Science Courses
2012-2013
Recommended Science Credits

Graduate GNHS

– 2 Credits

Junior College (CLC)
– 3 Credits

– 2 Credits

Military
– 2-3 Credits
Big Ten Colleges
Ivy League Colleges
– 4 Credits

Planning to Major in a
Science
– 4 Credits

Local Colleges (NIU,
WIU)
– 3 Credits
Science Course pathways
Physical Science

Course Description


This two semester, lab-oriented course is an
overview of the foundations of both Physics
and Chemistry
Recommendations

Passed or Concurrent enrollment in Algebra
Physical Science

Physics
Speed, Acceleration, Forces,
Energy, Simple Machines,
Rube Goldberg Competition

Chemistry
Properties 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 affect
living and non-living
aspects affect the
diversity of an
ecosystem?
Is global warming really
happening—how is it
affecting me? Other
species?
Will there be enough
water and food available
as our population grows
to 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
Course Description:
The course begins with advanced work in ecology so students can
begin to understand the many interactions between living and nonliving components in the environment. Investigations in the
interrelationships of the natural world, analysis of environmental
problems and examining alternative solutions for resolving/preventing
irreversible 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.
I. Earth Systems &
Resources
II. The Living World
III. Population
IV. Land and Water Use
V. Energy Resources &
Consumption
VI. Pollution
VII. Global Change
AP BIOLOGY
Course 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 BIOLOGY
I. Molecules and Cells
A. Biochemistry
B. Cytology
II. Heredity and Evolution
A. Heredity
B. Molecular Genetics
C. Evolutionary Biology
III. Organisms and Populations
A. Diversity of Organisms
B. Plants and Animals
C. 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 Schedule
Changes from Course Guide
Once the initial registration process is completed, a student may request a schedule change only if
one or more of the following criteria exists. A form requesting a change must be obtained from
the 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 to
the new class.
4. Completion of summer school courses, correspondence courses, or independent study
projects.
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 and
registration 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 or
deletion 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) STUDENT
ATTENDANCE SCHOOL DAYS of the semester, if the reason strictly adheres to the approved criteria
for schedule changes.
2) DROPPING A CLASS—Students may drop a class up through THIRTY (30) STUDENT
ATTENDANCE 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, a
grade of “WF” will be issued.