Biology College Prep Enriched (CPE)
This course studies the unity of all living things on the cellular and molecular levels, and it examines the diversity among animals, plants, and microorganisms. It stresses science as inquiry and investigates the history of biological concepts and discoveries. Finally, it discusses the genetic continuity of life and evolution. Laboratory work reinforces each of these main concepts. Students may opt to take the SAT II test in Biology in the spring.

Biology Honors
In addition to covering the material in the basic biology course, students in this course are exposed to more challenging and in-depth concepts. Students may opt to take the SAT II test in Biology in the spring.

Chemistry College Prep Enriched (CPE)
This course continues the required science sequence while providing the essential foundations for future courses. Major topics covered include: lab techniques and problem solving, atomic theory, periodicity, mole theory, chemical reactions and stoichiometry, and gas laws.

Chemistry Honors
This is an intensive college-prep course. While treating the traditional topics covered in chemistry, the honors course places emphasis on the interpretation of scientific data, independent problem solving, and individual lab techniques. Proficiency in algebra is required for success in this course. Students are expected to be highly motivated and to work independently to develop their skills. Prerequisites – demonstrated proficiency in previous Biology course and teacher approval.

Environmental Science College Prep Enriched (CPE)
Environmental Science explores the interactions and relationships between humans and the earth. The goal of this course is to understand these relationships in a comprehensive manner. Course content includes, among other topics: developments in conventional/nuclear power, genetic engineering, global warming, alternative energy sources, and pollution. Students investigate these topics through group projects, field research, lab activities, and research papers, in addition to classroom instruction. Armed with knowledge, students develop an active sense of stewardship in caring for God’s gift of the earth. Prerequisite – Teacher approval.

Ecology Honors
Ecology is the “scientific study of the relationships between organisms and their environment” (Smith & Smith). The interaction of organisms, communities, population, and ecosystems are examined in order for students to arrive at a deeper understanding of how species survive and thrive together in particular environments. Students investigate how minute changes in the environment can create deep-reaching impacts on species richness and diversity within a region. Students employ statistical analysis in order to determine if the collected data significantly supports or refutes a given hypothesis.

Physics College Prep Enriched (CPE)
This course is strongly recommended for anyone considering a career in a health field, or who plans to major in biology, chemistry, or math. Students who do not major in those areas but who do enjoy science and are proficient in math would also benefit from physics. This course is lab-oriented, with emphasis on the practical application of the basic concepts associated with mass and energy. Students must be proficient in algebra and in graphing techniques. Prerequisites – Precalculus and teacher approval.

AP Physics 1
AP Physics 1 is an algebra-based, introductory college-level physics course. Students cultivate their understanding of physics through inquiry-based investigations as they explore the big ideas as identified by The College Board. These include: objects and systems, fields in space explaining interactions, interactions described by forces, interactions change systems, and conservation laws are observed. The Units covered in this course are (1) Kinematics, (2) Dynamics, (3) Circular Motion and Gravitation, (4) Energy, (5) Momentum, (6) Simple Harmonic Motion and Oscillations, (7) Torque and Rotation, and (8) Fluid Dynamics. This course is structured so that a significant amount of instructional time is spent on hands-on laboratory work, with an emphasis on inquiry-based investigations that provide students with opportunities to apply science practices and build critical thinking skills. With the addition of an 8th unit (Fluid Dynamics), this course is a fast-paced curriculum that challenges the students’ ability to absorb a large quantity of information in a short time span. The AP exam is offered in May each year. Prerequisites – A grade of B+ or better in the previous honors-level science courses; a grade of B+ or better in Algebra II; and teacher approval.

AP Physics C - Mechanics
AP Physics C - Mechanics provides instruction in each of the following six content areas: kinematics; Newton’s laws of motion; work, energy, and power; systems of particles and linear momentum; circular motion and rotation; and oscillations and gravitation. Students develop critical thinking skills through applying methods of differential and integral calculus to formulate physical principles and solve complex physical problems. The AP exam is offered in May each year. Prerequisites – Successful completion of previous science courses and AP Calculus AB and teacher approval.

Anatomy and Physiology College Prep Enriched (CPE)
This course is a comprehensive coverage of the structure and functions of the human body. Emphasis is placed on formal laboratory investigations. Clinical problems and health procedures are stressed. Prerequisite – Teacher approval.

Anatomy and Physiology Honors
This course provides students with a deep understanding of both the structure and the function of the human body. Structure, functions, and terminology of the skeletal, muscular, integumentary, nervous, cardiovascular, immune, respiratory, digestive, urinary, endocrine, and reproductive systems are considered. In the lab, the gross and microscopic structure of each system of the body are studied and related to their functions. The course provides a strong foundation for more involved study at the college level. Prerequisites – Successful completion of previous science courses and teacher approval.

AP Environmental Science
This course follows the prescribed Advanced Placement curriculum, as set forth in the College Board AP Curriculum guide. It is a comprehensive, college-level course using a college text and AP labs. Students in this course need a strong foundation in the principles of chemistry as well as an aptitude for biology. The AP exam is offered in May each year. Prerequisite – Demonstrated proficiency in previous honors science courses and teacher approval.

AP Biology
This course follows the prescribed Advanced Placement curriculum, as set forth in the College Board AP Curriculum guide. It is a comprehensive, college-level course using a college text and AP labs. Students in this course need a strong foundation in the principles of chemistry as well as an aptitude for biology. The AP exam is offered in May each year. Prerequisites – Demonstrated proficiency in previous honors science courses and teacher approval.

AP Chemistry
This course follows the prescribed Advanced Placement curriculum, as set forth in the College Board Advanced Placement Curriculum guide, examining the six “Big Ideas” and their inter-relationship. AP Chemistry is a comprehensive, college-level course using a college text and labs. Students should choose this course because they enjoy doing chemistry and have a proven aptitude in the first year course. Fundamental first-year topics are reviewed, but emphasis is on individual lab skills and on topics not comprehensively covered in the first year course. The AP exam is offered in May each year. Prerequisites – demonstrated proficiency in previous honors science courses and teacher approval.

Principles of Engineering
Principles of Engineering is a foundation course of engineering. This survey course exposes students to some of the major concepts that they will encounter in a postsecondary engineering course of study. Through problems that engage and challenge, students explore a broad range of engineering topics, including mechanisms, the strength of materials and structures, automation, and kinematics. The course applies and concurrently develops secondary level knowledge and skills in mathematics, science, and technology. Prerequisites – Successful completion of Introduction to Engineering Design OR teacher approval.

Narrative Medicine
Narrative Medicine is a one-semester course that explores the connections between science and the humanities. Students will note how the study of the latter can make them better practitioners of the former. Students will discover the link between being a good listener and being a good medical health professional. The class is structured to include reading and talking about literary and visual texts, doing creative writing, and sharing work with peers. Long-term goals include recognition of emotion, perceptual sharpness, tolerating uncertainty, and deepening clinicians’ understanding of their patients’ humanity.