Science Course Descriptions
Course Name and Credit: FOUNDATIONS OF SCIENCE: EARTH
FOUNDATIONS OF SCIENCE: MATTER
FOUNDATIONS OF SCIENCE: ENERGY
5 CREDITS
5 CREDITS
5 CREDITS
9-12
9-12
9-12
Course Description: Foundations of Science will provide students with an understanding of concepts in matter,
energy, motion, and earth systems. Scientific inquiry will be emphasized in this laboratory science course. Concepts
from this course will provide the foundation for future success in Chemistry, Physics, and Earth Science.
Course Name and Credit: BIOLOGY 1
BIOLOGY 2
BIOLOGY 3
5 CREDITS
5 CREDITS
5 CREDITS
9-11
9-11
9-11
Course Description: Freshmen choosing to take the course are expected to take 4 years of science. Biology 1, 2 and 3
includes core biological concepts. This series will best prepare a student for postsecondary education. It is strongly
recommended that these courses be taken in sequence.
Biology 1 includes an introduction to elements of life, classification, and cell structure and function. The focus of this
first course compares living systems, including, communication, movement and support and reproduction.
Biology 2 continues to compare living systems including digestion, excretion, respiration and transport.
Biology 3 provides an in-depth study of genetics. This third course focuses on fundamental genetic principles,
current applications, and their impacts on society.
Course Name and Credit: CHEMISTRY 1
CHEMISTRY 2
CHEMISTRY 3
5 CREDITS
5 CREDITS
5 CREDITS
10-12
10-12
10-12
Course Description: (Prerequisite: 2nd year Algebra or concurrent enrollment strongly recommended) Chemistry is
designed to provide an introduction to some of the basic concepts in chemistry. Recommended for students
interested in careers in science, the health sciences, and engineering.
Course Name and Credit: PHYSICS 1
PHYSICS 2
PHYSICS 3
5 CREDITS
5 CREDITS
5 CREDITS
10-12
10-12
10-12
Course Description: (Prerequisite: 2nd yr. Algebra or concurrent enrollment strongly recommended) Physics is
designed to provide a general background in physics. Recommended for students interested in careers in science
and engineering related fields.
Course Name and Credit: FIELD BIOLOGY
5 CREDITS
10-12
Course Description: (Prerequisite: FOUNDATIONS OF SCIENCE or approval of instructor) Purpose: To investigate
native organisms using basic ecological techniques. Outdoor work is required. Recommended for students
interested in careers in Iowa life forms or college biology oriented individuals. This is a second year biology course,
which should be taken after Biology I by students who are interested in continuing their study of biology without the
rigor of Advanced Placement coursework. Students frequently take this course along with Ecological Problems and
Botany to give them one year of science credit.
Course Name and Credit: ECOLOGICAL PROBLEMS
5 CREDITS
10-12
Course Description: (Prerequisite: FOUNDATIONS OF SCIENCE or approval of instructor) Ecological Problems is
designed to provide the student with an understanding of the ecological principles and environmental problems
effecting natural and human systems. Recommended for students interested in careers in agri-science and natural
resources, the health sciences or environmental technology.
Science Course Descriptions
Course Name and Credit: BOTANY AND HORTICULTURE
5 CREDITS
10-12
Course Description: (Prerequisite: FOUNDATIONS OF SCIENCE or approval of instructor) Botany and Horticulture is a
course designed to study plant structure, function and propagation. Students will learn to grow and care for a
variety of plants. Landscaping and gardening techniques will be examined. Recommended for students interested in
careers in agri-science and natural resources.
Course Name and Credit: GEOLOGY
5 CREDITS
10-12
Course Description: (Prerequisite: FOUNDATIONS OF SCIENCE or approval of instructor) Geology is designed to
provide the student with an understanding of the Earth's crust, its shape, composition, and history. Recommended
for students interested in careers in agri-science and natural resources or environmental technology, or engineering
and related technologies.
Course Name and Credit: OCEANOGRAPHY AND METEOROLOGY
5 CREDITS
10-12
Course Description: (Prerequisite: FOUNDATIONS OF SCIENCE or approval of instructor) Oceanography and
Meteorology provides the student with a basic understanding of the earth's oceans and weather patterns. Chemical
and physical aspects of the ocean and their effect on our weather and climate are examined. Recommended for
students interested in careers in agri-science and natural resources, or earth/space engineering and technology.
Course Name and Credit: ASTRONOMY
5 CREDITS
10-12
Course Description: (Prerequisite: FOUNDATIONS OF SCIENCE or approval of instructor) Astronomy provides a basic
study of light, planets, stars, constellations and other essential information about the universe. Recommended for
students interested in careers in earth/space science and aerospace engineering.
Course Name and Credit: A.P. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE 1
A.P. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE 2
A.P. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE 3
5 CREDITS
5 CREDITS
5 CREDITS
10-12
10-12
10-12
Course Description: (Prerequisite: 15 hours of science) This college-level class is designed to prepare students for the
Advanced Placement Exam in Environmental Science. AP Environmental Science provides an opportunity for
students to develop skills, both laboratory and field related, in the environmental sciences as well as acquire the
scientific background to current ecological problems. Recommended for students who want to pursue a rigorous
course covering environmental topics such as population, pollution, energy and resources.
Course Name and Credit: A.P. BIOLOGY 1
A.P. BIOLOGY 2
A.P. BIOLOGY 3
5 CREDITS
5 CREDITS
5 CREDITS
10-12
10-12
10-12
Course Description: (Prerequisites: 30 hours of science or consent of instructor. Biology 1, 2, and 3 required, and
Chemistry is strongly recommended) This college-level class is designed to prepare students for the Advanced
Placement Exam in Biology. The AP Biology course is designed to be taken by students only after successful
completion of a first course in high school biology and one in high school chemistry. It provides students with the
conceptual framework, factual knowledge, and analytical skills necessary to deal critically with the rapidly changing
science of biology. Major areas include: molecules and cells; heredity and evolution; organisms and populations.
Recommended for students interested in advanced study of biology, medicine, or related scientific and engineering
fields.
Science Course Descriptions
Course Name and Credit: A.P. CHEMISTRY 1
A.P. CHEMISTRY 2
A.P. CHEMISTRY 3
5 CREDITS
5 CREDITS
5 CREDITS
11-12
11-12
11-12
Course Description: (Prerequisite: Chemistry 3 & 2nd year Algebra) This college-level class is designed to prepare
students for the Advanced Placement Exam in Chemistry. The AP Chemistry course is designed to be taken only after
the successful completion of a first course in high school chemistry and second-year algebra. Students will develop a
depth of understanding of fundamental chemistry concepts and reasonable competence in dealing with chemical
problems. Emphasis will be on chemical calculations and the mathematical formulation of principles developed
through laboratory experiences equivalent to those of a typical college course. Recommended for students enrolling
in college chemistry and students interested in careers in science, medicine, and engineering.
Course Name and Credit
A.P. PHYSICS B 1
A.P. PHYSICS B 2
A.P. PHYSICS B 3
5 CREDITS
5 CREDITS
5 CREDITS
11-12
11-12
11-12
Course Description: (Prerequisite: consent of instructor, 2nd year Algebra, and concurrent enrollment in preCalculus. AP Physics typically follows an introductory physics course.) This college-level class is designed to prepare
students for the Advanced Placement Exam in Physics. AP Physics is intended to be representative of introductory
college courses that are Algebra based. Students will: 1. Read, understand, and interpret physical information
(verbal, mathematical, and graphical). 2. Describe and explain the sequence of steps in the analysis of a particular
physical phenomenon or problem. 3. Use basic mathematical reasoning. 4. Perform experiments and interpret the
results of observations. Recommended for students who wish to pursue careers in engineering, medicine, and
science.
Course Name and Credit: A.P. PHYSICS C 1
A.P. PHYSICS C 2
A.P. PHYSICS C 3
5 CREDITS
5 CREDITS
5 CREDITS
12
12
12
Course Description: (Prerequisite: 15 credits science; completion of Physics B required or concurrent enrollment in
AP Calculus required) This college-level class is designed to prepare students for the Advanced Placement Exam in
Physics. This class is designed for students who plan on attending college and majoring in the following fields:
engineering, astronomy, chemistry, or computer science. The difficulty level is designed to be at least that found on
most college campuses. This sequence is more intensive and analytical than that of AP Physics B. Strong emphasis is
placed on solving a variety of problems, some requiring calculus. The content and difficulty level should prepare a
student to successfully complete the mechanics and electricity and magnetism portions of the AP Physics "C" exam.
This is a college level course so a strong work ethic is helpful.