9th Grade

 

Note: All freshmen students will enroll in either General Biology 4201 or Honors Biology 4114.

 

4201: General Biology (1 credit SCI, Gr. 9) 

Credit for this course will only be granted after completion of the Missouri Biology End-of-Course Exam (EOC).

This course introduces the student to the world of living organisms, the methods used to study them and the principles that govern their existence. In the laboratory, students will use the techniques of the scientist in gathering information, analyzing it, and interpreting its significance in relation to other living organisms including themselves.

4114: Honors Biology (1 credit SCI, Gr. 9, weighted)

Credit for this course will only be granted after completion of the Missouri Biology End-of-Course Exam (EOC).

This course introduces students to the world of living organisms, the methods used to study them, and the principles that govern their existence. Students will learn about organic and inorganic chemistry as it relates to biological functions and processes. In the laboratory, students use the techniques of the scientist in gathering information, analyzing it, and interpreting its significance in relation to other living organisms including themselves. This course will be taught at a rigorous and deeper level than General Biology by incorporating some of the curriculum from AP Biology. A goal of the class is to prepare students for AP Biology their junior or senior year. Students should expect homework on a regular basis and will be exposed to the study skills necessary to succeed in college preparatory courses.

 

10th Grade

 

4207: Essential Biology (1 credit SCI, Gr. 10)

Enrollment for General Biology credit recovery only

This course is designed for students who have previously attempted general biology but were not academically ready for the Biology EOC. The course requirements would be the same as the previously attempted biology course. It is strictly remediation for previously delayed students needing to prepare for the Missouri Biology End-of-Course assessment. 

 

10th, 11th, and/or 12th Grade

 

4204: Earth Science (1 credit SCI, Gr. 10-12)

Prerequisite:  General Biology

This course will investigates man's environment on Earth and in space. Emphasis is placed upon class discussion and is interspersed with laboratory studies and outside activities. Students are encouraged to develop a general understanding of the interrelationships of geology, astronomy, environmental science and meteorology and apply these concepts to present environmental situations and phenomena which they encounter daily.

4304: Environmental Science (1 credit SCI, Gr. 10-12)

Prerequisite:  General Biology

Environmental science is the study of patterns and processes in the natural world and their modification by human activity. To understand current environmental problems, one must consider physical, biological, and chemical processes that are often the basis of those problems. This course will emphasize topics including the structure of ecosystems, food webs, biomes, nature of science, and environmental problems facing the world.

4211: Forensic Science (1 credit SCI, Gr. 10-12)

Prerequisite: General Biology

This course is a laboratory-based science course that provides students with integrated instruction in the areas of Biology and Chemistry. This course will take a different approach to learning science than other science courses students have taken. The purpose of this course is to apply science concepts in real world situations. Students in the class will be employees of ABC TECHNOLOGIES. They will work on a research teams to solve a client’s science problem and explore new career opportunities.

4140: Honors Chemistry (1 credit SCI, Gr. 10-12, weighted)

Prerequisite: Honors Biology and Algebra I.

Students are urged to have a strong math background and are encouraged to be concurrently enrolled in Algebra II or Geometry.

In this course students will apply the scientific method to record data from performed experiments that reinforce concepts taught in class. The properties of elements on the periodic table are thoroughly examined to develop an understanding of chemical bonding. Algebra will be applied to various types of chemical problems. Students will learn to predict the amount of a product or products resulting from a reaction with a given amount of reactants (stoichiometry). Students will be able to describe real-world processes at the molecular level. This is rigorous course aimed at challenging students in math, writing, and in the laboratory to better prepare students for upper level science courses and/or AP Chemistry.

 

11th and/or 12th Grade

 

4212: Applied Biological Sciences (1 credit SCI, Gr. 11-12)

Students are urged to have completed Forensic Science and/or Honors Biology or receive a teacher recommendation.    

This course will use real life applications to learn science concepts. ABC TECHNOLOGIES is a science research facility. The students are the employees of ABC TECHNOLOGIES and work in science research teams, with the teacher serving as the supervisor. As employees of ABC TECHNOLOGIES the students are trained in a variety of science skills. Students then use their science skills to solve wide range of real science problems from clients throughout the world. The focus of the course will be, genetics and biotechnology first semester and microbiology 2nd semester.

4107: Chemistry (1 credit SCI, Gr. 11-12)

Prerequisite: Algebra I - 10th grade students may enroll with recommendation from 9th grade science teacher.

Students are urged to have a strong math background and are encouraged to be concurrently enrolled in Algebra II or Geometry.

In this course students will apply the scientific method to record data from performed experiments that reinforce concepts taught in class. The properties of elements on the periodic table are thoroughly examined to develop an understanding of chemical bonding. Algebra will be applied to various types of chemical problems. Students will learn to predict the amount of a product or products resulting from a reaction with a given amount of reactants (stoichiometry). Students will be able to describe real-world processes at the molecular level. 

4214: College Biology (1 credit SCI, Gr. 11-12, weighted) College Credit Available

Prerequisite: Honors Biology or Advanced on prior Missouri Biology EOC

Student must have a minimum 2.5 cumulative GPA to enroll for college credit.

This course will cover the topics that would be pursued in an introductory level college biology course. Topics will be biochemistry, cytology, thermodynamics, genetics, evolution, taxonomy, and ecology. Lab activities are an important component of this course. This course is a college course which requires learning abstract concepts and using effective study skills outside class time in order to be successful.

4213: College Chemistry (1 credit SCI, Gr. 11-12, weighted) College Credit Available

Prerequisite: Honors Chemistry or Chemistry with teacher recommendation

Student must have a minimum 2.5 cumulative GPA and scored at least a 22 on the math portion of the ACT exam to enroll for college credit.

This course will cover the topics that would be pursued in an introductory level college chemistry course. Topics will be atomic theory and periodic system, chemical calculations, oxidation-reduction, states of matter, theory of chemical bonding, and atomic structures. Lab activities are an important component of this course. This course is a college course which requires learning abstract concepts and using effective study skills outside class time in order to be successful.

4109: Physics (1 credit SCI, Gr. 11-12, weighted) College Credit Available

Prerequisite: Algebra II; Honors Chemistry is recommended

Students are encouraged to have a strong math background.

A modern introduction is given to the science of physics, dealing with the Newtonian principles of motion and matter in the world in which we live. Topics covered in this course include motion, forces, energy, waves, electricity, light, and the energy of the atom. Concepts are taught through the laboratory, problem solving, films and discussions.

 

12th Grade

 

4143: General Physics 130 (1 credit SCI, Gr. 12, weighted) College Credit Available

Prerequisite: Pre-Calculus with Trigonometry; 3.0 or better unweighted GPA; Honors Chemistry is recommended; completion of the Calculus Readiness Exam

This course is a college-level introduction to algebra-based Physics. Topics include one-and-two-dimensional motion, forces, energy, momentum, rotational motion, fluid mechanics, thermodynamics, waves, and sound. Bi-weekly lab experiments are used to reinforce concepts. Students must provide their own transportation to MPI.

4144: Physics 220 for Science and Engineering (1 credit SCI, Gr. 12 weighted) Dual Credit Available

Prerequisite: Pre-Calculus with Trigonometry; 3.0 or better unweighted GPA; Honors Chemistry is recommended; completion of the Calculus Readiness Exam

This course is a college-level introduction to calculus-based Physics. Topics include one-and-two-dimensional motion, forces, energy, momentum, rotational motion, fluid mechanics, thermodynamics, waves, and sound. Bi-weekly lab experiments are used to reinforce concepts. Students must provide their own transportation to MPI.