The following chart reflects the general sequence of both required and elective science courses.

Course Descriptions

BIOLOGY
One year, two credits
This course will fulfill the life science requirement for graduation. The course topics include: scientific methodology, metric
measurement, classification, use of microscope and other tools, comparative anatomy of the animal kingdom, as well as the student of human biology and genetics. The course will include laboratory work associated with the aforementioned topics.

*AP PREP BIOLOGY
One year, two credits
Prerequisite: Concurrent enrollment in *AP Prep Algebra II or Algebra II
This course will fulfill the life science requirement for graduation. Students will need a working knowledge of the metric system
and foundations of chemistry. Students enrolled in this course should be reading at or above the ninth grade level. Ninth graders enrolled in the course are expected to be strong in science and math with the expectation of taking four years of science, which would include an advanced science course in the senior year. The course covers topics in botany, zoology, microbiology, cellular biology, taxonomy, evolution, genetics and physiology. The laboratory work for this course includes dissections.

INTEGRATED PHYSICAL SCIENCE
One year, two credits
Prerequisite: Algebra I or concurrent enrollment in Algebra I
This course will fulfill the physical science requirement for graduation. The course covers a variety of topics in astronomy,
chemistry, physics and meteorology. These topics include the solar system and its place in the universe, basic weather
foundations, metric measurement, waves (light and sound), energy, atomic theory, use of periodic chart, chemical reactions and molecular bonding, organic chemistry and polymers, as well as acids and bases.

CHEMISTRY
One year, two credits
This course will fulfill the physical science requirement for graduation and is recommended for students who completed biology and integrated physical science. This course is a detailed chemistry course, focusing on matter and its changes. This focus includes topics such as atomic structure, chemical reactions and calculations, periodicity of chemical properties, bonding between atoms, gas laws, solution properties, ionization, acids and bases, energy, geology, and equilibrium. Laboratory work emphasizes quantitative measurements, data collection, and interpretation of data.

*AP PREP CHEMISTRY
One year, two credits
Prerequisite: Algebra II
This course will fulfill the physical science requirement for graduation and is recommended for students who completed biology in ninth grade. This course is an extensive chemistry course, focusing on matter and its changes. This focus includes an in-depth exploration of topics such as atomic structure, chemical reactions and calculations, periodicity of chemical properties, bonding between atoms, gas laws, solution properties, ionization, acids and bases, energy, geology, and equilibrium. This course differs from College Prep Chemistry as it has greater emphasis on theory and mathematical problem solving, preparing students to take an AP course (AP Chemistry, AP Physics B, or AP Biology) the following year. Laboratory work in this course is more extensive than College Prep Chemistry, but continues to emphasize quantitative measurements, data collection, and interpretation of data.

*ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY
One year, two credits
Prerequisite: Completion of Biology, Chemistry, or concurrent enrollment in Chemistry
It is a rigorous course that will prepare students for college-level first year anatomy courses. This course is designed for students interested in learning about human body systems and how they work. It is intended for those students who have already decided on a medical or medically related career and want more information and experience in that career. It is also for students who have an interest in how the human body works.

PHYSICS
One year, two credits
Prerequisite: Completion of Chemistry
This course is designed for students preparing for college and interested in applying skills learned in previous math and science
courses. The course emphasizes a conceptual understanding of the physics through labs, discussion, group work, and the use of various computer software applications. The topics covered include: one and two-dimensional kinematics, Newton’s laws,
vectors, gravitation, momentum, energy, waves, sound, and light. There will also be major focus on astronomy. Problem solving is also an important component of the course, drawing upon mathematics skills learned in algebra.

*AP PREP PHYSICS
One year, two credits
Prerequisite: Completion of Chemistry and concurrent enrollment in *Pre-Calc/Trigonometry
This course is intended to prepare students for college-level study of most sciences and engineering as it is the equivalent of 1-2 semesters of algebra-based college physics. Students are required to do summer preparatory work for this class. This course is very rigorous in terms of depth at which content is covered, pace, and mathematical problem solving. This course is a survey of physics, covering topics in: kinematics, forces, vectors, circular motion, energy, linear and angular momentum, conservation laws, torque, mechanical advantage, gravitation, thermodynamics, astronomy, fluids, waves, light, optics, sound, electrostatics, electric current, and magnetism. Students will participate frequently in the lab activities, making use of data-gathering computer equipment and data-analysis software. Students need to be mature enough to study regularly and get extra help before or after school when necessary. Students will also be required to make use of significant portions of online content for the class.

*AP BIOLOGY
One year, two credits
Prerequisite: Completion of Biology and Chemistry
This course follows the guidelines established by the College Board for an AP Biology course, is taught by a College Board
trained teacher, and will prepare students to take the AP Biology exam. Successful completion of the AP exam will require the student to commit to an extensive amount of independent studying outside of the school day. This course will also prepare
students for college-level study of biological science. Students are required to do summer preparatory work for this class. This is a laboratory and research course emphasizing biochemistry that focuses on cellular biology, genetics, evolution, ecology, and taxonomic surveys (examining animal and plant physiology).

*AP CHEMISTRY
One year, two credits
Prerequisite: Completion of Chemistry
This course follows the guidelines established by the College Board for an AP Chemistry course, is taught by a College Board trained teacher, and will prepare students to take the AP Chemistry exam. Successful completion of the AP exam will require the student to commit to an extensive amount of independent studying outside of the school day. This course will also prepare students for college-level study of chemistry, as it is the equivalent of 1-2 semesters of general college chemistry and uses a college text and laboratory experiments. There is special emphasis on calculations, oxidationreduction, equilibrium, acids and bases, atomic and molecular structure, crystals, qualitative and quantitative analysis, elementary thermodynamics, kinetics, and solutions.

*AP PHYSICS C
One year, two credits
Prerequisite: Completion of *AP Physics B and concurrent enrollment in *AP Calculus AB or BC.
This course follows the guidelines established by the College Board for an AP Physics C course, is taught by a College Board
trained teacher, and will prepare students to take the AP Physics C exams in Mechanics, Electricity, and Magnetism. Successful completion of the AP exam will require the student to commit to an extensive amount of independent studying outside of the school day. Students who successfully complete this course will be very well prepared for coursework in engineering and physics in college. Students are required to do summer preparatory work. This course is very rigorous as it parallels the first two courses of a typical calculus-based, university-level physics sequence. The topics covered include extensions of AP Physics B concepts related to mechanics, electricity, and magnetism. However, in AP Physics C, these topics are approached from vector calculus perspective. This extends into topics such as rotational dynamics, non-constant forces, vector fields, potential energy, mechanical and electrical oscillators, circuit analysis, capacitance, inductance, magnetic fields, Maxwell’s equations, and alternating current. Additional topics such as quantum mechanics and relativity are introduced following the AP exams. Student will use computer software to obtain and analyze data in the lab and to simulate experiments that are impossible to conduct in the lab. Students in this course will be expected to assist AP Physics B students via tutoring, online support, or other computer-based activities.

*Weighted Courses

Page Updated 10-17-07

Urbana High School
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Urbana, Illinois 61801

Phone: 217-384-3505
Fax: 217-384-3532
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