Bogota Junior/Senior High School
Bogota, New Jersey
Science Department
COURSE GUIDE
2006-2008
INTRODUCTION TO PHYSICAL SCIENCE FULL YEAR 5 CREDITS
Prerequisite: None
Grade: 9 - 12
Physical Science is the first in the sequence of high school science courses. It provides a semester of introductory chemistry and a semester of introductory physics. Laboratory investigations are emphasized so that students gain practice in problem solving and the communication of laboratory findings. This course is fundamental to achieving scientific literacy, and to achieving success in other science courses provided at Bogota High School. This course also adheres to the Core Content Curriculum Standards. Recently a section of Earth Science (Oceanography and Weather) was added to the IPS course. This would give the students greater science literacy and touch upon 2 major sections of Science (Physical and Earth Science).
BIOLOGY I – HONORS FULL YEAR 6 CREDITS
Prerequisite: Teacher Recommendation and successful completion of 7th and 8th grade math and science courses.
Grades: 9 or 10
Honors Biology is designed for the very motivated student with a special interest in science that is ready to commit extra time to extensive independent work. This course encompasses all areas of the general biology course, but in significantly greater depth. There is special emphasis in the fields of cell biology, human physiology, genetics, biotechnology, and microbiology. Laboratory investigations are emphasized and an extra laboratory period is required during the school week. This course adheres to the New Jersey Core Content Standards.
BIOLOGY I FULL YEAR 5 CREDITS
Prerequisite: Successful completion of Physical Science.
Grades: 9-12
Biology is a course designed to provide general knowledge of the structural and functional patterns of living organisms. The major emphasis is in the field of Genetics. Students also develop an understanding of environmental problems. Biological concepts are used to evaluate actions taken to improve daily life. The students are expected to develop research skills and improve their ability to investigate problems scientifically. This course adheres to New Jersey Core Content Standards.
Prerequisite: Successful completion of Introduction to Physical Science.
Biology I is a non-lab course designed to provide general knowledge of structural and functional patterns of living organisms.
BIOLOGY – AP FULL YEAR 5 CREDITS
Prerequisite: Successful completion of Biology I Honors and Chemistry Honors
Grades: 11 and 12
Biology-AP is designed for highly motivated students who have a desire to pursue college level Biology in a high school setting. College credit for the successful completion of this course will be granted on attaining a score of at least ‘4’ on the national AP test in Biology.
CHEMISTRY FULL YEAR 6 CREDITS
Prerequisite: Successful completion of Biology and either Algebra I or Geometry
Grades: 10-12
Chemistry is a full-year laboratory course, which provides students with a working knowledge of atomic theory, chemical periodicity, the mole concept, and energy changes in chemical reactions. Extensive laboratory work and problem solving are used to develop understanding of equilibrium, rates of reaction, and oxidation-reduction. This course is recommended for students anticipating careers in the sciences, medicine, or engineering. It is also the appropriate course for college bound, liberal arts students hoping for acceptance at a competitive college. This course is part of a science sequence that includes biology and physics. This course adheres to the New Jersey Core Content Standards.
CHEMISTRY – HONORS FULL YEAR 6 CREDITS
Prerequisite: Successful completion of Biology, and either Algebra I or Geometry
Grades: 10-12
Honors Chemistry is a full year course, which provides students with a working knowledge of atomic theory, chemical periodicity, the mole concept, and energy changes in chemical reactions. Extensive laboratory work and problem solving are used to develop understanding of equilibrium, rates of reaction, and oxidation-reduction. This course is recommended for students anticipating careers in the sciences, medicine, or engineering. It is also the appropriate course for college bound, liberal arts students hoping for acceptance at a competitive college. This course is part of a science sequence that includes biology and physics. This course encompasses all areas of the general chemistry course, but in significantly greater depth. This course adheres to the New Jersey Core Content Standards.
CHEMISTRY IN THE COMMUNITY FULL YEAR 5 CREDITS
Prerequisite: Successful completion of Biology and Algebra I and have either completed Geometry or plan to take Geometry concurrently with Chemistry.
Grades: 10-12
Chemistry in the Community is a full-year laboratory course, which provides the student with the opportunity to study the same topics as in Chemistry, but with a more descriptive approach than Chemistry. Laboratory work and problem solving are also emphasized as the route to achieving real competence in these aspects of the discipline of chemistry. This course is provided for the science student who finds mathematical concepts more difficult; therefore, the mathematical aspects are approached with more review. This course adheres to the New Jersey Core Content Standards.
BIOLOGY II - HONORS FULL YEAR 6 CREDITS
Prerequisite: Successful completion of Biology and Chemistry.
Grades: 10-12
Admission is through teacher recommendation and approval by the department supervisor. Students who are presently in Honors Chemistry, and have maintained a B or better in each quarter and on the midterm exam, are admitted automatically should they elect to take this course.
This course will investigate the structure and physiology of the nine organ systems of the human body. Laboratory experiments include work with cells and tissues, comparative anatomical dissections and observations of various mammals. The text material contains a wide range of topics and general information that is relevant to the health and well being of students. A research report and/or project on some aspect of human anatomy and physiology is a course requirement. Biology II is coordinated with the New Jersey Core Content Standards.
Prerequiste: Successful completion of Algebra I Honors credits
Grades: 9th Proposed course for Fall 2007
This course is a Pilot Initiative to expose 9th grade students to the study of Physics on the heels of successful completion of a year of study in Algebra. Students will learn all of the material in the standard Physics course already offered, though the target audience will be Freshmen students only. Successful implementation of this course may lead to not only Physics First for all students, but also Algebra First for all students.
PHYSICS FULL YEAR 6 CREDITS
Prerequisite: Successful completion of Algebra II or Trigonometry with a minimum Grade of B. In some cases, students study Trigonometry and Physics concurrently.
Grades: 12
While physics is essential for students anticipating careers in the sciences, it is also strongly recommended for all college bound students in order to complete their understanding of the basic sciences. Physics is the science most easily observed in everyday applications. Physics is vital for students who are interested in pursuing any phase of science, including engineering, medicine, the pure sciences, astronomy and environment, and atomic structure. Classroom demonstrations and laboratory work reinforce the aforementioned topics. This class serves as a problem-solving, laboratory-based background for all future science studies and is coordinated with the New Jersey Core Content Standards.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE FULL YEAR 5 CREDITS
Prerequisite: Successful completion of Physical Science and Biology.
Grades: 10-12
This course is designed for students who have an interest in environmental issues and solutions. The course offers the opportunity for students to gain an understanding of current local and global environmental issues and to debate proposed solutions. An understanding of the interrelationships between all elements of ecosystems will be gained. Students will have the opportunity to explore and investigate the local environment and develop plans for improvement. Students work independently and in groups to learn about all relevant components of environmental issues and develop proposed plans of action. The students develop a personal agenda by which they “think globally, act locally”. This course adheres to the New Jersey Core Content Standards.