Course Offerings - Grade 12

Advanced Placement Biology - Course No.: 9002

GRADES: 11, 12 LENGTH: Full Year CREDIT: 1.5 OTHER: This course meets 1.5 periods each day. One ‘early bird’ section is normally offered.

Advanced Placement Biology assumes students are familiar with basic biological concepts. It is designed to be the equivalent of a first year college introductory biology course usually taken by biology majors. The two main goals are to help students develop a conceptual framework for modern biology and to help students gain an appreciation of science as a process. The unifying themes of interdependence in nature, structure and function, evolution, energy, and regulation integrate the major topics of biology. Application of biological knowledge and critical thinking related to environmental and social concerns are also stressed. Teaching methods include lecture, discussion, outside reading, group projects, and laboratory experiences
PREREQUISITE: Biology and Chemistry

Advanced Placement Chemistry - Course No.: 9004

GRADES: 11, 12 LENGTH: Full Year CREDIT: 1.5 OTHER: This course meets 1.5 periods each day. One ‘early bird’ section is normally offered.

Advanced Placement Chemistry provides an in-depth and quantitative study of molecular structure, chemical reactions, stoichiometry, thermochemistry, behavior of gases, equilibrium, chemical kinetics, thermodynamics, redox chemistry, and electrochemical systems. Topics are developed through lecture, laboratory, demonstrations, and online simulations.
PREREQUISITE: Algebra II and one year of Chemistry.

Advanced Placement Environmental Science - Course No.: 9005

GRADES: 11, 12 LENGTH: Full Year CREDIT: 1.0 OTHER: This AP course meets 1 period each day, Global Scholar Course

Advanced Placement Environmental Science is a course that will provide students with the scientific principles, concepts, and methodologies required to understand the interrelationships of the natural world, to identify and analyze environmental problems both natural and human-made, to evaluate the relative risks associated with these problems, and to examine alternative solutions for resolving and/or preventing them. AP Environmental Science challenges students by incorporating content from different disciplines (Biology, Chemistry, Physics, and Earth Science). This is a lab-based course that requires data collection, analysis, and problem-solving.
PREREQUISITE: Biology and Chemistry

Advanced Placement Physics I - Course No.: 9003

GRADES: 11, 12 LENGTH: Full Year CREDIT: 1.5 OTHER: This course meets 1.5 periods each day. One ‘early bird’ section is normally offered.

Advanced Placement Physics I provides a systematic introduction to the principles and applications of physics. This course covers all topics necessary for the AP Physics 1 exam and includes foundational material in other topics needed for advancement to AP Physics C. Fundamental concepts of kinematics, dynamics, circular motion and gravitation, energy, momentum, simple harmonic motion, torque and rotational motion, electric charge and electric force, DC circuits, and mechanical waves and sound are developed through lectures, demonstrations, laboratory, and computer experience. Online work outside of class is required.
PREREQUISITE: Algebra II or concurrent enrollment

Advanced Placement Physics I and II - Course No.: 9007

GRADES: 11, 12 LENGTH: Full Year CREDIT: 1.5 Other: This course meets 1.5 periods each day. One ‘early bird’ section is normally offered.

Advanced Placement Physics I and II provides a systematic introduction to the principles and applications of both classical and modern physics. Fundamental concepts of kinematics, dynamics, thermodynamics, fluids, electricity, magnetism, optics, and quantum and nuclear physics are developed through lectures, demonstrations, laboratory, and computer experience. Online work outside of class is required.
PREREQUISITE: Geometry and Algebra II

Advanced Placement Physics C- Course No.: 9010

GRADES: 12 LENGTH: Full Year CREDIT: 1.5 Other: This course meets 1.5 periods each day. One ‘early bird’ section is normally offered.

Advanced Placement Physics C provides a foundation in physics for students entering the fields of engineering, medicine, mathematics, physics, and chemistry. The basics of mechanics, electricity, and magnetism are developed through lectures, demonstrations, and laboratory and computer experiences. Quantitative relationships are developed using the basic concepts of differential and integral calculus. Online work outside of class is required.
PREREQUISITE: Physics or AP Physics I and II and Calculus AB or BC (which may be taken concurrently).

Earth Science - Course No.: 9030

GRADES: 10, 11, 12 LENGTH: Full Year CREDIT: 1.0 (Dual credit option earns 4.0 hours with CLC)

Earth Science is a college preparatory, lab-oriented course that is commonly taught during the second year of a four-year science program option including Biology, Earth Science, Chemistry and Physics. This course involves major units in astronomy, geology, meteorology, and physical geography. Emphasis is placed on the study of natural cycles in each of the above areas and the relationships between them. Students may qualify for the dual credit option with the College of Lake County and receive 4.0 hours of college credit.
PREREQUISITE: None

Emergent Multilingual Biology - Course No.: 9067

GRADES: 9, 10, 11, 12 LENGTH: Full Year CREDIT: 1.0

EM Biology is the first core course of the college bound sequence designed for identified Emergent Multilingual students. Important themes stressed are essential biological processes, energy flow through the biosphere, evolution, and genetics. Laboratory activities, group and individual projects, lecture/discussion, and research are all utilized to give each student the essential scientific background and skills for future success with an added emphasis on development of English fluency.
PREREQUISITE: Placement

Emergent Multilingual Physical Science - Course No.: 9068

GRADES: 9, 10, 11, 12 LENGTH: Full Year CREDIT: 1.0

EM Physical Science is a lab science course designed to give identified Emergent Multilingual students an introduction to principles of chemistry, physics, and earth science. A hands-on approach is followed to allow students to improve lab techniques and problem solving skills, as well as prepare them for future science classes with an added emphasis on development of English fluency.
PREREQUISITE: Placement

Human Anatomy and Physiology I - Course No.: 9042F, 9043S

GRADES: 11, 12 LENGTH: 1 Sem CREDIT: 0.5

Human Anatomy and Physiology I is a semester long elective course that engages students in exploring the intricate relationship between structure and function in the human body. The course is an inquiry-based and project-based experience offering students an environment in which they develop creative and critical thinking skills as they investigate homeostasis, anatomical/ physiological medical diagnosis and treatment, and histology. Students will probe topics that include anatomical and physiological studies of major human body systems, such as: integumentary, skeletal, muscular and nervous system.
PREREQUISITE: One year of Biology

Human Anatomy and Physiology II - Course No.: 9045S

GRADES: 11, 12 LENGTH: 1 Sem (Semester 2 Only) CREDIT: 0.5

Human Anatomy and Physiology II is a semester long elective course that builds on the concepts and processes learned in Human Anatomy and Physiology I including diagnosis and treatment of diseases that impact people's’ lives. The course is an inquiry-based and project-based experience offering students an environment in which they develop creative and critical thinking skills. Students will survey anatomical and physiological characteristics of human body systems such as: special senses, blood, cardiovascular, respiratory, digestive, urinary, and reproductive systems. The dissection element of this course will provide hands-on student learning of the eye, heart, and lungs.
PREREQUISITE: One year of Biology and Human Physiology I is preferred

Human Genetics - Course No.: 9037F, 9038S

GRADES: 11, 12 LENGTH: 1 Sem CREDIT: 0.5

Human Genetics is a lab science course designed for students interested in learning about recent developments in human genetics and the possible bioethical implications of new technologies. Areas of genetic research studied include DNA/RNA, chromosomal abnormalities, genetic birth defects, hereditary diseases, genetic engineering, cloning and genetic counseling. Students with interest in these Biology topics should consider Human Genetics as an elective option.
PREREQUISITE: One year of Biology

Physics - Course No.: 9070

GRADES: 11, 12 LENGTH: Full Year CREDIT: 1.0

Physics provides an introduction to the basic principles of classical physics. The concepts of force, motion, energy, electricity, magnetism, sound, and light are developed through lectures, demonstrations, and laboratory experiences. Students develop an understanding of the methods and applications of physics.
PREREQUISITE: Algebra and Geometry

STEM Capstone - Course No.: 9071

GRADES: 9, 10, 11, 12 LENGTH: Semester CREDIT: 0.5 (Semester course that may be repeated)

This course is intended for science students who are interested in pursuing a higher-level, in-depth study of a science topic of their choosing. Successful students in this course will be self-motivated and independent learners. This program affords students the opportunity to participate in the community of scientific research and scholarship as part of their high school experience. It furthers excellence in performance and achievement, while drawing from and developing scientific capabilities in a broad spectrum of the student body. Students will be paired with a research mentor and will utilize the VHHS STEM Facility.
PREREQUISITE: None