Science

SCIENTIFIC SYSTEMS AND INQUIRIES
Course Code SCO101
Syllabus: SSI
Grade: 9
Prerequisite: None
Length: one year/one credit

Scientific Systems and Inquiry is a year long, inquiry-based course that will examine the systems of physics and chemistry. The course serves as the foundation of the high school science curriculum. It is aligned with Benchmark Three of the State Essential Academic Learning's in science and is intended for all incoming ninth graders. Successful completion of middle school science and this class will allow students to be successful for the Science portion of the Washington Assessment of Student Learning. Students will progress through a series of investigations into the laws and relationships governing systems of matter and energy in the universe. Content will center around these systems and be presented from an inquiry and project based perspective. In one semester, students will develop inquiry skills through investigations of the laws of motion and energy. In the other semester, students will further develop these skills through investigations of topics in chemistry. There will be links to mathematics (data collection and analysis), English (communication of experimental results), and technology (data collection and analysis).


BIOLOGY
Course Code SCO203
Syllabus: Biology
Grades: 9, 10, 11, 12
Prerequisites: Successful completion of Scientific Systems and Inquiry ; Successful completion or concurrent enrollment of Algebra I
Length: one year/one credit

This yearlong course stresses molecular basis of living organisms with emphasis on cell biology, biochemistry, genetics and heredity, taxonomy, and human systems.


CHEMISTRY
Course Code SCO204
Syllabus: Chemistry
Grades: 10, 11, & 12
Prerequisites: Successful completion of Scientific Systems and Inquiry or Biology and concurrent enrollment or successful completion of Algebra II.
Length: One year/ one credit

Chemistry is a two semester college preparatory course that focuses on the chemical principals behind natural events and technology. The first semester begins with a general examination of matter, its phases, properties and classes. Additional topics will include atomic structure, electronic structure, nomenclature and formulas, chemical reactions, stoichiometric analysis, bonding, and molecular geometry. The second semester will explore kinetic theory and the ideal gas law, solution chemistry, acids and bases, and an introduction to organic chemistry.


EARTH SCIENCE
Course Code SCO205
Syllabus: Earth Science
Grades: 10, 11, 12
Prerequisites: Successful completion of one semester of Biology.
Length: one semester/one-half credit

Ever wonder how accurate weather predictions are? Ever wonder why a large earthquake in one place will destroy a city, but the same size earthquake in another place does minimal damage? Ever wonder where the moon came from? Take a trip from the center of the earth to the moon to answer these questions and more! We will study the earth's structure, materials and the processes that take place in the lithosphere and atmosphere."


ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE
Course Code SCO201
Syllabus: Environmental Science
Grades:10, 11, 12
Prerequisites: Successful completion of one semester of Biology.
Length: one semester/one-half credit

Environmental Science is a one-semester course that will use an inquiry-based approach to provide an in-depth investigation of the earth's ecosystems and the way they are affected by humans. Students will investigate a variety of ecosystems including a mini ecosystem that they build themselves. They will compare and contrast local ecosystems, northwest ecosystems, and world biomes.


HORTICULTURE
Course Code SCO206
Syllabus: Horticulture
Grades: 11, 12
Prerequisite: Successful completion of one year of Biology
Length: one semester/one-half credit

Why do some plants eat animals? How do plants defend themselves against animals? The oldest organism on the planet is a plant. The largest organism on the planet is a plant. How can that be? What do an oak tree and marijuana have in common? What mutant plant is threatening to take over the beaches of Whidbey Island, and how is that possible? Horticulture is concerned with the biology and ecology of plants. Students actively engage with the growing and cloning of plants.


MARINE BIOLOGY
Course Code SCO207
Syllabus: Marine Biology
Grades: 10, 11, 12
Prerequisites: Successful completion of one semester of Biology.
Length: one semester/one-half credit

Set sail on a research expedition to explore the marine environment. Our expedition will take you around the world investigating the many habitats and organisms of the oceans. As a crew member, you will be conducting research, performing experiments, and discovering man's interrelationship with the marine environment. The purpose of the course is to provide an overview of the marine environment. The content includes the nature of science, the origins of the oceans, the chemical and physical structure of the marine environment, ecology of the various sea zones, marine communities, and the interrelationship between man and the ocean.


ADVANCED PLACEMENT BIOLOGY
Course Code SCO501
Syllabus: AP Biology
Grades: 11, 12
Prerequisites: Successful completion of a first course in high school biology and one in high school chemistry and teacher recommendation.
Length: One year/ one credit


Want to save money on college? Biology is a core curriculum class in most colleges and universities. You can earn college credit while taking this high school course. You have a year in which to do this, and your teacher actually knows who you are! Take AP Biology! This lab based course is analogous to the introductory biology taught in college. We use the same textbook as those used by most colleges and universities in the country! Consequently, the course is designed to be taken after successfully completing an introductory high school biology and high school chemistry course. You will acquire conceptual, factual, and analytical skills that are necessary to deal critically with the rapid changing science of biology. (Did you ever wonder how the CSI guys obtained all their skills?) Emphasis is placed on conceptual understanding of science as a process; personal experience in scientific inquiry; recognition of underlying themes that integrate the major topics of biology; and application of biological knowledge and critical thinking to environmental and social concerns.


ADVANCED PLACEMENT CHEMISTRY
Course Code SCO502
Syllabus: SSI
Grades: 11, 12
Prerequisites: Successful completion of Chemistry and teacher recommendation.
Length: One year/ one credit

AP Chemistry is designed to be the equivalent of the general chemistry course series typically taken during a student's freshman year of college. Content will include in depth analysis of first year high school chemistry principals, as well as new topics such as equilibrium, kinetics, and thermodynamics. Student's will be required to attend one zero period lab once a week. Students will discover and apply AP test taking strategies designed to maximize their potential score on the AP Exam offered in May.


APPLIED PHYSICS
Course Code CTO124
Syllabus: Applied Physics
Grades: 9, 10, 11, 12
Prerequisites: Successful completion of Algebra I.
Length: one semester/one-half credit

This is an applied science course designed to give students a working knowledge of how physics concepts are used in the workplace to solve technical problems. Force, work, and rate units are presented. Mechanical, fluid, electrical and thermal systems are discussed. Students will participate in many lab activities where they will be expected to interpret data and report what they have learned. Note: Qualifies for technical or lab science credit.


PHYSICS
Course Code SCO302
Syllabus: Physics
Grades: 11, 12
Prerequisites: Successful completion of Algebra II .
Length: One year/ one credit

Ever had your truck in the middle of a river and could spin around on top of a rock wondering how in the world you can get out? Change a flat tire without a jack? If you want to know how to accomplish these small little problems and understand why all kinds of other things work, amaze your friends with your smarts, and have more fun in class then you should be allowed to in school? Then this class is for you! We relate physics principals to the real world and everyday experiences while learning how to think and problem solve. We also get to play with neat equipment while we "git r done".