High School Science Courses
BIOLOGY
The Biology course is a survey course generally taken in Grade 9. It incorporates new perspectives and understandings across major sub-disciplines of biology. Genetics, cell biology, development, behavior and immunology are some of the areas covered. The concept of evolution is seen as the central organizing theme of biology. The course will have a lab-based approach. Understanding through exploration is one goal of this course.
As an introductory course in biology, students are prepared for college and advanced placement courses. Students will be sensitized to various moral and environmental issues being brought to the fore by research in bioengineering and other areas of biological research. They will be provided with tools with which to make educated decisions regarding these new technologies and developments.
Texts
and Material:
Text: Biology -The Web of Life - Second Edition
Scott Foresman - Addison Wesley
GENERAL BIOLOGY
The General Biology course studies the same major topics as the Biology course, although it moves at a slower pace for those students who may need additional time in order to better understand the material presented. Students who take this course would not be in the position to study Advanced Placement Biology later on in their High School program.
CHEMISTRY
Chemistry is a college preparatory, introductory course in Chemistry that is taken by most students wishing to pursue further Science courses in TAISM. It is expected that students at TAISM must complete this course in order to pursue Advanced Placement science courses at TAISM. Chemistry is usually taken in the 10th grade.
Topics
Covered
Measurements and Calculations, Chemical Formulas and Equations, Stoichiometry,
Phases of Matter, Periodic Trends and Chemical Bonding, Behavior of Solutions
and Nuclear Chemistry
Evaluation
· Short quizzes based on homework assignments
· Units tests given about every 2 weeks
· Lab Reports - approximately 25 experiments are done in the year
· Cumulative semester exam given in December and June
Pre-requisites
A strong background in science and a proficiency in algebraic operations and
the use of a scientific calculator is required for successful completion of
this course.
Course
Expectations
Students are expected to spend 30 - 60 minutes each weeknight doing regular
Chemistry home study in addition to assignments and completing lab reports.
Texts
and Materials
Modern Chemistry
GENERAL CHEMISTRY
The General Chemistry course covers roughly the same content of the Chemistry class, but at a slower pace. The course is designed for those students who do not wish to pursue Advanced Placement science courses in grades 11 or 12. General Chemistry is generally taken in Grade 10, but may be taken by students in other grade levels depending upon their background prior to admission to TAISM. This course uses the same textbook as the Chemistry class.
PHYSICS
Physics is a study of how and why things work. In this course, we will study kinematics, waves, electromagnetic radiation and relativity. We use theories, observations and mathematics to make these descriptions. We can use what we find to make predictions about other phenomena. Students taking this course will be prepared to study AP Physics or the physical sciences at University.
Pre-requisites
Strong background in science/mathematics and proficient with the graphing
operations of a graphing calculator. Students should have taken (or be taking
concurrently), a Pre-Calculus (or equivalent) course in mathematics.
Texts
and Materials:
Physics, Serway
and Faughn, Holt, 1999
A variety of laboratory equipment
GENERAL PHYSICS
General Physics is an introductory course in physics that is taken by students who need to study physics at a slower pace and on a conceptual basis.
Topics
Covered
Measurement and Graphing, Motion, Forces & Gravitation, Work/Energy/Simple
Machines/Momentum, Thermal Energy, Pressure/Fluids, Sound/Light/Wave Motion,
Electricity & Magnetism, Atomic & Nuclear Physics.
Evaluation
· Short quizzes based on assigned homework
· Cumulative exams (approximately 4 - 5 per quarter)
· Lab Reports - approximately 25 experiments are done in the year
· Cumulative semester exams given in December and June
Course
Expectations
Students are expected to spend 30 - 60 minutes each weeknight doing regular
physics home study in addition to assignments and completing lab reports
Texts
and Materials
Physics: Principles and Problems, Glencoe Science
ADVANCED PLACEMENT BIOLOGY
The AP Biology course is a college level introductory Biology course. As such it uses college level textbooks and covers topics at the same level of depth as a college first year Biology course. The lab work carried out as part of the course is also equivalent to the type of lab work students would do as part of a college course.
It is recommended that students taking AP Biology should have already taken a full year of High School Biology as well as a full year Chemistry class before enrolling in the AP Biology course. Without such a background they will have a very hard time mastering the topics covered.
The course aims to prepare the students to succeed on the AP Biology exam given mid-May. Students develop a conceptual Framework for modern Biology and gain an appreciation of science as a process. The on-going information explosion in Biology makes these goals ever more challenging. Primary emphasis is placed on understanding concepts rather than the memorization of terms and technical details.
Textbook
Biology Seventh
edition - Campbell & Reece
Publisher: Pearson: Benjamin Cummings
ADVANCED PLACEMENT CHEMISTRY
AP Chemistry is a first-year college level course in Physical Chemistry that is intended for students taking higher level Chemistry/Science related courses at university.
Topics
Covered
In addition to
all the topics studied in Chemistry 10/11, AP Chemistry examines in depth
the units on Chemical Kinetics, Acid-Base Equilibria, Chemical Thermodynamics,
and Electrochemistry
Evaluation
· Short quizzes
based on assignment homework
· Cumulative exams (2-3 per quarter) that cover several chapters
· Lab Reports - approximately 20 experiments are done in the year
· Assignments given over extended school holidays
· Semester exam in December
All students are expected to write the College Board AP Chemistry exam in May.
Pre-requisites
Students must have a strong background in Chemistry 10/11, have taken or be concurrently taking a Pre-Calculus course and be proficient with a graphic calculator
Students are expected to do 60 - 90 minutes each night of regular home study in addition to assignments and completing lab reports. Students are also expected to do assignments over extended school holidays.
Texts
and Materials
Chemistry: The Central Science
ADVANCED PLACEMENT PHYSICS “B”
AP Physics “B” is a first-year college level course in Physics that is intended for students taking higher level science related courses at university. The course focuses on the following topics: Newtonian Mechanics; Newton’s Laws; Work, Energy, Power & Momentum; Electricity & Magnetism, Waves and Optics; Atomic and Nuclear Physics; and Fluid Mechanics & Thermal Physics. Students will be prepared to take the AP Physics “B” Examination at the end of this course.
Texts and Materials:
ADVANCED PLACEMENT PHYSICS “C” ELECTRICTY & MAGNETISM / MECHANICS
AP Physics “C” is a college level course in Electricity, Magnetism and Mechanics. Topics covered in this course include: Kinematics; Work, Energy & Power; Linear Momentum; Circular Motion & Rotation; Oscillations; Gravitation; Electrostatics; Conductors, Capacitors & Dielectrics; Electrric Circuits; and Electromagnetism. Students will be prepared to take the AP Physics “C” examination upon completion of this course.
Texts and Materials: 1) College Physics, 7th edition