Science

The curriculum of the Science Department has been designed in view of the school’s policy of providing a strong foundation of education suitable to the student’s present needs, interests, and future development. To that end, the science faculty has prepared a program of study and laboratory work that will instill, in each student, basic scientific knowledge. In addition, the science department has adopted a STEM curriculum into all of its courses.  Anatomy and Physiology, Biology II Honors AP Chemistry II Honors AP, Forensics, Physics, Physics Honors, Physics Honors AP 1 and 2, and Physics of Technology are elective courses and may be scheduled only with the permission of a student’s science teacher and the approval of the Science Department Chairperson.

Courses:

Physical Science Physical Science

Physical Science

This is a survey of the fundamental principles of physics and chemistry, the metric system, the scientific method, descriptive chemistry, force, motion, heat, light, electrical energy, organic chemistry, and the periodic table. Physical science serves to prepare students for future work in biology, chemistry, and physics.

Physical Science Honors

This course is taken by students whose academic record and science background indicate the ability to work at an advanced level at either the eighth grade level or the freshman level The course covers the same topics as physical science with enrichment activities and additional laboratory work to prepare students for future work in advanced science courses.

Biology

Biology

This course utilizes traditional classroom techniques to study living organisms from the simplest to the most complex. The objective of the course is to bring the student to a clearer understanding of the significance of life and the balance of nature via the study of the interrelationship of living things and their environmental adaptations. Students will be introduced to microscope work, lab procedures, and dissections.

Biology Honors

This course is taken by those students whose academic record and science background indicate the ability to work at an advanced level. The course covers the same topics as biology in more depth and includes enrichment activities and additional laboratory work and dissections.

Biology II Honors AP

This course shifts from a traditional “content coverage” model of instruction to one that focuses on enduring, conceptual understandings and the content that supports them. This approach will enable students to spend less time on factual recall and more time on inquiry-based learning of essential concepts and will help them develop the reasoning skills necessary to engage in the science practices. Topics in this course include the process of evolution driving the diversity and unity of life; biological systems utilizing free energy and molecular building blocks to grow, to reproduce, and to maintain dynamic homeostasis; living systems storing, retrieving, transmitting, and responding to information essential to life processes; biological systems interacting, and these systems and their interactions possessing complex properties. Students must have a credit in Biology Honors. Students will be expected to take the AP Exam in the spring. Prerequisite: Chemistry.

Earth Science

Earth Science

This is a survey of the principles of Earth Science. Content includes the processes that have changed the earth throughout its history: plate tectonics and volcanic activity as well as mineralogy, oceanography, astronomy, and meteorology. Course work includes technology-based lessons and lab work as well as traditional classroom instruction.

Chemistry

Chemistry

This is a basic course in general inorganic chemistry. Major topics include atomic structure, periodicity of elements, chemical reactions, molecular interactions, and the nature of matter. Students will be introduced to proper lab safety, material handling, and lab procedures to prepare them for the college experience. Prerequisites: Algebra I and Geometry

Chemistry Honors

This course is taken by those students whose academic record and science background indicate the ability to work at an advanced level. The course covers the same topics as chemistry and includes additional material and laboratory work. Prerequisites: Algebra I and Geometry

Chemistry II Honors AP

This course is an elective course in which students will attain a depth of understanding of fundamentals and a reasonable competence in dealing with chemical problems. The course should contribute to the development of the students’ abilities to think clearly and to express their ideas, orally and in writing. This course is a combination of classroom lecture, laboratory investigation, and outside classroom work by the student. Topics include structure of matter, states of matter, reactions, and the math calculations that accompany each major topic. Students must have a credit in Chemistry Honors. Students will be expected to take the AP Exam in the spring.

Anatomy & Physiology Anatomy & Physiology

Anatomy and Physiology

This is a full-year elective course that presents a survey of the structure and function of the human body. Topics will include the basic plan and organization of the body, biochemistry, homeostasis, cell structure and function, histology, embryology, and an in-depth study of each of the organ systems and their interrelationships (integumentary, skeletal, muscular, cardiovascular, digestive, respiratory, endocrine, nervous, lymphatic, immune, urinary, and reproductive systems.) The course will involve significant amounts of lab work in addition to traditional classroom instruction. Concurrent enrollment in physics is required. Prerequisites: Strong academic performance in Biology and Chemistry

Environmental Science

Environmental Science

Environmental Science is a course that surveys environmental science and policy issues, including ecology, engineering, geology, geography, law, economics, philosophy, and sociology.  The course will include laboratory experiments and fieldwork in order to provide hands-on experience. Students will explore environmental topics specific to Louisiana with a focus on coastal land loss and coastal restoration.

Fundamentals of Food Science

Fundamentals of Food Science

Fundamentals of Food Science is a course that focuses on how food goes from a crop to the point where the consumers buy and use these products. This course identifies fundamental biological, chemical, and physical scientific principles associated with the study of foods; topics include food composition and nutrition, food additives and regulations, food safety and toxicology, food processing, food engineering, food biotechnology, product development, and sensory evaluation.

Physics

Physics

This course is a survey of major topics in classical and modern physics: mechanics; heat; wave motion; light; electromagnetism; kinetic; atomic and nuclear theories. Course work involves laboratory exercises as well as regular classroom instruction. All Students are required to enroll in Physics. Prerequisite: Chemistry

Physics Honors

This course is a survey of major topics in classical and modern physics: mechanics; heat; wave motion; light; electromagnetism; kinetic, atomic and nuclear theories. Course work involves laboratory exercises as well as regular classroom instruction. Prerequisite: Chemistry Honors

Physics Honors AP C

This is an elective course in which explores concepts such as electrostatics, conductors, capacitors and dielectrics, electric circuits, magnetic fields, and electromagnetism. You’ll do hands-on laboratory work and in-class activities to investigate phenomena and use calculus to solve problems. Students must have a credit in Chemistry Honors and Physics Honors. Students will be expected to take the AP Exam in the spring.

Physics of Technology I

This half-year elective course is an introduction to engineering that addresses topics relevant to those students interested in pursuing a career in engineering. This survey includes the study of the typical engineering curricula and addresses topics such as basic engineering math, introduction to problem solving techniques, engineering ethics, communication skills, and engineering study techniques. An overview of the respective disciplines of engineering is included in the course. Concurrent enrollment in physics is required. Prerequisites: Algebra II and Chemistry

Helpful Links: Collapse

Helpful Links:

Succeed in Physical Science
This is an online textbook for those who need extra help in Physical Science. Biology Online
This is an online tutorial/dictionary. High School Chemistry Resources
This site contains numerous links to Chemistry related topics. The Physics Classroom
This is an online classroom with physics lessons, multimedia resources, and quizzes to test your knowledge and understanding.