1
SCIENCE
(L) indicates laboratory classes
NOT ALL COURSES ARE OFFERED EACH YEAR
Four semesters of science are required for graduation from West Lafayette High School. Two of the credits must be in the life sciences, and the other two must be in the physical sciences. Students are encouraged to experience many of the sciences before specializing in any one. Science Projects and Techniques does not satisfy science graduation requirements. Suggested plans of study in science appear on page 64. In addition to a general science laboratory fee, some courses charge class fees. All fees are collected at the time of registration. Continuation into second semester of a science class may be determined by first semester grade and performance.
BIOLOGY I #2401 (L)
2 semesters, 1 credit each semester.
Text: Biology
Publisher: Prentice Hall 2000
Prerequisite: None
Grade Level: 9,10
A Core 40 and Academic Honors Course
Biology I provides, through regular laboratory and field investigations, a study of the structures and functions of living organisms and their interactions with their environment. At a minimum, this study explores the functions and processes of cells, tissues, organs, and systems within various species of living organisms and the roles and interdependencies of organisms within populations, communities, ecosystems, and the biosphere. Students have opportunities to: (1) gain an understanding of the history of the development of biological knowledge, (2) explore the uses of biology in various careers, and (3) cope with biological questions and problems related to personal needs and social issues.
The units studied in Biology I are: 1) chemistry, 2) energy, 3) cell structure and function, 4) genetics, 5) microbiology, 6) plant diversity, and 7) animal diversity. A leaf project is required in the fall and a plant/animal project is required in the spring. Included in course will be exploration of careers and history of the science.
Basis for Grades: Quizzes, laboratory, and homework.
BIOLOGY I: HONORS #2405 (L) (Previously titled Biology I Accelerated)
2 semesters, 1 credit each semester.
Text: Biology: Concepts & Connections
Publisher: Wadsworth Publishing Company 1997
Prerequisite: Recommendation by 8th grade science teacher
Grade Level: 9
A Core 40 and Academic Honors Course
This course is a more in depth look at modern biological fields such as Biochemistry, Cytology and Molecular Biology and Genetics. The laboratories are more complex and extended. The text is a 2nd year Biology text. Tests are less frequent and more demanding. A survey of five Kingdoms, which is briefer then the general course, is included. A major research project which includes a major literature review, design, implementation and presentation is required. An opportunity to participate in the regional Science Fair is provided, but not required. The student in connection with their research project may incur additional expenses. Included in course will be exploration of careers and history of the science.
Basis for Grades: Quizzes, lab and project work. Since this is an intensive, individualized course, enrollment is limited.
BIOLOGY I: #24019 (L) (Previously titled Biology I Introductory)
2 semesters, 1 credit each semester.
Text: Biology: An Everyday Experience
Publisher: GlencoeRinehart & Winston 1999
Prerequisite: Recommendation by science teachers.
Grade Level: 9,10
A Core 40 Course
Units covered are: 1) plant diversity; 2) cells; 3) microbiology; 4) genetics; 5) animal diversity, and 6) ecology. These are similar to the units required in Biology I, but more emphasis is placed upon applying biology to everyday life. A leaf collection is required in the fall and a natural history project is required in the spring.
Students are required to have chemical splash type safety goggles, which may be purchased, through the school. Included in course will be exploration of careers and history of the science.
Basis for Grades: Examinations, laboratory work and homework.
Course Sequence for Biology II –AP
COURSE / YEAREcology / Aug. 2005 fall
Anatomy / Jan. 2006 spring
Botany/Zoology / Aug. 2006 fall
Molecular Biology / Jan. 2007 spring
Ecology / Aug. 2007 fall
Anatomy / Jan. 2008 spring
Botany/Zoology / Aug. 2008 fall
Molecular Biology / Jan. 2009 spring
BIOLOGY II AP #2404 (L)
1semester, 1 credit
Text: Biology: Life on Earth
Publisher: Prentice Hall 1999
Prerequisites: Biology I (2401) or Biology I Honors (2405) and Chemistry I (2410) or consent of instructor.
Co requisite: Physics or consent of instructor
Grade Level: 11,12
A Core 40 and Academic Honors Course
Botany/Zoology
This laboratory-oriented course is designed for students preparing for college level work in the biological sciences or other related fields such as forestry and agriculture. It involves a 9-week survey of the plant kingdom and a 9-week survey of the animal kingdom. Two AP laboratory activities will be done: (1) Plant Pigments and Photosynthesis and (2) Animal Behavior. Plant physiology, anatomy, and diversity will be studied half of the time and animal diversity devoted to the remaining half.
Ecology/Evolution
This laboratory-oriented course is designed for students preparing for college level work in the biological sciences. An in depth study of Ecology and Evolution is undertaken. At least half of this course involves an in depth study of aquatic ecology with several field trips to the Wabash River. The second half of the course includes a study of population, population genetics, and evolution. Two AP laboratories will be done: (1) Population Genetics and Evolution and (2) Dissolved 02 and Aquatic Primary Productivity.
Microbiology/Anatomy/Physiology
This laboratory-oriented course is designed for students preparing for college level work in the biological sciences especially those with a medical or veterinary emphasis. It involves investigation of prokaryotic vs eukaryotic cells, mold meiosis and gametogenesis, and human anatomy and physiology. The physiology section requires in extended an extended, in-depth dissection of the fetal pig as well as basic 3 bacteriology labs. During this section, two AP laboratory activities involving mold meiosis and the physiology of circulation will be completed.
Biochemistry/Molecular Biology
This laboratory-oriented course is designed for students preparing for college level work in the biological sciences especially those with a medical or veterinary emphasis. It involves an in-depth review of cellular energetics (respiration and photosynthesis), including two AP laboratory activities. Then an in-depth review of heredity and molecular genetics reflecting recent biotechnology discoveries will be conducted. During this section, two more AP labs will be conducted which will include transformation using plasmids and DNA separation and identification using electrophoresis.
CHEMISTRY I #24109 (L) (Previously titled Chemistry I Introductory)
2 semesters, 1 credit each semester.
Text: Introductory Chemistry: Concepts & Connections
Publisher: Prentice Hall 1990
Prerequisites: Algebra I or its equivalent, 1 year of science, permission of science and guidance departments
Grade Level: 10-12
A Core 40 Course
This course is intended primarily for college-bound and tech prep juniors or seniors who do not demonstrate strength in math and science. It covers the major laws and theories, which govern the chemistry of elements and compounds. Mathematical treatments, which reflect the mathematical background of the students, are presented whenever it is appropriate.
Topics include chemical and physical properties, chemical calculations, thermo-chemistry, states of matter, atomic structure, chemical bonding, solution chemistry, chemical equilibrium, simple oxidation-reduction and acids and bases. Laboratory investigations are used to illustrate some of the principles, which are presented.
Students are expected to have a scientific calculator and are required to have chemical splash type safety goggles, which may be purchased through the school. Included in course will be exploration of careers and history of the science.
Basis for Grades: Examinations, quizzes and the results of laboratory work.
CHEMISTRY I: #2410(L)
2 semesters, 1 credit each semester.
Text: Chemistry Connections to Our Changing World
Publisher: Prentice Hall 2000
Prerequisites: Algebra I. (2103). It is recommended that students should have completed or should be taking geometry.
Grade Level: 10-12
A Core 40 and Academic Honors Course
This college preparatory course covers the major laws and theories that govern the chemistry of elements and compounds. Mathematical treatments are presented whenever it is appropriate.
Topics include chemical and physical properties, chemical calculations, thermo-chemistry, states of matter, atomic structure, chemical bonding, solution chemistry, chemical equilibrium, oxidation-reduction and acids and bases. Laboratory investigations are used to illustrate some of the principles, which are presented.
Students are required to have chemical splash type safety goggles, which may be purchased through the school as well as a scientific calculator. Included in course will be exploration of careers and history of the science. Basis for Grades: Examinations, quizzes, laboratory investigations, and homework.
CHEMISTRY I: HONORS #2416 (L) (Previously titled Chemistry I Accelerated)
2 semesters, 1 credit each semester.
Text: Chemistry, 2nd Edition
Publisher: Prentice Hall 1998
Prerequisite: Algebra I (2103). It is recommended that students should have completed Geometry (2120) or Geometry Honors (2123)
Grade Level: 10
A Core 40 and Academic Honors Course
This college preparatory course covers the major laws and theories that govern the chemistry of elements and compounds. Mathematical treatments are presented in some detail whenever appropriate.
Topics include chemical and physical properties, chemical calculations, thermo-chemistry, states of matter, atomic structure, chemical bonding, solution chemistry, chemical equilibrium, oxidation-reduction and acids and bases. Structured as well as independent laboratory investigations are used to illustrate some of the principles which are presented.
Students are required to have chemical splash type safety goggles, which may be purchased through the school as well as a scientific calculator. Included in course will be exploration of careers and history of the science.
Basis for Grades: Examinations, quizzes, laboratory investigations, and homework.
CHEMISTRY II, ANALYTIC #2413 (L)
1 semester, 1 credit.
Text: Chemistry: The Central Science
Publisher: Prentice Hall 1997
Prerequisite: Algebra II, and Chemistry I Academic
Grade Level: 12
A Core 40 and Academic Honors Course
This laboratory-oriented course in qualitative analysis provides students with the opportunity to develop good laboratory skills while learning the descriptive chemistry of some common cations.
Reactions in aqueous solution, ionic equilibria, thermodynamics, chemical kinetics and a review of chemical calculations are treated in the classroom portion of the course. The ionic reactions of cation groups are emphasized in the laboratory investigations.
Each student is expected to purchase a bound laboratory notebook and to have chemical splash type safety goggles and a scientific calculator. Included in course will be exploration of careers and history of the science.
Basis for Grades: Examinations, homework assignments and the results of laboratory work.
CHEMISTRY II, ORGANIC #2414(L)
1 semester, 1 credit.
Text: Fundamentals of Organic Chemistry, 4th Edition
Publisher: Brooks/Cole 1998
Prerequisites: Algebra II, Chemistry I and Chemistry II Analytic, or consent of the instructor.
Grade Level: 12
A Core 40 and Academic Honors Course
The classroom part of this course meets each Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday during the semester. Organic compounds are presented by functional group. Nomenclature, properties, preparations and reactions are emphasized.
The laboratory part of the course meets three to four hours on alternate weeks at times to be arranged. Laboratory techniques such as recrystallization, distillation and extraction are practiced, and some organic compounds are prepared.
Each student is expected to purchase a bound laboratory notebook and to have chemical splash type safety goggles and a scientific calculator. Included in course will be exploration of careers and history of the science.
Basis for Grade: Examinations, homework assignments and the results of laboratory work.
CHEMISTRY, ADVANCED PLACEMENT #2415 (L)
2 semesters, 1 credit each semester.
Text: Chemistry, 6th Ed.
Publisher: W.C. Brown McGraw-Hill 1998
Prerequisites: Algebra II, Chemistry I
Grade Level: 12
A Core 40 and Academic Honors Course
This advanced placement course is designed to prepare students to establish college credit in chemistry by taking the advanced placement examination administered by the College Entrance Examination Board. The level of difficulty and the pace of the course are equivalent to that of a standard first course in college chemistry.
Topics covered in the course include chemical calculations, atomic structure, chemical bonding, thermodynamics, kinetics, equilibrium, states of matter, chemical reactions, electrochemistry, and the descriptive chemistry of selected elements.
Approximately 150 minutes per week will be spent in the classroom and 100 minutes per week will be devoted to laboratory investigations.
Each student is expected to have chemical splash type safety goggles and a scientific calculator. Included in course will be exploration of careers and history of the science.
Basis for grades: Examinations, quizzes, homework, laboratory investigations and laboratory reports.
EARTH AND SPACE SCIENCE I #2420 (L)
2 semesters, 1 credit each semester.
Text: Modern Earth Science
Publisher: Holt, Rinehart & Winston 1998
Prerequisite: None
Grade Level: 9-12
A Core 40 Course
This survey laboratory course is aimed toward students interested in the humanities. This is also an elective course for tech prep students or any student interested in the geosciences.
Some upper-classmen who are good students will opt for the general-level course because it is an attractive elective. Several presentation projects, including web page building, video presentations, and oral reports, make this course appealing to future educators as well. An introductory treatment is given to the major realms - Astronomy, Atmospheric Science, Geology, and Oceanography - which constitute the subject matter for this course. Emphasis is given to understanding basic Earth materials and Earth-altering processes. Much of the work in the course involves laboratory exercises, student projects, and presentations. Great emphasis is placed upon applying Earth and Space Science to everyday life. The course is designed to be "user-friendly" and relevant. Included in course will be exploration of careers and history of the science.
EARTH AND SPACE SCIENCE, EARTH SYSTEMS #2422 (L)
2 semesters, 1 credit each semester.
Text: Applications & Investigations in Earth Science
Publisher: Prentice Hall 1997
Prerequisite: Algebra II (2134) (completed or currently registered) and one of the following science courses: Chemistry I (2410) or Physics I (2430) or Biology II (2404).
Grade Level: 11,12
A Core 40 and Academic Honors Course
Earth Systems is an elective course for upper-classmen who are interested in an interdisciplinary science course which takes a systems approach. Defined loosely, a System is a persistent, describable, and predictable arrangement of matte, energy, or both.
The discerning student will enjoy the challenging, introspective look at the connectedness among the four primary areas of study (astronomy, meteorology, geology, and oceanography) and with other realms of natural science (biology, chemistry, mathematics, and physics).
This course is attractive to future science majors, regardless of future career plans, because it greatly expands their science knowledge base - building on previous biology, chemistry, mathematics, and physics courses. This course also appeals to non-science
majors because it's not impossible for non-scientists to comprehend.
Several presentation projects, including web page building, video presentations, and oral reports, make this course appealing to future educators, as well.
A popular part of this course is the overnight field trip to Mammoth Cave, Kentucky. Included in course will be exploration of careers and history of the science.
PHYSICS I #2430 (L)
2 semesters, 1 credit each semester.
Text: Conceptual Physics (2006)
Publisher: Prentice Hall
Prerequisites: Algebra 1
Grade Level: 10-12
A Core 40 and Academic Honors Course
This course is an introduction to classical physics, including force, motion, energy, and momentum. Additional topics in waves, light, optics, electric and magnetic fields and electrical circuits will be studied as time allows. The course will concentrate on conceptual understanding through short answers, diagrams, and graphs and requires an understanding of algebra. Students will develop the ability to a) determine relevant measurements describing a physical system, b) plan and carry out experiments, c) analyze data graphically and mathematically, and d) apply the laboratory results to a broad range of situations including applications to technology and everyday life.
Supplies for this course include a protractor, a metric ruler, triangles, colored pencils, graph paper, a notebook, and a scientific calculator.
Basis for Grades: tests, quizzes, homework, written assignments, laboratory work, and class participation.
PHYSICS I HONORS #2435 (L) (Previously titled Physics I, Engineering and Sciences)
2 semesters, 1 credit each semester.
Text: Physics, 6th Edition
Publisher: Pearson/Prentice Hall 2005
Prerequisite: Chemistry I (2410) and Algebra II (2134); may be taking Algebra II Honors (2135) concurrently.
Grade Level: 11,12
A Core 40 and Academic Honors Course
This introductory physics course is designed for students who are interested in science and/or engineering, and is an algebra - based course with much attention given to problem solving. Approximately 20% of class time will be spent on laboratory activities. Reading and/or problem assignments will be made several nights each week.
The topics covered include kinematics, vectors, dynamics, circular motion, gravitation, work, energy, momentum, rotational motion, equilibrium, vibrations, waves, sound, electric change, electric field, electric energy, electric currents, DC circuits, magnetism, electromagnetic induction, Faraday's laws, light, geometric optics, wave nature of light, selected topics from relativity, quantum mechanics, nuclear energy, astrophysics, fluids, temperature, kinetic theory, heat, and thermodynamics. Students are required to have chemical splash type safety goggles and a scientific calculator. Included in course will be exploration of careers and history of the science.
Basis for Grades: Labs, homework, quizzes, exams, and class participation.
PHYSICS, ADVANCED PLACEMENT –C #2432 (L)
2 semesters, 1 credit each semester.
Text: University Physics, 11th Edition
Publisher: Pearson Education, Inc 2004
Prerequisite: Physics I Honors (2434) or permission of the instructor; Calculus, AP (completed or concurrently registered.)
Grade Level: 12
A Core 40 and Academic Honors Course
This Physics course 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 sequence is paralleled or preceded by mathematics courses that include calculus. Methods of calculus are used whenever appropriate in formulating physical principles and in applying them to physical problems. There is emphasis on analysis in the laboratory as well as in the classroom. The subject matter is principally mechanics, electricity, and magnetism. Laboratory experiences will be an integral part of the course. Included in course will be exploration of careers and history of the science.