical and health relatedoccupations. Dissection will be anessential part of this course. (NCAA).Typically grade 10 but open to 10th-12th.

Honors Molecular Cell BiologyThis is a 21st century course. It ispreparatory for careers in the biologicalsciences, Chemistry, all careers in healthcare, genetics, pharmacy, biomedicalengineering and science research.Molecular Cell Biology is a requirementin most college science curriculumsincluding Biomedical Engineering,Aerospace engineering and manyuniversity Chemical Engineeringcurriculums. The course involves adetailed study of the cell and itsorganelle components on a molecularlevel. It is concerned with understandingthe interactions between the cellularsystems and the interactions betweenthe different types of DNA, RNA andprotein. Students will understand thebiochemical and molecular bases ofnormal and abnormal cellular processesby learning to perform: DNA extractiontechniques, DNA electrophoresis andrestriction analysis, molecular lab studieson organic molecules andunderstanding how the gene isregulated. Analysis of Eukaryotic andProkaryotic cells and DNA will beperformed. The students will read,analyze and write a commentary on research journals and articles pertainingto the area being studied. Researchprojects are encouraged. Visits tolaboratory facilities to learn the latestequipment would be investigated.(NCAA)Typically grade 11th-12th

Lab Anatomy & PhysiologyAnatomy and Physiology is an in depthstudy of the human body. The course willinvestigate all of the parts of the humanbody and how they work. The course isintended for the serious science studentwho is interested in medical and healthrelated occupations or really wants tolearn how the human body functions. Dissection will be an essential part ofthis course.

Forensic ScienceThis half year course is designed tointroduce the student to the topics inforensic science. The techniques, skills,and limitations of the modern crimelaboratory are explored through lectureand lab activities. Topics include:observation, handwriting analysis,counterfeiting, blood and blood splatter,fingerprints, evidence handling,anthropology, and ballistics.

OceanographyThis full year course explores the marineenvironment. Topics include beachformation, local marine environments,tides, hurricanes, marine zones, platetectonics, sharks and other marineorganisms as well as human impact onthe ocean. A year-long aquariumresearch project is the basis for localmarine studies.

MeteorologyThis half year elective science courseprovides an introduction to thedynamics of the atmosphere and themethods of forecasting weather. Topicsinclude theories of the earth’s climate,effects of pollution on the weather,applications to marine and aviationagencies, and careers in meteorology. Inaddition to the dynamics and methodsof forecasting, students will use thetechnology of the school via the internetto access real time weather from theNational Weather Service. Students willlearn the conditions needed for weatherpatterns to form and the complexity ofpredicting weather.

AstronomyThe semester course will focus on topicsinvolving the origin of bodies in theUniverse, observations of the Sun, Moon,and stars: investigation of the seasons,eclipses, and lunar phases; investigationof constellation identification; the basicnature of light; the optics of mirrors andlenses; the determination of distanceswithin the solar system; study of theplanets and their orbits and thefundamental relations defining orbitalmotion discovered by Kepler andNewton.

Academy EngineeringThe Academy Introduction to Engineeringcourse exposes students to a broad range ofengineering disciplines. The students willdevelop an understanding of theengineering process and will gainexperience with that process through handson engineering team activities with fellowclassmates. Students will research differentengineering disciplines through onlinesources, interviews with engineers indifferent fields, and textbook materials. Thiswill be supplemented with visits fromexperienced engineers as well as some visitsto selected engineering firms. Students willbe instructed in one of the standardengineering design and developmentprocesses. In team activities they will utilizethis approach, including all levels ofdocumentation, data collection, design, etc.Furthermore students will undergo designreviews of their work. The reviewers willinclude other students and professionalengineer guests. Specific projects willleverage the students’ previous andconcurrent science experiences. Projects willbe in a number of areas, includingmechanical engineering, digital electronics,robotics, and optical engineering. Studentswill also participate in some high schoolengineering competitions.

AP Physics CAP Physics C is a second year physics coursethat revisits the mechanics topics studied inphysics honors, but to a much greater depth.The course teaches mechanics usingcalculus. The course is equivalent to a firstsemester course of Physics for majors inmost universities. New topics studiedinclude rotational inertia and angularmomentum. This course integrates conceptsand skills related to earth and space sciencesin accordance with the Next GenerationScience Standards. Emphasis in the course isplaced on developing a student’s criticalthinking and problem solving skills to anextent that prepares the student tosuccessfully take the Advanced Placementexam. Students are strongly encouraged totake the AP examination. Completion of asummer assignment is required.

MathAP Calculus AB

This college level course involvesdifferential and integral calculusincluding analytic geometry. Projectswhich reinforce mathematical conceptsusing the graphing calculatordemonstrate the importance of calculusin other disciplines. The curriculumfollows the established guidelines forAdvanced Placement Testing AB. Acalculator with graphing capabilitiessuch as a Texas Instruments model 89+is required for this course. Students arestrongly encouraged to take the APexamination. The completion of asummer assignment is required.

AP Calculus BCThis course covers all of the topics ofCalculus AB along with vector andparametrically defined functions,improper integrals, series andsequences, and differential equations.The curriculum follows the establishedguidelines for Advanced PlacementTesting BC. A calculator with graphingcapabilities such as a Texas Instrumentsmodel 89+ is required for this course.Students are strongly encouraged totake the AP examination. Thecompletion of a summer assignment isrequired.

Multivariable CalculusThis course completes the study ofelementary calculus. The topics includevector calculus, surfaces in space andfunctions of several variables.Applications in various fields will beconsidered throughout the course.Computer and calculator software will beused to gain a greater understanding ofconcepts as well as to consider non-routine problems.

Topics in Mathematics for 21stCentury Careers in Math

In this course students will study topicsranging from differential equations tolinear algebra and will be structured tomeet the needs of the student bodyeach year. Students will be exposed tothe applications in various fields.Computer and calculator software will beused to gain a greater understanding ofconcepts as well as to consider non-routine problems.

Advanced Algebra/TrigonometryPrerequisite: Successful completion of Alg 2The first part of this course strengthensAlgebra skills and concepts. Emphasis ison solving equations and problemsolving. Functions studied includepolynomial, rational, exponential, andlogarithmic. The second half of the yearincludes a complete course inTrigonometry. Graphing calculators arerequired. (NCAA)

StatisticsPrerequisite: Successful completion of Alg 2The first part of this course strengthensAlgebra skills and concepts. Emphasis ison solving equations and problemsolving. Functions studied includepolynomial, rational, exponential, andlogarithmic. The second half of the yearincludes a complete course inTrigonometry. Graphing calculators arerequired. (NCAA)

Calculus HonorsPrerequisite:85 final grade in Alg 2 Honors/Pre-CalculusHonors or 90 final grade in Alg 2/Pre-Calculus and Teacher recommendationThis course is designed for students whoplan to major in economics, business orscience. It will introduce students tobasic concepts of differential andintegral calculus including analyticgeometry. There will be a focus on realworld applications in business, statistics,economics and science that will preparestudents for college and careeraspirations. A calculator with graphingcapabilities such as a Texas Instrumentsmodel 83+ is recommended for thiscourse. The completion of a summerassignment is required. (NCAA)

Pre-Calculus HonorsPrerequisite:85 final grade in Alg 2 Honors or 90 final grade in Alg 2 and TeacherrecommendationThis course combines algebra andgeometry with an emphasis on functionsforming a basis for analytic geometryand calculus. This course will include thetopics of trigonometry, vectors andfunction with the addition of enrichmentactivities. A calculator with graphingcapabilities such as a Texas Instrumentmodel 83/84 is required for this course. (NCAA) The completion of a summerassignment is required. (NCAA)

Pre-CalculusPrerequisite:80 final grade in Alg 2This course combines algebra andgeometry with an emphasis on functionsforming a basis for analytic geometryand calculus. This course will include thetopics of trigonometry, vectors andfunction. The combination ofmathematical knowledge and the use ofgraphing utilities allows for a greaterdepth of mathematical exploration. Acalculator with graphing capabilitiessuch as a Texas Instruments model 83+ isrequired for this course. The completionof a summer assignment is required. (NCAA)

AP Computer Science PrinciplesPrerequisite:85 final grade in Geometry and TeacherrecommendationAP Computer Science Principles introducesstudents to the central ideas of computerscience, instilling the ideas and practices ofcomputational thinking and invitingstudents to understand how computingchanges the world. The rigorous coursepromotes deep learning of computationalcontent, develops computational thinkingskills, and engages students in the creativeaspects of the field. The course is unique inits focus on fostering students to be creative.Students are encouraged to apply creativeprocesses when developing computationalartifacts and to think creatively while usingsimulations to explore questions thatinterest them. Rather than teaching aparticular programming language or tool,the course focuses on using technology andprogramming as a means to solvecomputational problems and create excitingand personally relevant artifacts. Studentsdesign and implement innovative solutionsusing an iterative process similar to whatartists, writers, computer scientists, andengineers use to bring ideas to life. Thiscourse highlights the relevance of computerscience by emphasizing the vital impactadvances in computing have on people andsociety. By focusing the course beyond thestudy of machines and systems, studentsalso have the opportunity to investigateinnovations in other fields that computinghas made possible and examine the ethicalimplications of new computingtechnologies.

AP StatisticsPrerequisite: 90 final grade in Alg 2/Pre-Calculus or 85 final grade in Alg 2 Honors/Pre-Calculus Honors and TeacherrecommendationThis is a college level course and thecurriculum follows the establishedguidelines for the Advanced PlacementTesting. The purpose of the AdvancedPlacement course in statistics is tointroduce students to the majorconcepts and tools for collecting,analyzing, and drawing conclusions fromdata. Students are exposed to four broadconceptual themes: (1) Exploring Data:Observing patterns and departures frompatterns, (2) Planning a Study: Decidingwhat and how to measure, (3)Anticipating Patterns: Producing modelsusing probability and simulation and (4)Statistical Inference: Confirming models. Students taking an AP Biology,Chemistry or Economics course wouldbenefit from the AP Statistics course. Acalculator with graphing capabilitiessuch as a Texas Instruments model 83+Silver is required for this course. Studentsare strongly encouraged to take the APexamination. The completion of asummer assignment is required. (NCAA)