Science 7
Required: 2 trimesters - 1 credit
The goal of Science 7 is to expand the student’s knowledge in four main areas: science processes, physical science, life science, and earth science. Science 7 covers the course requirements for Michigan’s Grade Level Content Expectations. These requirements include 1) science processes: inquiry process, inquiry analysis and communication, reflection, and social implications; 2) physical science: energy, properties of matter, changes in matter; 3) life science: organization of living things and heredity; 4) earth science: earth systems and fluid earth.
Science 8
Required: 2 trimesters - 1 credit
The goal of Science 8 is to solidify the student’s knowledge in two main areas: Human Anatomy and Earth Science. The first semester focuses on the different systems of the human body, giving the students general understanding of the body, system functions and structures, including the Integumentary system, skeletal system, muscular system, respiratory system, organ donation, nervous system, cardiovascular system, digestive system, and excretory system. The second semester focuses on the many aspects of earth science, including rocks and minerals, erosion and deposition, geologic time, crustal movement, the solar system, weather, and atmosphere.
Science 9
Grade Level: 9
Required: 2 trimesters - 1 credit
Prerequisites: None
The objective of Science 9 can be summarized as the development of laboratory skills, application skills, and communication skills in the context of science while gaining an understanding of the foundations of physical science. Information about the natural world is gathered through student experiments or classroom demonstrations. Students analyze the information and results are discussed. Predictions are made from what was learned. The course prepares students for further studies in the physical sciences. A scientific calculator is required.
Science Applications
Grade Level: 9-12
Elective: 2 trimesters - 1 credit
Prerequisites: None
Science Applications is a general science course that studies different disciplines of science. The units are intermixed and sequenced so that what is learned in one discipline can be applied to another. The goal of this course is to get the students to build their knowledge base and apply their previous knowledge to situations and to look at science as a subject that has real impact on their everyday lives.
Earth Science
Grade Level: 10-12
Elective: 2 trimesters - 1 credit
Prerequisites: None
This course covers the formation and changing of our planet through geology and weathering, as well as an overview of our solar system and space. Human impacts will be evaluated during weather, oceanography, and environmental studies.
Biology I
Grade Level: 10
Required: 2 trimesters - 1 credit
Prerequisites: Science 9
The goal of Biology I is to help students become scientifically literate people able to understand real-world events and systems. Biology covers the course requirements for the Michigan Merit Curriculum. These requirements include: 1) inquiry, reflection, and social implications; 2) organization and development of living systems; 3) interdependence of living systems and the environments; 4) genetics; and 5) evolution and biodiversity.
Introduction to Chemistry
Grade Level: 10-12
Elective: 2 trimesters - 1 credit
Prerequisites: Algebra I or Algebra Methods
Introduction to Chemistry is a course designed for students who will need an extra boost to take chemistry, which is required by the State of Michigan for high school graduation. It is a course that will cover chemical and physical properties, atoms and their structure, chemical nomenclature, stoichiometry, acids and bases. Real world chemistry will be introduced so that students will be able to see chemistry in their everyday life. This course is not the “chemistry” for high school graduation.
Chemistry
Grade Level: 10-12
Required: 2 trimesters - 1 credit
Prerequisites: Algebra I or Algebra Methods
Chemistry is a course designed for all students as one of the required high school courses. This course emphasizes five major chemistry concepts: inquiry and reflection, forms of energy, energy transfer and conservation, properties of matter and change in matter. The course content will include a review of science skills, including lab procedures, data collection and measurement, exploration of the structure of an atom, and the properties and states of matter, examination of chemical bonds and chemical reactions, including acid/base chemistry.
Biology II
Grade Level: 11-12
Elective: 2 trimesters - 1 credit
Prerequisites: Biology I
Biology II will go more in-depth in areas of study learned about in Biology I, and will cover material at a faster pace. This course is designed to be the equivalent of a college level freshman biology course. This advanced course covers the biochemistry of living things, cellular biology, genetics, evolution and ecology. Experimentation and lab techniques are required.
Anatomy I
Grade Level: 11-12
Elective: 2 trimesters - 1 credit
Prerequisites: Biology I
Anatomy is a college preparatory course. During this course the focus is the study of human structure and function using a systems approach with emphasis on anatomy, diseases and good health practices. Dissection of the cat is a large part of the class. Experimentation and lab techniques are required. Topics to be covered in this course are terminology, chemistry, cells, tissues, the reproductive system and human development, the integumentary system, the central nervous system, the skeletal system, the muscular system, the digestive system and nutrition.
Anatomy II
Grade Level: 11-12
Elective: 2 trimesters - 1 credit
Prerequisites: Biology I
Anatomy is a college preparatory course and requires serious study habits. During this course the focus is the study of human structure and function using a systems approach with emphasis on anatomy, diseases and good health practices. Topics to be covered in this course are terminology, the peripheral nervous system and special senses, the endocrine system, the cardiovascular system and blood, the lymphatic system, the respiratory system, and the urinary system.
Advanced Chemistry
Grade Level: 11-12
Elective: 2 trimesters - 1 credit
Prerequisites: Chemistry
Advanced Chemistry is designed to be the equivalent of the general chemistry course usually taken during the first college year. Topics include a review of chemistry with the additions of kinetics, bonding, which includes molecular orbitals, hybrid bonding, acid-base theories, electrochemistry, equivalent relationships, solution equilibria, solubility, and organic reactions. Laboratory experiments will include an introduction to both qualitative and quantitative analysis. The AP Chemistry exam is available to all students who wish to take it for a fee and is given in the spring for possible college credit.
Physics
Grade Level: 11-12
Required: 2 trimesters - 1 credit
Prerequisites: None
Physics includes the study of one and two dimensional motion, Newton’s laws, vectors, momentum, work, circular motion, static and current electricity, waves and light. The emphasis in this course is placed upon the concepts of physics, though it also includes mathematical problem solving using algebra and basic trigonometry. The course includes lab work, class demonstrations, and projects that test understanding of physics concepts.
Zoology
Grade Level: 9-12
Elective: 1 trimester - 1/2 credit
Prerequisites: None
This course is designed to introduce students to a branch of biology that deals with animals including their life, growth, anatomy, physiology, classification, etc., as well as the animals’ interrelationships with their environment.