Science Course Catalog
Science Department Chair
Casey Hollister :: chollister@sileducation.com
Science Instructors
- Casey Hollister :: dfleager@sileducation.com
- Jenna Mandis :: jmandis@sileducation.com
- Jerry Chen :: jchen@sileducation.com
- Jay Weiler :: jweiler@sileducation.com
- Stephanie Louris :: slouris@sileducation.com
'D' Category College Prep. Courses
Biology
Biology engages students in investigating and making sense of the living world. Each unit begins by having students experience and describe observable phenomena and then guides them in constructing deeper and more nuanced understanding. Over the course of two semesters, students explore the the unity and diversity of life, the history of life on Earth, ecology, cell structures and functions, genetics and inheritance, and human biology. Through hand-on activities, class discussions, readings, field trips, laboratory experimentation, and reflections on biological issues in the media and their own local environment, students come to understand important biological terms and theories, hone critical thinking skills, practice scientific inquiry, and make connections across disciplines and with the real world.
Prerequisites: Algebra I.
Physics
Physics involves students in describing, explaining, and predicting observable phenomena in the world around them. In the first semester, students hone skills in qualitative observation, empirical data collection, and problem solving while investigating the interactions of force, energy, motion. The second semester guides students through closer analysis of kinetics, waves, and electro-magnetic phenomena. Through hand-on activities, class discussions, readings, and laboratory experimentation, students come to understand important physics terms and theories, hone critical thinking skills, practice scientific inquiry, and make connections across disciplines and with the real world. Emphasis is placed on conceptual understanding and practical application
Prerequisites: Algebra II w/ trig (co-req).
Chemistry
Chemistry introduces students to the fundamental building-blocks of matter and demystifies their workings. Over the course of two semesters, students examine how understanding of the basic units of matter has evolved over time, model the structures of atoms and molecules, conduct experiments, and analyze reactions, and in doing so, learn to describe and explain interactions between atoms, elements, and compounds. Core units explored are thinking like a chemist, atomic structures, bonding, chemical reactions, stoichiometry, acids and bases, chemical equilibrium, and nuclear processes. Emphasis is placed on conceptual understanding and practical application.
Prerequisites: Algebra I.
'D' Category Honors & AP Courses
Honors Biology
Honors Biology is a course which engages students in investigating at an advanced level the diverse organisms, processes, and interactions that constitute life on our planet. Covering more content and in greater detail than does College Preparatory Biology, Honors Biology builds on a strong background in life science to examine the classification of living organisms, the principles and dynamics of ecological relationships, the cellular basis of life, genetics and inheritance, evolution, and the unique characteristics of viruses, bacteria, fungi, protists, plants, and animals. Through hand-on activities, class discussions, readings, field trips, laboratory experimentation, and reflections on biological issues in the media and their own local environment, students come to understand important biological terms and theories, hone critical thinking skills, practice scientific inquiry, and make connections across disciplines and with the real world. Over the course of two semesters, students gain familiarity with the shared characteristics and important differences of various forms of life and discover complex inter-relationships among them, with particular attention paid to experimentation, data analysis, and evaluation of findings.
Prerequisites: Algebra I.
AP Biology
AP Biology is an academically intensive course that guides students through an investigation of the diverse organisms on our planet, while building detailed understandings of the features, processes, and interactions that sustain life, and examining the significant scientific discoveries and experiments that have led to our current understanding. Over the course of two semesters students expand upon their existing understanding of Biology, by delving into more deeply into biochemistry, cell structure and functions, energetics, heredity, genetics, evolution, classification and diversity, ecology, and plant and animal structures and systems. The laboratory component is a significant aspect of AP Biology, and approximately six 1.5 hour lab blocks will be scheduled in addition to regular class sessions each semester.
Prerequisites: Biology (with B or better); Chemistry; Algebra II; permission of Department Chair.
Honors Physics
Honors Physics is a course that engages students in investigating at an advanced level the observable phenomena in the world around, describing their causes, and predicting their outcomes. Over the course of two semesters, students are guided through the use of the scientific method and data collection, describing and predicting linear and projectile motion, Newton's laws, rotational motion, thermodynamics, wave properties, light and optics, and electromagnetism. Through hand-on activities, class discussions, readings, and laboratory experimentation, students hone their understanding of the underlying laws that govern the workings of our immediate environment and the known universe. Emphasis is placed on conceptual understanding, data analysis, and problem solving.
Prerequisites: Algebra II w/ trig (co-req)
AP Physics B
AP Physics is an academically intensive course that guides students through an investigation of the physical world by describing phenomena, modeling causes, and empirically predicting their outcomes. Over the course of two semesters, students engage in classroom activities and discussions, textbook readings, problem-solving, and laboratory experiments, building nuanced understandings of linear and projectile motion, Newton's laws, rotational motion, thermodynamics, wave properties, light and optics, and electromagnetism. As the laboratory component is a significant aspect of AP Physics, approximately six 1.5 hour lab blocks will be scheduled in addition to regular class sessions each semester.
Prerequisites: Physics (with B or better); Algebra II/trigonometry; permission of Department Chair.
Honors Chemistry
Honors Chemistry is a course which engages students in investigating at an advanced level the observable properties of matter and how the structures of atoms and compounds account for those properties. Over two semesters, students are guided through the use of the scientific method and data collection, atomic components and structures, the bonding of elements, chemical reactions and notation, kinetic theory, acids and bases, reaction rates and chemical equilibrium, electrochemistry, and nuclear processes. Through hands-on activities, classroom discussions, readings, and laboratory experiments, students become familiar with interplay of elements that dictate the workings of the world around us. Emphasis is placed on conceptual understanding, data analysis, and problem solving.
Prerequisites: Algebra II.
AP Chemistry
AP Chemistry is an academically intensive course that guides students through an investigation of the various properties and behaviors of matter and leads them to a detailed understand how the structures and interactions of atoms account for these features. Over the course of two semesters, students expand upon their existing understanding of Chemistry by delving more deeply into atomic components and structures, the bonding of elements, chemical reactions and notation, kinetic theory, acids and bases, reaction rates and chemical equilibrium, electrochemistry, and nuclear processes. The laboratory component is a significant aspect of AP Chemistry, and approximately six 1.5 hour lab blocks will be scheduled in addition to regular class sessions each semester.
Prerequisites: Chemistry (with a B or better); Algebra II; permission of Department Chair.
'G' Category College Prep. Courses
Wildlife Zoology
Wildlife Zoology is a semester long course that involves students in investigating the rich diversity of animals in the various habitats in and around the local area. Students engage in classroom activities and discussions, read textbooks, journal articles, and field guides, and utilize numerous web-based resources in order to establish the conceptual foundations for the explorations students undertake in the field. Students hone practical skills in observing and identifying wildlife and gain insight into the major fauna of local ecosystems, including common invertebrates, reptiles and amphibians, birds, mammals, and fishes and other marine animals. Approximately six times during the semester, students take part in a day-long expedition in which they visit significant ecosystems of the region in order to become familiar with key animal species and practice and refine their skills in the field.
Prerequisites: Algebra 2.
Field Botany
Field Botany is a semester long course that involves students in investigating the rich diversity of plants in the various habitats in and around the local area. Students engage in classroom activities and discussions, read textbooks, journal articles, and field guides, and utilize numerous web-based resources in order to establish the conceptual foundations for the explorations students undertake in the field. As this is a field-based course, most class sessions take place outdoors and are therefore scheduled in blocks of two hours or longer. Students hone practical skills in identifying, collecting, and preserving plant specimens, gain core knowledge about plant anatomy, physiology and classification, and build familiarity with significant local flora. In addition to regular class sessions, students take part in several day-long expeditions and are expected to independently construct a collection of local vegetation.c botany, primitive plants and plant-like protists and fungi, ferns, gymnosperms, and flowering plants.
Prerequisites: Biology.
Astronomy
Astronomy is a course which engages students in investigating the fascinating panorama of the night sky. Classroom activities and discussions and readings from the textbook and other sources reinforce and help to explain observations that students make directly with binoculars, telescopes, and the naked eye. Throughout the course students gain practical skills in locating and naming celestial bodies and conceptual understandings of the nature and workings of the universe. Over the course of two semesters, students are guided through the study of the apparent motion of the stars and constellations; the technology and techniques that are integral in modern astronomy; detailed analysis of the make-up of our own solar system; the life and death of stars; and the premise of and evidence for the big bang theory and competing cosmological models. Emphasis is placed on conceptual understanding and direct observation of phenomena. In addition to participating in regular class sessions, students are expected to visit a planetarium, attend two "star parties," and conduct frequent night-time observations.
Prerequisites: Algebra/Geometry.
Animal Behavior
Animal Behavior is a course which engages students in investigating the fascinating and often puzzling patterns of animal behavior. Readings from textbooks, journal articles, and field guides, as well as viewings of documentaries and interactive web sites, provide conceptual foundations for the observations students undertake in the field. Throughout the course, students gain both practical skills in observing, describing, and explaining specific habits, behaviors, and displays. Over two semesters, students are guided through the study of basic animal behavior, instinctual actions, learned behaviors, play, reasoning and higher thinking, and social behaviors. Access to an animal subject to observe throughout the course (a family pet, backyard birds or squirrels, an ant farm, etc.) is required.
Prerequisites: Biology.
Special Investigations in Science
Special Investigations in Science is a course that leads students through an intensive exploration of scientific inquiry and methodology, and then immerses them directly in the process. Throughout the first semester, students gain understanding of and familiarity with the various components of the scientific method through classroom activities and discussions, textbook readings, laboratory experimentation, field trips, and critical analysis of current scientific research. The honing of these skills in scientific inquiry culminates in the second semester, when students propose, design, and undertake an in-depth and long-term research endeavor. Guided by the teacher, students participate in all aspects of scientific investigation and ultimately present their findings.
Prerequisites: at least one previous laboratory science course.
Environmental Science
Environmental Science is a course that introduces students to the facets of Earth-science, Chemistry, Ecology, and Resource Management at play in our region. Over the course of two semesters, students gain insight into the complex interactions between various aspects of the living and non-living world around them. Frequent field trips and project-based units allow students to explore and evaluate environmental issues in a local context.
Prerequisites:
'G' Category Honors & AP Courses
AP Environmental Science
AP Environmental Science is an academically intensive course that guides students through an investigation into the facets of Earth-science, Chemistry, Ecology, and Resource Management that form the basis for understanding interactions between the living and non-living world. Through exploration of Earth Systems and Resources, The Living World, Population, Land and Water Use, Energy Resources and Consumption, Pollution, and Global Change, students gain a clear understanding of environmental issues, interactions between humans and the environment, and the dynamics of ecosystems, biomes, and global systems. As the laboratory component is a significant aspect of AP Environmental Science, approximately six 2-hour lab blocks will be scheduled in addition to regular class sessions each semester.
Prerequisites: Biology, Chemistry, Algebra II, permission of Department Chair.