Students are introduced to the study of the human body’s structures and functions. A strong emphasis is placed on assimilating information, analyzing and interpretation of laboratory data and identification of imbalances. Coursework includes a variety of hands-on, practical application laboratory activities as well as three-four dissections of major organs and one organism. Fall topics include: homeostasis, transport and the circulatory, digestive, urinary, respiratory, integumentary, and immune systems. Spring topics include: the nervous, endocrine, skeletal, and muscular systems. Interactions between systems to maintain homeostasis is emphasized in all units.

Intended Audience: College-bound students who wish to pursue a degree in the field of biology or medicine.

Prerequisites: Biology I & Chemistry I with grades of 75 or better are recommended.
NOTE: Students must successfully complete Bio I and Chem I before enrolling in Anatomy & Physiology.

Students are introduced to the study of living organisms ant their interaction within ecosystems. Students learn to make scientific observations, gather and analyze data and use lab apparatus and materials in their investigation of living systems. Four major topics are studied over the 2 semesters: Energy in Living Systems, Continuity of Life, Diversity of Life and Balance in Living Systems.

Intended Audience: Students who need to complete their course work for TAKS preparation.

Prerequisites: None

The Advanced Placement or International Baccalaureate Biology course is designed to be the equivalent of a college introductory biology course usually taken by biology majors during their first year. AP Biology includes an intense laboratory program, which stresses data analysis. The college course in biology differs significantly from the usual first high school course in biology with respect to the kind of textbook used, the range and depth of topics covered, the kind of laboratory work done by students, and the time and effort required of students. Students are expected to read and study about 100 pages a week. Eight major themes will recur throughout the AP Biology course: Science as a Process, Evolution, Energy Transfer, Continuity & Change, Relationship of Structure to Function, Regulation, Interdependence in Nature, and Science, Technology and Society. (2 hour class)

Intended Audience: College-bound students who wish to obtain college credit in biology by successfully passing the AP exam.

Prerequisites: Biology I and Chemistry I

Current chemical/environmental/societal issues or controversial topics provide the framework and reasons to study chemical interactions between matter and energy. Hands-on activities and labs provide students with the opportunity to collect, analyze, and interpret laboratory data, and make evaluations concerning the unit topic. Topics studied include chemical reactions, solutions, metals and mineral resources, petroleum, food, air and climate, and nuclear chemistry. Strong math skills are a necessity for success in this course.

Intended Audience: College-bound students who may or may not major in science.

Prerequisites: Algebra I and Geometry with grades of 75 or better are recommended.

Students are introduced to the study of matter and energy and the interaction between them through hands-on activities and detailed problem solving. A strong emphasis in placed on the collection, analysis and interpretation of laboratory data. Topics studied include nomenclature, reactions, stoichiometry, bonding, solutions, kinetics, thermodynamics, nuclear, organic, and electrochemistry. Strong math skills are very important.

Intended Audience: College-bound students who intend to major in a science-related field.

Prerequisites: Algebra I & Geometry with grades of 75 or better are recommended.

The Advanced Placement Chemistry or International Baccalaureate course is designed to be the equivalent of a college introductory chemistry course usually taken by chemistry majors during their first year. Students continue their study of chemistry and solve more detailed and difficult problems. A strong emphasis is placed on laboratory activities. Topics studied include atomic structure, states of matter, nuclear chemistry, chemical reactions, thermodynamics, equilibrium, kinetics, acids and bases, organic, and electrochemistry. Strong math & study skills are critical. (2 hour class)

Intended Audience: College-bound students who wish to obtain college credit in chemistry by successfully passing the AP exam.

Prerequisites: Chemistry I or Honors Chemistry with a grade of 80 or better AND Pre-calculus or higher math concurrent enrollment.

Students are introduced to the basic components of ecosystems and examine human impact on them. First semester topics include biodiversity of living organisms, biomes, population, land use, waste and recycling. Second semester topics include atmosphere, climate, air pollution, water and water pollution, energy, and developing sustainable practices nationally, regionally and locally.

Intended Audience: Students who have completed the required TAKS science courses/ objectives & need another science credit.

Prerequisites: IPC and Biology I

The Advanced Placement Environmental Science course is designed to be the equivalent of a college level introductory environmental course. Aspects of many sciences are represented including geology, chemistry, biology and geography. Students gain the scientific principles, concepts and methodologies to understand the interrelationships of the natural world, to identify and analyze environmental problems both natural and man made, and to examine alternative solutions for resolving and preventing them. Topics studied: biodiversity of living organisms, biomes, population, geology, atmosphere, water, solid waste, recycling, pollution, impacts on human health, energy and sustainable use of resources.

Intended Audience: College-bound students who wish to obtain college credit by successfully passing the AP exam.

Prerequisites: Biology I & Chemistry I

Earth and Space Science is based on C17 system in space and time. The approach has three themes of Earth in space and time, solid Earth, and fluid Earth. In each theme are included the strands of systems, energy and relevance. Natural and human events and their effect on Earth's systems will be studied within the context of the three themes and strands.

Intended Audience: Students who have completed the required TAKS science courses/objectives and need another science credit.

Prerequisites: IPC and Biology I

Students are introduced to the basics of physics and chemistry and how the two fields of science are related. An emphasis on collaboration between students accompanies the laboratory program. Topics of study include: motion and forces, electricity and magnetism, waves and sound, light and optics, nature of matter, acids and bases, the periodic table, and alternative energy sources. Basic algebra skills are useful for calculations.

Intended Audience: Students who need to complete their course work for TAKS preparation.

Prerequisites: None

Students are introduced to the study of matter and energy and the interaction between them through hands-on activities. A strong emphasis is placed on the collection, analysis and interpretation of laboratory data. Topics studied include: motion, forces, work and energy, momentum, waves, optics, magnetism and electricity.

Intended Audience: College-bound students who may or may not major in science.

Prerequisites: Successful completion of Geometry with a grade of 75 or better is recommended and concurrent enrollment in Algebra II.

Students are introduced to the study of matter and energy and the interaction between them through hands-on activities and detailed problem solving. A strong emphasis is placed on the collection, analysis and interpretation of laboratory data along with equation derivations. Topics studied include: motion, forces, work and energy, momentum, gravitation, harmonic motion, waves, and electricity and magnetism.

Intended Audience: College-bound students who intend to major in a science-related field.

Prerequisites: Successful completion of Geometry & Algebra II with grades of 75 or better are recommended & concurrent enrollment in Pre-calculus or higher math.

The Advanced Placement Physics course is designed to be the equivalent of a college introductory physics course usually taken by non-science majors during their first year. Students continue their study of physics and solve more detailed and difficult problems using algebra and trigonometry. Lecture is the method of instruction with a strong emphasis on student-generated laboratory activities. Topics studied include: mechanics, thermal, electricity and magnetism, waves & optics, atomic & nuclear, & fluids.

Intended Audience: College-bound students who wish to obtain college credit in physics for non-engineering majors by successfully passing the AP exam.

Prerequisites: Physics I or Honors Physics I AND Pre-calculus or higher concurrent enrollment.

The Advanced Placement Physics course is designed to be the equivalent of a college introductory physics course usually taken by science or engineering majors during their first year. Students continue their study of physics and solve more detailed and difficult problems using. Lecture is the method of instruction with a strong emphasis on student-generated laboratory activities. Topics studied include: mechanics, electricity and magnetism.

Intended Audience: College-bound students who wish to obtain college credit in physics for engineering or physics majors by successfully passing the AP exam.

Prerequisites: Honors Physics AND Calculus or higher math concurrent enrollment.

This course allows students to explore science while improving fundamental research skills, statistical analysis and enhancing oral and visual presentation techniques. Each student develops his/her own independent science research project and learns how to structure, organize, publish, and present the project in one or more formal presentations and competitions.

Intended Audience: College bound students who wish to do research. Students who wish to do a science fair project, will be able to develop & perform their experiment during class time.

Prerequisites: Biology and Chemistry