science DEPARTMENT courses

Physical Science - 1325 (year)                    

Prerequisite:  Students must be currently enrolled in Algebra I

Grade:  9                                                              

Credit:  1.00

Physical Science explores the fundamental ideas of Chemistry, Physics and Astronomy through conceptual analysis.  Students will develop problem-solving skills and laboratory techniques while investigating topics such as classification of matter, atomic structure, periodic trends of elements, chemical bonding, chemical reactions, conservation of energy, waves, thermal energy, electricity, motion, forces and the history of the universe.


CP Physical Science - 1323 (year)                    

Prerequisite: Students must be concurrently enrolled in CP Algebra I or higher-level math course.

Grade:  9                                                              

Credit:  1.00

College Prep Physical Science explores the fundamental concepts of Chemistry and Physics and enhances students’ thinking by using math, graphs and charts.  Students will develop problem-solving skills, data analysis techniques and laboratory techniques while investigating topics such as classification of matter, atomic structure, periodic trends of elements, chemical bonding, chemical reactions, conservation of energy, waves, thermal energy, electricity, motion and forces.


Physical Science AP Track - 1324 (year)                    

Prerequisite: Students must be concurrently enrolled in Honors Algebra I, CP Geometry, Honors Geometry or Honors Algebra II-Trig.  Students must pass the Science Placement Exam (administered in the Spring of Eighth Grade).

Grade:  9                                                              

Credit:  1.00

Physical Science AP Track is an accelerated, Pre-AP mathematical based science course focusing on Chemistry and Physics.  Students will utilize extensive mathematical, graphical and diagrammatic techniques to analyze problem situations.   First semester is devoted to Chemistry, focusing on rates of change, periodic table, chemical nomenclature, the mole concept, chemical reactions and stoichiometry. Second semester is devoted to Physics, focusing on linear and projectile motion, forces, energy, momentum and rotation. STEM projects and qualitative laboratory analysis techniques are incorporated throughout the year.

Students who enroll in this course are expected to be placed and enroll in honors and advanced placement Science courses during their Sophomore, Junior and Senior year.


Biology - 1311                                  

Prerequisite:  Open to students who have successfully completed Physical Science or earned a 69% or lower in CP Physical Science.

Grade:  10

Credit:  1.00

Biology provides our students with a basic understanding of living organisms through hands-on activities, labs, and demonstrations.  Biological concepts are applied to everyday life situations.  Students develop an understanding of heredity, evolution and the diversity and interdependence of life.


College Prep Biology - 1301                        

Prerequisite:  Open to students who earned an 83% or higher in Physical Science, a 70% or higher in CP Physical Science, or an 86% or below in Physical Science AP Track.

Grade:  10

Credit:  1.00

College Prep Biology provides our students with an opportunity to develop skills that facilitate investigation and problem solving centered on biological concepts.  The course provides an in-depth study of the cells, modern genetics, evolution, classification systems and ecosystems


Honors Biology - 1318                  

Prerequisite:  Open to students who earned an 87% or higher in Physical Science AP Track or earned a 93% or higher in CP Physical Science.

Grade:  10

Credit:  1.00

Honors Biology is a course designed for students interested in the study of Biology at an in-depth level.  Students will study cell structure and function, cell division and differentiation, modern genetics, mutations, evolution, classification systems and ecosystems


Anatomy & Physiology - 1319                  

Prerequisite: Open to juniors with 93% average in College Prep or Honors Biology and concurrent enrollment in CP or Honors chemistry; open to seniors with 85% in CP or Honors Chemistry.

Grade:  11-12

Credit:  1.00

Anatomy and Physiology provides our students with an in-depth study of the human body.  This course covers the hierarchy of structural organization, homeostasis and correct anatomical terminology.  Every student must complete several research reports over various diseases, ethical issues and medical discoveries.  Our students dissect various organisms to compare and contrast the systems of the body. 


AP Biology - 1313                

Prerequisite:  Open to juniors or seniors with a 93% or above average in Honors Biology as well as a 90% or above in Honors Chemistry.

Grade:  11-12

Credit:  1.00

This one year AP Biology course will allow students to cultivate their understanding of Biology through inquiry-based investigations as they explore the following topics: evolution, cellular processes, energy and communication, genetics, information transfer and ecology. Students will take the AP Biology exam in May.


Chemistry - 1314                             

Prerequisite:  Open to juniors who have successfully completed Biology (1311), earned a 79% or below in College Prep Biology (1301) or earned a 72% or lower in Honors Biology (1318). Must be enrolled in Algebra II or Algebra II-Trig. Not open to students in Honors Algebra II-Trig or higher-level math.

Grade: 11                                                             

Credit:  1:00

Chemistry students develop problem solving skills and laboratory techniques while investigating topics such as atomic structure, the periodic table, chemical bonding, quantifying matter, solubility, chemical reactions, gas laws and stoichiometry.


College-Prep Chemistry - 1303                   

Prerequisite: Open to juniors who will be enrolled in Honors Alg. II Trig., Algebra II-Trig or Pre-Calculus; must have a minimum of 80% in CP Biology (1301) or above 73% in Honors Biology (1318).

Grade:  11

Credit:  1.00

College-Prep Chemistry students develop problem-solving skills and laboratory techniques while investigating topics such as the standard units of measurement, periodic table, chemical nomenclature, the mole concept, gas laws, atomic structure and stoichiometry. Students enhance their ability to think abstractly and problem solve. Mathematical problem solving is emphasized.


Honors Chemistry – 1317                               

Prerequisite:  Open to juniors enrolled in Honors Alg. II & Trig., Algebra II-Trig, Pre-Calculus or Calculus AP Track who have taken Physical Science AP Track as a freshman; Open to Sophomores with a 93% or above in Physical Science AP Track.

Grade:  11

Credit: 1.00

Honors Chemistry is a course designed for students interested in the study of Chemistry at an in-depth level.  Students learn problem solving techniques in order to understand the basis of chemical bonding, thermodynamics and intermolecular forces.  Weekly laboratory investigations are designed to illustrate lecture material and to teach laboratory techniques and writing skills. 


AP Physics - 1345  

Prerequisite:  Open to juniors and seniors who have successfully completed Physical Science, Biology and Chemistry (concurrently enrolled in Chemistry for juniors).  Must have successfully completed Algebra II-Trig or higher to enroll.  Recommendation from current math teacher is required.

Grade:  11-12 

Credit:  1.00       

AP Physics 1 is an Algebra-based course that focuses on linear and rotational kinematics and dynamics, including Newton’s Laws of Motion, conservation of momentum, conservation of energy and the fundamentals of wave interactions. Emphasis is placed on both conceptual and mathematical understanding, application of physical laws and problem solving. The course will provide a variety of laboratory experiences including experimental design problems and data analysis.

This course is recommended for any student interested in pursuing a degree in the medical or STEM field. 


AP Physics C: Mechanics (Calculus-Based) - 1306  

Prerequisite:  Open to juniors or seniors who are concurrently enrolled in AP Calculus BC, AP Calculus AB or OSU Remote Mathematics (Calculus). A background of Physical Science AP Track and Honors Chemistry or AP Chemistry is suggested. Requires the recommendation of both the Chemistry and Calculus teachers.

Grade:  11-12 

Credit:  1.00                                       

AP Physics C: Mechanics focuses on the topics of motion, force, energy, momentum, rotation, universal gravitation and harmonic motion, all with Calculus.  Problem solving skills will be developed from a mathematical, graphical and diagrammatic perspective. There will be approximately 10 laboratory experiments throughout the year.

All students are required to take the AP exam in May.  Students must be willing to commit to recitation at 7:00 am once a week and 6 hours 2 days prior to the beginning of the school year.    


AP Foundations of Inorganic Chemistry - 1308

Prerequisite:  Open to juniors and seniors enrolled in Calculus AP Track or Pre-Calculus, who have a 93% or above average in Physical Science AP Track and scored a 93% or above on the First Semester Exam; 90% or above in Honors Chemistry,  and the recommendations of math and Physical Science AP Track teachers. (semester/double block)

Grade:  11-12 

Credit:  1.00                                       

This first half of a two-semester sequence is an advanced placement course of study designed for students interested in taking the AP chemistry exam in May.  This course develops a student’s understanding of the foundations and theoretical aspects of chemistry through a problem-solving approach.  Topics such as the nature and structure of matter, the kinetic theory of gasses, quantum mechanics, molecular bond theory, and thermodynamics will be presented in considerable depth.   All students must take the Introduction to Organic and Biochemistry in the second semester.


AP Foundations of Physical Chemistry - 1326  

Prerequisite: Open to juniors and seniors who have completed one semester of Foundations of Inorganic

Grade:  11-12 

Credit:  1.00                                       

The second half of this two-semester advanced placement chemistry sequence covers the physical chemistry topics of equilibrium, kinetics, intermolecular forces, and properties of solutions.  All students will take the AP Chemistry exam in May.  After the AP exam, a short unit on Organic Chemistry will be covered; including nomenclature, functional groups, oxidation, reduction and substitution reactions.


Environmental Science – 1343 (.5 year)            

Prerequisite:  Successful completion of both Physical Science and Biology. This course does not replace the core Science credits that must be earned for graduation purposes (Physical Science, Biology, and Chemistry)

Grade:  11-12

Credit:  0.50

Environmental Science is a course designed to advance student’s understanding of concepts, principles, and theories of Earth's systems and resources.  This course will expose students to the impact that humans have on the Earth, and our Catholic responsibility to be stewards of the environment.  Students will identify connections and interactions between Earth’s biosphere, atmosphere, lithosphere, and hydrosphere. Students will apply knowledge from previous Science courses to think critically about various global environmental issues.


Medical Terminology – 1342 (.5 year)

Prerequisite:  Successful completion of both Physical Science and Biology. This course does not replace the core Science credits that must be earned for graduation purposes (Physical Science, Biology, and Chemistry)

Grade:  11-12

Credit:  0.50

Medical Terminology is a course that provides an overview of medical language and principles by emphasizing practical and commonly used terms found in the day-to-day work of all allied health professions.


Medical Terminology – 1346 (.5 year)

Grade:  10-12

Credit:  0.50

Students will identify signs and symptoms of injury and apply emergency procedures and techniques used in the immediate care of athletic-related trauma. Students will learn clinical and field evaluative processes, injury prevention techniques, conditioning techniques, treatment, taping, bracing, and rehabilitation of musculoskeletal injuries and conditions. Students will design and implement conditioning programs, including nutritional considerations and ergogenic aids. Emphasis is placed on the synthesis of information gathered through injury history, observation, and manual muscle testing. This course does not replace the core Science credits that must be earned for graduation purposes (Physical Science, Biology, and Chemistry).


Athletic Training II – 1350 (.5 year)

Prerequisite:  Students must have completed Athletic Training I, and have completed or be concurrently enrolled in Anatomy and Physiology.

Grade:  11-12

Credit:  0.50

Students will apply procedures and techniques used in athletic training and in the care and rehabilitation of athletic injuries and therapeutic exercise. Topics include injury prevention, conditioning, and wound care techniques of the musculoskeletal system. Students will learn techniques in the analysis of mechanical factors related to human movement. In addition, current trends, technology, legal considerations, and the role of exercise science in relationship to other health fields will be emphasized. Students who enroll in this course will be required to assist at various athletic events throughout the semester.


Sports Psychology – 1347 (.5 year)

Prerequisite:  Students must have completed Athletic Training I, and have completed or be concurrently enrolled in Anatomy and Physiology.

Grade:  10-12

Credit:  0.50

Students apply practical and theoretical information as it relates to the psychology of sport. Students will analyze what an injured athlete goes through in regard to major psychological changes during injury and rehabilitation. Students examine the reciprocal relations among physical activity, exercise behavior, and biochemical and physiological adaptation. Topics include theories of behavior change, exercise psychology interventions, the relationship between athlete burnout rate/injury predisposition, and the 

general healthcare patients engage in to recover more quickly from injury with guided mental practice. Students will also identify psychosocial determinants and effects associated with adopting and maintaining an exercise program and developing strategies for promoting optimal performance in athlete.

This course does not replace the core Science credits that must be earned for graduation purposes (Physical Science, Biology, and Chemistry). Also, this class does not fulfill the Social Studies elective requirement in the area of Introduction to Psychology.


Fitness Nutrition – 1348 (.5 year)

Grade:  10-12

Credit:  0.50

Students will learn to assess nutritional needs and how to develop diet modifications as related to exercise and physical performance. Students will study the nutritional aspects of digestion, absorption and metabolism, how to determine nutritional status through dietary analysis and develop a dietary plan for weight loss, body composition changes and athletic performance. 

This course does not replace the core Science credits that must be earned for graduation purposes (Physical Science, Biology, and Chemistry).


Fitness Evaluation – 1349 (.5 year)

Grade:  11-12

Credit:  0.50

Students will complete comprehensive fitness evaluations and develop individualized training programs with the use of campus equipment. Students will administer lab and field tests of cardiovascular endurance, body composition, joint flexibility and muscular strength, power, and endurance. Emphasis is placed on assessing body composition, neuromuscular flexibility, agility, balance, coordination, and proprioception. Additionally, students will identify components of physical fitness and communicate how physical activity impacts health and wellness.

This course does not replace the core Science credits that must be earned for graduation purposes (Physical Science, Biology, and Chemistry).