AHS-Science Courses

	Science
	Biology Grades 9-10 1 credit Prerequisites: None	In biology, students conduct field and laboratory investigations, use scientific methods during investigations, and make informed decisions and using critical-thinking and scientific problem-solving. Students in biology study a variety of topics that include the following: structures and functions of cells and viruses; growth and development of organisms; cells, tissues, and organs; nucleic acids and genetics; taxonomy; metabolism and energy transfers in living organisms; living systems; homeostasis; ecosystems; and plants and the environment. TAKS objectives will be taught.
	PreAP Biology Grades 9-10 1 credit Prerequisites: None	In PreAP Biology, students conduct field and laboratory investigations, and make informed decisions using critical-thinking and scientific problem-solving. Students in biology study a variety of topics that include the following; structures and functions of cells and viruses; growth and development of organisms; cells, tissues, and organs; nucleic acids and genetics; taxonomy; metabolism and energy transfers in living organisms; living systems; homeostasis; ecosystems; and plants and the environment. Students will be expected to perform on an advanced level in preparation for further upper-level science courses. TAKS objectives will be taught.
	AP Biology Grades 11-12 (10th grade with teacher recommendation) 1 credit Prerequisites: Biology I, Chemistry and Physics (may be taken concurrently). 10th grade with teacher approval and Biology I, Chemistry and Physics or IPC must be taken by 11th grade.	The Advanced Placement Biology course is designed to be the equivalent of a college introductory biology course. The course with include those topics regularly covered in a college biology course, and differs from standard high school biology with respect to the kind of textbook used, the range and depth of topics covered, the kind of laboratory work done by students, and the time and effort required of students. The course aims to provide students with conceptual framework, factual knowledge, and analytical skills necessary to deal critically with the rapidly changing science of biology. Content requirements for AP Biology and prescribed in the college board Publication Advanced Placement Course Description: Biology, published by the College Board. Preparation for the College Board AP Exam is emphasized. TAKS Objectives will be taught.
	Chemistry Grades 10-12 1 credit Prerequisites: Algebra I, Biology and IPC or Chemistry by 10th grade for TAKS, completion of or concurrent enrollment in a second year of math.	In chemistry, students conduct field and laboratory investigations, use scientific methods during investigations, and make informed decisions using critical thinking and scientific problem-solving. Students study a variety of topics that include the following: Characteristics of matter; energy transformatio9ns during physical and chemical changes; atomic structure; periodic table of elements; behavior of gases; bonding; nuclear fusion and nuclear fission; oxidation-reduction reactions; chemical equations; solutes; properties of solutions; acids and bases; and chemical reactions. Students will investigate how chemistry is an integral part of our daily lives. TAKS objectives will be taught.
	PreAP Chemistry Grades 10-12 (9th grade with teacher recommendation) 1 credit Prerequisites: Algebra I, Biology and Chemistry or IPC by 10th grade for TAKS exam, completion of or concurrent enrollment in a second year of math.	In PreAP Chemistry, students conduct field and laboratory investigations, use scientific methods during investigations, and make informed decisions using critical thinking and scientific problem-solving. Students study a variety of topics that include the following: Characteristics of matter; energy transformatio9ns during physical and chemical changes; atomic structure; periodic table of elements; behavior of gases; bonding; nuclear fusion and nuclear fission; oxidation-reduction reactions; chemical equations; solutes; properties of solutions; acids and bases; and chemical reactions. Students will investigate how chemistry is an integral part of our daily lives. Students will be expected to perform on an advanced level in preparation for further upper-level science courses. TAKS objectives will be taught.
	AP Chemistry Grades 11-12 (10th grade with teacher recommendation) 1 credit Prerequisites: Algebra II, Biology, Chemistry and Physics may be taken concurrently. 10th grade must have two science credits.	The Advanced Placement Chemistry course is designed to be the equivalent of the General Chemistry course usually taken during the first college year. For some students, this course enables them to undertake, as college freshmen, second-year work in the chemistry sequence, or to register in courses in other fields were general chemistry is a prerequisite. For other students, the AP Chemistry course fulfills the laboratory science requirement and frees time for other courses. This course differs from high school Chemistry I with respect to the kind of textbook used, the topics covered, the emphasis on chemical calculation and the mathematical formulation of principles, and the kind of laboratory work done by students. Quantitative differences appear in the number of topics treated, the time spent on the course by students, and the nature and the variety of experiments done in the laboratory. Content requirements for AP Chemistry are prescribed in the College Board Publication Advanced Placement Course Description: Chemistry, published by the College Board. Preparation for the College Board AP Exam is emphasized. TAKS objectives will be taught.
	Physics Grades 10-12 1 credit Prerequisites: Algebra I, Biology, completion of or concurrent enrollment in a second year of math.	In Physics, students conduct field and laboratory investigations, use scientific methods during investigations, and make informed decisions using critical thinking and scientific problem-solving. Students study a variety of topics that include the following: laws of motion, changes within physical systems and conservation of energy and momentum; force; thermodynamics; characteristics and behavior of waves; and quantum physics. This course provides students with a conceptual framework, factual knowledge, analytical, and scientific skills. TAKS objectives will be taught.
	PreAP Physics Grades 10-12 1 credit Prerequisites: Algebra I, Biology, completion of or concurrent enrollment in a second year of math. Concurrent enrollment in Algebra II recommended.	In PreAP Physics, students conduct field and laboratory investigations, use scientific methods during investigations, and make informed decisions using critical thinking and scientific problem-solving. Students study a variety of topics that include the following the following: laws of motion, changes within physical systems and conservation of energy and momentum; force; thermodynamics; characteristics and behavior of waves; and quantum physics. This course provides students with a conceptual framework, factual knowledge, analytical, and scientific skills. Students will be expected to perform on an advanced level in preparation for further upper-level science courses. TAKS objectives will be taught.
	AP Physics B Grades 10-12 1 credit Prerequisites: Geometry, Algebra II, completion of Chemistry and Biology recommended, concurrent enrollment in Pre-Calculus is strongly recommended.	This course provides the student who has an interest in studying life sciences, medicine, geology, and related areas, with the opportunity to enrich his/her college program. The Physics B course includes topics in both classical and modern physics. An understanding of the basic principles of physics and their applications is the major goal of this course. Knowledge of algebra and basic trigonometry is required. Please check the college you plan to attend for the acceptance of this course in your major field of study. Content requirements for Advanced Placement (AP) Physics are prescribed in the college board publication Advanced Placement Corse Description: Physics, published by the College Board. Preparation for the College Board AP Exam is emphasized. TAKS objectives will be taught.
	AP Physics C Grades 10-12 1 credit Prerequisites: Geometry, Algebra II, Biology, Chemistry, Pre-Calculus, concurrent enrollment in Calculus strongly recommended, completion of another Physics course is recommended.	The course provides the student who is planning to specialize in physical science or engineering with the opportunity to meet his/her requirement for Introductory Physics. The Physics C course is divided into 1/2 year of mechanics and 1/2 year of electricity and magnetism. Use of calculus in problem-solving and in derivations increase s as the course progresses. Please check the college you plan to attend for the acceptance of this course in your major field of study. Content requirements for Advanced Placement (AP) Physics are prescribed in the college board publication Advanced Placement Corse Description: Physics, published by the College Board. Preparation for the College Board AP Exam is emphasized. TAKS objectives will be taught.
	Integrated Physics and Chemistry Grades 9-12 1 credit Prerequisites: None	In Integrated Physics and Chemistry, students conduct field and laboratory investigations, use scientific methods during investigations, and make informed decisions using critical-thinking and scientific problem-solving. This course integrates the disciplines of physics and chemistry in the following topics: motion, waves, energy transformations, properties of matter, changes in matter, and solution chemistry, TAKS objectives will be taught
	Environmental Systems Grades 11-12 1 credit Prerequisites: Must have completed 3 required science credits.	In Environmental Systems, students conduct field and laboratory investigations, use scientific methods during investigations, and make informed decisions using critical-thinking and scientific problem-solving. Students study a variety of topics that include the following: biotic and abiotic factors in habitats; ecosystems and biomes; interrelationships among resources and an environmental system; sources and flow of energy through an environmental system; relationships between carrying capacity and changes in populations and ecosystems; and changes in environments. TAKS objectives will be taught.
	AP Environmental Systems Grades 11-12 1 credit Prerequisites: Algebra II, Biology, Chemistry, and Physics (may be taken concurrently).	The AP Environmental Science course will provide students with provide students with scientific principles, concepts and methodology required to understand the interrelationships of the natural world. students will identify and analyze environmental problems both natural and man made and will evaluate the relative risks and associated with these problems to examine alternative solutions for resolving and/or preventing them. Topics that will be covered include the following: science as a process; energy conversation; underlying ecological processes; the interconnected systems of the Earth; environmental problems in a cultural and social context; and human impact on all natural systems. Content requirements for AP Environmental Science are prescribed in the College Board Publication Advanced Placement Course Description: Environmental Science, published by the college Board. Preparation for the College Board AP Exam is emphasized TAKS objectives will be taught.
	Geology, Meteorology and Oceanography Grades 11-12 1 credit Prerequisites: Must have completed 3 required science credits	In Geology, Meteorology, and Oceanography, students conduct field and laboratory investigations, use scientific methods during investigations, and make informed decisions using critical-thinking and scientific problem-solving. Students study a variety of topics that include the following: characteristics and conditions of the Earth; formation and history of the Earth; plate tectonics; origin and composition of minerals and rocks and the rock cycle; processes and products of weathering; natural energy resources; interactions in a watershed; characteristics of oceans; characteristics of the atmosphere; and the role of energy in weather and climate. TAKS objectives will be taught.