Science

In the first quarter the students cover the introductory topics of astronomy and the solar system. Special emphasis is placed on the objects visible within the solar system for that particular quarter. The second quarter of Astronomy covers stellar evolution, galaxies, and Big Bang Theory. Again, special emphasis is placed upon the deep space objects visible for that particular quarter. Astronomy meets three times per week in the classroom and one night per week at the Speer-Lyell Observatory. After taking this course the students will be well prepared to enter their selected first-year college astronomy course.  

This course is designed to introduce students into the exciting world of biology by developing an understanding of how the scientific method works and discussing the major disciplines within biology, including cell structure and function, genetics, organismal biology and taxonomy, ecology, evolution, and climate change. Biology is a lab-centered course where students will actively collaborate with each other. After a successful completion of this course, students will be able to understand the current theories of the origin and evolution of life, describe the basic chemical principles and how they affect living things, contrast cell structure and function between prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells (with a deeper discussion into plant, animal, and fungal cells), identify key processes through cellular respiration and photosynthesis, describe the structures of DNA and RNA and how that translates into genetic inheritance, discuss the diversity, classification, and characteristics of viruses, prokaryotes, protists, fungi, plants, and animals, understand aspects of sexual health and review the fundamentals of reproductive biology, and develop an understanding with respect to how climate change affects our state, region, and ecosystems globally.  

Both biology and chemistry are prerequisites.

Biotechnology will introduce students to various laboratory techniques used in modern biotechnology research.  
The course has five major objectives:(1) understand the theory behind techniques such as restriction digestion and gel electrophoresis analysis, transformation and plasmid purification, polymerase chain reaction, and ELISA; (2) learn how to locate and read primary scientific literature with particular emphasis on the methodology used by the researchers to answer their research questions; (3) understand what a standard operating procedure is and how to use one; (4) demonstrate mastery of biotechnology laboratory techniques; and (5) discuss ethical issues related to modern biotechnology research. Biotechnology will be a largely hands-on class. We will discuss various techniques as a class along with their application in research.  Students will then be given standard operating procedures along with materials for each technique discussed and will be expected to independently troubleshoot the procedure until it is mastered. 

This course is designed to educate students by reinforcing the fundamental concepts of chemistry through an inquiry-based method; students will gain an appreciation for and understanding of chemical interactions occurring in our everyday lives. Topics include matter, atomic structure, analysis of the periodic table and patterns that exist, bonding types, chemical naming and formula creation, composition and reaction stoichiometry, states of matter, acids and bases, gases and gas laws, and nuclear chemistry. This course contains a laboratory component in which students learn through direct interaction and observation in the lab, measuring, planning and reinforcing principles of the scientific method. A great emphasis lies on learning to work independently in small groups and on learning responsible behavior in the laboratory. At the conclusion of this course, students will be able to use appropriate terminology relating to physical chemistry, compare and contrast elements and chemical bonds through analysis of the periodic table, discuss the fundamentals of chemistry (e.g., stoichiometry, gas laws, Lewis structures, electronic configuration, and chemical reactions), and understand how to properly read chemical labels on food and medical labels.

Robotics and Engineering will be split into two independent courses for fall and spring.  It is not necessary to take one before the other.  During the fall, we will be focusing on coding.  To introduce coding, we will be learning Python which is currently one of the most popular programming languages.  This will be an introductory, problem-based course where you will learn about logic and how computers can be used to help with everyday problems.  You do not need any programming experience.  In this course, we will focus on data types, for and while loops, if/else statements.  For students who have beyond a basic understanding of coding, you will be able to move through projects at your own pace and solve higher level problems.  

Robotics and Engineering will be split into two independent courses for fall and spring.  It is not necessary to take one before the other. During the spring, we will focus on building a small robot and learning how to control our robot through various methods.  You will have the opportunity to learn two platforms: Arduino and Raspberry Pi.  While there is some coding involved with each, you will be working in groups where the building and coding can be done as a team.  Some may be more geared toward one or the other and that is fine.  Engineering is a team effort.  Additionally, you will learn about electrical engineering and mechanical engineering and about the Engineering Design Process.  You will also have the opportunity to design your own project and solve your own projects as a group.

History of Science is a course designed to apprise students of the impact of scientific inquiry on society throughout history. Through an ethics lens, students will examine topics across several disciplines of the life and physical sciences such as the authorship of publications and peer review, treatment of animal and human subjects in research, conflicts of interest, public health hazards and disasters, and scientific literacy. This course will be offered to rising juniors and seniors in the spring semester of each academic year and will coordinate with current courses that meet ethics requirements to ensure an equitable standard across curricula.

Physics is a survey of a broad range of topics. The main concepts include Newtonian mechanics, thermodynamics, waves & optics, electromagnetism, and modern physics. Hands-on experiments are incorporated to enhance these concepts. Students have the option of taking AP Physics 1 as a follow-up course the next year.After a successful completion of this course, students will have an understanding of the scientific method and how engineers utilize this method to develop ideas. Students will have a better understanding of the world around them including ideas such as gravity, sound, color and light, and basic electricity. More importantly, students who take physics have a deeper understanding of problem solving that extends well beyond the realm of science.

Sociology is literally the study of society and its behavior. The topics to be covered in this semester-length elective are: sociology’s origins and development, various sociological theories, and current sociological issues. The content for the course will be built by both the teacher and the students. The goal of the class is to familiarize the students with the discipline of sociology and to encourage students to become problem solvers in their communities.

Zoology provides students with an introduction into the animal kingdom by building upon key concepts in biological sciences, and focusing on the natural history, taxonomy, and conservation of vertebrate and invertebrate animals. Students will cover a myriad of topics, including understanding scientific taxonomy, comparing and contrasting morphological and physiological differences across the animal kingdom, and analyzing native animal phyla in an interactive manner. Available to juniors and seniors, this elective would be available as a single-semester course offered in the spring of each year. In addition to field excursions and lab-based activities throughout the semester, students will each have a dedicated project relating to understanding and appreciating native animals. This would provide students not only with an understanding of the animal clades found within the southeastern United States, but also better prepare students for future undergraduate courses in postsecondary educational institutions.