Damonte Ranch High School

ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE 1-2

Course #: 3113, 3114
Grade: 11-12
Year: 1 credit
Lab Fee: $5.00
Prerequisite: Successful completion of 2 years of science

Students will investigate various environmental issues in the local and/or regional area(s). The course will cover ecosystems, the processes of natural selection, conservation, threats to our environment, and alternative energy sources. Course goals include: 1) developing a recognition of the flow of matter and energy between living things and their environment; 2) exploring the relationships between living things and their environment and how life has evolved over time; 3) developing and understanding of the problems faced by political systems and communities in regulating industry and land use planning; 4) recognizing the relationship between societal structure and its impacts on resources; and 5) exploring the methods of environmental decision making and the use of cost benefit analysis.

EARTH SCIENCE 1-2

Course #: 3127, 3128
Grade: 11-12
Year: 1 Credit
Lab Fee: $5.00
Prerequisite: Successful completion of 2 years of science

Students will explore the dynamics of the ocean, the atmosphere, and the earth layers themselves. The transfer and flow of energy between and within systems will be explored. A basic investigative approach that stresses laboratory procedure, use and care of instruments and equipment, testing current theories of earth science, proper lab write-ups, and maps. Charts and graphs will be constructed to display and highlight scientific data.

Course goals include 1) recognizing that matter and energy interact through time to produce changes; 2) developing an understanding of the amount of time involved in earth processes; 3) becoming aware that the oceans are the earth’s most prominent feature; 4) identifying the pathways in the hydrologic cycle; and 5) recognizing pollutants and human effects on earth systems

BIOLOGY 1-2

Course #: 3201, 3202
Grade: 9-12
Year: 1 Credit
Lab Fee: $15.00
Prerequisite: Concurrent enrollment in Algebra 1-2 or higher

This course is designed to demonstrate the dynamic processes of life and to show how our survival as a species is dependent upon the understanding of the following biological principles: genetics, natural history, ecology, evolution, cell processes, heredity, and biotechnology.

Upon successful completion of Biology, students will understand 1) the natural laws that govern the existence of life; 2) the interrelationships in the world of life and the chemical and physical processes involved; 3) the skills necessary for utilizing and maintaining the equipment and instruments for science; 4) how to incorporate more applied science to the real world; and 5) several occupational fields in the sciences.

ADVANCED PLACEMENT BIOLOGY

Course #: 3221, 3222
Grade: 11 - 12
Year: 1 Honors Credit
Lab Fee: $20.00
Fee: $87.00 AP exam
Prerequisite: Successful completion of Biology and one other high school science course

This course is designed for students who have a deep interest in Biology and parallels a college-level biology course. Topics covered include cellular and molecular biology, bioenergetics, genetics, plant and animal physiology and development, evolution and origin of life and ecology. Students enrolled in this course are required to take the College Board Advanced Placement Examination In Biology.

CHEMISTRY 1-2

Course #: 3301, 3302
Grade: 10-12
Year: 1 Honors Credit
Lab Fee: $15.00
Prerequisite: Completion of Biology and/or course equivalent and Geometry or concurrent enrollment

The study of Chemistry deals with the properties, composition and reactions of substances. As a language, Chemistry is cumulative in nature. The behaviors of solids, liquids and gases; chemical formulas and equations; acid/base and oxidation reduction reactions; and atomic structure are explored.

Upon successful completion of Chemistry, students are 1) familiar with laboratory apparatus and materials; 2) aware of environmental phenomenon involving chemical changes; and 3) can recognize chemistry encountered in daily life.

ADVANCED PLACEMENT CHEMISTRY

Course #: 3221, 3322
Grade: 11 - 12
Year: 1 Honors Credit
Prerequisite: Successful completion of Gen. Chemistry and Algebra 3-4
Fees: SEE TABLE BELOW

SCHOLARSHIP OPPORTUNITY: One student will be chosen for a scholarship of $300 to help with costs of this course. Interested students should fill out an application form available in the counseling office.

This class is designed for students who have a deep interest in chemistry and deals with topics not covered in general chemistry. Specific topics covered include rates of chemical reactions, properties of solutions. electrochemistry, transition metal chemistry, quantitative analysis, qualitative analysis and organic chemistry. Students enrolled in this course are required to take the College Board Advanced Placement Examination in Chemistry. AP Chemistry students have the opportunity to enroll is a one-credit per semester chemistry lab at the University of Nevada, Reno. The three-hour lab will be held on Monday evening and parallels the University lab required of University students who are enrolled in Chemistry 101 and 102. The cost to the high school students is one credit fee charge to University students plus a $20.00 lab fee, $10:00 of which is refundable at the end of the semester.

PHYSICS 1-2

Course #: 3401, 3402
Grade: 11-12
Year: 1 Honors Credit
Lab Fee: $15.00
Prerequisite: Completion of 2 years of science

Physics is the study of motion and energy and time and space. To include concepts in Kinematics, dynamics, energy, static, electricity, wave theory and modern Physics. This course will emphasize critical thinking and problem solving using math skills including algebra, geometry, and trigonometry. Students will participate in wide-range of activities including discussions, demonstrations and laboratory exercises.

ADVANCED PLACEMENT PHYSICS

Course #: 3407, 3408
Grade: 11-12
Year: 1 Honors Credit
Lab Fee : $15.00
AP Exam: $87.00
Prerequisite: Teacher Recommendation

This class is designed for students who have a deep interest in Physics. The course will include topics such as motion in on or two dimensions, energy, momentum, gravity and rotational motion. This class is predominately a problem-solving course. Students enrolled in this course will be required to take the College Board Advanced Placement Examination in Physics.

HUMAN ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY 1-2

Course #: 3513, 3514
Grade: 11-12
Year: 1 Honors Credit
Lab Fee: $15.00
Prerequisite: Successful completion of Biology and/or Life Science and one other high school science course

This honors level course is designed to provide fundamental and structural concepts of the human anatomy. You will be learning how the human body works and the bio mechanics of the human body. The class will involve lectures, videos, small group instruction, and some laboratory work.