Science

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To fulfill MHS graduation requirements, it is strongly advised that students complete one year of physical science and one year of life science. Departmental honors in Science will be rewarded to: Each senior who has earned seven or more semesters of “A” in science by the end of the first semester of their senior year.

(L) Denotes life science

(P) Denotes physical science

BIOLOGY (L) - GENERAL COURSE DESCRIPTION:  Biology is the study of the ten underlying themes of biological investigation.  Students will study the organization and interaction of living systems, cells, genetics, structure and function, regulation of living systems, the unity and diversity of life, change of life over time, scientific inquiry, and science technology and society.  THE STUDENT:  This laboratory course is designed for any student interested in a survey of the themes of life. (ST# 03051A000)

BIOLOGY 2 (ANATOMY & PHYSIOLOGY) (L) - GENERAL COURSE DESCRIPTION:  Anatomy and physiology is a year study of the various systems of the human body.  Dissection of the cat is an integral part of the course.  The course includes required textual reading and lectures, reading of current science journals and periodicals, and experiences in a laboratory setting.  THE STUDENT:  This laboratory course is designed as a college preparatory experience for the student planning a career choice that will involve biological training beyond the high school level. (ST# 03053A000)

AP BIOLOGY (L)  - GENERAL COURSE DESCRIPTION:  AP Biology is designed to be the equivalent of a college introductory biology course usually taken by biology majors during their first year.  The advanced placement class aims to provide students with the conceptual framework, factual knowledge, and analytical skills necessary to deal critically with the rapidly changing science of biology.  The two main goals of AP Biology are to help students develop a conceptual framework for modern biology and to help students gain an appreciation of science as a process.  Essential to this conceptual understanding are the following:  a grasp of science as a process rather than as an accumulation of facts; personal experience in scientific inquiry; recognition of unifying themes that integrate the major topics of biology; and application of biological knowledge and critical thinking to environmental and social concerns. Topics covered will include:  molecules and cells, heredity and evolution, and organisms and populations.  THE STUDENT:  This course is recommended for students who have excelled in both introductory biology and chemistry and plan on taking the AP Biology exam in preparation for a career choice that will involve biological training beyond the high school level.  (ST# 03056A000)

BOTANY (L) - GENERAL COURSE DESCRIPTION:  Botany is designed as a one-semester study of the biology of plants.  This lab course will include an evolutionary survey of the plant kingdom, the anatomy and physiology of plants, the role of plants within the ecosystem, and plant taxonomy and identification with a focus on local flora.  THE STUDENT:  This laboratory course is designed as a college preparatory experience for the student planning a career choice that will involve biological training beyond the high school level.  (ST# 03058A000)

CHEMISTRY (P) - GENERAL COURSE DESCRIPTION:  Chemistry is a laboratory course designed to provide the student with the concepts and processes that emphasize the structure or matter and the way it interacts in the physical world.  The course content includes:  qualitative and quantitative aspects of matter, atomic structure, periodic law, general chemical reactions, and measurement.  Student objectives and laboratory experiments are designed to help the student gain an understanding of chemical concepts and processes, to learn to use common laboratory equipment, and to collect and analyze laboratory data.  THE STUDENT:  The course is offered for students who desire to know more about the structure of matter and its relationship to the world.  Due to the nature and quantity of laboratory work involved in this class, it is important that students who take this course are able to maintain a good attendance record. (ST# 03101A000)

HONORS CHEMISTRY (P) - GENERAL COURSE DESCRIPTION:  All topics covered in Chemistry are completed at a faster pace and in more depth.  THE STUDENT:  Students preparing for a science related career or planning to take AP Chemistry, will profit most from this course.  The course is designed for high ability science students.  (ST#03102A000)

AP CHEMISTRY (P) - GENERAL COURSE DESCRIPTION:  AP Chemistry is a rigorous college level laboratory course covering specific content and processes as outlined by a national curriculum.  In addition to preparing for the AP exam, this class will offer a solid foundation for any student interested in pursuing a college degree in any science or related career (including medical & engineering).  THE STUDENT:  Students who have succeeded in chemistry and mathematics and are interested in science are encouraged to take this course.  Juniors may want to take this class immediately after taking Chemistry. (ST# 03106A000)

EARTH SCIENCE (P) - GENERAL COURSE DESCRIPTION:  Earth Science is a two semester high school lab science course designed to provide students with the concepts, processes, technology and career opportunities that relate to the earth and the universe around us.  The course will include topics in geology, oceanography, meteorology, and astronomy.  Students' objectives, activities, laboratory experiences, current earth science topics, computer topics, and presentation projects are designed to enhance student appreciation for the physical world we live on and how our planet fits into the rest of the known universe.  THE STUDENT:  This laboratory science course is designed for any student who is interested in learning about the earth and the universe around us.  (ST# 03001A000)

ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE (L)- GENERAL COURSE DESCRIPTION:  Environmental science is the study of the ecological relationships between energy, natural resources, and living things.  Throughout the year, students will study the biosphere, ecological relationships, energy, and natural resources.  The main focus of the course will be the effect of human activities and the consequences of human interactions in the biosphere.  Some other areas of study will be fieldwork, which involves outside activities to study the environment, current events, and real world application of concepts.  THE STUDENT:  This laboratory course is designed for any student who is interested in thoughtfully considering the impact of human activity on the environment and how living and nonliving things interact in natural systems on Earth to shape the future of  our planet.  (ST# 03003A000)

PHYSICAL SCIENCE (P)- GENERAL COURSE DESCRIPTION:  Physical Science will explore basic chemistry, physics, earth and space concepts.  This course will also incorporate career opportunities and technological design throughout the curriculum.  Emphasis will be placed on lab activities and investigations.  THE STUDENT:  This laboratory course is designed for any student who needs to increase their understanding of the physical world around them.  It is also intended for those who want to survey physical science topics before pursuing more in-depth coursework.  Students who have successfully completed chemistry and/or physics can only enroll in this course with teacher or counselor permission.  (ST# 03159A000)

PHYSICS FIRST (P)-GENERAL COURSE DESCRIPTION: Physics (First) is a 9th grade laboratory course that uses an inquiry-based approach to emphasize the science behind real world applications of electricity, motion, forces, energy, and more.  Hands-on explorations using math and technology are incorporated to gain well-rounded knowledge of physics concepts, laboratory experiences, problem solving, and other activities are designed to help students gain an understanding of physics concepts and develop skills related to science and engineering practices.  THE STUDENT:  Physics (First) is offered to the students who desire to know more about how physics principles and those relationships apply in the understanding of how the real world works. (ST#03151A000)

PHYSICS (P)- GENERAL COURSE DESCRIPTION:  Physics is a 10-12th grade laboratory course that uses an inquiry-based approach to emphasize the science behind real world applications of electricity, motion, forces, energy, and more.  Hands-on explorations using math and technology are incorporated to gain well-rounded knowledge of physics concepts, laboratory experiences, problem solving, and other activities are designed to help students gain an understanding of physics concepts and develop skills related to science and engineering practices.  THE STUDENT:  Physics is offered to the students who desire to know more about how physics principles and those relationships apply in the understanding of how the real world works. (ST#03151A000)

ADVANCED PHYSICS 2 (P) - GENERAL COURSE DESCRIPTION:  Advanced Physics 2 is a laboratory course designed to provide the student with the necessary foundation of concepts and processes including: kinematics, mechanics, thermodynamics, electromagnetism, and relativity, with a strong emphasis on problem solving and laboratory work. The course uses an algebra-based, college-level text.   Additional opportunities for expression of learned material will be provided through special projects.  THE STUDENT:  Advanced Physics 2 is designed as a preparatory experience for the student planning a career choice that will involve physical science education and/or training beyond the high school level.  (ST# 03152A000)