The SIS science department provides a total of 10 science courses including four Advanced Placement classes. Every class provides a good opportunity to students wishing to extend their knowledge further into science. Five science teachers in High School teach the students with maximum hands-on activities in a laboratory setting using lectures, discussions, and laboratories.

Science 9	Biology
A.P. Biology	Chemistry
A.P. Chemistry	Physics
A.P. Physics	Environmental Science
A.P. Environmental Science

Required for: 9th grade

Prerequisites: None

Credit: 1

Science 9 is an integrated science course providing an introduction to chemistry, physics, biology, and environmental science.

Unit I: Chemistry
Unit II: Physics
Unit III: Biology
Unit IV: Global Energy

Textbook:

Science Focus 10, Gue et al, McGraw Hill, 2004

Prerequisites: Science 9 and Chemistry (Chemistry may be taken concurrently with Biology)

Credit: 1

Biology lays a firm foundation for study of the life sciences. The course begins with an examination of biochemistry and enzymes, then applies learned principles to the study of the structure and function of animal systems. Students also study a variety of current health and wellness issues that relate to the individual systems.

Textbook:

Biology: Concepts and Connections 4th Ed./ Campbell, Reece, Mitchell and Taylor. Prentice Hall, 2003

Prerequisites: Prerequisites: 90% in Biology and completion of Chemistry

Credit: 1

This demanding course prepares students for taking the AP Biology exam. It examines all facets of modern biology including biochemistry, cell biology, respiration and photosynthesis, cell division, genetics, DNA and protein synthesis, plant and animal structure and function, ecology, and behavior.

Textbook:

Biology 5th Ed./Campbell, Reece and Mitchell/Addison-Wesley/1999

Biology 4th Ed./Arms and Camp/ Harcourt Publishers/1995

Prerequisites: Science 9

Credit: 1

This is a course in general chemistry building on the material covered in Science 9. Content covered includes:

• Matter and Energy
• Atomic Structure and Bonding
• The Periodic Table
• Solids, Liquids, and Gases
• Chemical Formulas and Equations
• Stoichiometry Calculation
• Kinetics, Enthalpy, and Equilibrium
• Acids and Bases
• Redox and Electrochemistry
• Organic Chemistry

Textbook:

Introductory Chemistry:A Foundation/6th Edition/Zumdahl/Houghton-Mifflin

Prerequisites: 94% (or higher) in Chemistry: guaranteed 90%-94% in Chemistry: with teacher recommendation

Credit: 1

AP Chemistry builds on work already covered in Chemistry. Material is treated more mathematically.

Topics: Fundamentals, stoichiometry, atomic structure, bonding, chemical reactions, the periodic table, solids, liquids, and gases, solutions, kinetics, acids and bases, equilibrium, thermodynamics, electro chemistry and redox reactions, and qualitative analysis.

Lab work: Approximately 20 labs will be performed during this course.

Textbook:

Chemistry/7th Edition/Zumdall/Houghton-Mifflin/2007

Prerequisites: Algebra II and Chemistry, or teacher recommendation

Credit: 1

The course follows the classical division of a general physics course of mechanics, light and sound, electricity and magnetism, and modern physics; time permitting. The study of mechanics includes distance, acceleration, vectors, gravity, forces, Newton’s Law, work, energy, and power. Light and sound includes wave behavior, properties of sound waves, interference, light rays and reflection, refraction, mirrors, lenses, color, and the nature of light. Electricity and magnetism includes electrostatics, current, circuits, magnetism, electromagnetism, and electromagnetic induction. The final unit in modern physics consists of investigation of new rays, the atom, the nucleus, and nuclear energy.

Methods of instruction are primarily discussion, problem solving, and laboratory. Maximum hands-on experiences are provided for the student.

Textbook:

Physics: Principles and Problems/Glencoe/1999

Prerequisites: Prerequisites: 90% in Physics and completion of Pre-calculus

Credit: 1

AP Physics course includes topics in both classical and modern physics. Knowledge of algebra and basic trigonometry is required for the course; the basic ideas of calculus may be introduced in connection with physics concepts, such as acceleration and work. Understanding of the basic principles involved and the ability to apply these principles in the solution of problems are the major goals of the course. Methods of instruction are primarily lecture/discussion and problem-solving closely following the prescribed text, Physics by Giancolli.

Textbook:

College Physics 6th Ed./Serway and Faughn/Thomson

Learning/2003

Prerequisites: Science 9

Credit: 1

Environmental Science is an introductory study for how human can best live within Earth's environment. Throught the study of the biosphere, the Earth's structure, resources, energy, pollution and population, we will discover the relationships between humanity and the physical world.

Textbook:

Environmental Science 4 th Ed. /Raven and Berg/Harcourt/2004

Prerequisites: 86% in Environmental Science or completion of AP Chemistry or AP Biology

Credit: 1

This heavily lab-based course connects many of the concepts studied in previous science courses and provides students with firsthand experience in the practical application of science to real-life problems.

Unit I: Scientific Analysis
Unit 2: Interdependence of Earth's systems
Unit 3: Human Population Dynamics
Unit 4: Renewable and Nonrenewable Resources
Unit 5. Environmental Quality
Unit 6: Global Changes and their Consequences
Unit 7: Environment and Society
Unit 8: Choices for the Future

Textbook:

Environmental Science: A Global Concern 5 th Ed./McGraw-Hill/2004