The Science Department recommends a four year science program for all Duchesne graduates. Each student must complete three full years. Each class is one full year.
BIOLOGY AND BIOLOGY HONORS
These courses offer a comprehensive treatment of the field of biology while focusing on key ideas identified in the National Science Education Standards. These standards propose that biology curricula be organized around fundamental concepts in the areas of cell biology, genetics, ecology, diversity and change. An overview of the world of living organisms is also presented.
The placement of students in Biology Honors is coordinated with math placements. These math placements are determined by a satisfactory performance on the Algebra I challenge test. STUDENTS MAY NOT ENROLL IN BIOLOGY HONORS UNLESS THEY ARE PLACED IN ALGEBRA I HONORS/GEOMETRY HONORS.
The placement of students into Biology is determined by the Admission's committee. This committee uses the results of the entrance test, grade school transcripts and teacher recommendations.
GENERAL SCIENCE
General Science is a course for ninth graders that introduces them to fundamental ideas of chemistry, physics, and biology. It has a strong "hands on" laboratory approach and research projects.
The placement in this class is also determined by the Admission's committee. (See above)
CHEMISTRY AND CHEMISTRY HONORS
These courses are devoted to the experimental development of chemical principles and their applications. The laboratory is used to familiarize the students with lab techniques in order to develop concepts, study principles and make observations. The fundamental topics of study include; the atomic theory, in-depth analysis of the periodic table, The nature of chemical bonding, stoichiometry, thermodynamics, kinetics and equilibrium, electrochemistry and nuclear chemistry.
The placement of students into chemistry honors is also coordinated with math placements. A STUDENT MUST BE ENROLLED IN ALGEBRA II HONORS OR HAVE SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETED THIS COURSE WITH A MINIMUM OF A "B" AVERAGE. A student may also qualify for Chemistry Honors by earning at least an "A" in Chemistry with the proper math placement listed above.
Students who completed Biology with less than a “C” average will be expected to complete summer courses to prepare for Chemistry.
PHYSICS AND PHYSICS HONORS
These courses are devoted to the scientific study of the world in terms of general attracting and repulsing forces, including the mathematical analysis and description of the motion resulting from these forces and the energy changes involved. Thus, topics included are: mechanics, heat, wave phenomena, light, sound, magnetism and electricity.
The placement of students into Physics Honors is determined by the student's math placement. IN ORDER TO QUALIFY FOR PHYSICS HONORS, STUDENTS MUST BE ENROLLED IN OR HAVE COMPLETED PRE-CALCULUS. They must also have successfully completed Chemistry Honors with at least a "B" average or Chemistry with an A" average.
Students placed in Physics must be registered in or have successfully completed Algebra II. They must also have maintained at least a "C" average in Chemistry or they will be expected to complete summer courses to prepare for Physics.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE
(Open to seniors interested in learning aobut their impact on the world)
During this course, students will be introduced to the relationships between organisms and their environment. The integrated curriculum will include study of earth science and environmental issues. The impact humans have onthe world and the ethics and policy surrounding environmental issues. The impact humans have on the world and the ethics and policy surrounding environmental issues will be highlighted. Laboratories will involve field studies and real world investigations.
ADVANCED PLACEMENT CHEMISTRY
This course is designed to cover all the topics included in a first year general chemistry course on the college level. The major areas of emphasis will be stoichiometry, chemical bonding, kinetics, thermodynamics and chemical equilibrium. Upon successful completion of this course, the student could obtain college credit from either Creighton University or the A.P. exam. Study sessions after school hours are a requirement for this course.
The textbook for this course will be purchased at Creighton University Bookstore. This course also carries a fee of $110 per semester to cover the 4 semester hours at Creighton. If the student elects to take the A.P. exam there will also be a fee.
In order to qualify for A.P. Chemistry a student must be currently enrolled in Pre-Calculus or Calculus. She must also have maintained a “B+” average in Chemistry Honors or Physics Honors. A student may also qualify by scoring at least an 85% on the National Chemistry exam given each spring in Chemistry Honors. Any student who is registered in AP Chemistry through Creighton University cannot go on exchange. Students who receive credit through Creighton University must also be available to take four two-hour exams given after school each semester.
ADVANCED PLACEMENT BIOLOGY (Prerequisite Biology, Chemistry, Physics (in process)) Student registered for AP Biology must have earned a B+ in the first semester of science during their junior year or receive department approval.
AP Biology is a laboratory - based course focused on studying the living world. First semester topics include themes in biology, chemistry of life, cellular biology, genetics and an introductin to ecology. During second semester, the class will explore mechanisms of evolution, biological diversity and human body systems. Major themes explored during the course of the year include science as a process, evolution, change, interdependence in nature, technology, and the relationship of structure and function. Students may complete their study with the AP Biology Exam in the spring.
This course is designed to cover all the topics included in a first year general chemistry course on the college level. The major areas of emphasis will be stoichiometry, chemical bonding, kinetics, thermodynamics and chemical equilibrium. Upon successful completion of this course, the student could obtain college credit from either Creighton University or the A.P. exam. Study sessions after school hours are a requirement for this course. |
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