Science Department
Science Department
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Science Classes
PHYSICS 1
Entry Level: 9
Length: Year
The learning objectives of Physics 1 include:
- Develop an understanding and appreciation for the core ideas within the field of physics
- Use essential science and engineering practices
- Apply the cross cutting themes of science to the science of physics
- Develop scientific literacy and an understanding of the nature of science
Students will investigate the principles of physics, which include motion, energy, the interaction of forces, the propagation of waves and light. This course will emphasize making claims based on scientific evidence, student discussion of science and laboratory investigations. This course is required for graduation.
ADVANCED PHYSICS 1
Entry Level: 9
Length: Year
Prerequisite: None
The learning objectives of Physics 1 include:
- Develop an understanding and appreciation for the core ideas within the field of physics
- Use essential science and engineering practices
- Apply the cross cutting themes of science to the science of physics
- Develop scientific literacy and an understanding of the nature of science
Advanced Physics 1 covers all the same material as outlined in Physics 1, but with a more accelerated pace and a more analytical approach. Students will need a strong background in mathematics in order to be successful in this course.
FOOD SCIENCE: FOOD & YOU
Entry Level: 10
Length: Semester
Students will be introduced to common foods, their production process and the chemistry behind food and cooking. The first semester will cover food insecurity in the United States and other countries, food processing and diet misconceptions. Topics to be covered will be dairy products, meat, poultry & eggs, grains, organic, natural, free range, genetic modification and food marketing. This class qualifies for elective science credit.
FOOD SCIENCE: KITCHEN CHEMISTRY
Entry Level: 10
Length: Semester
This semester-long course is centered around chemical reactions that happen in cooking; neutralization, fermentation, gluten formation, protein denaturation, emulsification, caramelization, and the Maillard reaction. Students will learn through lectures, activities, projects, and labs. Through this class students will draw connections between what they experience when they cook at home, and the science they learn in school. This class qualifies for elective science credit.
BIOLOGY
Entry Level: 10
Length: Year
Prerequisite: Physics 1
The learning objectives of Biology include:
- Develop an understanding and appreciation for the science of life and core ideas of the science field
- Use essential science and engineering practices
- Apply cross cutting concepts of science to the science of life
- Develop scientific literacy and an understanding of the nature of science
Students will investigate the characteristics and interactions of organisms representing the diversity of life on our planet. Major emphasis is placed on biochemistry, DNA and cell regulation, genetics, evolution and ecology. This course will emphasize making claims based on scientific evidence, student discussion of science and laboratory investigations. This course is required for graduation.
ADVANCED BIOLOGY
Entry Level: 10
Length: Year
Prerequisite: Physics I or Advanced Physics I
*Students in this course may be eligible to register for college credit
Students will practice scientific skills by describing living things, investigating how living things interact and analyzing the environmental interactions that shape life’s diversity. Students will also practice scientific skills by describing the structure of cells, investigating how cells process energy and analyzing the patterns of cellular information flow that shape genetic inheritance. This option should be taken by students who are seriously interested in the sciences. Students should be prepared to go more in depth into topics, work at a faster pace, and spend more time working independently.
*This course can be applied to the Honors Diploma.
CHEMISTRY
Entry Level: 10
Length: Year
Prerequisite: Algebra 2 or concurrent with Algebra 2
Chemistry is the study of matter and how it changes. Students will discover how to explain the root of almost any natural phenomena. Since chemistry is the study of the most basic units of the universe, students will understand connections between chemistry and any other science subject, careers in the scientific field, and their daily lives. This course provides students with the necessary background in modern chemistry for further science classes and is a prerequisite for advanced placement chemistry. The concept that chemistry is a vital, continually developing science is explored through literature studies, laboratory experiments, inquiry projects, and group work. There will be daily homework and bi-weekly lab reports, on average. Working during class time is required for student success, and will minimize the amount of “take home” work. Additional study will be required to earn college credit. Lab fees will be charged.
*This course can be applied to the Honors Diploma.
AP CHEMISTRY
Entry Level: 11
Length: Year
Prerequisite: Chemistry
The AP 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 at their institution or to register in courses in other fields where chemistry is a prerequisite. For other students, the AP Chemistry course fulfills the laboratory science requirement and frees time for other courses. AP Chemistry meets the objectives of a good general chemistry course. Students in such a course attain a depth of understanding of fundamentals and a reasonable competence in dealing with chemical problems. Beyond content, this course contributes to the development of the student’s abilities to think clearly and to express their ideas, orally and in writing, with clarity and logic. Lab fees charged.
*This course can be applied to the Honors Diploma.
AP ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE
Entry Level: 11
Length: Year
Prerequisite: Physics 1 and Biology
AP Environmental Science (APES) is a rigorous course designed for highly motivated students that may have a desire to complete college level courses before finishing high school. The course will focus on the following themes:
- Science is a process.
- Energy conversions underlie all ecological processes.
- The Earth itself is one interconnected system.
- Humans alter natural systems.
- Environmental problems have a cultural and social context.
- Human survival depends on developing practices that will achieve sustainable systems.
Students may qualify for advanced placement examinations. Sufficiently high scores on these examinations may enable the student to earn college credit, but each college and university has individual policies towards AP courses. Sandy High School credit for this course is elective science. APES students should be prepared for lectures, labs, and simulations in class and a fair amount of work outside of class. Reading assignments will include magazine and newspaper articles, excerpts from books, and professional journal articles. The intent is that APES students will also be doing field research and activities, a year-long service learning project, and communicating with professionals and other APES students throughout the year, but these activities may be affected by public health safety precautions. *This course can be applied to the Honors Diploma.
ZOOLOGY
Entry Level: 11
Length: Semester
Prerequisite: Biology or Advanced Biology
In this course students will investigate the Kingdom Animalia. Major topics include animal classification, arthropods, invertebrates, fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds and mammals with a concentration on classification, anatomical form and function, and ecology. This is a college preparatory course designed for students interested in pursuing undergraduate degrees related to biology, anatomy, ecology, or zoology. Most students will find the requirements of this course challenging but rewarding. An emphasis is placed on both demonstrated knowledge of lecture and reading material as well as laboratory and special projects. Numerous animal dissection labs will be required for in person learning, but these will be done virtually for distance learning. A field trip to the Oregon Coast Aquarium may be offered in this class.
*This course can be applied to the Honors Diploma.