Science

To graduate from University High School, every student is required to successfully complete two years of credit in science. One must be in a biological science course and one in a physical science course. Almost all students elect to take three credits, and more than half take four or more credits in science during their high school years. Students are encouraged to discuss individual circumstances with their science teacher or with the department chairperson to determine placement in science courses.

The introductory Biology course and the introductory Chemistry courses (Chemistry M or Chemistry C) constitute a core through which all students must pass before entering the upper level courses. Students who have not previously taken a science course in the high school must register for introductory Biology. Students who have successfully completed introductory Biology must register for either Chemistry M or Chemistry C. Upon successful completion of this two-year sequence, all of the other Science Department courses are open, subject to the prerequisites indicated in the individual course descriptions below.

If a student wishes to bypass either the introductory Biology course or an introductory Chemistry course and go directly to one of the upper-level courses, a placement exam may be requested. The placement exam will be equivalent to the final exam for the course. Upon successful completion of that exam, the department chairperson will authorize the student to register for the upper-level course of the student's choice. It will still be necessary for the student to earn both one biological science and one physical science credit prior to graduation.

Students who transfer to University High School at the tenth-grade level or above and have already completed a Biology course or a Chemistry course at another accredited secondary school will be given credit for that course, and will not be required to complete that course here prior to registering for upper-level courses. Students who completed a course at another school which is not a close match to the courses offered here may be granted credit toward graduation, but still required to complete the two-year sequence of introductory courses at University High School. For example, a student whose work at another school included a "Physical Science" course or a year of interdisciplinary science will typically be required to complete both the introductory Biology course and an introductory Chemistry course here, but that student's final transcript will show completion of three credits: one at the former school and two at University High School.

BIOLOGY - 1510

Pre-requisite: None
Credit: 1

Students are offered the opportunity to develop a basic understanding of the molecular and cellular bases of the processes common to all living things, such as respiration, reproduction, hormonal and nervous coordination. Evolutionary theory is presented as an underlying integrative principle. Ethical issues in ecology, human sexuality, and care of the human body are explored. This course is a prerequisite for Advanced Biology.

This course meets six periods per week.

CHEMISTRY C - 1520

Pre-requisite: Biology, Algebra 1
Credit: 1

This course satisfies the chemistry component of the required two-year science sequence. The course is built around a series of societal issues, such as the conservation of our water and mineral resources; alternatives for supplying future energy requirements; the pollution of air and water; and the contributions of chemistry to agriculture and nutrition. In each case, the aim is to learn the chemistry concepts needed to intelligently discuss the problem and its possible solutions. The course, developed by the American Chemical Society, is designed to introduce college-bound high school students to chemistry.

It is recommended that students who will be concurrently taking Geometry register for Chemistry C rather than Chemistry M. However, everyone who has successfully completed Algebra 1 and Biology is welcome to register for Chemistry C.

This course meets six periods per week.

CHEMISTRY M - 1525

Pre-requisite: Biology, Algebra 1
Credit: 1

This course satisfies the chemistry component of the required two-year science sequence. The basis of the course is a series of laboratory investigations concerning structure and properties of gasses, characteristics of chemical combinations; and conditions associated with chemical change. Specific topics include: kinetic theory, modern theories of the atom, chemical bonding, nuclear chemistry, acids and bases, and electrochemistry. This introductory chemistry course for college-bound high school students emphasizes the mathematical aspects of the discipline, and is intended for those who expect to make a career in the sciences.

It is recommended that those students who have successfully completed Geometry register for Chemistry M rather than Chemistry C. However, everyone who has successfully completed Algebra 1 and Biology is welcome to register for Chemistry M.

This course meets six periods per week.

AP BIOLOGY - 1530

Pre-requisite: Successful completion of an introductory biology course and an introductory chemistry course, with a grade of C or better in all science courses completed, and B or better in the most recent science course completed.
Credit: 1

This course is meant to be equivalent to an introductory college biology course. Topics include biochemistry and molecular biology, cell biology, classical and molecular genetics, development, evolution, and plant and animal physiology. There is an extensive laboratory program. The course emphasizes the concepts behind biological process and highlights modern bio technology and research techniques.

This course meets seven periods per week.

PHYSICS - 1540

Pre-requisite: Advanced Algebra/Trig or concurrent enrollment, Chemistry
Credit: 1

This physics course takes a laboratory oriented approach and covers the basic divisions of this subject. These topics are mechanics, light, sound, electricity, magnetism, and some atomic and nuclear physics. Unification and interrelation between these areas is stressed and explored in various ways using the concepts of energy, fields, wave motion, etc. While mathematics is not stressed, equations are used as a guide to help when thinking through a problem.

This course meets six periods per week.

AP CHEMISTRY - 1550

Pre-requisite: Grades of B or better in Chemistry, Advanced Algebra/Trigonometry, and Physics or placement by the Science Department
Credit: 1

This course builds on the knowledge and skills learned in introductory chemistry. Topics such as atomic theory, kinetic theory, chemical bonding, reaction kinetics, and equilibrium are expanded in scope. Additional topics including thermodynamics and quantum mechanics provide a means of integrating basic chemical principles. Laboratory work is quantitative in nature and emphasizes techniques for evaluation of data.

This course is designed to prepare students for the Advanced Placement Chemistry examination given in late May each year.

This course meets six to eight periods per week until the AP exam

AP PHYSICS--B SYLLABUS - 1560

Pre-requisite: A grade of B or better in any Chemistry class, a grade of B or better in the previous year�s math class, prior completion of Advanced Algebra and Trigonometry or an equivalent course, or placement by the department.
Credit: 1

This course is designed to prepare students for the AP Physics B examination given in May, and follows the syllabus for that examination. Topics include: Newtonian mechanics, thermodynamics, electricity and magnetism, optics and waves, and modern physics (atomic theory, radiation, and nuclear decay).

The course will meet seven times per week until the AP exam. Typically, five of the seven meetings will be devoted to lecture, two to problem-solving sessions and laboratory work.

AP PHYSICS--C SYLLABUS - 1562

Pre-requisite: A grade of B or better in any Physics class, a grade of B or better in the previous year�s math class, concurrent enrollment or prior completion of Calculus AP (either AB or BC) or an equivalent course, or placement by the department.
Credit: 1

This course is designed to prepare students for the Physics AP C examination given in May, and follows the syllabus for that examination. Topics include: Newtonian mechanics and electricity and magnetism. The syllabus for the AP Physics C is calculus-based, and presupposes a prior course in physics.

The course will meet six periods per week until the AP exam. Typically, four of the six meetings will be devoted to lecture and two to problem-solving and laboratory work.

SPECIAL TOPIC: Introductory Electronics (Fall Quarter) - 1570

Pre-requisite: Chemistry
Credit: 1/3

An introduction to basic electronics, making use of mostly low-tech, Radio Shack� style components to build interesting (but not overly ambitious) devices. Students build (from a kit) an AM radio, and (from scratch) an elementary adding machine. Topics covered include the use and operation of basic electronic components (resistors, batteries, capacitors, coils), some semiconductor devices (diodes, transistors, chips), Boolean logic and binary addition, elementary electromagnetic theory, and some history of radio and computing. A willingness to get your fingers burned is required. Mathematics will be avoided as much as possible. This course may be thought of as "physics as shop."

This class meets four periods per week. Usually half of the class time is devoted to construction of circuits (i.e., laboratory work). Grade determined by midterm, final, and lab work.

SPECIAL TOPIC: Cosmology (Winter Quarter) - 1571

Pre-requisite: Chemistry
Credit: 1/3

A survey course designed for those with little love of mathematics, but a sense of wonder about the universe, its possible end, and everything in it. The course is largely a historical survey of discoveries and theories about the universe. Required physical or geometrical principles will be explained or reviewed as necessary, but there will be almost no calculation in the course. Topics covered include: earliest Greek ideas, the Arab contribution, the Copernican Revolution, the discovery of galaxies, stellar processes, Olbers� Paradox, Einstein�s revolution, the Steady State vs. the Big Bang, inflation and dark matter. This course may be thought of as "physics as history and philosophy." Grade determined by midterm, final, and paper.

The class meets four periods per week. There is, unfortunately, only little lab work. There will be several films.

SPECIAL TOPIC: Relativity (Spring Quarter) - 1572

Pre-requisite: Chemistry
Credit: 1/3

This is an introduction to Einstein�s ideas on space and time. Though the theories of relativity are intensely mathematical, the main ideas can be explained with very little mathematics. Computer software, movies and models will be used to lower the mathematical hurdles. Topics covered include: Einstein�s biography, elementary electromagnetic and mechanical theory, Lorentz transformations (especially the physical consequences of these: time dilation, length contraction and mass-energy conversion), the twin paradox, the Equivalence Principle, rubber sheet geometry, experimental confirmation of the General Theory, the physics of black holes. This course may be thought of as "physics as science fiction." Grade determined by midterm, final, and paper.

The class meets four periods per week. There is, unfortunately, only little lab work. There will be several films.

SPECIAL TOPIC: Environmental Science (Fall Quarter) - 1583

Pre-requisite: Chemistry
Credit: 1/3

This course is a quarter-long course emphasizing the interconnectedness of the earth�s systems and the impact humans have on those systems. Some topics include energy flow and the cycling of matter, ecosystems, renewable and non-renewable resources, and environmental quality. The class will focus on fresh water wetland ecosystems as a model topic, using Lake Michigan and local wetlands as examples for close study. There will be several laboratory and field activities.

The class meets four times per week.

SPECIAL TOPIC: Human Behavior (Winter Quarter) - 1581

Pre-requisite: Chemistry
Credit: 1/3

This course is a quarter-long exploration of the human mind. We use psychological, biological, and philosophical approaches to understand human cognition, behavior, and perception. Specific topics may include gender differences in behavior, aggression, consciousness and cognition, evolution of behavior, and personality.

The class meets four periods per week.

SPECIAL TOPIC: Biomedical, Ethics and Current Research (Spring Quarter) - 1582

Pre-requisite: Chemistry
Credit: 1/3

This course is a quarter-long discussion of the ethical issues surrounding modern biological research and applications. We will discuss cutting-edge medical technology and investigate the possible benefits and consequences. Topics may include genetic engineering and gene therapy, cloning, euthanasia, abortion, agricultural biotechnology, organ transplantation, aging research, and the benefits and abuses of human experimentation.

The class meets four periods per week.

LABORATORY PROJECT IN SCIENCE - 1590

Pre-requisite: two years of laboratory science
Credit: 1/3

The student is provided the opportunity to do an individual laboratory investigation in some area of the biological or physical sciences. He/she must have demonstrated mastery of the basic concepts and skills of the prerequisite courses as well as the inclination and ability to plan and carry out laboratory investigation independently. Interested students must obtain further information and assistance in developing a plan of work by consulting members of the science department.

LIBRARY PROJECT IN SCIENCE - 1591

Pre-requisite: two years of science
Credit: 1/3

The student designs and carries out a plan for investigating self-selected topics in a specific area of science. The course includes extensive use of the appropriate university and public libraries. Interested students must obtain further information and assistance in developing a plan of work by consulting members of the science department.

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