SCIENCE
Magnet Core Classes
Magnet Biology* – 9th grade
Magnet Chemistry* – 9th grade
AP Physics 1** – 10th grade
Advanced Scientific Research (Post AP)** – 12th grade
Advanced Scientific Internship (Post AP)** – 12th grade
Elective Courses
AP Biology**
AP Chemistry**
AP Environmental Science**
AP Physics C Mechanics**
Advanced Genetics/DNA Research (Post AP)**
Chemical Materials Engineering Science (Post AP)**
Triple: Honors Anatomy*/AP Biology**/Advanced Genetics/DNA Research** (2 block/3 credits)
Research II
Honors Anatomy/Physiology*
Honors Astronomy*
Honors Biochemistry*
Honors Zoology*
Forensic Science
* 0.5 quality point for weighted GPA
** 1.0 quality point for weighted GPA
Magnet Biology
In Magnet Biology, students learn the foundational content knowledge, develop the core science practices, and acquire the key academic skills that are essential for success in upper-level life science courses. Students study a broad range of current topics that fall within these six content domains: biochemistry, microbiology, genetics, biotechnology, evolution, and ecology. Students engage in scientific inquiry to cultivate the eight science practices outlined in the Next Generation Science Standards with a focus on Asking Questions; Developing and Using Models; Engaging in Argument from Evidence; and Obtaining, Evaluating, and Communicating Information. Students work in a supportive learning environment that fosters a growth mindset and emphasizes the use of critical thinking, collaboration, creativity, and communication.
Magnet Chemistry
Magnet Chemistry is designed to introduce the student to the process by which chemical principles and concepts are developed from observations and data, to understand and apply ordinary chemical and other scientific phenomena which he/she encounters in everyday activities, and to assist the student in appreciating the role of the chemist and the chemical industry in the evolution of our present day highly technological society. Emphasis is placed on computerized probe-wear programs for lab investigations, scientific inquiry, and collaborative research.
AP Biology
AP Biology is designed to be the equivalent of a college introductory biology course usually taken by biology or other science majors during their first year. The Advanced Placement course in biology differs significantly from the usual first high school course in biology with respect to the textbook used, the range and depth of topics covered, laboratory work done by students, and the time and effort required of students. It provides students with the conceptual framework, factual knowledge, and analytical skills necessary to deal critically with the rapidly changing science of biology. Some students, as college freshmen, are permitted to undertake upper-level courses in biology or register for courses for which biology is a prerequisite after achieving an adequate score on the optional Advanced Placement Examination.
AP Chemistry
AP Chemistry is designed to be the equivalent of a college introductory chemistry course usually taken by students who have an interest in biological sciences, physical sciences, or engineering. The Advanced Placement Chemistry course expands the knowledge and skills gained during the introductory high school chemistry course. It provides students with the conceptual framework, factual knowledge, and analytical skills necessary to deal critically with the rapidly changing science of chemistry.
AP Environmental Science
Advanced Placement Environmental Science is designed to provide students with the scientific principles, concepts, and methodologies required to understand the interrelationships of the natural world, to identify and analyze environmental problems both natural and human-made, to evaluate the relative risks associated with these problems, and to examine alternative solutions for resolving and/or preventing them. The following themes provide a foundation for the structure of the AP Environmental Science course: (1) Science is a process, (2) Energy conversions underlie all ecological processes, (3) The Earth itself is one interconnected system, (4) Humans alter natural systems, (5) Environmental problems have a cultural and social context, and (6) Human survival depends on developing practices that will achieve sustainable systems.
AP Physics 1
An algebra-based, introductory college-level physics course, it explores topics such as Newtonian mechanics (including rotational motion); work, energy, and power; mechanical waves and sound; and introductory, simple circuits. Through inquiry-based learning, students will develop scientific critical thinking and reasoning skills.
AP Physics C: Mechanics
AP Physics C is a calculus-based course that includes a detailed study of classical (Newtonian) mechanics and an exploration of electricity and magnetism. Some students, as college freshmen, are permitted to undertake upper-level courses in physics or register for courses for which physics is a prerequisite after achieving an adequate score on the optional Advanced Placement Examination.
Honors Research II
Honors Research II is a course during which students will develop projects based on their interests. These projects may be related to topics that they are covering in any of their science courses or could expand on those ideas. Students will received some support from their teacher but they will be working mostly independently. Presentations of the projects developed at this level will take place at regional or state science fair competitions for example.
Honors Human Anatomy/Physiology
Honors Human Anatomy/Physiology is an accelerated course designed to give the student an in-depth look at the structures and functions of the major systems of the human body. The course is intended for the student who is interested in pursuing a career in the allied medical fields or who is interested in advanced competency in medical science. Significant depth is expected at the honors level.
Honors Astronomy
Students will be exposed to the myriad of wonders in the cosmos along with humanity’s journey of discovery to understand the universe and its fate. Compelling topics in cosmology such as the origin of the universe, its ultimate end fate, and the creation of time are explored. The cutting edge scientific experiments and theoretical physicist and astrophysicist that seek to address these questions will also be explored. The lives of stars, how they are born, live, and die in fiery supernova creating black holes or neutron stars will be studied. Students will apply their knowledge of physics to describe and understand the motion of planetary, stellar, and galactic bodies through space. The history of the human desire and efforts to understand the universe, from the first astronomical cave paintings in Lascaux, France, to the advent of the theory of relativity under Einstein, will also be explored. Exoplanet and planetology science are currently undergoing a renaissance; students will learn about the current and next generation of telescopes being utilized and the information being uncovered. Hope to see you aboard the journey.
Honors Biochemistry
This is an advanced chemistry course that studies macromolecules and their structure and function within biological systems. Students will study the anabolism, use, and catabolism of those macromolecules (lipids, carbohydrates, proteins, and nucleic acids) within cells, and chemically how cells use and store energy, replicate themselves, and how those macromolecules are used within organismal behavior, such as muscle activation.
Forensic Science
Forensic Science students will learn the scientific protocols for analyzing a crime scene, how to use chemical and physical separation methods to isolate and identify materials, how to analyze biological evidence and the criminal use of tools, including impressions from firearms, tool marks, arson, and explosive evidence.
Honors Zoology
Honors Zoology is a laboratory course designed to cultivate a student’s natural curiosity and to provide background that will help them understand the interrelationships of all life-forms. Using in-depth dissection, observational, and experiential learning opportunities, students will investigate, compare, and contrast all nine major phyla of the Kingdom Animalia. Additionally, they will explore the morphology, taxonomy, anatomy, and physiology of each phyla.
Advanced Chemical & Material Science Engineering
Utilizing the concepts learned in chemistry, this course will provide the opportunity for advanced science students to learn the applications of chemistry in engineering. The fundamental concepts taught in this course would be material and energy balances, which are the fundamental concepts of chemical engineering, based on the Laws of Conservation of Matter and Energy learned in chemistry. Students will apply mathematics to solve application problems from the chemical industry. After mastering material and energy balances, the students will be introduced to the major unit operations and separation techniques used in the chemical industry. The students may have the opportunity to visit local university laboratories to perform lab-scale experiments using the unit operations equipment discussed in class. The students will also learn five major classes of materials: ceramics, polymers, composites, metals, and semiconductors. They will learn the properties of these different materials and how these properties affect the selection of materials for different applications in engineering. As a post-AP course, the prerequisite is AP Biology, AP Chemistry, or AP Physics.
Advanced Genetics/DNA Research
This course is designed as a research-based advanced genetics course, which will focus on human genetics, the human genome, and DNA fingerprinting. Students will be required to have a thorough background in scientific research and lab techniques. As a post-AP course, the prerequisite is AP Biology, AP Chemistry, or AP Physics.
Triple: Honors Anatomy/AP Biology/Advanced Genetics/DNA Research
This is a year-long inquiry based class during which students are immersed in a multitude of hands-on, college level, laboratory based experiments along with corresponding didactic material. The pedagogical approach to teaching this class, coupled with the life science emphasis, provides a framework to knit together the Honors Anatomy and AP Biology standards along with the Advanced Genetics/DNA Research course.
Advanced Scientific Research
Advanced Scientific Research is blocked with Advanced Science Internship. This course will provide highly motivated and qualified students the skills necessary for advanced science research. Students will read professional scientific literature and translate this information into applicable research topics and projects. Advanced knowledge and skills acquired from AP Biology, or AP Chemistry, AP Environmental Science, or AP Physics will be applied to topics explored in this course. Students will participate in laboratory research either by developing and executing their own research project or by participating in an on-going research project with a science mentor. The target population will be students who have completed honors courses in Biology, Chemistry, Physics, and at least one AP Science course and have made a commitment to advanced collegiate studies in science.
Advanced Scientific Internship
Advanced Scientific Internship is blocked with Advanced Science Research and is a Post AP course, which will allow the advanced science student an opportunity to understand the processes of science through the careful planning of research, data collection, analysis and interpretation of experimental results gained from on-site or off-site experimentation. This course will be equivalent to a college freshman course in both rigor and relevancy. Students will read professional scientific reports and translate this information into applicable research topics. Advanced knowledge and skills acquired from AP Biology, AP Chemistry, AP Environmental Science, or AP Physics will be applied to topics explored in this course. The target population will be students who have completed honors courses in Biology, Chemistry, Physics, and at least one AP Science course and who have made a commitment to advanced collegiate studies in science.
For more information on AP courses go to: http://apcentral.collegeboard.com