SCIENCE COURSE SEQUENCE

Not all science classes are offered at every school

* Students who have successfully completed HS Honors Biology as part of the GATE MS Magnet program may start high school in Chemistry or Chemistry (H) with teacher recommendation. In addition to Chemistry, with permission from the school, students may choose to enroll in an additional science course if their schedule permits and the school offers the course. Please note that HS Honors Biology taken in 8^th grade will not count as one of the required science courses for graduation or the honors diploma.

Biology 1-2                                                                                                                  Course #3141–3142    

Full Year = 1 credit

Lab Fee: $15

This one-year laboratory science course is intended to develop an understanding of the fundamental concepts of biological science. This course meets the Nevada Academic Content Standards for Science. The course is organized into five main topics: 1) Interdependent Relationships in Ecosystems; 2) Matter and Energy in Organisms and Ecosystems; 3) Structure and Function; 4) Inheritance and Variation of Traits; 5) Natural Selection and Evolution. The performance expectations for high school life science blend Disciplinary Core Ideas with both Science and Engineering Practices and Crosscutting Concepts to support students in developing an understanding of life science. In this course, students will use basic mathematical computations and read and write critically to analyze biological investigations.

Biology 1-2 (H)                                                                                                            Course # 3143-3144    

Full Year = 1 credit (Honors)   

Lab Fee: $15

This one-year laboratory science course is intended to build a deeper understanding of the fundamental concepts of biological science. Emphasis is placed on developing critical-thinking skills through greater analysis, more complete explanations, using multiple sources when engaging in argument from evidence, and planning and carrying out advanced laboratory investigations. This course meets the Nevada Academic Content Standards for Science. The course is organized into five main topics: 1) Interdependent Relationships in Ecosystems; 2) Matter and Energy in Organisms and Ecosystems; 3) Structure and Function; 4) Inheritance and Variation of Traits; 5) Natural Selection and Evolution. The performance expectations for high school life science blend Disciplinary Core Ideas with both Science and Engineering Practices and Crosscutting Concepts to support students in developing an understanding of life science. Students will use advanced mathematical computations, critically read and analyze biological text, and learn from complex biological investigations. To be successful in this rigorous and challenging course, students should be able to work independently on activities and projects as well as read advanced text.

Chemistry 1-2                                                                                                             Course #3201-3202     

Full Year = 1 credit

Lab Fee: $10

Prerequisite:  Successful completion of Biology 1-2 and Algebra 1.

Requisite: Concurrent enrollment in Geometry or higher.

This one-year laboratory science course is intended to develop an understanding of the fundamental concepts of chemical science. This course meets the Nevada Academic Content Standards for Science. The Disciplinary Core Ideas are: 1) Structure and Properties of Matter; 2) Chemical Reactions; and 3) Energy in Chemical Processes. The performance expectations for high school chemical science blend Disciplinary Core Ideas with both Science and Engineering Practices and Crosscutting Concepts to support students in developing an understanding of chemistry. Students will use mathematical computations, read scientific text, and write critically to analyze data in chemical investigations. To be successful in this rigorous and challenging course, students should be able to work independently on activities and projects as well as read advanced text.

Chemistry 1-2 (H)                                                                                                       Course # 3203-3204    

Full Year = 1 credit (Honors)   

Lab Fee: $15

Prerequisite:  Successful completion of Biology 1-2 and Algebra 1.

Requisite: Concurrent enrollment in Geometry or higher.

This one-year honors laboratory science course is intended to build a deeper understanding of the concepts of chemical science and prepare students for AP Chemistry. Emphasis is placed on developing critical-thinking skills by solving more complex problems and participating in advanced laboratory investigations. This course meets the Nevada Academic Content Standards for Science. The disciplinary core ideas are: 1) Structure and Properties of Matter; 2) Chemical Reactions; and 3) Energy in Chemical Process. The performance expectations for high school chemistry blend Disciplinary Core Ideas with both Science and Engineering Practices and Crosscutting Concepts to support students in developing an understanding of chemistry. Students will use advanced mathematical computations, critically read scientific text, analyze chemical data, and prepare formal written laboratory reports following investigations.

Environmental Science 1-2                                                                                         Course #3111-3112

Full Year = 1 credit

Lab Fee: $15

Prerequisite:  Two years of science and successful completion of Algebra 1.

This one-year laboratory science course is intended to develop an understanding of the fundamental concepts of environmental science. This course meets the Nevada Academic Content Standards for Science. The disciplinary core ideas are: 1) Ecosystems: Interactions, Energy and Dynamics; 2) Biological Evolution: Unity and Diversity; 3) Energy; 4) Earth’s Place in the Universe; 5) Earth’s Systems; and 6) Earth and Human Activity. Performance expectations for this course blend the Disciplinary Core Ideas with Science and Engineering Practices and Crosscutting Concepts to support students in developing a deeper understanding of how humans interact with the environment. Students will understand the complex and significant interdependencies between humans and the rest of Earth’s systems by reading scientific text and writing critically to analyze data.

Earth Science 1-2                                                                                                        Course #3131-3132

Full Year = 1 credit

Lab Fee: $10

Prerequisite:  One year of science; credit earned in Algebra 1.

This one-year laboratory science course is intended to develop an understanding of the fundamental concepts of Earth science. This course meets the Nevada Academic Content Standards for Science. There are five Earth science Disciplinary Core Ideas: 1) Earth’s Systems; 2) Human Impacts; 3) History of Earth; 4) Weather and Climate; and 5) Space Systems. The performance expectations for high school Earth science blend the Disciplinary Core Ideas with Science and Engineering Practices and Crosscutting Concepts to support students in developing a deeper understanding of how the Earth’s key systems interact and result in conditions that vary in complex yet predictable ways. In this course, students will use basic mathematical computations and read and write critically to analyze earth science investigations.

Earth Science 1-2 (H)                                                                                                  Course # 3133-3134

Full Year = 1 credit (Honors)

Lab Fee: $10

Prerequisite:  Successful completion of Biology 1-2 and Chemistry 1-2.

This one-year laboratory science course is intended to develop an understanding of the fundamental concepts of Earth science while delving into the interactions of water with rocks, minerals, and components in the atmosphere. This course meets the Nevada Academic Content Standards for Science. There are five Earth science Disciplinary Core Ideas: 1) Earth’s Systems; 2) Human Impacts; 3) History of Earth; 4) Weather and Climate; and 5) Space Systems. The performance expectations for high school Earth science blend the Disciplinary Core Ideas with Science and Engineering Practices and Crosscutting Concepts to support students in developing a deeper understanding of how the Earth’s key systems interact and result in conditions that vary in complex yet predictable ways. In this course, students will use advanced mathematical computations, critically read and analyze earth science text, and prepare written explanations following earth science investigations.

Astronomy 1-2                                                                                                Course #3267-3268
Full Year = 1 credit

Lab Fee: None

Prerequisite:  Completion of 2 years of science or completion of 1 year of science with teacher recommendation; completion of Algebra 1.

Astronomy is a one-year laboratory science course intended to introduce students to the observations and investigations of the universe from the ancients through classic cosmology. The course investigates life cycles of stars, evolution of the universe, and its structure. The performance expectations for high school space science blend the Disciplinary Core Ideas with Science and Engineering Practices and Crosscutting Concepts to support students in developing a deeper understanding of how humans study the universe. Students will evaluate measurements of cosmic systems and develop models to explain current phenomena. This course is intended for students who express an interest in space exploration and Earth’s place in the universe.

Physics 1-2 (H)                                                                                                Course #3241-3242

Full Year = 1 credit (Honors)

Lab Fee: $10

Prerequisite: Successful completion of two years of science, Algebra 1 and Geometry.
Requisites:  Concurrent enrollment in Algebra 2 or higher.

This one-year laboratory science course is intended as a third-year science course which covers the study of motion and energy as well as time and space.  The course includes concepts in kinematics, dynamics, energy, static, electricity, wave theory and modern physics. Upon successful completion of Physics, students will:  1) develop curiosity and involvement with phenomena in their natural environment; 2) develop appreciation for the contribution of science to daily living; 3) understand and utilize the close relationship between mathematics and physics; and 4) deepen their scientific and mathematical thinking.

This course is designed to emphasis critical thinking and problem-solving using math skills which include algebra, geometry, and trigonometry. Students will participate in a wide range of activities including discussions, demonstrations and laboratory investigations.  This course will require advanced skills in reading comprehension, mathematics, and problem-solving techniques.

Human Anatomy and Physiology 1-2 (H)                                                                    Course #3261-3262

Full Year = 1 credit (Honors)

Lab Fee: None

Prerequisite:  Successful completion of Biology 1-2 and Chemistry 1-2 and successful completion of Algebra 1 and Geometry.

This one-year advanced level laboratory science course will cover an introduction to the structural and functional aspects of the human body. This course is for students interested in medical fields or biological science. The course is designed to cover the structure and function of cells, tissues, organs, and an in-depth look at body systems. Demonstrations and laboratory investigations, including dissections, are an integral part of the teaching of this course.

Upon successful completion of Human Anatomy and Physiology, students will develop: 1) an understanding of the methods and techniques used to study the human body; 2) knowledge of the structure of all systems in the body; 3) an understanding of the functions of all the systems of the human body; 4) an understanding of the role of each body system in maintaining the homeostatic balance of the human body; 5) an awareness of relevant pathologies associated with human body systems; and 6) an awareness of the professional opportunities and requirements in the health sciences and related fields.

Zoology 1-2                                                                                                                 Course # 3163-3164

Full Year = 1 credit

Lab Fee: $35
Prerequisite: Successful completion of two years of science, including one year of Biology 1-2.

This one-year advanced level laboratory science course is intended for third- and fourth-year students who are interested in exploring the diversity of organisms in the animal kingdom. The course provides an educational opportunity through the infusion of 21st century learning techniques. It is designed to build on prior knowledge of biology and chemistry with an added emphasis on animal taxa, evolutionary relationships, comparative anatomy and physiology of structural and functional adaptations of animals as well as their role and impact on the environment. A high level of understanding in problem solving and the scientific methods is necessary for success. Learning is shaped through a combination of classroom activities, including critical reading and writing, dissection, hands-on experiments, projects, lecture (sometimes from local experts), small and large group discussion, field trips, and the integration of technology.

AP Biology                                                                                                                  Course #3149-3150
Full Year = 1 credit (Advanced Placement)

Course Fee: $97

Lab Fee:

Prerequisite: Successful completion of Biology 1-2 and completion of or concurrent enrollment in Chemistry 1-2.

This one-year laboratory science course is designed to be the equivalent of a college introductory course usually taken by biology majors during their first year. AP Biology builds upon the introductory high school biology course by using a college level textbook, increasing the depth and range of topics covered, and presenting advanced laboratory investigations all of which require additional time and effort from students. Successfully completing the AP Biology exam may allow students to receive advanced placement, college credit, or both, upon entering college. Students are required to take the AP exam in May. All AP exams have a cost associated with them.

AP Chemistry                                                                                                             Course #3211-3212

Full Year = 1 credit (Advanced Placement)

Course Fee: $97

Lab Fee: $50

Prerequisite: Completion of Chemistry 1-2 and completion of or concurrent enrollment in Algebra 2.

AP Chemistry is a one-year laboratory science course that reinforces the basic concepts covered in general chemistry and deals with additional topics not covered previously. After a brief review of concepts learned in general chemistry, topics covered will include electron structure, Lewis structures, molecular structure and shape, thermochemistry, equilibrium chemistry, kinetics, and electrochemistry. Students must also register for AP Chemistry Lab if it is offered separately; please check with your school’s counseling department to determine if the lab is part of the regular class or if students must register for a separate course. Students are required to take the AP exam in May. All AP exams have a cost associated with them.

AP Environmental Science                                                                                         Course #3115-3116

Full Year = 1 credit (Advanced Placement)

Course Fee: $97

Lab Fee: $20
Prerequisite: Successful completion of two years of science; students will be best prepared for the course if they have successfully completed Biology 1-2 and completion of or concurrent enrollment in Chemistry 1-2.

AP Environmental Science is a one-year laboratory science course designed so students use their knowledge of scientific principles and methodologies to understand the interrelationships of the natural world, identify and analyze environmental problems, evaluate the risks associated with current environmental problems, and examine alternative solutions for resolving and/or preventing additional problems. Course goals are focused on environmental issues that have a global impact from the scientific, political and sociological viewpoints. Coursework includes rigorous laboratory and field experiences utilizing the tools of the discipline. Students are required to take the AP exam in May. All AP exams have a cost associated with them.