Program of Studies Program of Studies 2019-2020 | Page 38

ADDITIONAL HONORS SCIENCE
COURSES
Students who have successfully completed an
honors science course or have been placed by
a science teacher and/or school counselor are
eligible for honors courses. Seniors who have
completed the graduation requirement in science
are also eligible for honors science courses.
Honors Chemistry
1 credit
Grades 10, 11 and 12
Prerequisites: placement by instructor, completion
of Algebra II is recommended but not required
Students will gain a strong foundation in the
fundamentals of chemistry through laboratory work
and problem-solving activities with an emphasis
on developing critical thinking skills. Properties of
matter, electronic structure, periodic properties, ionic
& molecular compounds, nomenclature, chemical
reactions, stoichiometry, and molecular structure
are studied in this course. This course requires very
strong algebra skills and is a prerequisite for AP
Chemistry.
Honors Forensics in Chemistry
0.5 credit
Grades 11 and 12
Prerequisite: Honors Chemistry
Explore advanced concepts in chemistry through the
use of forensics in this advanced chemistry course.
Over the course of the semester students will solve a
murder by solving one piece of the forensics case at a
time. This inquiry-based laboratory class builds upon
concepts learned in Honors Chemistry and introduces
students to nuclear chemistry, electrochemistry, and
organic chemistry.
Honors Physics
1 credit
Grades 10, 11 and 12
Prerequisites: placement by instructor, Algebra II
(may be taken concurrently)
This course seeks to expand students’ introduction
to and understanding of the first principles of
physics. Students will apply gained understanding
in complex, practical and relevant, physical problem
solving. The areas of focus for this yearlong course
are kinematics, dynamics, work, energy, power,
impulse and momentum, circular and rotational
motion, oscillation and periodic motion, gravitation,
thermodynamics, fluids, vibrations and waves,
electricity and magnetism, and optics. This course
requires strong algebra and trigonometry skills and
serves as a prerequisite for AP Physics.
Honors Introduction to Engineering
1 credit
Grades 11 and 12
Prerequisites: Honors Physics, Pre-Calculus (may
be taken concurrently), Honors Chemistry (may
be taken concurrently)
This rigorous introduction to the field of engineering
satisfies one requirement for the University of Maine
School of Engineering Articulation Agreement. The
course will expose students to the basic engineering
principles of four major fields of engineering:
mechanical, chemical/biomedical, electrical/computer,
and civil/environmental. Students will solve
complex, college-level engineering problems using
experimental, analytical, and/or numerical procedures.
A teamwork approach will be emphasized, and strong
math and physics skills are required.
AP SCIENCE COURSES
Students considering a college science major
or applying to highly selective post-secondary
institutions should consider completing one
or more AP science classes. Board-audited
curricula are designed to replicate the intensity
of introductory college science courses, and
include readings, assignments, labs and exams.
Students must be highly motivated and disciplined
independent workers.
AP Biology
2 credits (meets daily)
Grades 11 and 12
Prerequisites: Honors Biology, Honors Chemistry
and Algebra II
This course will cover college level biology topics and
labs. Among the units addressed will be chemistry of
life, cells, cell energetics, heredity, molecular genetics,
evolutionary biology, diversity of organisms, structure
and function of plants and animals, as well as ecology.
This course will be quantitative as well as reading-
intensive. Students will use critical thinking skills
to analyze data, solve problems and write extensive
papers. The goals are to provide a thematic conceptual
framework, modern biological knowledge, as well
as essential analytical skills for continued biological
research. All students are required to take the AP
exam.