2011-2012 High School Course Planning Guide

Science

Grade LevelOlentangy
Graduation Requirement
Ohio's
"Core Curriculum"
Recommendation
9Physical Science
OR
Honors Physical Science
Physical Science
OR
Honors Physical Science
10Biology
OR
Honors Biology
Biology
OR
Honors Biology
11A third lab science course,
usually Chemistry
OR
Earth Science
Chemistry
OR
Honors Chemistry
12Physics
OR
Anatomy & Physiology
OR
Advanced Placement Science course
Physical Science (13110) 1 credit
Grades: 9
Required Course
Fee Required
Prerequisite Guidelines: None
The content of this course includes an introduction to physics (motion, forces, energy) and to chemistry (properties and interaction of matter). Laboratory activities will introduce, support and apply concepts.
Honors Physical Science (13115) 1 credit
Grades: 9
Required Course (replaces Physical Science requirement)
Fee Required
Prerequisite Guidelines: Concurrent enrollment in Geometry or higher, “A-” or higher in previous science course. Teacher recommendation.
The content of this course includes an introduction to physics (motion, forces, energy) and to chemistry (properties and interaction of matter). It is recommended for the student with a strong background and/or interest in science concepts and careers, especially those related to physics and chemistry. Laboratory activities will introduce, support and apply concepts. The Honors curriculum will challenge the student to acquire knowledge independently, to master abstract concepts, and apply content to new situations. An independent project may be required outside class each quarter.
Biology (13210) 1 credit
Grades: 10, 11, 12
Required Course
Fee Required
Prerequisite Guidelines: None
The content of this course will include the study of Animal/Plant systems and Ecology, Biochemistry and the cell, biology Process and Genetics and Evolution. Lab activities will introduce, support, and apply concepts.
Honors Biology (13215) 1 credit
Grades: 10, 11, 12
Required Course (replaces Biology requirement)
Fee Required
Prerequisite Guidelines: “A-” or above in Physical Science “B” or above in Honors Physical Science. Teacher recommendation. Honors Chemistry may be taken concurrently with teacher recommendation.
The content of this course will include the study of Animal/Plant systems and Ecology, Biochemistry and the cell, biology Process and Genetics and Evolution. Lab activities will introduce, support, and apply concepts. The Honors curriculum will challenge the student to master abstract concepts, and apply content to new situations. This course is strongly recommended for students planning to take AP Biology.
Chemistry (13310) 1 credit
Grades: 10, 11, 12
Elective Course
Fee Required
Prerequisite Guidelines: "C" or above in the previous science course
Co requisite: Concurrent enrollment in Algebra II or higher
The content of this course will include the study of chemical reactions and the structure and properties of matter. This course will briefly review and expand on concepts of atomic structure and chemical relations introduced in the freshman Physical Science course. Lab activities will introduce, support, and apply concepts.
Honors Chemistry (13315) 1 credit
Grades: 10, 11, 12
Elective Course
Fee Required
Prerequisite Guidelines: "A-" or better in Biology "B "or better in Honors Biology. Teacher recommendation. Honors Biology may be taken concurrently with teacher recommendation.
Co requisite: Concurrent enrollment in Algebra II or higher
The content of this course will include the study of chemical reactions and the structure and properties of matter. Lab activities will introduce, support, and apply concepts. The Honors curriculum will challenge the student to acquire knowledge independently, to master abstract concepts, and apply content to new situations. This course is strongly suggested as supportive curriculum to Advanced Placement Chemistry.
Conceptual Physics (13413) 1 credit
Grades: 11, 12
Elective Course
Fee Required
Prerequisite Guidelines: None
Co requisite: Concurrent enrollment in Algebra II or higher
The content of this course will include the study of forces and motion, energy transformations, electricity and magnetism, and waves. Laboratory activities will introduce, support, and apply concepts. This course will reduce the mathematical applications of physics, and emphasize the practical applications of physics to everyday situations.
Physics (13410) 1 credit
Grades: 11, 12
Elective Course
Fee Required
Prerequisite Guidelines: “B-” or better in previous science course
Co requisite: Concurrent enrollment in Precalculus or higher
The content of this course will include the study of forces and motion, energy transformations, electricity and magnetism, and waves. Laboratory activities will introduce, support and apply concepts.
Anatomy and Physiology (13810) 1 credit
Grades: 11, 12
Elective Course
Fee Required
Prerequisite Guidelines: Biology, Chemistry (or concurrent enrollment), at least a "B" in the previous science course
The content of this course will include the study of body systems, their functions and homeostasis. This course is especially recommended to students wishing to continue their education in the health and medical fields. A significant portion of the year will center on the dissection of cats.
Earth and Space Sciences (13820) 1 credit
Grades: 10, 11, 12
Elective Course
Fee Required
Prerequisite Guidelines: Teacher Recommendation
The content of this course will include the study of geology, meteorology, oceanography, astronomy, and hydrology. Activity manual/workbook may be required at an additional fee.
Advanced Placement Biology (13510) 1 credit
Grades: 11, 12
Elective Course
Fee Required
Prerequisite Guidelines: “B” or better in Honors Biology or Honors Chemistry,” A-” or better in Biology or Chemistry. Teacher recommendation.
Co requisite: Concurrent enrollment in Chemistry, if not already completed
This college-level biology course follows the syllabus established by the College Board. Students will examine, at an advanced level, cell structure and processes, molecular genetics, biological diversity, plant and animal systems, and ecological concepts. Extensive reading assignments and intensive labs will be an essential part of this course. This course will meet seven periods each week. A summer assignment may be given, AP Exam fee required, Activity manual/workbook may be required at an additional fee.
Advanced Placement Chemistry (13520) 1 credit
Grades: 11, 12
Elective Course
Fee Required
Prerequisite Guidelines: “B” or better in Honors Chemistry or “A-” or better in Chemistry, and Algebra II. Teacher recommendation
This college-level chemistry course follows the syllabus established by the College Board. Students will examine, at an advanced level, atomic and molecular structure, stoichiometry, properties of matter, chemical equilibrium, thermodynamics, chemical kinetics, electrochemistry, and organic chemistry. Extensive reading assignments and intensive labs will be an essential part of this course. This course will meet seven periods each week. A summer assignment may be given, AP Exam fee required, Activity manual/workbook fee may be required at an additional fee.
1 creditAdvanced Placement
Physics C: Mechanics (13530H)
Grades: 11, 12
Elective Course
Fee Required
Prerequisite Guidelines: “A” or “B” in previous science course
Co requisite: Concurrent enrollment in calculus or teacher recommendation
This college-level physics course follows the syllabus established by the College Board. The course covers Newtonian Mechanics in depth and provides instruction in each of the following areas; kinematics, Newton’s laws of motion, work, energy, and power, systems of particles and linear momentum, circular motion and rotation, oscillations and gravitation. The course utilizes guided inquiry and student-centered learning to foster the development of critical thinking skills. Introductory differential and integral calculus is used throughout the course. The course includes a laboratory component comparable to a semester-long, college-level physics laboratory. Students spend a minimum of 20% of instructional time engaged in laboratory work. A hands-on laboratory component is required. Each student will complete a lab notebook or portfolio of lab reports. This course meets seven periods each week. A summer assignment may be given, AP Exam fee required, Activity manual/workbook fee may be required at an additional fee.
1 creditAdvanced Placement
Environmental Science (13540)
Grades: 11, 12
Elective Course
Fee Required
Prerequisite Guidelines: “B-” or better in previous science course; a high school life science course; a high school course physical science course; Algebra I; Teacher Recommendation
This college-level environmental science course follows the syllabus established by the College Board. Environmental Science is interdisciplinary. It embraces a wide variety of topics from different areas of study such as Earth systems and resources, the living world, population, land and water use, energy resources and consumption, pollution, and global change. Extensive reading assignments and intensive labs will be an essential part of this course. This course will meet seven periods each week. A summer assignment may be given, AP Exam fee required, and an Activity manual/workbook fee may be required at an additional fee.

PLEASE NOTE: Olentangy teachers make course recommendations for all students using achievement test information, current and prior grade history, and personal knowledge of the student. In addition to these sources of information, teachers also consider the Prerequisite Guidelines included in the course descriptions. Parents and students who disagree with a teacher’s recommendation should follow the Course Prerequisite Parental Override Procedure outlined at this link.