*Weighted Courses

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

Course Descriptions

PHYSICAL SCIENCE
One year, two credits
This course will fulfill the physical science requirement for graduation. The course is designed for students needing an introduction to the physical sciences without enrollment in algebra and who may not be reading at grade level. Students are required to take and pass physical science before enrolling in other science courses for which it is a prerequisite. The course is closed to students having successfully completed any higher-level physical science course. This is an exploratory course which includes the following topics: astronomy, metric measurement; laws of motion, forces, mechanics and machines; forms of energy, light, sound, heat, and electricity; atomic theory and use of periodic chart; compounds and chemical reactions; acids and bases.
INTEGRATED PHYSICAL SCIENCE
One year, two credits
Prerequisite: College Prep Algebra I or concurrent enrollment in College Prep Algebra I.
This course will fulfill the physical science requirement for graduation. Students enrolled in this course should be reading at or above the ninth grade level. This is the course most ninth graders will take before enrolling in Biology. The course topics include: Astronomy and weather, metric measurement; laws of motion, forces, mechanics and machines; forms of energy, and their application; atomic theory, and use of periodic chart: chemical reactions and molecular bonding; organic chemistry and polymers; acids, bases and salts.
LIFE SCIENCE
One year, two credits
This course will fulfill the life science requirement for graduation and is designed for students who are reading below grade level. The course is closed to students who have successfully completed Biology. The course topics include: weather/oceanography, scientific method; a review of the metric system; classification; use of microscope and other tools; comparative anatomy of the animal kingdom; study of human biology and genetics.
GEOSCIENCE
One year, two credits
Prerequisites: Successful completion of two science courses (minimum of one physical and one life science course).
This is recommended as a third science course for students who have reading and math scores at least at the ninth grade level. The core content areas for this course include astronomy, meteorology, geology and environmental science. The course will also focus on conservation of natural resources, including topics on pollution, waste reduction, and recycling. Students will be conducting lab work utilizing technology, participating in field trips, and producing a semester project on conservation of natural resources.
BIOLOGY
One year, two credits
Prerequisite: Integrated Physical Science, College Prep Algebra I, or concurrent enrollment in College Prep Algebra I. This course will fulfill the life science requirement for graduation. Students will need a working knowledge of the metric system, atomic structure and chemical reactions. 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 content includes: botany; zoology; microbiology; cell biology; taxonomy; evolution; genetics and physiology, weather and oceanography. Laboratory work includes dissections.
CHEMISTRY
One year, two credits
Prerequisite: College Prep Algebra II or concurrent enrollment in College Prep Algebra II.
Recommended for juniors or seniors. Satisfies requirement for a physical science course. Course deals with matter and its changes, 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.
*CHEMISTRY
One year, two credits
Prerequisite: College Prep Algebra II or concurrent enrollment in College Prep Algebra II
This course includes content listed in chemistry but it also includes more emphasis on theory and mathematical problems. Additional topics and lab work are provided. It satisfies the graduation requirement for a physical science course.
PHYSICS
One year, two credits
Prerequisite: Chemistry or Weighted Chemistry
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 as well. Problem solving is also an important component of the course, drawing upon mathematics skills learned in algebra.
*AP PHYSICS B
One year, two credits
Prerequisite: Chemistry and concurrent enrollment in *Pre Calculus/Trigonometry
This course is intended to prepare students for college-level study of science and engineering. Students are required to do summer preparatory work. It will also prepare students for *AP Physics C. This course is very rigorous in terms of depth at which content is covered, pace, and mathematical problem solving. First semester topics include kinematics, forces, vectors, circular motion, energy, linear and angular momentum, conversation laws, torque mechanical advantage, gravitation, thermodynamics, and astronomy. Second semester topics include fluids, waves, light, optics, sound, electrostatics, electric currents, 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 be involved in a project of some sort each semester that will be determined, to some extent, by student interest. Some projects involve creative writing, hands-on building of demos, computer simulations, and presentations. If you’re a motivated student interested in taking a fun, interesting, but very challenging course, then *AP Physics B is for you.
*ADVANCED BIOLOGY
One year, two credits
Prerequisite: Chemistry or concurrent enrollment in Chemistry
This is a laboratory and research course emphasizing biochemistry that focuses on cellular biology, genetics, human anatomy and physiology, and evolution. This course is intended for the student interested in an advanced level biology course.
*AP CHEMISTRY
One year, two credits
Prerequisite: Chemistry or Weighted Chemistry
This course follows the content of an AP Chemistry class and does many of the laboratory experiences of the AP Chemistry class and is designed to further prepare for college chemistry. The course is the equivalent of 1 or 2 semesters of general college chemistry and uses a college text and laboratory experiments. There is special emphasis on calculations, oxidation-reduction, equilibrium, acids and bases, atomic and molecular structure, crystals, qualitative and quantitative analysis, elementary thermodynamics, and organic and biochemistry.
*AP PHYSICS C
One year, two credits
Prerequisite: AP Physics B and concurrent enrollment in *AP Calculus AB or BC. This is a very rigorous, university level physics course. Students are required to do summer preparatory work. This course parallels the first two courses in a typical calculus-based, university-level physics sequence. Homework is assigned and collected regularly throughout the school year. Topics studied include concepts from AP Physics B related to mechanics, electricity, and magnetism (no waves, sound, light, fluids, or thermodynamics). In AP Physics C, however, topics are approached from vector calculus perspective. Topics such as rotational dynamics, non-constant forces, vector fields, potential energy, mechanical & electrical oscillators, circuit analysis, capacitance, inductance, magnetic fields, Maxwell’s equations, and alternating current, are covered in depth. Students will use computer software to obtain and analyze data in the lab and to simulate experiments that are impossible to conduct in the lab. Projects for the course may include building demos and becoming involved with real-life engineering/scientific projects in the community or at the University of Illinois. Students who successfully complete this course will be very well prepared for coursework in engineering and physics in college. Most students take and pass the Advanced Placement Exams in Physics (mechanics, and electricity and magnetism), thereby earning one or even two semesters of college credit in physics. After the AP exams, topics such as quantum mechanics and relativity are introduced, according to student interest. If you’re considering a career in engineering or one of the physical sciences, or if you enjoy a challenge, then *AP Physics C is for you.
ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY
One year, two credits
Prerequisite: Biology, Chemistry, or concurrent enrollment in Chemistry
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. Laboratory work includes extensive dissection work, looking at the systems (skeletal, muscular, digestive, circulatory, respiratory, excretory, nervous, endocrine, and reproductive). This course will also include anatomical terminology, cells, tissues, nutrition, and some chemistry.

*Weighted Courses

Page Updated 8-24-05

Urbana High School
1002 S. Race Street
Urbana, Illinois 61801

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