Science

The Servite Science Department provides students with a sound foundation in the principles of science. Our curriculum strives to develop critical thinking skills, foster curiosity, and instill an appreciation for the sciences. We incorporate the principles of the Servite formation program (primacy of faith, mastery of self, necessity of the other, and centrality of Christ) to develop student’s ability to apply these foundations to real-world scientific inquiry.

Courses

Academic

4201 CP Biology
Year Course - Required for graduation
This introductory laboratory science course covers the basic concepts of biology. Topics included in class study are cell structure, chemistry of the cell, genetics, and classification and in-depth comparisons of living organisms.

4302 CP Chemistry
Year Course - Junior/Senior Elective
Prerequisites: Completion of Algebra 1 with a C- or better
This year-long laboratory course studies the topics: of atomic theory, atomic and molecular structure, thermodynamics, stoichiometry, states of matter, nomenclature of inorganic compounds, chemical reactions, chemical bonding, solutions, equilibrium, and acids and bases. This course provides a fundamental foundation of the knowledge required for further study in the sciences. Algebra skills are used often in this class

4405 CP Physics
Year Course – Senior Elective
Prerequisites: A minimum of B- in Algebra 2 and a C or above in any level of Chemistry or teacher approval.
CP Physics is an introductory, year-long laboratory science course in which students examine the most fundamental concepts of matter, motion, energy, and force. The course explores kinematics (motion) & dynamics (forces), the laws of conservation of energy and linear momentum, mechanical waves, and electricity & magnetism (E&M). Students engage with content through guided inquiry & lessons, cooperative learning, laboratory activities, demonstrations, and computer simulations. Course content is aligned to the first year of algebra, and students who succeed have strong skills in mathematics. Laboratory work and mathematical reasoning are the tools used to aid students’ understanding and new appreciation of the physical world.

Honors

4151 HP Biology
Year Course – Freshmen
Prerequisites: Selection for Honors track
In this laboratory science course, you develop the skills to help you more fully understand the nature of living things. You will study cell structure and function, homeostasis, cell transport, biochemistry, macromolecules, genetics, cell reproduction, plant structure, DNA, RNA, protein synthesis, classification of living things (including dissections), photosynthesis and cellular respiration. Throughout the course, you will practice scientific inquiry into the living world.

4352 HP Chemistry
Year Course – Sophomore/Junior/Senior Elective for approved students
Prerequisites: B- or better in HP Biology and Algebra 1. Credit in or concurrent enrollment in Algebra 2/Trig or HP Geometry.
This course is a fast-paced, rigorous introduction to the study of matter and how it behaves. Topics include atomic theory, inorganic nomenclature, chemical reactions and stoichiometry, quantum mechanics, chemical bonding, gases, solutions, thermodynamics, kinetics, chemical equilibrium, and nuclear chemistry. The course includes lecture-based instruction, demonstrations, and laboratory experiments. Students will use critical thinking and complex strategies in problem-solving as they learn about the matter around them and how it behaves. Strong skills in algebra are necessary to be successful in this course.

4455 HP Physics
Year Course – Junior/Senior Elective
Prerequisites: MUST be concurrently enrolled in a Precalculus course when taking HP Physics OR have completed a year of Precalculus prior; minimum 3.0 weighted academic GPA
HP (Honors) Physics is an introductory, year-long laboratory course which explores mechanics, projectile motion, energy, wave motion, sound, electricity & magnetism (E&M), circuits, and modern physics. Students will learn through lessons, demonstrations, laboratory activities, computer simulations, & other multimedia. Course content is aligned to Pre-Calculus concurrent enrollment, and students who succeed in this course have strong skills in mathematics.

AP

4384 AP Biology
Year Course
Prerequisites: B- or better in HP Biology and HP Chemistry or Teacher Approval
A second-year biology course for honors-level science students. Students should have previously taken honors biology and honors chemistry. This course provides students with the framework, factual knowledge, and analytical skills necessary to deal critically with the rapidly changing science of biology. Topics include molecules and cells, heredity and evolution including molecular genetics, the diversity of organisms, the structure and function of plants, and animals, and ecology. The class will facilitate the student’s preparation for the AP exam.

4485 AP Chemistry
Year Course –Junior/ Senior Elective
Prerequisites: B or better in HP Chemistry and Algebra 2/Trig
Advanced Placement Chemistry is a second-year course in chemistry for honors-level science students. Students should have previously taken honors biology and honors chemistry. Advanced Placement (AP) Chemistry is an intensive laboratory course requiring mastery of the material of a college-level chemistry course. The class will facilitate the student’s preparation for the AP exam in May.

4487 AP Environmental Science
Year Course –Junior/ Senior Elective
Prerequisites: B- or better in both HP Biology and HP Chemistry, A or better in CP Biology and CP Chemistry, or Teacher Approval.
The goal of the AP Environmental Science course is to provide students with the scientific principles, concepts, and methodologies required to understand the interrelationships of the natural world, to identify and analyze environmental problems both natural and human-made, to evaluate the relative risks associated with these problems, and to examine alternative solutions for resolving or preventing them. The class will facilitate the student’s preparation for the AP exam.

4486 AP Physics C: Mechanics
Year Course - Senior Elective
Prerequisites: B or better in CP Physics or C or higher in HP Physics; MUST be concurrently enrolled in a Calculus course when taking AP Physics OR have completed a year of calculus prior. Students may bypass HP/CP Physics to take AP Physics with the Approval of the AP Physics Instructor.
AP Physics C: Mechanics is an introductory, college-level course in the scientific study of motion. Students will explore a multitude of mechanical concepts including inertia, conservation of energy, conservation of linear and angular momentum, simple harmonic motion, and Newton’s laws of gravitation. Laboratory activities include the exploration of Newton’s laws through rockets, determination of the acceleration due to gravity, exploration of linear and angular momentum, collisions in one dimension, and simple harmonic motion demonstrations. Course content is aligned to concurrent enrollment in Calculus and students who succeed in this course have strong skills in mathematics.

Electives

4301 CP Anatomy & Physiology
Year Course – Sophomore/Junior/Senior Elective
Prerequisite: One year of laboratory science.
This is an in-depth laboratory science course specializing in the structure and functions of human life systems. Topics studied include cells and tissues, skin and membranes, the skeletal system, the muscular system, the nervous system, the endocrine system, the cardiovascular system, the lymphatic system, the respiratory system, the digestive system, the urinary system, and the reproductive system.

4303 CP Physical Science
Year Course – Sophomore/Junior/Senior Elective
Prerequisite: A student with a grade of C or better in chemistry or physics is not permitted to enroll in this course.
Physical Science is an in-depth laboratory course designed to help the student survey the realm of physics and chemistry. The fundamental components of the physical world are studied. This course is structured to combine lectures, discussions, demonstrations, and student laboratory exercises.
This course is not a UC-approved lab science.

4315 CP Marine Sciences
Year Course – Sophomore/Junior/Senior Elective
Prerequisite: Completion of Biology with a grade of C or better.
This laboratory lab science course studies the relationships between the physical marine environment and the organisms that live there. Topics studied in this course are the chemical and physical features of the ocean, invertebrates, fish, mammals, ecology, and ecosystems native to the marine environment.