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The science curriculum consists of a variety of laboratory courses for students of all abilities. Any student, who desires, can enroll in a laboratory science each year while in high school.

As a freshman each student is placed in a course which, based upon past performance and/or test scores, should give the student the greatest chance to succeed. Depending on subsequent interest and achievement, the student can then proceed through various combinations of other science courses. For students of exceptional ability and interest in science, college level science courses are available in the junior and senior year. Students who take one of these courses and an Advanced Placement Test, may receive advanced placement and/or credit at many colleges and universities. For students with less interest or ability in science, many other courses are available for both the college bound and the non-college bound student.

GENERAL COURSES

SCIENCE SURVEY
This course is an overview of different disciplines of science. The course is designed to develop an interest in science, develop basic skills in science including laboratory skills, and to improve critical thinking. Current issues and careers in various sciences will be discussed. The reading level is lower than for Earth Science

Semesters: 2 Prerequisite: Placement tests or Teacher rec.
Credit: 1/2 per sem.
Periods: 5 per week Level: 9

BIOLOGY 303-304
This course covers high school biology concepts in a format that is easy to understand and comprehend. This course is designed to develop an interest in biology, develop basic skills in biology including laboratory skills, and to improve critical thinking. An emphasis is made to apply the study of biology to students' everyday world, making it real, relevant, and interesting. Current issues and careers in biology will be discussed. The reading level is somewhat lower than for Biology 309-310.

Semesters: 2 Prerequisite: Teacher rec.
Credit 1/2 per sem. Level: 10, 11, 12
Periods: 5 per week

PHYSICAL SCIENCE
This is a course designed for upperclassmen who desire a science course but are not planning to take physics or chemistry. Scientific knowledge is acquired through student experimentation. Emphasis is on applications of science to everyday life. The reading level for this course is somewhat lower than for Chemistry and Physics.

Semesters: 2 Prerequisite: Teacher rec.
Credit: 1/2 per sem. Level: 11, (12 with teacher rec.) Periods: 5 per week

EARTH SCIENCE
The study of earth science includes both the acquisition of scientific knowledge and the process of investigation. Laboratory activities have been designed to challenge the students to think critically about the dynamic nature of the earth. Major units of study include: geology, meteorology, and astronomy.

Semesters: 2 Prerequisite: Placement tests or teacher recommendation
Credit: 1/2 per sem.
Periods: 7 per week Level: 9, (10 with teacher rec.)

BIOLOGY
This science class studies the properties of living things and the role organisms play in science and technology. Students investigate societal questions in a combination of teacher directed presentations, and laboratory investigations. The lab uses the methods of science to help students better understand the concepts being taught.

Semesters: 2 Prerequisite: Teacher rec.
Credit: 1/2 per sem. Periods: 7 per week
Level: 10, 11, 12

CHEMISTRY
This is a regular chemistry course which involves the student with materials and methods of chemistry. The classroom activities are centered around laboratory investigations, lectures, and demonstrations. The course provides a solid foundation in the fundamentals of chemistry which could lead to further study in the sciences.

Semesters: 2 Prerequisite: Algebra or teacher recommendation
Credit: 1/2 per sem. Level: 11, 12
Periods: 7 per week

PHYSICS
Laboratory work and other course work in Physics investigates physical phenomena in the universe around us. Areas of investigation are: measurement, motion, force, gravitation, energy, heat, light, electricity, magnetism and the atom. The approach is somewhat less math oriented than honors physics. The emphasis is one which will provide the necessary background for success at the college level, but not too advanced for the non-science major.

Semesters: 2 Prerequisite: Algebra or teacher rec.
Credit: 1/2 per sem. Level: 12
Periods: 7 per week

ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE
Environmental science is a one-semester laboratory and field course drawing from a number of sciences concerned with the natural environment. It considers the scientific and social aspects of environmental pollution and natural balance. Student activities include: lab experiments, case studies and numerous outdoor activities.

Semesters: 1 Prerequisite: Biology and teacher recommendation
Credit: 1/2
Periods: 7 per week Level: 12, (11 with teacher and
department chair approval)

INTRODUCTION TO NUCLEONICS
Introduction to Nucleonics is a one semester laboratory oriented course. The labs are designed to demonstrate the basic principles and application of nuclear radiation. The student will be made aware of the values and uses of radiation, as well as potential problems associated with its use. This course has been licensed and approved by the State of Illinois .

Semesters: 1 Prerequisite: One other science and teacher rec.
Credit: 1/2 course
Level: 12, (11 with teacher and
department chair approval)

HONORS COURSES

These courses are designed for students with high abilities in science. Students enrolled in these courses should expect a heavier work load than for General Level courses.

HONORS BIOLOGY
This course is designed for students with high interest and ability in science, covering certain fundamental areas of biology in greater depth than covered in the regular biology course while leading toward the Advanced Placement Program. During the year strong emphasis is given to laboratory activity. As the course proceeds the student becomes more and more aware of the methods of science as well as the principles that govern life.

Semesters: 2 Prerequisite: Placement tests or teacher recommendation
Credit: 1/2 per sem.
Periods: 7 per week Level: 9 (10 with teacher rec.)

HONORS CHEMISTRY
This is a course in the study of the composition of matter and the changes that occur. The course concepts are based upon qualitative and quantitative laboratory investigations. Enhancement of critical thinking and problem solving skills is also an important phase of the course work. The subject material is directed toward students who expect to continue study in a science related field.

Semesters: 2 Prerequisite: Algebra and Teacher recommendation
Credit: 1/2 per sem.
Periods: 7 per week Level: 10, 11, 12

HONORS PHYSICS
In this course, Physics is presented as a process by which we seek to better understand the orderliness and predictability of the universe around us. Topics from both classical and modern physics are explored. Throughout the course there is a heavy emphasis on lab work, critical thinking, and problem solving. This course is designed for students with high abilities in science and mathematics.

Semesters: 2 Prerequisite: Algebra and Teacher recommendation
Credit: 1/2 per sem.
Periods: 7 per week Level: 11, 12

HONORS GEOSCIENCE
This upper level accelerated science class is for those students who have successfully completed biology, chemistry, and physics. In special cases co-enrollment in physics is permitted. The course is centered around the earth and space sciences drawing upon the student's background in biology, chemistry, and physics. An integrative and multidisciplinary approach links the sciences with mathematics, social studies, English, the fine arts, and implications for the environment. Emphasis is placed on problem solving, critical thinking, lab work, projects and presentations.

Semesters: 2 Prerequisite: Biology, Chemistry, and Physics and/or Dept. Chair
Credit: 1/2 per sem. Periods: 7 per week recommendation
Level: 11, 12

ADVANCED PLACEMENT BIOLOGY
This is a college level accelerated science course offered to those students who have successfully completed a year of biology, chemistry, and physics. In special cases co-enrollment in physics is permitted. The course emphasizes the biochemical and evolutionary similarities and differences among living organisms and methods of their continuance. Text and laboratory materials are freshman college level. Lab work is extensive and may require the student to participate in lab beyond the scheduled lab periods. The students may receive college credit and/or placement in biology upon successfully completing this course and taking a placement exam.

Semesters: 2 Prerequisite: Biology, Chemistry, and Physics or Dept. Chair rec.
Credit: 1/2 per sem.
Periods: 10 per week Level: 12 (11 concurrent with Physics)

ADVANCED PLACEMENT CHEMISTRY
This is a college level accelerated science course offered to those students who have successfully completed a year of biology, chemistry, and physics. In special cases co-enrollment in physics is permitted. The course is designed to be a survey of chemistry comparable to a typical college freshman course in scope and depth. Emphasis is placed on problem solving and quantitative skills in both laboratory and classroom phases. The students may receive college credit and/or advanced placement in chemistry upon successfully completing this course and taking a placement exam.

Semesters: 2 Prerequisite: Biology, Chemistry, and Physics, or Dept. Chair rec.
Credit: 1/2 per sem.
Periods: 10 per week Level: 12

ADVANCED PLACEMENT PHYSICS
This is a college level accelerated science class for those who have successfully completed accelerated chemistry. The course covers the topics of mechanics, thermodynamics, electricity and magnetism, optics, and modern physics. This class is designed to be a survey of physics comparable to a typical college level freshman course in scope and depth. Although this is a non-calculus based course, strong abilities in math are required. Emphasis is placed on lab work, critical thinking and problem solving. The students may receive college credit and/or advanced placement in physics upon successfully completing this course and taking the Advanced Placement Physics "B" exam.

Semesters: 2 Prerequisite: Acc. Chem. and Dept. Chair rec.
Credit: 1/2 per sem.
Periods: 10 per week Level: 11, (12 with department chair approval)