Science

BIOLOGY STUDIES 163 (SCB15300)
GRADE: 9,10,11,12  LENGTH: 2 Sem  CREDIT:  1.00  GPA:  All Subject & Academic
This introductory biology laboratory course provides a laboratory-centered study of the structure, function and adaptations of living organisms. Topics range from ecology and cells to heredity and body systems. Emphasis is placed on biological concepts and applications which can be related to the student’s experience. This course provides reinforcement of scientific concepts, stresses the development of reading and study habits, utilizes multiple assessments of skills/content mastery, and includes consistent practice with laboratory skills. This course fulfills the science graduation requirement.
PREREQUISITE:  GBS departmental recommendation

BIOLOGY 163 (SCB16300)
GRADE: 9,10  LENGTH: 2 Sem  CREDIT:  1.00  GPA:  All Subject & Academic
Biology is the foundation of our science sequence and topics addressed in this laboratory course stress the interrelationships between living organisms and the biosphere, including the effects of human activities on the natural environment. This course considers current issues and problems at these science-technology-society interfaces. A major focus of this course is on learning to access information using technology-related resources, online researching, computer simulations, and working in groups for decision making, problem solving and class presentations. Most students sequence into Chemistry 163 or Chemistry Honors 173 the following year. This course fulfills the science graduation requirement.
PREREQUISITE: GBS departmental recommendation

BIOLOGY HONORS 173 (SCB17300)
GRADE: 9, 10  LENGTH: 2 Sem  CREDIT:  1.00  GPA:  All Subject & Academic
This honors level biology course involves the in-depth study of biological concepts for science-oriented students. Topics addressed in this laboratory course include ecology, cells, biochemistry, evolution, genetics, human development, plants, animals, and body systems. This course has a science, technology, and societal focus with a strong analytical lab component. Students will access information through online research, computer simulations, group activities, and prepare presentations. This course fulfills the science graduation requirement.
PREREQUISITE:  GBS departmental recommendation

CHEMISTRY STUDIES 163 (SCC15300)
GRADE: 10, 11, 12  LENGTH: 2 Sem  CREDIT:  1.00  GPA:  All Subject & Academic
Chemistry Studies is a laboratory course that focuses on problem-solving skills, laboratory techniques, and broad chemical concepts. Topics include the study of matter and its changes, molecular and ionic compounds, stoichiometry, gases, atomic theory, thermochemistry, solutions, and acids/bases. Chemistry Studies emphasizes mathematical skills and problem-solving techniques. This course fulfills the science graduation requirement.
PREREQUISITE:  Biology Studies 163 or equivalent

CHEMISTRY 163 (SCC16300)
GRADE: 10, 11, 12  LENGTH: 2 Sem  CREDIT:  1.00  GPA:  All Subject & Academic
Chemistry is the initial quantitative science course in our college preparatory sequence. It is a laboratory course in which students develop major chemical concepts and problem-solving skills. Chemistry students develop and perform experiments and mathematical calculations based on laboratory data and develop an understanding of chemical theory based on this data. Topics addressed include atomic theory, periodicity, covalent and ionic compounds, nuclear chemistry, reactions, stoichiometry, kinetics, solutions, acids/bases, gas laws, and thermochemistry. This course fulfills the science graduation requirement.
PREREQUISITE: Biology 163 or equivalent, Algebra 163 or an equivalent course

CHEMISTRY HONORS 173 (SCC17300)
GRADE: 10, 11, 12  LENGTH: 2 Sem  CREDIT:  1.00  GPA:  All Subject & Academic
Chemistry Honors is an accelerated chemistry laboratory course which stresses the development of problem-solving skills, accurate laboratory techniques and careful data analysis. Topics covered include mole concepts, stoichiometry, phase changes, gases, periodicity, atomic and molecular structure, bonding, thermodynamics, solution chemistry, chemical kinetics, chemical equilibria, acid-base theory, electrochemistry, nuclear chemistry and some organic and biochemistry. This course fulfills the science graduation requirement.
PREREQUISITE:  Biology Honors 173 or equivalent, Geometry 263 or equivalent

PHYSICS 163 (SCP16300)
GRADE: 11, 12  LENGTH: 2 Sem CREDIT:  1.00  GPA: All Subject & Academic
Physics is the third laboratory course in our college preparatory sequence and develops concepts from laboratory experiences. Students taking this course will improve their analytical and problem-solving skills and will recognize practical applications of the concepts developed. The topics addressed include kinematics, Newton’s laws, conservation of momentum and energy, electric forces and current, wave motion, sound and optics. This course fulfills the science graduation requirement.
PREREQUISITE: Biology 163 and Chemistry 163 or their equivalent, one year of Algebra and one year of Geometry

PHYSICS HONORS 173 (SCP17300)
GRADE: 11, 12  LENGTH: 2 Sem  CREDIT:  1.00  GPA:  All Subject & Academic
This laboratory course is a more comprehensive version of the first year physics course designed for science-oriented students. Careful laboratory work is followed by detailed mathematical analysis of data. The topics covered include optics, wave motion, Newton’s laws of motion,conservation of energy,momentum and electricity. This course fulfills the science graduation requirement.
PREREQUISITE:  Biology 173 and Chemistry 173 or their equivalent, Algebra 2 373 or equivalent

PHYSICAL SCIENCE LA 163 (SCA13300)
GRADE: 9, 10, 11, 12  LENGTH: 2 Sem  CREDIT:  1.00  GPA:  All Subject & Academic
Physical Science L.A. is the first course in the sequence of language assisted science courses for ELL students. Physical Science L.A.is a laboratory course that focuses on the hands-on, activity-and project based learning of physical science concepts. Units of study cover areas in both chemistry and physics, addressing topics such as matter, the periodic table, chemical reactions,motion,energy,and electricity. There is also a strong emphasis on the development of the English language through the learning and practicing of reading, writing, and speaking skills. This course fulfills the science graduation requirement.
PREREQUISITE:  GBS departmental recommendation

BIOLOGY LA 163 (SCB13300)
GRADE: 9, 10, 11, 12  LENGTH: 2 Sem  CREDIT:  1.00  GPA:  All Subject & Academic
This laboratory course is a language-assisted version of our Biology Studies course. Biology L.A. provides a laboratory-centered study of the structure, function and adaptations of living organisms. Topics range from ecology and cells to heredity and body systems. Emphasis is placed on learning biological concepts and developing language skills.This course provides reinforcement of scientific facts and concepts, stresses the development of reading and study habits, and includes significant practice with laboratory skills. This course fulfills the science graduation requirement.
PREREQUISITE:  GBS departmental recommendation

AP BIOLOGY 283 (SCB28300)
GRADE: 11, 12  LENGTH: 2 Sem  CREDIT:  1.00  GPA:  All Subject & Academic
Advanced Placement Biology is a college-level, laboratory course in which fundamental principles applying to the science and study of life are emphasized. Detailed attention is given to the nature of science, evolution and genetics, molecules and cells, biological diversity, plant and animal form and function, and ecology.This course emphasizes skills and content required to perform successfully on the AP exam for this course given in May. The student may receive college credit, advanced college placement, or both depending on the exam score. This course fulfills the science graduation requirement.
PREREQUISITE:  Biology 163/173, Chemistry 163/173, Physics 163/173 (or concurrent enrollment), or recommendation of the Instructional Supervisor for Science

AP CHEMISTRY 283 (SCC28300)
GRADE: 11, 12  LENGTH: 2 Sem  CREDIT:  1.00  GPA:  All Subject & Academic
Advanced Placement Chemistry is a college level laboratory course in inorganic chemistry recommended for students who plan to continue the study of chemistry,pharmacy, engineering, medicine or other technological disciplines. Emphasis is placed on the refinement of quantitative problem-solving as well as the ability to write about and discuss chemical theory. Laboratory work is mostly individual and includes volumetric and gravimetric determinations as well as instrumental analysis. This course emphasizes skills and content required to perform successfully on the AP exam for this course given in May. The student may receive college credit, advanced college placement, or both depending on the exam score. This course fulfills the science graduation requirement.
PREREQUISITE:  Biology 163/173, Chemistry 163/173, Physics 163/173 (or concurrent enrollment), or recommendation of the Instructional Supervisor for Science

AP ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE 283 (SCE28300)
GRADE: 11, 12  LENGTH: 2 Sem  CREDIT:  1.00  GPA:  All Subject & Academic
The AP Environmental Science course is a college level course designed to provide students with the scientific principles, concepts, and methodologies required to understand the interrelationships of the natural world,to identify and analyze environmental problems both natural and human-made, to evaluate the relative risks associated with these problems, and to examine alternative solutions for resolving and/or preventing them. Environmental science is interdisciplinary; it embraces a wide variety of topics from different areas of study.A major emphasis of this laboratory course is field investigation. This course emphasizes skills and content required to perform successfully on the AP exam for this course given in May. The student may receive college credit, advanced college placement, or both depending on the exam score. This course fulfills the science graduation requirement.
PREREQUISITE:  Any biology and any chemistry course, Physics 163/173 (or concurrent enrollment), or recommendation of the Instructional Supervisor for Science

AP PHYSICS 1 183 (SCP18300)
GRADE: 11, 12  LENGTH: 2 Sem  CREDIT:  1.00  GPA:  All Subject & Academic
Advanced Placement Physics 1 is a college-level laboratory course which deals with subject matter and laboratory experiences common to a one semester college introductory, algebra-based physics course. This course emphasizes skills and content required to perform successfully on the AP exam for this course given in May. The student may receive college credit, advanced college placement, or both depending on the exam score. This course fulfills the science graduation requirement.
PREREQUISITE:  Biology 163/173, Chemistry 163/173, Physics 163/173, Algebra 2 363/373, or recommendation of the Instructional Supervisor for Science

AP PHYSICS C 283 (SCP28300)
GRADE: 11, 12  LENGTH: 2 Sem  CREDIT:  1.00  GPA:  All Subject & Academic
Advanced Placement Physics is a college-level laboratory course which deals with subject matter and laboratory experiences common to a university physics course for scientists and engineers. This course emphasizes skills and content required to perform successfully on the AP exam for this course given in May. The student may receive college credit, advanced college placement, or both depending on the exam score. This course fulfills the science graduation requirement.
PREREQUISITE:  AP Calculus AB 683 (or concurrent enrollment), Biology 163/173, Chemistry 163/173, Physics 163/173, or recommendation of the Instructional Supervisor for Science

ASTRONOMY 161, ASTRONOMY HONORS 171  (SCA16100, SCA17100)
GRADE: 11,12  LENGTH: 1 Sem  CREDIT:  0.50  GPA:  All Subject & Academic
Many of the wonders of our universe will be uncovered by students in this laboratory course. Viewed from both contemporary and historical perspective, students will come to better understand the universe through telescope and naked eye observations, numerous laboratory activities, simulations and multimedia. Topics of study include the local neighborhood of our solar system, stars, galaxies, exotic objects (quasars, black holes), cosmology and the possibility of life elsewhere in the universe.Students will learn to interpret observations in light of the Big Bang theory. This course fulfills the science graduation requirement.
PREREQUISITE:  Any biology and any chemistry course, Physics 163/173 (or concurrent enrollment)

BRAIN STUDIES 161  (SCR16100)
GRADE: 10, 11,12  LENGTH: 1 Sem  CREDIT:  0.50  GPA:  All Subject & Academic
This interdisciplinary laboratory course offers students both a physical and social scientific approach to recent research on the brain’s physiological makeup and its impact on human thought, emotions, and behavior. Topics include anatomy, development, learning styles, disorders, and controversial current issues in brain research and studies. This course fulfills the science graduation requirement.
PREREQUISITE:  Any biology and any chemistry course or recommendation by the Instructional Supervisor for Science

FORENSICS 161  (SCF16100)
GRADE: 10, 11,12  LENGTH: 1 Sem  CREDIT:  0.50  GPA:  All Subject & Academic
Forensics is the study of scientific evidence that may be analyzed from a crime scene or accident. The process of making observations and analyzing data left behind at the scene of a crime/accident will be the focus of this laboratory course. The course will involve a significant number of lab experiences and a variety of activities where students will collect and analyze evidence and make inferences based on physical, chemical, and biological evidence. In addition to high school credit, three hours of tuition-free college-level science credit may also be obtained for successful completion of this course. (An application fee of $25 is required if students elect to receive college credit). This course fulfills the science graduation requirement.
PREREQUISITE:  Any biology and any chemistry course or recommendation by the Instructional Supervisor for Science

HORTICULTURE 161/162  (SCH16100, SCH16200)
GRADE: 10, 11,12  LENGTH: 1 or 2 Sem  CREDIT:  0.50 or 1.00  GPA:  All Subject & Academic
Horticulture is a second biology laboratory course which presents selected concepts in botany but emphasizes the development of practical skills.The topics covered include plant propagation, floriculture, plant classification, soil testing, greenhouse operation and landscape design.Since different topics are presented each semester,students may take either or both semesters. This course fulfills the science graduation requirement.
PREREQUISITE:  Any biology course or recommendation by the Instructional Supervisor for Science

HORTICULTURE ADVANCED 261/262  (SCH26100, SCH26200)
GRADE: 11,12  LENGTH: 1 or 2 Sem  CREDIT:  0.50 or 1.00  GPA:  All Subject & Academic
As the capstone horticulture course, this laboratory course includes topics in botany, landscape design, greenhouse operation, floriculture, and plant identification. Students are expected to complete independent projects and accept responsibility for managing a portion of the school’s horticulture activities. This course fulfills the science graduation requirement.
PREREQUISITE:  Two semesters of horticulture or consent of instructor

MEDICAL TECHNOLOGY 161  (SCM16100)
GRADE: 10, 11,12  LENGTH: 1 Sem  CREDIT:  0.50  GPA:  All Subject & Academic
Medical Technology provides an overview of the current technologies used within the medical profession and also surveys the occupational opportunities available to students who may pursue a position within this field. This laboratory course emphasizes competence in performing medical tests including surgery, radiology, forensics, dissection, sterile technique, microscopy, and careful laboratory measurement. In addition, medical terminology is an important aspect of this course. Presentations by medical professionals and field trips to local hospitals and medical laboratories help connect theory to practice. In addition to high school credit, one hour of tuition-free college level science credit may also be obtained for successful completion. (An application fee of $25 is required if students elect to receive college credit.) This course fulfills the science graduation requirement.
PREREQUISITE:  Any biology course or recommendation by the Instructional Supervisor for Science

SCIENCE INDEPENDENT RESEARCH STUDY 161/162  (SCX90100)
GRADE: 10, 11,12  LENGTH: 1 or 2 Sem  CREDIT:  0.50 or 1.00  GPA:  All Subject & Academic
This independent study course provides students an opportunity to earn credit for independent scientific research as part of the department’s Science Independent Research Study (SIRS) Program. Under the direction of a member of the science faculty, a student will perform independent research that he/she will present at one or more research competitions. Credit will be granted when the student’s project is submitted for evaluation. While a student meets regularly with his/her faculty mentor throughout the research process, this is often done either during a student’s SRT or outside of the school day. Student projects are accepted through an application process. This course fulfills the science graduation requirement.
PREREQUISITE:  Any biology course AND recommendation by the Instructional Supervisor for Science

SELC PHYSICS HONORS 173 (SEP17300)
GRADE: 9  LENGTH: 2 Sem  CREDIT:  1.00  GPA:  All Subject & Academic
This laboratory course is the first science course in the four year Science and Engineering Learning Community science sequence. While students will investigate all major topics in a comprehensive first year physics course–optics, wave motion, Newton’s laws of motion, conservation energy, momentum and electricity–they will do so through an integrated approach with their concurrent PLTW Introduction to Engineering Design 173 course. While this class will present them with questions about how nature works, students will find answers to these questions as they apply the laws of physics to solve real-life engineering problems in both courses. Students taking this course have been admitted to the Science and Engineering Learning Community and will continue with SELC Chemistry Honors 173and the PLTW Principles of Engineering 273 during their sophomore year. This course fulfills the science graduation requirement.
COREQUISITE: Geometry Honors 273 or higher, enrollment in PLTW Introduction to Engineering Design 173

SELC CHEMISTRY HONORS 173 (SEC17300)
GRADE: 10  LENGTH: 2 Sem  CREDIT:  1.00  GPA:  All Subject & Academic
Chemistry Honors is the second science course in the four year Science and Engineering Learning Community program of study. This accelerated chemistry laboratory science course stresses the development of problem-solving skills and careful data analysis through topics including stoichiometry, gases, atomic and molecular structure, thermodynamics, solution chemistry, chemical kinetics, chemical equilibria, acid-base theory, electrochemistry, nuclear chemistry, and some organic and biochemistry. These topics will be investigated through their connection with the PLTW Principles of Engineering 273 course in which students must also be enrolled. Students taking this course have been admitted to the Science and Engineering Learning Community. This course fulfills the science graduation requirement.
PREREQUISITE:  SELC Physics Honors 173  COREQUISITE:  PLTW Principles of Engineering 273, and next course in math sequence

SELC AP BIOLOGY 283 (SEB28300)
GRADE: 11  LENGTH: 2 Sem  CREDIT:  1.00  GPA:  All Subject & Academic
SELC AP Biology is the third science course in the four year Science and Engineering Learning Community program of study. This laboratory science course will investigate major biological concepts such as ecology, cells, disease, genetics, DNA technologies, evolution, diversity of life, energy, and human body systems, and will do so through solving significant science and engineering challenges. The science-engineering integration continues as students in this course will also be enrolled in PLTW Digital Electronics 573. This course emphasizes skills and content required to perform successfully on the AP exam for this course given in May. The student may receive college credit, advanced college placement, or both depending on the exam score. Students taking this course have been admitted to the Science and Engineering Learning Community. This course fulfills the science graduation requirement. 
PREREQUISITE:  SELC Physics Honors 173, SELC Chemistry Honors 173  COREQUISITE:  PLTW Digital Electronics 573, and next course in math sequence

• A student’s Classroom Teacher is always the first support that is recommended.  Classroom teachers are available to meet with students during their prep periods and in most cases before/after school.  
• The Titan Learning Center (TLC) offers support in all subjects. For academic help, there are peer tutors and qualified adults  available to assist students. Peer tutors are trained, vetted, and assigned according to the classes they are most qualified to tutor. Walk-ins are welcome.
• A Private Tutor List is available by reaching out to the Administrative Assistant of the Science Department.
• The GBS Library has 3 certified teacher librarians who can provide research support, citation help and readers’ advisory services. Students can also receive Chromebook support at the Chrome Depot, located at the back of the library. 

• Titan Learning Center

  • Open 7:15 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. ( 4 p.m. on Fridays)
  • The Titan Learning Center (TLC) offers support in all subjects. For academic help, there are peer tutors and qualified adults available to assist students. Peer tutors are trained, vetted, and assigned according to the classes they are most qualified to tutor. Walk-ins are welcome.