Urbana High School – Science Electives Course Descriptions 2015-2016 School Year
AP Environmental Science : This course will engage the student in exploring a wide-range of environmental topics including Ecology, Biodiversity, Human Population Growth, Earth Resources, Alternative Energy, Pollution Reduction, Environmental Law and Economics and Climate Change. It is an all-inclusive course that provides a sound foundation for your continued stewardship of our planet. Students can earn college credit by examination.
Environmental Science: This laboratory course provides a comprehensive study of ecological concepts and environmental issues that extend the Maryland Environmental Education Bylaw. The course is designed for all levels after completion of Biology.
AP Chemistry: This is a two semester course. Students may earn college credit by examination. This course provides students with the conceptual framework, knowledge, and analytical skills necessary to deal critically with the science of chemistry. Both short- and long-term laboratory investigations are an integral part of the curriculum. The AP Chemistry topic outline includes: atomic theory, quantum mechanics, atomic and molecular structures, chemical bonding, kinetics, thermodynamics, equilibrium, solution chemistry, periodicity, and the laws for phases of matter. Prerequisites: algebra 2, honors chemistry
AP Physics 1 – Students may earn college credit for introductory college physics by examination. This pre- calculus based course provides the conceptual framework, knowledge, and analytical skills necessary to deal critically with the science of physics. Laboratory investigations and multi-step problem solving are an integral part of the course. The laws of one and two dimensional motion, momentum, work, power, energy, waves and vibrations, sound and simple harmonic motion are studied in depth. The physics of rotating bodies, electric charge, and direct current circuits are introduced. Prerequisite: algebra 2
AP Physics 2 – Students may earn college credit for introductory college physics by examination. . This pre- calculus based course provides the conceptual framework, knowledge, and analytical skills necessary to deal critically with the science of physics. Laboratory investigations and multi-step problem solving are an integral part of the course. This course follows AP Physics 1. Fluid mechanics, thermodynamics, electric charge and electric fields, direct current circuits, electromagnetic induction, optics, and atomic and nuclear physics are studied in depth. Prerequisite: AP Physics 1, Algebra 2
AP Physics C Mechanics – Students may earn college credit for calculus based introductory college physics by examination. This calculus based course provides the conceptual framework, knowledge, and analytical skills necessary to deal critically with the science of physics. The course is designed for individuals pursuing engineering, architecture, computer science, or other physics-related careers. Laboratory investigations and multi-step problem solving are an integral part of the course. The curriculum delves deeply into translational and rotational Newtonian mechanics, and covers gravitation and oscillations. Prerequisite: Physics I, Algebra-Based Physics, or AP Physics 1. Co-requisite: AP Calculus
AP Physics C Electricity & Magnetism – Students may earn college credit for introductory calculus based college physics by examination. This calculus based course provides the conceptual framework, knowledge, and analytical skills necessary to deal critically with the science of physics. The course is designed for individuals pursuing engineering, architecture, computer science, or other physics-related careers. Laboratory investigations and multi-step problem solving are an integral part of the course. This course follows AP Physics C Mechanics. The curriculum delves deeply into electrostatics, electric fields, electrical circuits, magnetostatics, electromagnetism, and induction. Prerequisite: AP Physics C Mechanics. Co-requisite: AP Calculus
Physics with Applications – This is a merit level introductory course that introduces the topics in AP Physics 1 (above). Emphasis is given to students learning basic physics through laboratory investigations, projects, and applications of physics to real world situations. Prerequisite: algebra 1
Earth Science Systems Research: This honors level weighted course provides an opportunity for 11th and 12th grade students to engage in a full time Earth System Research project without leaving the school campus. Topics include Meteorology, Geology, Oceanography, and Cryology. We explore the land, atmosphere and oceans. It is conducted with real-time online datasets from NASA, NOAA, USGS and other academic datasets.
Forensics Science: This course is for all levels and provides students with a laboratory based elective which unifies many science contents around the principles of preserving and examining evidence and developing leads in the context of civil or criminal proceedings. Forensics methodologies, identification of human as well as non-human evidence along with the proper collection and handling of evidence at the crime scene will be explored. Prerequisites: biology, chemistry
AP Biology – This two semester course is designed to be equivalent to introductory college level biology. Students can earn college credit by examination. Students will engage in hands-on standard and inquiry-based labs. Broad topics include Biochemistry, Cells and Processes, Genetics, Biotechnology, Microbiology, Evolution, Plant Science, Ecology, and Body Systems. Dissections of various organisms will supplement these topics as well as field trips to a research lab and to view open heart surgery. Students will be expected to access the online version of the textbook to complete multiple assignments. A strong knowledge of Chemistry and Edmodo is highly recommended. Prerequisites: biology, chemistry