Science Courses2012-2013

Recommended Science Credits Graduate GNHS

– 2 Credits

Junior College (CLC)– 2 Credits

Military– 2-3 Credits

Local Colleges (NIU, WIU) – 3 Credits

Big Ten Colleges– 3 Credits

Ivy League Colleges– 4 Credits

Planning to Major in a Science– 4 Credits

Science Course pathways

Physical ScienceCourse Description

This two semester, lab-oriented course is an overview of the foundations of both Physics and Chemistry

RecommendationsPassed or Concurrent enrollment in Algebra

Physical SciencePhysics

Speed, Acceleration, Forces,

Energy, Simple Machines,

Rube Goldberg Competition

ChemistryProperties of Matter, Physical and

Chemical Reactions, Atomic

Theory, and an Introduction

to Chemical Equations

Earth Science• Course Description

This two-semester laboratory course focuses on the study of Earth processes, including the areas of geology, meteorology, astronomy, and oceanography. Students will engage in experiments, creating models, simulations, web quests, and other activities. Real-life applications include weather forecasting, construction considerations, local landscapes, exploring current global issues, and more.

• Prerequisites– Placement by Recommendation

for 10th grade– Offered for 10 – 12th Grade

Earth Science• Geology

– Rocks, Minerals, Earthquakes, Volcanoes

• Oceanography– Currents, Wave Erosion, Tsunamis

• Meteorology– Clouds, Wind, Severe Weather,

Weather Forecasting, Global Warming

• Astronomy– Solar System, Asteroids,

Stars, Galaxies, Star Gazing

Earth Science Honors• A dual credit course is a college course taken by a high school

student for which the student is awarded both college and high school credit. This course is designed for students who are interested in physical features related to our dynamic earth. Topics of the course include some fundamental concepts and features in geology, meteorology and astronomy, such as earthquakes, volcanic activities weathering process, surface water, atmosphere components, weather, the universe, the solar system, etc. Course materials are organized to enable students to understand how different components of our dynamic earth are related to one another. Most topics are assisted with hands-on lab exercises.

• CLC Prerequisites: ACT English and Math Score of 17 or better; or pass the CLC Assessment Placement Test.

• GNHS Prerequisites: Biology Honors, Chemistry Honors or Biology, Chemistry and Physics (offered 11-12)

Chemistry• Course Description

– This two-semester laboratory course offers a broad overview of the field of chemistry. Basic principals are stressed along with their everyday applications. Students explore such topics as Nature of Science, Measurement of Matter, Energy – Kinetic Molecular Theory, Energy – Thermodynamics, Classification of Matter, Bonding, Naming & Formula Writing, Moles, Reactions, Stoichiometry – Solids and Stoichiometry – Liquids & Gases. A variety of laboratory and homework assignments are included. A strong background and performance in algebra is a necessity for this course.

• Prerequisites– One Credit in Science – Recommendation by teachers

Chemistry

• Study the fundamental particles of matter

• Learn how they interact to form molecules

• Expand this knowledge to include reactions

• Learn the behavior of gases

• Build your own radiation detector

• Build hot air balloons

Physics• Course Description

This two-semester course provides the student with a broad exposure to many of the fundamental concepts that underlie the physical sciences. In the first semester students will focus on the main content area of Mechanics, the study of bodies in motion. Through class discussions, demonstrations, and hands-on laboratory explorations they will learn about one- and two-dimensional motion, forces, work and energy, momentum, and gravity. During the second semester students will focus on two content areas, Electromagnetism and Waves; individual content areas include static electricity, DC circuits, sound waves, light and optics. Throughout the year emphasis will be placed on the relationship between the course content and every day activities/phenomena. It is recommended that students have completed a course in Advanced Algebra/Trigonometry or be concurrently enrolled.

• Prerequisites– One Credit in Chemistry– Recommendation by Teacher

Physics• Benefits

– Better understand the way the world works– Fulfill a college requirement– Improves problem-solving and logic skills– Reinforces math skills– Improve your ACT/PSAE score

• Projects– Build a Mousetrap Powered Car– Build and Play a Musical Instrument– Movie Physics and interpretive dance!

Environmental Science

Prerequisites 2 years of science including a strong performance

in Biology

Field Trips• Hands-on Field Testing Community Service (6 hours/year)

ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE How do pollutants affectliving and non-livingaspects affect thediversity of anecosystem?

Is global warming reallyhappening—how is itaffecting me? Otherspecies?

Will there be enoughwater and food available as our population growsto 10 billion?

• Biodiversity• Ecosystems • Environmental Issues• Populations• Renewable Energy• Human Populations• Water Quality• Air Quality• Land Quality

Zoology

• Course Description– This two-semester laboratory-oriented course

emphasizes a phylogenetic approach to the animal kingdom. This course surveys the diversity of the animal kingdom, focusing on the major groups of invertebrates and vertebrates and provides an introduction to animal anatomy, physiology, ecology and evolution. The lab component will include multiple animal dissections to examine physical differences across the major phyla.

• Prerequisites– Two years of science; strong

performance in Biology.

Zoology• Introduction to Zoology

– Cells and Tissues, Frog Embryology

• Invertebrates– Observation of living

creatures, Dissection• Vertebrates

– Animal Behavior, Dissection

AP Environmental Science

Course Description:The course begins with advanced work in ecology so students canbegin to understand the many interactions between living and

non-living components in the environment. Investigations in the interrelationships of the natural world, analysis of environmentalproblems and examining alternative solutions for

resolving/preventingirreversible damage to the environment.

Prerequisites: Strong performance in biology & chemistry

Offered to Juniors and Seniors only

College Equivalent: 1 year of AP Environmental = 1 Sem. Environmental Science college

credit

*Meets for 1 class period daily instead of 90 min.

AP Environmental Science Curriculum

I. Earth Systems & ResourcesII. The Living WorldIII. PopulationIV. Land and Water UseV. Energy Resources & ConsumptionVI. PollutionVII. Global Change

AP BIOLOGYCourse Description –

Two semester course designed to be the same as a college level introductory level Biology course. There are 12 required labs.

Prerequisites – Have a strong performance in both Biology &

Chemistry Teacher Recommendation Offered junior and senior year

College Equivalent: 1 year of AP Biology = 2 Semesters of a Science college

credit

*Meets for 90 minutes daily

AP BIOLOGYI. Molecules and Cells

A. BiochemistryB. Cytology

II. Heredity and EvolutionA. HeredityB. Molecular GeneticsC. Evolutionary Biology

III. Organisms and PopulationsA. Diversity of OrganismsB. Plants and AnimalsC. Ecology

AP EXAM – usually 1st week in May

AP Chemistry• We move beyond first year chemistry and look at

kinetic, equilibrium, and thermodynamic relationships in reactions.

• Prerequisites: 1 year of chemistry (B or better in Chem-H, A or better in Chem-R) and a desire to work hard

• A love of lab: There are 22 required labs in this course and we’ll do even more than these

• College Equivalent:

1 year of AP Chemistry = 2 Semesters of a Science college credit

*Meets for 90 minutes daily

Physics AP-B• Course Description

Physics acquaints students with their physical environment though the study of forces and motion, heat, light, sound, electricity, and magnetism. The course content is developed through demonstrations, class discussion, and laboratory experiments to meet the needs of students who are seeking AP credit.

• Prerequisites– Prerequisite: Advanced Algebra and Trigonometry and one credit

in Chemistry (concurrent enrollment in Pre-calc is strongly recommended)

• College Equivalent 1 year of AP-B Physics = 2 Semesters of a Science college credit

*Meets for 90 minutes daily

Physics AP-B• Benefits

– Get College credit.– Better understand the way the world works– Improves problem-solving and logic skills– Reinforce math skills– Improve your ACT/PSAE score– Fill 5-6 hours of free time a week

Criteria for ScheduleChanges from Course GuideOnce the initial registration process is completed, a student may request a schedule change only ifone or more of the following criteria exists. A form requesting a change must be obtained fromthe counselor.1. Computer and clerical errors or failure to have a scheduled lunch period.2. Failure in first or second semester course(s).3. Level changes approved by the appropriate school official. The grade will be transferred tothe new class.4. Completion of summer school courses, correspondence courses, or independent studyprojects.5. Special Education placement.6. Seniors who need courses for graduation not currently in their schedule.7. Failure to have the necessary prerequisites for a course.8. Unusual or extraordinary circumstances not predictable during the initial scheduling andregistration process. Administrative approval is required.

Requests for schedule changes that do not fit within the above criteria will not be considered.Approval from the student, parents/guardians, and counselor is necessary for any addition ordeletion of a course. Any student has the right to appeal any schedule change decision.1) ADDING A CLASS—Students may add a class only during the first FIVE (5) STUDENTATTENDANCE SCHOOL DAYS of the semester, if the reason strictly adheres to the approved criteriafor schedule changes.2) DROPPING A CLASS—Students may drop a class up through THIRTY (30) STUDENTATTENDANCE SCHOOL DAYS of the semester without being penalized with a “withdraw failure.”No record of the drop will appear on the student’s transcript. After 30 school attendance days, agrade of “WF” will be issued.