Course Descriptions:

Biology

The Biology curriculum is designed to continue student investigations of the life sciences that began in grades K-8 and provide students the necessary skills to be proficient in biology. This curriculum includes more abstract concepts such as the interdependence of organisms, the relationship of matter, energy, and organization in living systems, the behavior of organisms, and biological evolution. Students investigate biological concepts through experience in laboratories and field work using the processes of inquiry.  The state mandated Georgia Milestones End of Course Assessment is required and counts 20% of the student’s overall course grade.

Biology (Honors)

The Biology curriculum is designed to continue student investigations of the life sciences that began in grades K-8 and provide students the necessary skills to be proficient in biology. This curriculum includes more abstract concepts such as the interdependence of organisms, the relationship of matter, energy, and organization in living systems, the behavior of organisms, and biological evolution. Students investigate biological concepts through experience in laboratories and field work using the processes of inquiry. Other topics and instructional methods specific to preparing students for the rigors of future honors science courses, Advanced Placement, and IB science courses are also included. The state mandated Georgia Milestones End of Course Assessment is required and counts 20% of the student’s overall course grade.

**Prerequisite- Teacher Recommendation based on science grades, math grades, and work ethic

Chemistry

The Chemistry curriculum is designed to continue student investigations of the physical sciences that began in grades K-8 and provide students the necessary skills to be proficient in chemistry. This curriculum includes more abstract concepts such as the structure of atoms, structure and properties of matter, and the conservation and interaction of energy and matter. Students investigate chemistry concepts through experience in laboratories and field work using the processes of inquiry.

**Prerequisite- Biology and GSE Geometry co-requisite

Chemistry (Honors)

The Chemistry curriculum is designed to continue student investigations of the physical sciences that began in grades K-8 and provide students the necessary skills to be proficient in chemistry. This curriculum includes more abstract concepts such as the structure of atoms, structure and properties of matter, and the conservation and interaction of energy and matter. Students investigate chemistry concepts through experience in laboratories and field work using the processes of inquiry. Other topics specific to preparing students for the rigors of an Advanced Placement course will be integrated throughout the course. The rigor and instructional techniques will model the Advanced Placement course requirements as much as possible.

** Prerequisite- Teacher Recommendation, Biology (Honors Highly Recommended), GSE Accel Alg/Geom A recommended

Physical Science

 This course is designed as a survey course of chemistry and physics. This curriculum includes the more abstract concepts such as the conceptualization of the structure of atoms, motion and forces, and the conservation of energy and matter, the action/reaction principle, and wave behavior. Students investigate physical science concepts through experience in laboratories and field work using the processes of inquiry. The state mandated Georgia Milestones End of Course Assessment is required and counts 20% of the student’s overall course grade

Physics

The Physics curriculum is designed to continue student investigations of the physical sciences that began in grades K-8 and provide students the necessary skills to be proficient in physics. This curriculum includes more abstract concepts such as interactions of matter and energy, velocity, acceleration, force, energy, momentum, and charge. Students investigate physics concepts through experience in laboratories and field work using the processes of inquiry.

**Prerequisite- GSE Algebra II

Environmental Science

The Environmental Science curriculum is designed to extend student investigations that began in grades K-8. It integrates the study of many components of our environment, including the human impact on our planet. The concepts integrated into this course include: flow of energy & cycling of matter, interconnection of all life, stability and change in an ecosystem, conservation and resource allocation, and evaluation of human activity and technology. 

Forensics

In this course 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.  Students investigate Forensic Science concepts through experience in laboratories and field work using the processes of inquiry.

**Prerequisite- Biology

AP Biology

This course conforms to the College Board topics for the Advanced Placement Biology Examination. The major themes of the course as indicated by the AP Biology course guide include molecules and cells, heredity and evolution, and organisms and populations. Students are expected to take the AP Biology exam in May. This course requires a rigorous college level lab component and utilizes a college text. The prerequisites for this course as indicated by the College Board are successful completion of Biology and Chemistry.

**Prerequisite- Biology and Chemistry; Honors Highly Recommended

AP Chemistry

AP Chemistry is an introductory college-level chemistry course. Students cultivate their understanding of chemistry through inquiry-based lab investigations as they explore the four Big Ideas: scale, proportion, and quantity; structure and properties of substances; transformations; and energy. Students are expected to take the AP Chemistry exam in May. This course conforms to College Board topics for the Advanced Placement Chemistry Examination.This course requires a rigorous college level lab component and utilizes a college text. The prerequisite for this course as indicated by the Chemistry prerequisite*
Honors Highly RecommendedCollege Board is successful completion of Chemistry.

**Chemistry prerequisite; Honors Highly Recommended

AP Environmental Science

The goal of the AP Environmental Science course is 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. Environmental science is interdisciplinary; it embraces a wide variety of topics from different areas of study. Yet there are several major unifying constructs, or themes, that cut across the many topics included in the study of environmental science, such as science is a process; energy conversions underlie all ecological processes; the Earth itself is one interconnected system; humans alter natural systems; environmental problems have a cultural and social context; and human survival depends on developing practices that will achieve sustainable systems.  Students are expected to take the AP Exam administered annually in May.

**Prerequisite- Biology & Chemistry prerequisites*

AP Physics 1

AP Physics 1 is an algebra-based, introductory college-level physics course. Students cultivate their understanding of physics through classroom study, in-class activity, and hands-on, inquiry-based laboratory work as they explore concepts like systems, fields, force interactions, change, conservation, and waves. Students are expected to take the AP exam in May. This course conforms to College Board topics for the Advanced Placement Physics 1 Examination.This course requires a rigorous college level lab component and utilizes a college text.

**Prerequisite- GSE Algebra II prerequisite

AP Physics C

This course ordinarily forms the first part of the college sequence that serves as the foundation in physics for students majoring in the physical sciences or engineering. The sequence is parallel to or preceded by mathematics courses that include calculus. Methods of calculus are used wherever appropriate in formulating physical principles and in applying them to physical problems. Strong emphasis is placed on solving a variety of challenging problems, some requiring calculus. The subject matter of the AP Physics C: Mechanics course is classical mechanics and includes topics in kinematics; Newton’s laws of motion, work, energy and power; systems of particles and linear momentum; circular motion and rotation; oscillations; and gravitation. The AP Physics C: Mechanics course is the first part of a sequence which in college is sometimes a very intensive one-year course but often extends over one and one-half to two years, with a laboratory component. Use of calculus in problem solving and in derivations is expected to increase as the course progresses. Calculus is used freely in formulating principles and in solving problems. Please note: Although fewer topics are covered in Physics C than in Physics 1, they are covered in greater depth and with greater analytical and mathematical sophistication, including calculus applications.

**Prerequisite- GSE Calculus prerequisite or may be taken concurrently; Physics or AP Physics B are highly recommended

Course Syllabi for Science- Pathway Connections

Aerospace & Drone Technology:

• Importance of precision and accuracy in collecting data
• Principles of safety in lab work
• Communication amongst team members
• Data collection and means of data analysis
• Dimensional analysis and unit conversions

Healthcare & First Responders:

• Use of debate as a means of conflict resolution
• Significance of ethics in lab work and collaboration
• Use of lab reports to demonstrate importance of report writing
• Principles of safety in lab work
• Communication amongst team members

Criminal Justice, Law, & Public Administration:

• Use of debate as a means of conflict resolution
• Significance of ethics in lab work and collaboration
• Use of lab reports to demonstrate importance of report writing
• Appropriate soft skills for positive digital citizenship
• Principles of safety in lab work
• Importance of precision and accuracy in collecting data

Hospitality & Graphic Design:

• Use of project based learning to practice professional presentation skills
• Incorporation of ecotourism in ecology units
• Incorporation of graphic design into project based learning
• Use of persuasive writing in project based learning
• Appropriate soft skills for positive digital citizenship

Mechatronics & Energy:

• Critical reasoning and problem solving skills through inquiry lab work
• Application of scientific method to model engineering design process
• Principles of safety in lab work
• Application of thermodynamics from microscopic to macroscopic levels
• Dimensional analysis and unit conversions