Science

MN Department of Education Standards

Course Descriptions

Biology

Biology is a course that should be taken by all students. The course gives them a background in the life sciences to complement the physical science curriculum they completed in ninth grade. In this course, students will study the major biological concepts set forth in the National Science Standards and have an opportunity to earn credit for the high standard, concepts in biology. This course provides a broad based foundation to all major biological concepts. Each student is expected to supply a notebook (can be a graphing) exclusively for biology. [Back to the top]

Chemistry

Chemistry is the study of the materials found in our earth and throughout the universe. It also includes a study of the physical and chemical transformations that these materials go through. The students will perform many quantitative experiments and interactive learning activities. College bound students are encouraged to take this course. Mathematically challenged students are encouraged to take Chemistry in the Community. Students will be expected to keep a chemistry notebook and successfully complete written tests, complete the required laboratory exercises, with correctly formatted lab reports, design a lab experiment to solve a specific problem and perform this lab, making accurate conclusions about the results. Each student is also expected to supply a graphing notebook. The graphing notebook will house such items as student answers to textbook questions, experiment reports, data tables, graphs, quizzes, notes on discussions and other readings and other essential information. A well kept notebook will prove to be the single most important asset of each student. [Back to the top]

Advanced Chemistry

The second year chemistry course is designed to build deeper understanding of basic chemical principles and a more extensive chemistry background for the science oriented, college bound student. The course will consist of in-depth studies of key chemistry concepts from a mathematical perspective with lab activities focusing on both quantitative analysis and peer review of research findings. In addition, the course will include comprehensive studies of organic and nuclear chemistry. Each student is expected to supply a graphing notebook. The graphing notebook will house such items as student answers to textbook questions, experiment reports, data tables, graphs, quizzes, notes on discussions and other essential information. A well kept notebook will prove to be the single most important asset of each student. [Back to the top]

Chemistry in the Community

Chemistry in the Community is a chemistry course that emphasizes chemistry's impact on society. Each of Chem Comm's 8 units focuses on a chemistry related technological issue currently confronting our society and the world. The issue serves as a basis for introducing the chemistry needed to understand and analyze it. The setting for each unit is a community. This may be the school community, the town or region in which the students live, or the world community--(Spaceship Earth). Each student is expected to supply a composition notebook. [Back to the top]

CIS - Anatomy and Physiology

The course essentials of Anatomy and Physiology examines specific topics in human anatomy and physiology, focusing on body systems, including the respiratory , muscular and cardiovascular systems. Body system analysis will also include information relating to fitness and disease. The dissection of a cat is an important tool for comparative anatomy and will be an integral part of the curriculum structure. In addition, students will engage in a wide variety of learning activities, such as cooperative learning groups, computer enhanced learning, and anatomical model building and inquiry-based lab activities.

*Prerequisite: to receive automatic acceptance into the college credit program students must be in the top 30% of their class and have earned at least a B grade in Chemistry. If not, students may still take the class for high school credit only. This course offers students 4 semester college credits as well as one high school credit, upon successful completion of the year-long course. Those students not enrolled for college credit may take one or both semesters. This is part of the "College in School" program offered by the University of Minnesota for advanced high school students. [Back to the top]

Environmental Studies

The purpose of this course is to introduce interested students to the major ecological concepts and the environmental issues that affect the world today. Students will investigate and analyze our present understanding of many environmental issues, both globally and locally; research their causes; identify related problems; and propose possible solutions. The curriculum will include units on basic ecology, wildlife issues, the atmosphere, agriculture, water issues, and energy uses. Students will conduct primary research of a local environmental issue. They will also design and conduct an experimental investigation related to this issue, accumulate data, interpret results, and specify implications. Activities in the course will give the students an opportunity to earn the high standard. Each student is expected to supply a 3-ring binder exclusively for Biology. [Back to the top]

Integrated Science

This integrated science course will provide the introductory content that students will need to be prepared for the Introductory Physical Science and Biology classes. The topics that will be taught include: Measurement, Scientific Method, Properties of Matter, Plants(Growth, Development, Tropism), Structure of Matter, Classifying Elements, Human Ecology, Cell Biology, and Lab Techniques. Through these topics students will learn and practice the scientific query model while developing laboratory skills, reasoning and problem-solving skills, and reading and writing skills. This course provides a broad base foundation set forth in the State Science Standards in Strand I: History and Nature of Science; Strand II: Physical Science; and Strand IV: Life Science. [Back to the top]

Introductory Astronomy

Introductory Astronomy is a course designed for students who enjoy science and are curious about the world around them. Astronomy is the earliest of all sciences, so many historical references will be made throughout the course as we study the origins of astronomy up to the present space age. Areas studied include constellations, the earth and moon, the solar system, stars, galaxies, origins of the universe, and tools of astronomers. The exploration of space by humans and knowledge gained from it about the solar system will also be studied. This will be an evening class (6 - 10 pm) in order to include a significant observational component. [Back to the top]

Introductory Physical Science

This physical science course focuses primarily on the study of matter. Topics such as measurement of mass volume, density, properties of matter, and the nature of electricity will be emphasized. Through these topics, students will acquire useful laboratory skills, reasoning and realistic problem-solving skills, and communication skills. The textbook is titled Introductory Physical Science. This course provides a foundation for future science courses. An essential part of this course will be the student notebook. Each student is expected to supply a graphing notebook exclusively for science. The graphing notebook will house such items as student answers to textbook questions, experiment write-ups, tables, graphs, quizzes, notes on discussions and readings, and other essential information. A well kept notebook will prove to be the single most important asset of each student. [Back to the top]

Physics

Physics is the science of how things work. It deals with the behavior and interactions of matter, forces and energy. The topics, which we will cover, include linear motion, circular motion, momentum, potential and kinetic energy, heat, sound, light, electricity and magnetism and gravitation. The use of mathematics to describe the natural world is an important part of physics and therefore a significant area of focus will be learning problem-solving techniques. There is also significant lab component involving hands-on exercises. This is a good course for students interested in Architecture, Engineering, Communications, Medicine, Mechanics, Industrial Technology, Graphic Design, Computer Technology and other technical fields. Each student is expected to supply a graphing notebook. [Back to the top]

A. P. Physics

This is an algebra based college physics course. The same textbook used by many Minnesota colleges is the resource for the course. Although the discussion of the calculus underlying the algebraic formulas is discussed, only algebra and trigonometry are needed to under stand the math concepts involved. This is a fast paced,in-depth course that covers the broad spectrum of topics in physics from basic mechanics (velocity, acceleration, and force), energy (potential and kinetic), waves, sound, heat, light,electricity and magnetism, quantum mechanics and nuclear physics. Students have the option of taking the Advanced Placement Physics Exam for college credit. If you want a course that will challenge you and you for a technical field at the college level, this is the one for you! Students thinking about careers in Architecture, Engineering, Medicine, Design, Computer Science, Industrial Science, Agricultural Science, and any other technical field, should consider this for their course of study. Each student is expected to supply a graphing notebook.[Back to the top]