Earth Science

Grade Levels: 9           Prerequisite: None

Earth Science is obviously a course that studies the earth and its place in space. The different branches of Earth Science will be satisfied in depth. These include: Geology, Astronomy, Meterology, Oceanograhy, and Hydrology.Various lab exercises will accompany each of these areas. These exercises include identification of minerals, location of places on maps, graphing of sunspot cycles, measurement of relative humidity, charting the ocean floor, and testing various sources of water.

                                       Credit: 1 unit

Biology I

Grade Levels: 10           Prequisite: None

The purpose of this course is to study life and living systems and processes of our planet. Various aspects of living things are studied. Characteristics of the five kingdoms, genetics, basic biochemistry, cell structure and function as well as ecology and human impact are the main topics.
                                         Credit: 1 unit

Chemistry I

Grade Levels: 11-12      Prerequisite: Algebra I, Geometry, Algebra II strongly recommended

Chemistry I deals with the substances that make up our environment and with the changes that take place in these substances. The study of this course helps the student understand and benefit from nature. Emphasis is places on using actual experimentation to present a valid picture of the way scientists and technicians work to help the student develop generalizations that unify many important scientific principles. This course is intended to be taken as a college-prepartory course and offers the student a sophisticated approach to the study of an important scientific area. Chemistry is highly mathematical.

                                           Credit: 1 unit

Ecology

Grade Levels: 11-12        Prerequisite: None

The major goal of this class is to define and examine unique Natural History of Southwest Virginia. The impetus of this class is to study organisms and their relationship with the various ecosystems in the local area. Techniques of study include, but are not limited to, field study, laboratory activities, cooperative learning experiences and hands on research. The emphasis of this class is the development of free thinking and decisions making skills to support the research. These skills provide students with the scientific basics with which they can analyze for themselves many of the issues concerning our environment today and in the future.

                                          Credit: 1 unit

Zoology

Grade Levels: 11-12                                Prerequisite:  Biology I

Zoology (the study of animals) will begin with the simplest animals, the sponges, and progress to the most complex animals, the mammals.  Included in the study of each phylum will be the different systems of the animals and their ecological value.  A major aspect of the course will be dissections.  Dissections are designed to augment and enhance the study of the different systems of various animals.  Specimens to be studied during dissections are the earthworm, the clam, the squid, the crayfish, the grasshopper, the starfish, the perch, the frog, owl pellets, and the rat.