Science Elective Courses Information Sheet
Not shown: Physics Applications, Biology
Requirements for graduation: Students must have three science credits. The three credits must include:
• A minimum 1 credit of physical science (Physics Applications, Chemistry, Physics, AP Chemistry, AP Physics)
• Biology
Chemistry
Earth and Space Science
Human Anatomy and
Physiology
Environmental Science
Physics
Minimum
grade level
Math
prerequisite
and skills
10
10
10
11
11
Completion of Algebra I
with B or better and
concurrent enrollment in
Algebra II
Algebra I or higher
Algebra I or higher
Math Analysis with basic
math skills
Algebra II or higher
Other
recommend
-ed
prerequisite
classes
Biology
Should have Physics
Applications or Biology
Should have Physics
Applications or Biology
1st year Biology.
recommend chemistry or
concurrent enrollment
Physics applications
recommended; chemistry
Who
should take
this course
(career /
future)?
All college-bound students
Students interested in the
Earth systems and
Astronomy
Students interested in the
Environment.
Students with interest in
health care, fitness or life
science career field as well
as students with desire to
learn more about the
human body
All students
What’s
taught?
principles of matter
including structure,
nomenclature, and
reactions; emphasis on
problem solving
The basic earth systems
and some Astronomy
Environmental issues
Structure and function
human body from cellular
level to 11 major systems
Survey of all physics
concepts from description
of motion to energy to
optics to electricity to
nuclear physics
College
equivalent
N/A
N/A
N/A
Freshman Anatomy &
Physiology
N/A
Study time
per meeting
~1 hour
~½ hr
~1 hr
~1 hour
½ hour
AP Sciences Information Sheet
First a reminder: AP Sciences, like all AP classes, are college level courses. There is no bluffing your way through. As such, they
require students to a) have prerequisite knowledge and b) have demonstrated a work ethic consistent with college success. A
middling student will be better served by developing his foundational knowledge in regular classes, rather than in AP courses.
AP Biology
AP Environmental
Science
AP Chemistry
AP Physics B
AP Physics C
Minimum
grade level
Math
prerequisite
s and skills
12
11/ instructor permission
11
11
11
Algebra
Be concurrently enrolled
in math analysis or have
permission of instructor
Math Analysis, mental
math skills
Taking or have taken
Math Analysis with a B or
better.
Taking or have taken
Math Analysis or Calculus
with a B or better.
Other
recommend
-ed
prerequisite
classes
Biology (1st year)
Chemistry or concurrently
enrolled in Chemistry
AP Chemistry is a secondyear chemistry course.
One year of high school
Chemistry is required
Taking or have taken
Chemistry.
Must have taken Biology
and one of the following:
Environmental Science,
Earth Science.
Has not taken physics but
has probably taken
chemistry and/or AP
chemistry but these are not
required
Has taken physics but this
is not required for strong
math students.
Who
should take
this course
(career /
future)
Students interested in
medical fields or life
science fields
Students interested in
science/engineering or
those planning to enroll in
a highly competitive
university
Students interested in
going on to some field in
Environmental Science or
Biology.
Anyone but especially
students who wish to
pursue, math, engineering
or a science
Anyone but especially
students who wish to
pursue, math, engineering
or a science.
What’s
taught?
Biochemistry, cellular
biology, genetics,
evolution mechanisms,
ecology, form and
function of living things
Advanced concepts in
chemistry with an
emphasis on problem
solving and analysis of
properties of matter.
Major and Current Topics
of Environmental Science.
Newtonian mechanics, fluid
mechanics, thermal physics,
electricity, magnetism,
waves, optics, atomic and
nuclear physics.
Newtonian mechanics
College
equivalent
Freshman biology (up to 4
hours)
Freshman inorganic
chemistry (up to 4 hours)
Introductory
Environmental Science
(majors and nonmajors)
2-semesters of a rigorous
non-calculus college level
physics course.
1 semester mechanics (up
to 4 hours)
Study time
per meeting
~ 2 hours
~ 2 hours
~ 1 hour
~ 1 hour
~ 1 hour