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Science Department Course Offerings

SCIENCE DEPARTMENT COURSE OFFERINGS

 Click on a course to go right to a certain description

Students will study the basic principles of Chemistry and Physics. Physical Science will cover measuring, atomic structure and how atomic structure relates to the properties of matter. The Physics portion includes the study of energy, motion, light, heat and nuclear form. Mini projects/challenges, both group and individual, will be part of the course requirements. This course provides a good background in problem solving and process skills such as graphing, collecting and analyzing data, and conducting experiments.

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Biology is the study of living plants and animals. The course is designed to meet the lab science requirements for high school students. Biological principles will be applied during the study of cells, genetics, microorganisms, plants, animal ecology, and human biology. Labs, studies and discussion will be expanded to satisfy interest, the desire for scientific knowledge and scientific technique.

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Advanced Placement Biology is designed to be the equivalent of a college introductory biology course. This class may be taken by 11^th or 12^th grade students who have completed high school biology and chemistry class or are currently enrolled in chemistry. Topics covered are molecular biology, genetics, evolution, organisms, and ecology. The course will provide students with factual knowledge and analytical skills necessary to deal critically with the rapidly changing science of biology.

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Earth Science is an upper level study of our planet and the forces that affect it. The slowly changing face of the earth will be investigated by studying the internal (Plate Tectonics, and composition), oceanic (Oceanography), atmospheric (Weather), and external forces (Space) that affect it.

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Environmental Science is a two term upper level biology course. The course will include outdoor field work with extensive in-lab follow-up. Areas of study will include such topics as: insects, plants, soils, aquatic studies, vertebrates, taxonomy, GPS / mapping, population studies, and resource management. Policies regarding the administration of these issues as they pertain to the State of Nebraska will be emphasized throughout.

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Requirement: Biology

Physiology is the study of the human body and its functions. The course is designed for college-bound students who are interested in pursuing a career in health or various medical fields. Lab work is an integral part of the course. Fetal pigs will be dissected along with other organs.
    *This class can also be taken for dual credit. 

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Requirement: Algebra 1-2

Chemistry 1-2 is an introductory course covering essential concepts in the science of chemistry. Topics studied include both physical and chemical properties of matter, and the course will provide adequate preparation for freshman chemistry courses in college. The content in the course also requires knowledge of basic algebra. Laboratory exercises accompany all concepts to allow the student to directly experience chemical and physical processes, and to encourage deductive reasoning and critical thinking of concepts through observed facts.

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Requirements: Chemistry 1-2 and Algebra 3-4

Advanced Placement Chemistry is the equivalent of the general chemistry course usually taken during the first college year. It is an intensive course and as such it requires a previous background in chemistry (Chemistry 1-2). Math beyond Algebra 3-4 (Algebra 5 or Pre-Calculus) is recommended. Students in the course will attain a depth of understanding of the fundamentals of chemistry with an emphasis on problem solving and extensive laboratory work. It is expected that students who complete the course will take the AP exam in Chemistry to earn college credit for the class.

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Requirement: Complete Algebra Skills

The students will learn to work a variety of problems taken from kinetics, static, heat, electricity optics, and nuclear physics. They will study a basic physics test and perform several experiments. Many of the problems will involve vectors, and basic trigonometry will be used. The course points toward a college sequence of calculus followed by physics.

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