The course explores the four main disciplines of Earth Science: astronomy, geology, meteorology, and oceanography. Topics covered during the year range from discovering the basic structures shaped by tectonic and erosion forces to the comparison of planet Earth with other celestial objects in the universe. Students gain an appreciation of how the four disciplines are truly intertwined as one main study of the earth.

This honors course is for students who excel or have a special interest in science. Honors Earth and Space Science follows the syllabus of #351, Earth and Space Science. Students are challenged with required supplementary readings, designed to enrich the base subject matter; mathematical analysis is required in most lab experiments. During the course, students independently apply scientific processes and analyze scientific principles.

This course is for academically motivated students who may be considering a college science major. Students desiring to take biology but not planning to take AP Biology and sit for the Advanced Placement Biology exam should take this course. Topics of study include introduction to biology and the scientific method, biochemistry, cytology, energetics, homeostasis, mitosis, meiosis, genetics, gene expression, biotechnology, evolution, and ecology. These topics are explored in depth and will prepare students for the Keystone Biology exam. Laboratory activities and teacher-led discussions are integral parts of the course. 

This course explores topics such as basic biochemistry, cell structure and function, genetics, evolution, disease, and ecology. Students learn how biological issues relate to their daily lives. Laboratory activities are an integral part of this course.

This college-level course prepares academically motivated students for the AP Biology exam in May. Topics include gene expression, history of life on Earth, plant and animal form and function, cell communication, classification, and selected topics in ecology and evolution. This course builds upon information covered in 353-Honors Biology and requires significant independent work outside of class. This course is reading intensive. Prerequisite: Successful completion of 353-Honors Biology and completion of summer assignments. 

Physical Science is the study of matter, energy and their interactions. The goal of the course is to expose students to both the physical and chemical sciences. The course content includes Newton’s Laws, basic mechanics, energy, atomic structure, phases of matter, and chemical interactions. This course is intended for 11th grade students. Any student who has previously taken Chemistry or Physics shall not be enrolled in this course.

This semester course includes basic tools of chemistry, atomic structure, periodicity, bonding, states of matter, solutions, and an introduction to acids and bases. Additional topics are included as time permits. Course objectives are approached through teacher-led discussion, cooperative group work, laboratory experiments and demonstrations, and direct instruction. This is a very math intensive discipline; therefore, a math perquisite needs to be met in order to enroll in the course. Prerequisite: Students are required to enroll in this course to have successfully completed Algebra I.

Chemistry is considered the central science, and almost all college science majors must take at least one semester. AP Chemistry offers motivated students an opportunity to earn RACC credits, to prepare for the Advanced Placement exam in Chemistry, or simply to gain a decided advantage in college freshman chemistry. The course includes a comprehensive study of various equilibria, acids and bases, kinetics, thermodynamics, oxidation-reduction reactions, and a thorough review of all principles studied in this and previous courses. Prerequisite: Students must have demonstrated strong mathematical skills, must have successfully completed Honors Chemistry. 

This course is for academically motivated students who may be considering a college science major. The semester course includes basic tools of chemistry, atomic structure, bonding and periodicity, states of matter, solutions, acids and bases, and an introduction to equilibrium, kinetics, and oxidation-reduction chemistry. Teacher-led discussion, cooperative group work, laboratory experiments and demonstrations, direct instruction, and project assignments assist students’ in meeting course objectives. Prerequisite: Students have successfully completed or in process of completing Algebra II.

During this course students are exposed to concepts of physics that relate to everyday experiences. The course content includes velocity, acceleration, gravity, energy, force, and matter. The course also includes several projects in which some out-of-class work is expected. Prerequisite: successful completion of Algebra I (H), Algebra IB, or course instructor approval.

This course is for academically motivated students who may be considering science as a major in college. Additionally, students who take this course should plan on taking the AP Physics I test to earn college credit in May. The course content aligns itself with the current AP curriculum. Such topics include mechanics, Newton’s Laws, gravitation, rotational motion, electric force, energy, momentum, waves, and DC circuits. Students expecting to pass the AP Exam should anticipate purchasing an AP Physics review book as well as studying for the test outside of class. Co-requisite: Trigonometry/Pre-Calculus 309 or higher. 

This course is for academically motivated students who may be considering science as a major in college. Additionally, students who take this course should plan to take the AP Physics II test to earn college credit in May. The course content aligns itself with the current AP curriculum. Such topics include fluids, optics, thermodynamics, DC circuits, electric force, electric field, magnetism, atomic physics, and nuclear physics. Students expecting to pass the AP Exam should expect to purchase an AP Physics review book as well as study for the test outside of class. A student who successfully completes Honors Physics may qualify to take AP Physics II provided his/her schedule can accommodate the necessary change. The AP Physics I/AP Physics II combination offers motivated students an opportunity to earn eight RACC credits through the dual enrollment program.

Students develop the knowledge and skills necessary to become environmentally literate stewards. The course themes include: principles of ecology, watersheds, renewable and nonrenewable resources, environmental health, agriculture and society, integrated pest management, wildlife resources, environmental laws, and humans' role in the environment. This course required the completion of a community-based environmental project (minimum 10 hours); maintaining an environmental journal, conducting field studies that include physical, chemical, biology analyses of air, water and soil: and the completion of several topic papers. 

Prerequisite: Completion of biology and physical science or chemistry.

This is an honors course for students who completed Biology with a 72% or higher and are interested in the health sciences. Microscope work, selected dissections and research activities are used to study the systems of the human body. Topics include histology and the following systems: skeletal, muscular, reproductive, endocrine, nervous, circulatory, urinary, and digestive. In addition, students will develop a basic medical vocabulary and write an APA research paper that evaluates primary sources from peer reviewed journals in an area of their interest. 

This course is for academically motivated students who may be considering science as a major. Students taking honors physics are not planning to take the AP Physics I test. The course includes similar topics to the AP Physics I course without the emphasis on preparation for the AP test. Topics include mechanics, Newton’s Laws, gravitation, rotational motion, electric force, energy, momentum, waves, and DC circuits. Co-requisite: Trigonometry/Pre-Calculus 309 or higher. 

This course is intended for college-bound students with an interest in the history and study of celestial objects and the structure of the universe. Students will investigate the nature of the cosmos through interactive internet investigations, lab experimentation, and optional telescopic observations. Students will gain an understanding of how astronomers collect electromagnetic radiation to study the solar system, stars, and their evolution, galaxies, and the big bang theory. Students who enroll in Astronomy should have successfully completed Earth Science and Algebra I. Prerequisites: 351 or 352 Earth and Space Science and 301A Algebra I.

This course is intended for college-bound students with an interest in ocean science. Students will investigate the physical, geological and chemical processes which take place in the ocean. Students will perform lab experiments/activities and use interactive internet resources to learn about the physical nature of the ocean such as; plate tectonics, ocean floor structure, sediments, ocean water structure and chemistry, ocean-atmosphere interactions, waves, currents, tides and coasts.

Prerequisite:  Students who enroll in Oceanography should have successfully completed Earth Science and Biology.

Forensic science is an interdisciplinary applied course, utilizing many courses of scientific study, including biology, anatomy, chemistry and physics.  Much of the coursework requires self-guided exploration and lab investigations with an emphasis on complex reasoning and critical thinking.  In addition, students must be able to use technology skills, communication skills, language arts, art, mathematics, and social sciences.  Course topics include: introduction to forensics, basic processing of a crime scene, hair and fiber analysis, death and decay, blood and serology, DNA analysis and toxicology.  Students are expected to spend a considerable amount of time reading and writing outside of class.  Given the nature of required work in forensic science, students must demonstrate academic traits of a motivated and independent learner.  They must be able to work as part of a team, with little direct supervision while conducting investigations throughout the school building and other locations outside of the classroom.  Prerequisites:  students must have completed Biology and Chemistry.