Listed below are the HIGH SCHOOL SCIENCE READINESS CONCEPTS integrated in the Middle School Science courses:
- The content areas covered are life science, earth/space science and physical science
- Interpret date by translating information into a table, graph or diagram
- Understand scientific investigation by performing multistep experiments using a various methods and tools
- Understand simple experimental design
- Evaluate an experiment and evaluate the hypothesis, prediction or conclusion with data
MIDDLE SCHOOL COURSES
BIOLOGICAL EXPLORATIONS
SCI630
Level: 6
Textbook Level: 8
Duration: Two Semesters - 1 Credit
Description:This course is designed to challenge sixth graders entering Chaminade. The curriculum is based upon biological studies. Exploration is a key component of the course. The students will actively be involved in the learning process as they complete "hands-on" labs designed to complement each topic. First semester concepts include tools used by the life scientist, the origin of life, defining the characteristics of living things, cell theory, classifying, viruses, Kingdom Monera, Kingdom Protista, and Kingdom Fungi. Second semester concepts include Kingdom Plantae and Kingdom Animalia. The second semester also includes a week of intensive outdoor science education at the Teton Science School in Jackson, Wyoming.
INTRODUCTION TO HUMAN SYSTEMS
SCI730
Level: 7
Textbook Level: 8
Duration: Two Semesters - 1 Credit
Description:This course is designed to teach about the five aspects of health: physical, social, mental/emotional, intellectual, and spiritual. Focusing on overall health, one part of this course is an introduction to the anatomy, physiology, and common ailments of the human body. The other component of this course focuses on a working knowledge of decision-making skills, stress management, personality, interpersonal relationships, hygiene, exercise, diet, human development and more. Laboratory exercises focus on observing ways that the body responds to stimuli. Some of these are measuring respiratory volume, designing a way to measure the effect of temperature and fatigue on muscle performance, discovery through dissection of various organs, and discovering how the effects of stress and individual learning styles can affect performance. A variety of tools are used in these labs as well as using the scientific method. Predicting outcomes and then comparing experimental results to those hypotheses are integral to this course.
APPLIED GEOSCIENCES
SCI830
Level:8
Textbook Level: 9
Duration:Two Semesters - 1 Credit
Description:Geosciences involves broad, yet collaborative studies in geological and meteorological sciences. In this course students will construct a foundation of geo science knowledge by engaging in worldly topics regarding the physical world around them and then evaluating the functions of natural processes through experimentation. They will further use this knowledge to help them make informed analyses of current events that include environmental topics, natural resources, and space exploration.
***************************************************************************
HIGH SCHOOL COURSES
ACT COLLEGE READINESS CONCEPTS integrated in the High School Science courses:
- Critical Thinking
Reasoning
Problem-Analysis
Writing
CONCEPTUAL PHYSICS
SCI130
Level:9
Duration:Two Semesters - 1 Credit
Description:Physics is required of all ninth grade students as a preparation for further scientific study. The course is laboratory oriented with emphasis placed upon discovery and understanding, rather than memorization of facts. Students will learn to use inductive and deductive reasoning along with cause and effect relationships to solve problems. This course involves a heavy dependence on algebra skills, use of calculators and graphing work. Learning the scientific method provides students with the fundamental theory and laboratory experience that will be useful in future scientific studies. Emphasis is placed on basic physics: study of forces, laws of motion, energy, simple machine function; basic chemistry: study of the periodic table, atomic structure, and classification of matter.
CHEMISTRY
CHE230
Level:10
Duration:Two Semesters - 1 Credit
Description:This course is designed for students to gain a better understanding of the world of matter and energy. Students will study: measurement, metrics, reactions, atomic structure, the periodic table, bonding, states of matter, solutions, equilibrium, gasses, oxidation-reduction, and acid-base chemistry. Through extensive lab writing students will examine laboratory investigations using the scientific method. Many units of study involve calculations. Therefore, a solid math background is helpful.
HONORS CHEMISTRY
CHE250
Level:10
Duration:Two Semesters - 1 Credit
Prerequisites:Science Department Approval, 85% in Algebra I
Description:This course is designed for advanced students to gain a better understanding of the world of matter and energy. Through extensive research and individual effort, students will study: measurement, metrics, atomic structure, the periodic table, bonding, states of matter, solutions, equilibrium, kinetics, gasses, thermodynamics, oxidation-reduction, organic, and acid-base chemistry. Honor students are expected to perform intricate lab procedures with accuracy. Lab writing for an honors student should be "neat, deep and complete." A superior math background is a requirement for honors chemistry.
AP/ACC CHEMISTRY
CHE470
AP: Advanced Placement College Board
ACC: University of Missouri - St. Louis
Level:11, 12
Duration:Two Semesters - 1 Credit
Prerequisite:CHE230 orCHE250 and current science teacher recommendation; approval of Department Chairperson
Description:This is an advanced placement course designed to prepare the student for the AP Chemistry exam. The course covers the equivalent of one full year of college level General Chemistry, comparable to a first year course at a college or university. The course is a rigorous math-based course, with a strong laboratory component. It is intended for students who have demonstrated a willingness to commit considerable time to studying and completing assignments outside of class, and who have successfully completed a prior course in chemistry in high school.
Since passing the AP exam may qualify the student to by-pass a first-year college chemistry course, AP Chemistry should not be considered "college prep". Rather, this is acollege class,with college level expectations for behavior, participation and effort.
The course will cover molecular and ionic substances; colligative properties, expressing concentration of solutions, stoichiometry, thermochemistry, electron structure of atoms and its effects on properties of the elements, electron structure hybridization and resulting geometry of compounds and its effect on their properties. It will also cover properties of gases, liquids and solids; chemical kinetics and equilibrium, including acid/base equilibrium; electrochemistry and nuclear chemistry. Emphasis will be placed on writing chemical equations and predicting products, and applying concepts to experimental data.
BIOLOGY
BIO330
Level:11
Duration:Two Semesters - 1 Credit
Description:The purpose of this course is to develop a basic understanding of the fundamental principles governing living systems. The course begins with an introduction to biochemistry and moves through the basic structures and functions of cells. The course then covers the principles of heredity, with an emphasis of the theory of natural selection. Organisms are analyzed taxonomically through a complete survey of the protists, plants, and animals. The purposes and mechanisms of organ systems are another area of study.
HONORS BIOLOGY
BIO350
Level:11
Duration:Two Semesters - 1 Credit
Prerequisites:Teacher and Department Chair Approval.
Description:The purpose of this course is to develop an understanding of the principles governing living systems. This course covers the same basic material as (BI 230) but it is a more intense, more thorough explanation, covering topics in greater depth. Enrichment materials are also utilized and extensive lab work is required.
AP/ACC BIOLOGY
BIO470
AP: Advanced Placement College Board
ACC: University of Missouri - St. Louis
Level: 12
Duration:Two Semesters - 1 Credit
Prerequisites:85% inCHE230 orCHE250, 85% inBIO330 orBIO350 and current science teacher recommendation; approval of Department Chairperson
Description:This course explains in detail the principles governing living systems. The goal is to prepare the students for their college biology courses and to give college credit for all students. It begins with a biochemical assessment of life followed by the cellular biology and genetics. Theories of evolution and common descent along with the five kingdom system of classification are used to explain the development and workings of organ systems and ecological interactions of species. Throughout the course, lab exercises are used to aid the study process. Students will take the AP exam at the conclusion of this course.
ANATOMY & PHYSIOLOGY
ANP 430
Level:12
Duration:Two Semester - 1 Credit
Description:This course covers the fundamentals of human anatomy and physiology. Students will acquire the understanding of the human body and how it works through lecture and laboratory work covering anatomical terminology, basic chemistry, hemostasis, cells and tissues, and the integumentary, skeletal, muscular, nervous, endocrine, cardiovascular, circulatory, lymphatic, immune, respiratory, digestive, urinary, and reproductive systems. Laboratory work will supplement the lecture and will include some dissections.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE
ENV430
Level:11, 12
Duration: One Semester - ½ Credit
Prerequisites:Internet Access
Description: Students will study current issues in environmental science. Topics to be explored include: the green house effect, global warming, renewable and non-renewable energy sources, population dynamics and biodiversity. Activities include labs, internet research, lecture, field work, tests and quizzes, a semester project and a variety of student projects. Students will also keep a nature journal to develop observation skills for noticing detail and to communicate that detail through writing and drawing.
FORENSIC SCIENCE
FOR 430
Level:11, 12
Duration:One Semester - ½ Credit
Prerequisites:Chemistry and Biology (recommended)
Description:An introduction into the scientific study that deals with the recognition, identification, and evaluation of physical evidence of a crime scene. Techniques learned will be fingerprinting, chromatography, blood splatter, evidence collection, and crime scene analysis.
PHYSICS
PHY 430
Level:11, 12
Duration:Two Semesters - 1 Credit
Description:This course is designed as a second year college preparatory physics course for students who wish to have a well-rounded science background. Students will learn the fundamentals of physics: forces, motion, waves, sound, light, electricity and magnetism. The nature of physics demands that students be prepared to spend a considerable amount of time in problem solving on a regular basis. Use of computer data collection in labs is prevalent.
AP PHYSICS PROGRAM (3 Semesters)
AP/ACC HONORS PHYSICS BI: MECHANICS (2 Semesters)
PHY 470
AP: “AP” prefix is not placed on the student’s transcript for this Honors course.
ACC:St. Louis University 1818
ACC: University of Missouri-St. Louis
Level:11, 12
Duration:Two Semesters - 1 Credit
Prerequisites:ALG 350 or CAL 350; Current science teacher recommendation; approval of Honors Physics teacher and Science department chairperson.
Description:This course is designed as an intensive college preparatory physics course for students who intend to major in engineering, math, or science in college. Students will learn the fundamentals of physics: forces, energy, momentum, motion, waves, light, fluids, heat energies, and atomic/nuclear physics. Students should be prepared to spend a considerable amount of time in advanced problem solving on a regular basis. Use of computer data collection is prevalent. APB Physics Exam is optional. The APC Physics Exam is optional if the student has taken or is presently taking calculus.
Please Note:This course, in combination with Honors Physics: Electricity and Magnetism will encompass the entire APB Physics course material leading to taking the APB Physics Exam following completion of three semesters.This course may be taken as a stand-alone Honors course without the Electricity and Magnetism course.
AP PHYSICS BII: ELECTRICITY AND MAGNETISM (1 Semester)
AP: “AP” prefix is placed on the student’s transcript having completed both Physics BI and Physics BII courses.
PHY 471
Level:11, 12
Duration:One Semester - ½ Credit
Prerequisites:ALG 350 or CAL 350, Current science teacher recommendation, approval of Honors Physics teacher and Science department chairperson.
Description:This course is designed as a complement to the Honors Physics: Mechanics to complete all material leading to taking the APB Physics Exam following completion of both courses. Students will focus primarily on the fundamentals of electricity and magnetism.
Please Note:Students may take this course concurrently with prior to or following Honors Physics: Mechanics. This course may also be taken as a stand-alone one semester course. Students completing this course have the option of taking the APC Physics Electricity and Magnetism Exam if they have completed or are presently taking Calculus.