Science
The goal of the Villa Maria Academy science department is to expose students to a variety of sciences and science careers to widen their appreciation of the world around them. We find it important to have hands on experiences and real life examples to further the understanding of what the scientific world entails. We strive to push our students in all aspects in order to prepare them for their college years including note taking skills, laboratory skills, application of theories, and analysis of scientific principles. Integrated Science, Biology, Chemistry, and a fourth year of science of the student’s choice is the pathway of our students take. Honors and academic levels are offered for all of our core courses and also for most of our electives. We also offer AP level electives.
REQUIREMENTS: - 4 credits of Science
GANNON UNIVERSITY ARTICULATION AGREEMENT: Upon matriculation at Gannon University, students can earn 3 credits (BIOL 139) when they earn a B (85%) or better in the following classes: lntegrated Science H, Biology H, Chemistry H, and Biology 2 AP or Physics1 H and Physics 2 H.
INTEGRATED SCIENCE H # 1734
INTEGRATED SCIENCE A # 1744 Grade level: 9 Credit: 1.0
The focus of this course is to provide students with a foundation upon which to build throughout their years at Villa. This course connects one area of science to another; it also relates science to technology, society, and other disciplines. Units of study include introductory level instruction in Chemistry, Biology, Earth Science, Physics and Astronomy. Students will be involved in laboratory activities, cooperative learning activities, and critical thinking exercises. Emphasis will be placed on students developing their ability to think, learn, and solve problems. The Honors course requires a higher level of reading comprehension, and higher level thinking skills are employed in all facets of the course. Much more independent work is expected of the Honors students.
BIOLOGY H # 2714
BIOLOGY A # 2724 Grade level: 10 Credit: 1.0
This course is required for Sophomores and covers the study of cellular structure and functions, genetic principles, evolution, a survey of the six kingdoms of organisms, and ecology. There is an emphasis on laboratory, hands-on experiences. Lecture, discussion, and projects are also components of the course. In the honors level, the material is covered in more detail, more independent work is expected, including written work and critical thinking.
Prerequisite for Biology H: 85% in Integrated Science H or 93% in Integrated Science A with Department approval.
CHEMISTRY H # 3714
CHEMISTRY A # 3724 Grade level: 11 Credit: 1.0
This course satisfies the Junior science requirement. In this course students will apply the basic concepts in chemistry to everyday life. This course includes lecture, discussion, reading, problem solving, calculations, research based projects, and laboratory experiences, enabling students to learn many concepts through the discovery process and scientific method. Topics include: SI units, significant figures, graphing, dimensional analysis, matter and its properties, atomic structure and bonding, naming and writing formulas, balancing equations, moles and stoichiometry, behavior of gases, solutions, acids, bases and salts, mixtures, chemical behavior in reactions, analysis of energy sources and heat transfers and basic organic chemistry. The Honors level course will explore topics including oxidation-reduction, and acids and bases, and organic and biochemistry more in depth than the Academic level course.
Prerequisites for Chemistry H: integrated Science, 85% in Biology H or 93% in Biology A, and 85% in Algebra H or 93% in Algebra A and 85 % in Geometry H or Department approval.
BIOLOGY 2 AP # 5794 Grade level: 12 Credit: 1.0
This is a comprehensive course designed to be the equivalent of an introductory college level biology course. AP Biology aims to provide students with the conceptual framework, factual knowledge, and analytical skills necessary to deal critically with the rapidly evolving field of biology. The areas of study include: molecular and cellular biology, genetics, ecology, evolution, plant and animal anatomy and physiology. Primary emphasis is placed on developing an understanding of concepts; essential to this conceptual understanding are: scientific inquiry, recognition of unifying themes that integrate the major topics in biology, application of biological knowledge, and critical thinking applied to environmental and societal concerns. The Biology AP exam may be taken in May. The cost of the test is approximately $90.
Prerequisites: 93% in Biology H and Teacher Approval
ENVIRONMENTAL CHALLENGES #7762 Grade levels: 11-12 Credit: 0.50
This class is taught every other year. It will be offered in 2012-13
This is a semester course focused on environmental issues and problems. The topics of focus include: environmental problems in a social context, ecological principles and their application, energy including alternative energy, resources including water, air, and land, and pollution and policy. A text will be used as well as articles addressing issues and topics. Field experiences and laboratory exercises will provide valuable exploration of these ecological and environmental topics. The interacting influences of history, religion, economics, science and technology, society and government on the environment will be studied and analyzed through lecture and discussion. Students taking this course for Honors credit will sign a contract during the first week of class.
Prerequisites: Earth Space Science/Integrated Science and Biology. Chemistry can be taken at the same time.
FORENSIC SCIENCE #7782 Grade levels: 11-12 Credit: 0.50
This class is taught every other year. It will be offered in 2013-14
Forensics uses science to assess and evaluate crime scene scenarios. This class will integrate knowledge and lab skills from Earth Science, Biology and Chemistry and put them into a real world scenario. Forensic Science class will give students the opportunity to immerse themselves in this popular topic. Students taking this course for Honors credit will sign a contract during the first week of class.
Prerequisites: Earth Space Science/lntegrated Science, Biology and Chemistry with Department
approval.
PHYSICS 1 H # 6732 Grade level: 12 Credit: 0.50
Physics is the science of energy and motion. Physics 1 introduces mechanics, which is the study of the motion of physical bodies. Students will use conceptual and mathematical models to describe and explain different types of motion. It is highly recommended that a student pursuing a science career take both semesters of Physics H.
Prerequisites: 85% in Algebra 2 H, 85% in Precalculus/Trigonometry H or 93% in Trigonometry A or Department approval. (Precalculus /Trigonometry may be taken concurrently.)
PHYSICS 2 H # 6742 Grade level: 12 Credit: 0.50
This course introduces the various divisions of physics, building on the concepts from Physics I. Topics include: mechanical energy, waves, optics, acoustics, electrostatics, electricity, magnetism, and modern physics.
Prerequisites: 85% in Physics 1 H or Department approval.
PHYSICS 1 A # 5782 Grade level: 12 Credit: 0.50
This is a conceptual survey course of physics. The mathematical emphasis is minimal. Topics include: motion, forces, energy, waves, acoustics, optics, and electricity. Practical applications are stressed.
Prerequisites: Algebra 1, Integrated Science, Biology and Chemistry with Department approval.
PHYSICS 2 A # 6762 Grade level: 12 Credit: 0.50
This is a conceptual survey course of physics. The mathematical emphasis is minimal. Topics include: motion, forces, energy, waves, acoustics, optics, and electricity. Practical applications are stressed.
Prerequisites: Algebra 1, Integrated Science, Biology and Chemistry with Department approval. Physics 1A is recommended.
PHYSIOLOGY H # 6722 Grade levels: 11-12 Credit: 0.5
This honors level course is designed for students interested in pursuing a medically-related career. The course focuses on the biochemistry of cellular processes, as well as the functions of body cells and tissues. The course takes a systems approach to studying physiology and pathology of the body systems. You will learn the functions, and dysfunctions of the human body by studying structures and processes at a variety of levels including the molecular, cellular, tissue, organ and organ system level.
Prerequisites: Earth Space Science or Integrated Science; 85% in Biology H or 93% in Biology A. or department approval. Chemistry may be taken at the same time
SAT/ACT PREP # 5422 Grade levels: 10-12 Credit: 0.5
This pass/fail course helps students prepare for standardized tests such as the SAT and the ACT. The course will be divided into three sections: verbal and writing skills, math skills and science skills. The verbal/writing section familiarizes students with the various aspects of the verbal and writing sections of the SAT and ACT tests. The topics covered are: sentence completion, reading comprehension, paragraph organization, identifying sentence errors, vocabulary and timed-writing responses. The math portion of the course includes practice with gridding student-produced responses, numbers, operations, algebra, functions, geometry, measurements, data analysis, statistics, and probability. The science portion of the course will include topics from biology, chemistry, physics, and the Earth/space sciences (geology, astronomy and meteorology). Students will practice skills such as graph reading, interpretation of scatterplots, interpretation of information presented in tables, interpretation of experimental results, and analysis and comparison of alternative viewpoints or hypotheses. This course helps prepare students by teaching them strategies for standardized test taking. Although this class cannot cover all topics as thoroughly as necessary, this class will provide specialized study skills, teacher and student feedback, and daily practice. This course will be taught in the Fall semester.
Prerequisite: Algebra 2, or Geometry with concurrent enrollment in Algebra 2