Grade:   9                                           One Unit

Prerequisite:  “B” Average in 8^th grade science and/or teacher recommendation.

Course Description:  Earth Science is a content-based course designed to develop an understanding of the interrelationships between geology, biology, astronomy, marine biology, and chemistry, as well as geography and history. Development of the planet, its composition and structure, and human’s interaction with its environment will be a part of this course.

Grades:  10-12                                One Unit

Prerequisite:  “B” Average in Earth Science-Standard, “B” average in Earth Science-Honors, “A” average in Physical Science-Standard or “B” average in Physical Science-Honors.

Course Description: The honors Biology course is an introductory science course with the purpose of presenting the empirical methods of science with reference to particular topics in the biological sciences.  It is designed to give the student a more challenging and in-depth experience of the North Carolina Standard Course of Study in Biology.  Students are expected to work independently on a variety of assignments and accept greater responsibility for their learning.  In addition to the SCS goals and objectives, students are expected to:  design and carry out several independent investigations of biological questions, read and report on recent research in biology, and demonstrate a more in-dept conceptual understanding of all biology objectives. This course is designed for students who have shown superior achievement and high interest in previous science courses. The final exam is the North Carolina Biology End-of-Course Test, which will count as 25% of the student’s course grade.

Grades:  10-12                                One Unit

Prerequisite:  Earth Science or Physical Science

Course Description: The course is designed to develop student understanding of biological concepts and principles and promote an understanding of plant and animal processes from the cellular to the multi-cellular level. Laboratory work is an important part of each phase of the course. The final exam is the North Carolina Biology End-of-Course Test, which will count as 25% of the student’s course grade.

Grades:  10-12                                One Unit

Prerequisite:  “B” average in Biology-Standard, “B” average in Biology-Honors, “B” average or better in Algebra I and Geometry or current enrollment in Geometry 

Course Description:  The concepts and principles of chemistry are presented in greater depth and at a more rapid pace than in Chemistry-Standard. Students perform extensive research, independent study, and laboratory work. Theoretical and mathematics relationships in chemistry are studied. The final exam is the North Carolina Chemistry End-of-Course Test, which will count as 25% of the student’s course grade.

Grades: 10-12                                    One Unit

Prerequisite:  Biology and Geometry

Course Description:  This college preparatory course provides a basic understanding of the concepts of chemistry necessary to study at the college level. Units of study include the theories and mathematical concepts of matter, physical/chemical changes, the mole concept of equations and related mathematical problems, the periodic table, atomic/molecular structures, an a brief introduction to organic and nuclear chemistries, and acids and bases. The final exam is the North Carolina Chemistry End-of-Course Test, which will count as 25% of the student’s course grade.

Grade: 9                                             One Unit

Prerequisite:  None

Course Description:  Earth Science is a content-based course designed to develop an understanding of the interrelationships between geology, biology, astronomy, marine biology, and chemistry, as well as geography and history. Development of the planet its composition and structure, and human’s interaction with its environment will be a part of this course.

Grades:  11-12                                One Unit

Prerequisite:  Biology

Course Description:  This course provides the student with general study of the structure of the human body and a detailed study of the functions of the body systems. The course entails detailed study of the fundamental principles of anatomy and physiology, organization of the body, terminology, the cell, the chemistry of life, tissues, and metabolism. The cardiovascular and respiratory systems are studied. The composition of the blood fluid, electrolyte and acid-base balance is included as well as the skeletal system. Students are provided laboratory experiences and independent research that requires some anatomical studies through dissection.

Grades:  9-12                                      One Unit

Prerequisite: “B” average in 8^th grade science and/or teacher recommendation.

Course Description: Physical Science-Honors will provide a basic introduction to inorganic chemistry and physics. Emphasis will be placed on problem solving. Students will investigate these topics through experimentation, projects and research.

Grades:  9-12                                     One Unit

Prerequisite:  None

Course Description: Physical science is designed for those students who plan to pursue more advanced science courses. The concepts of physics and inorganic chemistry are taught using both laboratory approaches and inquiry teaching. Students use their mathematical skills in the applications of science. Science projects and other independent student research provide students with a better understanding of the processes of science. The final exam is the North Carolina Physical Science End-of-Course Test, which will count as 25% of the student’s course grade.

Grades:  11-12                                One Unit

Prerequisite: “B” average in Chemistry-Standard, “B” average in Chemistry-Honors.

Course Description:  Honors Physics is the in-depth mathematical and motion-oriented study of and subatomic particles. Students perform extensive research, independent study, and laboratory work designed to enhance and reinforce concepts and principles in physics. The final exam is the North Carolina Physics End-of-Course Test, which will count as 25% of the student’s course grade.