Science

Biology 1-2                                                                                                      Course #3141–3142    

Full Year = 1 credit

Fee: $15 lab fee

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 the core ideas with scientific and engineering practices and crosscutting concepts to support students in developing useable knowledge that can be applied across disciplines. In this course, students will use basic mathematical computations and read and write critically to analyze biological investigations.

Oceanography                                                                                                            Course #3165-3166

Full year = 1 credit

Fee: $15 lab fee

Prerequisite: Completion of one year of science.

This course provides students with a comprehensive exploration of Earth’s oceans. Students will gain a profound understanding of ocean circulation, waves, tides, marine ecosystems and the intricate relationships between living organisms and their ocean habitats. This course also covers human impacts such as pollution, overfishing and climate change. By the end of this course students will have applied critical thinking skills and developed a solid foundation in oceanography, enabling them to appreciate these vital ecosystems.

Conceptual Physics 1-2                                                                                               Course #3235-3236

Full year = 1 credit

Fee: $15 lab fee

Prerequisite: Successful completion of one year of science and Algebra 1.

This one-year laboratory science course is intended as an introductory course in physics that sets out to develop a well-rounded understanding in students of physical principles ranging from classical mechanics to modern physics. With this strong conceptual foundation, students are better equipped to understand the equations and formulas of physics and to make connections between the concepts of physics and their everyday world. This course meets the Nevada Academic Content Standards for Science, focusing on the physical science standards related specifically to physics.

Emphasis is on vocabulary, mental imagery, and engaging thought experiments that relate to things and events students are familiar with in their surrounding environment. The same principles will also be extended to describe phenomena at the very large and very small ends of the scale in our universe such as motion of atoms and galaxies. Special areas of emphasis include mechanics, properties of matter, energy, sound, light, wave theory, electricity, magnetism, atomic theory, and nuclear physics. Demonstrations and informal experiments will be used to teach key concepts and reinforce big ideas. Students will be able to use the ideas of physics to develop their critical thinking skills, improve their problem-solving skills, and experience an enhanced perspective of their environment which will allow them to better understand and explain the everyday world.

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

Fee: $15 lab fee

Prerequisite: Completion of one year of science and 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.

Earth Science 1-2                                                                                            Course #3131-3132

Full Year = 1 credit

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

Fee: $10.00 lab fee

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 core ideas with scientific and engineering practices and crosscutting concepts to support students in developing useable knowledge that can be applied across disciplines. In this course, students will use basic mathematical computations and read and write critically to analyze earth science investigations.

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

Full Year = 1 credit (Honors)   

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

Requisite: Concurrent enrollment in Geometry or higher.

Fee: $20.00 lab fee

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.

Note: 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 8th grade will not count as one of the required science courses for graduation or the honors diploma.

Zoology 1-2                                                                                                     Course # 3163-3164

Full Year = 1 credit
Prerequisites: Successful completion of two years of science including on year of Biology 1-2.

Fee: $15.00 lab fee

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.

Human Anatomy and Physiology 1-2                                                                    Course #3261-3262

Full Year = 1 credit (Honors)

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

Fee: $25.00 lab fee

This one-year advanced level course is intended as a 3^rd year science course and will cover an introduction to the structural and functional aspects of the human body.   This course is for those 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 experience, including mandatory dissections (including cats) are an integral part of the teaching of this course. 
Upon successful completion of Human Anatomy and P

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. NOTE: This class may be offered Zero period based upon enrollment numbers. The course numbers for students interested in Zero period are 3013-3014.

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

Prerequisites: Successful completion of Biology 1-2 and completion/current enrollment in Chemistry 1-2.

Fee: $20.00 lab fee + AP test fee $100.00

This course is designed to be the equivalent of a college introductory course usually taken by biology majors during their first year. AP Biology differs from a high school biology course with respect to the kind of textbook used, the range and depth of topics covered, the kind of laboratory work done by students and the time and effort required by the 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. NOTE: This class may be offered Zero period based upon enrollment numbers. The course numbers for students interested in Zero period are 3015-3016.

Note:  This course is intended to prepare students for the College Board Advanced Placement Exam; those who enroll in this class will be required to take that exam in May.  All AP exams have a cost associated with them, currently the cost is $100 for the exam. A $40 deposit is due by November 1^st. Students who add the test after November 1st will incur a $40 late test fee and students who do not take the AP exam will have a $40 unused test fee in addition to losing the associated GPA bump and AP designation for taking an AP course. This course may not be dropped from a student’s course schedule after the last day of school prior to the year the student plans on taking the course. 

Lab Assistant                                                                                                  Course #8091-8092

1/2 credit per semester

Prerequisite:  Formal application counseling or curriculum office and approval.  Students must have a cumulative GPA of 3.00 or above, good attendance record and no discipline issues.  Junior or Senior standing only.

Lab Assistants at SSHS are requested and approved only for “lab type” classes in which student safety, student supervision, and additional assistance is needed by the teacher to help monitor students enrolled in the Lab Class who will be using dangerous equipment, highly specialized equipment, or chemicals or other materials of a dangerous nature.