All students are required to take Biology, Chemistry, and one physical science (Physical Science or Physics). Starting with the class of 2012, Georgia requires a fourth year of science for graduation. This can be either a life or physical science.

                                                                       Life Sciences

26.0120711     Biology CP (Y)

26.0120721    Foundations of Biology CP (Y)

    Required of 10 th and 11 th grade students, 9 th grade with Department approval

This is an introductory biology course in which students examine aspects of human activity, evolutionary history, structure, function, and behavior relationships to the environment and the molecular structure on which life is based. The focus of the course is designed to foster scientific thinking skills, reasoned approaches to problem solving, and an appreciation of the role science plays in the students' daily lives. Students keep a biology notebook, write lab reports based on laboratory

experiences, read science articles and are expected to work independently. In addition, students use classroom computers to search the Internet on biological topics and to enhance laboratory experiments.

26.0140741     Advanced Placement Biology (Y)

    Required of 10 th and 11 th grade students with Department approval Prerequisite - Chemistry

This course is an introductory biology course that covers molecular and cellular biology, heredity, evolution, organisms, and populations. Students develop a conceptual framework for modern biology and gain an appreciation of biological science as a process. Themes of energy transfer, structure and function, regulation and interdependence are emphasized through reading and laboratory work. Students are expected to be able to read and study a college text independently. Keeping up with independent reading and study should take at least one hour a night. The course is scheduled for 1½ periods a day to provide time for course and laboratory work. Students are required to take the Advanced Placement examination in May.

26.0730716     Anatomy and Physiology CP (Y)

    Offered to 12 th grade students with Department approval

This is an introductory course in human anatomy and physiology, which presents a comprehensive study of the human body and lays a solid foundation for the pursuit of careers in the health industry. This course introduces students to anatomical language, a brief historical overview of anatomy and physiology as a discipline, a general overview of the structure and functions of the major organ systems and aspects of clinical implications relating to dysfunctions of the human body. Practical assignments are an important aspect of this course. Working in small groups, students use dissection and multimedia software to study the organ systems of a vertebrate, as well as the anatomical features of cells, tissues, bones, muscles, and the brain. Simple experiments on the physiology of cells also aid the understanding of this topic. A research paper and presentation is part of the second semester activities. Students also continue to develop scientific skills and techniques including note taking, collecting and analyzing data, and writing lab reports and essays. Computer skills are enhanced in the areas of research, composing papers and reviewing concepts.

26.0000717     Marine Biology CP (Y)

       Offered to 12 th grade students with Department approval

Marine Biology is designed to provide a stimulating, up-to-date survey of marine biology while integrating the basic science background required for an introductory course. The approach demonstrates the relevance of physical science to marine biology and thus integrates the two branches of science. This course provides a global, non-regional view of the world's oceans that is integrated throughout the material. Using current research, students will report on the influence of human intervention on the marine environment and the effect on communities and the non-living elements of the ecosystem. Content and skill are evaluated on the basis of written tests, quizzes, homework assignments, and laboratory reports. In addition, students regularly research a topic of interest from the current literature and report to the class on the journal articles. In the field, they are evaluated on their observation and data gathering.

                                                                     Physical Sciences

40.0110712     Physical Science CP (Y)

40.0110722   Foundations of Physical Science CP (Y)

Required of 9 th grade students with Department approval

Physical Science is an introductory laboratory course in the basic concepts and skills of chemistry and physics. Students study physical and chemical properties of matter, atomic theory, chemical periodicity and bonding, force, motion, and energy. Students engage in laboratory activities, solve problems, write laboratory reports, and use computers for reinforcement and research.

40.0510713     Chemistry CP (Y)

       Required of 10 th – 12 th grade students and 9 th grade students with Department approval

This traditional course in chemistry uses laboratory activities to reinforce a study of atomic theory, periodicity, bonding, chemical reactions and the primary states of matter. Students use mathematical skills to analyze quantitative data and to solve problems in chemistry. Emphasis is placed on developing problem solving skills, a disciplined approach to study, and skills in writing reports. Students use classroom computers to write laboratory reports.

40.0510724     Foundations of Chemistry CP (Y)

    Required of 11 th and 12 th grade students with Department approval

In this course, students apply concepts of atomic theory, bonding, chemical periodicity, and metric measures to the study of chemistry. Students write lab reports and use calculators to solve problems in chemistry. Laboratory work illustrates issues such as water quality, chemical resources, and useful chemicals. Computer usage is integrated into this course through writing laboratory reports, setting up and completing data tables, and drawing illustrations.

40.0510733     Chemistry H (Y)

    Required of 10 th and 11 th grade students with Department approval     

Students use a college text and learn chemistry through reading, experimentation, observation, and problem solving. Students must depend on the ability to think logically and abstractly, and on the ability to use math reasoning to analyze, synthesize, and evaluate laboratory activities. The basic tools of chemistry - mathematics, equations, and the mole concept - are introduced early and used frequently. Students must maintain a notebook of laboratory work, use classroom computers to write lab reports, and are responsible for keeping up with assignments.

40.0530743     Advanced Placement Chemistry (Y)

    Offered to 12 th grade students with Department approval

Students who have already completed an introductory chemistry course learn and apply the basic principles, concepts, and operations of college chemistry. Topics include atomic theory, bonding, periodicity, acid-base chemistry, oxidation-reduction, equilibrium and thermodynamics. Students use computers to collect data, maintain a lab notebook, and use scientific calculators to solve problems. The course meets for 1 ½ periods each day with class preparation time at least one hour a night. Students are required to take the Advanced Placement examination in May.

40.0810714     Conceptual Physics CP (Y)          Prerequisite - Algebra II

40.0810715      Physics CP (Y)                              Prerequisite - Algebra II/Trigonometry or Analysis

      Offered to 11 th and 12 th grade students with Department approval     

This is an introductory college preparatory course in physics. Emphasis is placed on learning and understanding the principles and concepts of physics as well as the solution of problems. Students apply these concepts in laboratory activities, which include the use of computers in analyzing the collected data. Students are required to write detailed lab reports on these activities. Students are also required to use the concepts learned to construct a physics project each semester. In problem solving, students use their skills in algebra or trigonometry, vector analysis and graphing.

40.0840745     Advanced Placement Physics C (Mechanics) (Y)         

       Offered to 11 th and 12 th grade students with Department approval

The Physics C course ordinarily forms the first part of the college sequence that serves as the foundation in physics for students majoring in the physical sciences or engineering. The subject matter of the C course is mechanics. The sequence is parallel to or preceded by mathematics courses that include calculus. Methods of calculus are used wherever appropriate in formulating physical principles and in applying them to physical problems. Students will be expected to design experiments, observe and measure real phenomena, organize, display, and critically analyze data, determine uncertainties in measurement, draw inferences from observations and data, and communicate results, including suggested ways to improve experiments and proposed questions for further study. This course is scheduled for 1 1/2 periods to provide time for sufficient laboratory experience. Students should anticipate an average of 1 hour of homework per night and they are required to take the Advanced Placement Physics C examination in May.

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