Science

Science

All secondary students are required to earn three credits in science, one credit must be biology, in order to receive a S.C. High School Diploma.  Students select from college prep, honors, Advanced Placement (AP) or dual credit courses.  Honors, AP and dual credit courses are recommended for college-bound students who have demonstrated a previous record of successful performance in science.  Refer to the Course Requirements for S.C. Public Four-Year Colleges and Universities.  
 

Science Course Offerings

Earth Science     326562CW

Grades 9 – 12, 11-12 (CHS)                              

1 unit

Prerequisite: Biology I (CHS)

(CHS, LEHS)

This course consists of selected topics from the fields of geology, oceanography, meteorology, and astronomy.  Topics are selected from these areas of study to convey to the student both an appreciation for the basic processes of science and an acquaintance with the current problems and ideas in the earth sciences.  By the end of this course, students should gain a better understanding of the planet on which they live.

Environmental Science     326162CW

Grades: 9-12                       

1 unit

Prerequisite: None

(LEHS, CHS, NCHS)

This course provides students with the scientific principles, concepts, and methodologies required to understand the relationship of organisms in nature.  Students will be required to analyze environmental problems and to search for solutions.

Forensic Science     324500CW

Grades: 11 – 12                                  

1 unit

Prerequisite: Biology

Recommendation: Chemistry and Algebra 1

(CHS, LEHS)

Forensics is a multidisciplinary course that includes concepts of chemistry, zoology, anatomy, genetics, physics, medicine, mathematics and statistics, sociology, psychology, communications, and law, in order to help solve crimes. The ultimate goal for students enrolled in this course is for them to become confident that they can make sense of complex problems involving numerical data, evidence, uncertainty, and logical reasoning.

Biology 1     322162CW

Grades 9 – 11                                                     

1 unit

Prerequisite: None

(CHS, LEHS, NCHS)

This course introduces students to the molecular basis of biology, the classification system of plants and animals, heredity, ecology and natural selection.  Lab and field activities are essential to this course. A state mandated End-of-Course exam counts as 20% of a student’s final grade. 

Honors Biology 1     322161HW

Grades 9 – 10                                                     

1 unit

Prerequisite: Algebra 1

(CHS, LEHS, NCHS)

This course is for highly motivated students with advanced and mature study habits.  Course content includes the molecular basis of biology, the classification system of plants and animals, heredity, natural selection and ecology.  Lab and field activities are extensive.  The curriculum is designed for the student who accepts challenges and strives toward excellence in academics.  A state-mandated End-of-Course exam counts as 20% of a student’s final grade. 

Biology 2      322262CW

Grades 10 – 12                                                   

1 unit

Prerequisite: Chemistry 1

(LEHS)

This course is designed for students who plan to attend a post-secondary level institution, but not necessarily major in a science-related field.  Emphasis is placed on the following areas: cells, bacteriology, genetics, and plants.  

Honors Biology 2     322261HW

Grades 10 – 12                                                

1 unit

Prerequisite: Chemistry 1

Recommendation: Honors Chemistry 1 (LEHS, CHS)

This course is for highly motivated students with advanced and mature study habits.  Students in this course will continue to build their knowledge in the areas addressed in Honors Biology 1. This is the introductory course for AP Biology. At CHS, this is the corequisite for AP Biology.

AP Biology

(Advanced Placement)     327271AW

Grades 11 – 12                                                   

1 unit

Prerequisite: Honors Biology 2 

(CHS, LEHS)

This course is designed to be the equivalent of a general biology course taken during the first year of college.  This course builds on knowledge from Honors Biology 2 and will prepare the student for the AP exam in the spring.  Students will be required to take the AP exam.

Chemistry 1     323162CW

Grades 10 – 12                                                   

1 unit

Prerequisite: Algebra 1, Biology 1

Recommendation: Algebra 2

(CHS, LEHS, NCHS)

This course covers major principles including atomic structure, periodic table trends, bonding, chemical equations, and stoichiometry, properties of matter, solutions and electrolytes, acids and bases, organic chemistry, and other selected topics.  The course is designed for students preparing to attend college or technical school, as well as those seeking an industry-based career.

Honors Chemistry 1     323161HW

Grades 10 – 11                                                        

1 unit  

Prerequisite: Algebra 1

Recommendation: Algebra 2 

(CHS, LEHS, NCHS)                                      

This course is designed for the highly motivated college preparatory student.  It covers the classification of matter, math/measurement, atomic structure, bonding, periodic law, formula writing and equation writing, stoichiometry, solutions, gas laws, acids and bases, and other selected topics.  The course emphasizes the mathematical problem-solving aspects of chemistry and includes large blocks of laboratory experience. 

Honors Chemistry 2     323261HW

Grades 11 – 12                                                   

1 unit

Prerequisite: Chemistry 1

Recommendation: Honors Chemistry 1 and Algebra 2

(CHS, LEHS, NCHS)

This course is intended to prepare students for the second semester of chemistry course in the first year of college.  Topics include, but are not limited to, the study of solutions, reaction kinetics, chemical equilibrium, acid-base chemistry, thermodynamics, electrochemistry, and organic and nuclear chemistry.  Labs are performed to supplement each topic. At CHS, this is the corequisite for AP Chemistry.

Anatomy and Physiology     326362CW

Grades 11 – 12                                                   

1 unit

Prerequisite: Biology 1 and Chemistry 1

(CHS, LEHS, NCHS)

This course offers an in-depth study of the anatomy and physiology of the human body systems and their disorders.  This is a laboratory course that will explore the concepts and principles of anatomy and physiology.   This course is designed for students pursuing a technical career and for students planning to continue their education at the technical or college level. 

Honors Anatomy and Physiology     326300HW

Grades 11 – 12                                                   

1 unit

Prerequisite: Biology 1 and Chemistry 1

(LEHS, NCHS)

This course offers an in-depth study of the anatomy and physiology of the human body systems and their disorders.  This is a laboratory course that will explore the concepts and principles of anatomy and physiology.   This course is designed for students pursuing a technical career and for students planning to continue their education at the technical or college level. 

AP Chemistry 

(Advanced Placement)     327371AW

Grades 11 – 12                                                   

1 unit

Prerequisite: Honors Chemistry 2 and Honors Algebra 2

(CHS, LEHS)

This course is designed to be the equivalent of the general chemistry course usually taken during the first year of college.  A contemporary college chemistry text that stresses principles and concepts and their relationship to the descriptive chemistry on which they are based is used.  Students will attain a depth of understanding of fundamentals and a reasonable competence in dealing with chemical problems.  Students will be required to take the AP exam.

Marine Science     322562CW 

Grades: 11-12                                                       

1 unit 

Prerequisite: Biology 1

(NCHS) 

This course is designed to meet the needs of students who show an interest in obtaining awareness of coastal and marine systems. Laboratory classwork and independent research are required for an in-depth study of land, marine, and coastal ecosystems, plant and animal life, and ecological principles. 

Physics     324162CW

Grades 11 – 12                                                   

1 unit

Prerequisite: Algebra 2

(LEHS)

This course covers the following topics: measurement, force, vectors, motion, work, power, energy, light, sound, electricity, heat, and nuclear reactions.  Newtonian physics and quantum physics will be discussed and compared.  Laboratory activities are coordinated with the course content so students can grasp the experimental nature of science.  A strong mathematics background is essential.  Students planning to pursue careers in science, medicine, or engineering should take this course before entering college.

Honors Physics     324161HW

Grades 11 – 12                                                   

1 unit

Prerequisite: Completion or concurrent enrollment in Pre-Calculus or Honors Algebra 2

(CHS, LEHS, NCHS)

This course emphasizes the fundamental laws of nature upon which all science is based.  While fundamental physics is emphasized, applied physics is also addressed in the topics of classical mechanics and thermodynamics.  Students should be prepared for the quantitative treatment of topics.  Preferably, students should complete one year of chemistry before enrolling in physics.  Students contemplating careers in science are encouraged to select this course.  This course will serve as a prerequisite for AP Physics.

AP Physics 1     

(Advanced Placement)     328271AW

Grades 11 – 12                                                   

1 unit

Prerequisite: Honors Algebra 2 and Honors Physics

(LEHS)

This course is designed at the college level and the topics to be covered in a quantitative manner are waves, optics, electromagnetism, and modern physics.  Students will be required to take the AP exam.