Program of Studies
Science Courses
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Science credits must include one (1) unit of biology, one (1) unit of any physical sciences, and one (1) unit of advanced study in one or more of the following sciences: chemistry, physics, or other physical sciences; advanced biology or other life science; astronomy, physical geology, or other earth or space science.
Physical & Life Sciences
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Physical Science Investigation and Research
Physical Science is an inquiry-based course that introduces students to key concepts related to Chemistry, Physics, and Earth and Space science. Students will focus on planning and carrying out scientific investigations. Current physical science phenomena and real-world problems will be the basis to conduct research, design experiments and evaluate and communicate results.
Course number: 241
Duration: Full Year
Credit: 1
Grade Levels: 9-12
Fee: $9
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Chemistry
Chemistry is intended to be an inquiry course that will emphasize the organized collection, analysis, and communication of data, while introducing evaluation, prediction, and application of skills. The topics from the Ohio Model Curriculum covered in Chemistry will include: analysis of materials, nomenclature, bonding, stoichiometry, chemical equations, periodicity, atomic models, reduction and oxidation reactions, acids and bases, gas laws, intermolecular attractions, kinetics and equilibrium processes.
Throughout the course, qualitative and quantitative laboratory skills will be developed through the manipulation of standard laboratory equipment.Course Number: 226
Duration: Full Year
Credits: 1
Grade: 9-12
Fees: $16
Additional: Credit in Algebra I required; chemical splash goggles required – included in course fee.
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Earth & Space Science
Combining the science of the world beneath our feet and the skies above our heads, this course will focus on understanding the phenomena that occur daily in our oceans and how they relate to changes in our atmosphere. Special emphasis will be placed on plate tectonics, ocean currents, ocean exploration, and the effects the ocean has on climate, including analysis of weather data and climatic changes, as well as atmospheric phenomena. Computer literacy will be developed by implementing Internet weather data banks.
Astronomy is a focus on the study of our cosmos. Through a combination of laboratory activities, short and long-term projects, and other daily class work, the student will review and further expand on the scientific principles of our solar system, galaxy, and universe. Special emphasis will be placed on the history of astronomy, structures in space, and theories behind our world’s beginning and interrelationships with the rest of space.Course Number: 235
Duration: Year
Credits: 1
Grade: 9-12
Fees: $10
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Physics
The focus of this course will be to develop a better understanding of the physical laws that govern nature through conceptual and mathematical processes and an inquiry-based laboratory approach. Topics, from the Ohio Model Curriculum, include kinematics (position, velocity and acceleration of objects), as well as forces, energy and its conservation, electricity, and magnetism.
Laboratory skills will be designed to encourage problem-solving and independent thought, and a variety of tools and technology will be used for collecting and analyzing data. This course is designed to prepare students for a college major that requires science.Course Number: 247
Duration: Full Year
Credits: 1
Grade: 9-12
Fees: $10
Additional: Concurrent enrollment in Algebra 2 or higher math.
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AP Physics 1
AP Physics 1 is an algebra-based, introductory college-level physics course that may be taken with no prior physics coursework. Students cultivate their understanding of Physics through inquiry-based investigations as they explore topics such as Newtonian mechanics including rotational motion and torque, momentum and impulse, work, energy and its conservation. In addition to Newtonian mechanics topics of mechanical waves and sound, electrostatics, and direct current (DC) circuits with resistors will be developed. Instruction will focus on the big ideas typically included in the first semester of an algebra-based, introductory college-level physics sequence and provide students with enduring understandings to support future advanced course work in the sciences. Through inquiry-based learning, students will develop critical thinking and reasoning skills, as defined by the AP Science Practices.
At least twenty-five percent of instructional time is devoted to hands-on laboratory work with an emphasis on inquiry-based investigations and design projects. Investigations will require students to ask questions, make observations and predictions, design experiments, analyze data, and construct arguments in a collaborative setting, where they direct and monitor their progress.Course Number: 256AP
Duration: Full Year
Credits: 1
Grade: 9-12
Fees: $35
Additional: Credit or concurrent enrollment in Algebra 2 or higher required; students eligible for free or reduced lunch should check with their counselor about AP exam fee waivers.
Life Sciences
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Biology
This course will emphasize biology concepts from the Ohio Model Curriculum in Biology, including cell structure and function, cellular processes, ecosystems, evolution and interdependence of life, heredity, and cellular genetics.
A laboratory approach will be used to encourage students to develop inquiry skills, process skills, and a working knowledge of biology. Knowledge and skills gained will be applied by students in individual and cooperative projects related to course themes.Course Number: 203
Duration: Full Year
Credits: 1
Grade: 9-10
Fees: $14
Additional: End-of-Course state test required; fulfills Biology credit for graduation.
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Pre-AP Biology
Pre-AP Biology is intended for highly motivated students who have demonstrated an interest in science. In Pre-AP Biology, students are expected to work independently and collaboratively on a variety of assignments and accept greater responsibility for their learning. Pre-AP Biology is designed to give students a more challenging and in-depth experience of the Ohio Model Curriculum in Biology and introduction to advanced Biology concepts.
This will include additional time requirements outside of the regular school day for students to complete extended Biology projects. Additionally, students will be required to design and conduct scientific investigations to explore Biology phenomena. A laboratory approach will be used to encourage students to develop inquiry skills, process skills and working knowledge of Biology.
Course Number: 203PreAP
Duration: Full Year
Credits: 1
Grade: 9-10
Fees: $14
Additional: End-of-Course state test required; fulfills biology credit for graduation.
Advanced Science Courses
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AP Environmental Science
This course is the equivalent of the college freshman environmental science course following the prescribed curriculum as published by the College Board. Students will explore and investigate the interrelationships of the natural world, identify and analyze environmental problems, both natural and human-made, evaluate the relative risks associated with these environmental problems, and examine alternative solutions for resolving and/or preventing them.
Course Number: 252AP
Duration: Full Year
Credits: 1
Grade: 10-12
Fees: $40
Additional: Credit in Biology and Algebra I required.
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Pre-AP Chemistry
Pre-AP Chemistry focuses on students developing a deep conceptual understanding of matter and energy at the molecular level by asking students to explain their macroscopic observations using particulate-level reasoning. Students will begin their exploration of matter by observing and measuring macroscopic properties of everyday materials and progress throughout the course to explore deeper and more detailed perspectives of the particle nature of matter. Pre-AP Chemistry motivates students to be active participants in applying critical thinking and mathematical skills as they engage in context-driven mathematics, data analysis, modeling, and productive collaboration with their peers. Specific applications of inorganic chemistry, including Material Science, will be highlighted.
Course Number: 223PreAP
Duration: Full Year
Credits: 1
Grade: 10-12
Fees: $16
Additional: Enrollment or credit in Biology or equivalent STEM course required; completed or concurrently enrolled in Algebra 2; chemical splash goggles required – included in course fee.
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AP Chemistry
This course is the equivalent of the college freshman chemistry course following curriculum as prescribed by the College Board. This course is an excellent preparation for premedical, nursing, veterinarian, industrial hygienist, and engineering related careers.
Students must be able to work independently. Further development of individual laboratory skills introduced in previous courses will be emphasized. Additional time for lab work may be required.
Course Number: 228AP
Duration: Year
Credits: 1
Grade: 10-12
Fees: $43
Additional: Credit in Chemistry and Algebra 2; chemical splash goggles required but not included in course fee.
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AP Physics C: Electricity and Magnetisn
This course is the equivalent of a college calculus-based physics course in Electricity and Magnetism following the prescribed curriculum as published by the College Board. Engineering, mathematics, medical and pure science majors may use this course to deepen their understanding of college physics principles and procedures. AP Physics C: Electricity and Magnetism will emphasize higher order thinking and problem-solving skills in the laboratory and theoretical settings. Students will need to be motivated and self-directed in both individual and team-based work. Advanced Placement courses are demanding and require daily work outside of class. Topics in this Electricity and Magnetism course include an advanced study of electrostatics and electric fields; conductors, capacitors and dielectrics; electric circuits (both DC and AC); magnetic fields and forces; and electromagnetism including RLC circuits and Lenz’s Law. This course may include building and design projects where students can demonstrate their understanding of course topics. Given time, additional topics may include the study of optics and modern physics (relativity and quantum physics).
Course Number: 258AP
Duration: Full Year
Credits: 1
Grade: 10-12
Fees: $35
Additional: Students should have taken a prior advanced science physics course (Physics or AP Physics 1). Students should have completed or be concurrently enrolled in Pre-Calculus or the equivalent CCP course.
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AP Physics C: Mechanics
This course is the equivalent of a college calculus-based physics course in Mechanics following the prescribed curriculum as published by the College Board. Engineering, mathematics, medical, and pure science majors may use this course to deepen their understanding of college physics principles and procedures. AP Physics C: Mechanics will emphasize higher-order thinking and problem-solving skills in laboratory and theoretical settings. Students will need to be motivated and self-directed in both individual and team-based work. Advanced Placement courses are demanding and require work outside of class. Topics in this Mechanics course include the advanced study of kinematics; Newton’s laws of motion and forces; work, energy, and power; systems of particles and linear momentum; circular motion and rotation along with moment of inertia; and oscillations and gravitation. This course will feature several building and design projects where students can demonstrate their understanding of course topics. Given time, additional topics may include the study of fluids and thermal physics.
Course Number: 259AP
Duration: Full Year
Credits: 1
Grade: 10-12
Fees: $35
Additional: Students should have taken a physics course and have completed or be concurrently enrolled in Pre-Calculus or the equivalent CCP course.
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AP Biology
This course is the equivalent of the college freshman biology course following the prescribed curriculum as published by the College Board. This course is excellent preparation for premedical, nursing, veterinarian, industrial hygienist, and other health-related careers. The student must be able to work independently. Individual and creative laboratory work is an integral part of the course of study. The following topics will be studied during the course: Molecules and Cells, Heredity and Evolution, and Organisms and Populations. Additional time for lab work may be required.
Course Number: 212AP
Duration: Full Year
Credits: 1
Grade: 10-12
Fees: $44
Additional: Credit in Biology required; credit or concurrent enrollment in Chemistry suggested.
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Honors Anatomy and Physiology
Honors Anatomy and Physiology is intended for highly motivated students who demonstrate an interest in or are pursuing professions in medical fields. Students are expected to work independently and collaboratively on a variety of assignments and accept greater responsibility for their learning. This will include additional time requirements outside of the regular school day for students to complete the following: design and conduct independent and collaborative scientific investigations to answer questions; perform inquiry activities that extend over time; relate investigation(s) to recent research and communicate findings in a formal written laboratory report and presentation. Students will investigate human body systems, organs, tissues and cells, focusing on the integument, skeletal, muscular, and nervous systems along with laboratory approach for the physiology and application of life processes.
Students will investigate the endocrine, lymphatic, cardiovascular, digestive, respiratory, immune and reproductive systems. Students will examine similarities of the human body systems through a mammal dissection.
Course Number: 208H
Duration: Full Year
Credits: 1
Grade: 10-12
Fees: $70
Additional: Credit in Biology required; Students seeking extended learning in the medical field are encouraged to participate.
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Honors Organic Chemistry
This course will introduce the characteristics of organic compounds and the most important organic functional groups. The chemistry of carbon compounds will be distinguished from inorganic chemistry. The various classes of aliphatic and aromatic compounds will be examined. The diversity of functional groups will be explored regarding reactivity and mechanism. Stereochemistry will emphasize the three-dimensional aspect that the carbon backbone confers upon macromolecules.
A laboratory approach will be used to encourage students to develop inquiry skills, qualitative and quantitative laboratory skills, process skills and working knowledge of chemistry.
Course Number: 217H
Duration: Year
Credits: 1
Grade: 10-12
Fees: $15
Additional: Credit in Chemistry; chemical splash goggles required but not included in course fee; recommended for students interested in pursuing a science major in college.
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Forensic Sciences 1
This course will examine a variety of topics related to the field of forensic science including: observation skills, fiber and textile analysis, hair analysis, fingerprinting, blood and blood splatter analysis, forensic anthropology, crime scene investigation, and evidence collection. This course will emphasize inquiry and problem-solving in the laboratory.
Course Number: 219
Duration: Semester
Credits: 0.5
Grade: 10-12
Fees: $15
Additional: Credit in Biology required.
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Forensic Science 2
This course will build on and expand topics explored in Forensic Science 1. Topics may include DNA Fingerprinting, Drug Identification and Toxicology, Glass Evidence, Casts and Impressions, Tool Marks, Ballistics, and Forensic Entomology. This course will emphasize inquiry and problem-solving in the field and laboratory.
Course Number: 221
Duration: Semester
Credits: 0.5
Grade: 10-12
Fees: $15
Additional: Credit in Forensic Science I required.
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Forensic Science 3
This course will build on and expand topics explored in Forensic Science 1 and 2. Topics may include: Interrogation and Forensic Reporting, Arson, Fire and Explosion Investigation, Physical Trauma (wounds, injuries) and Autopsy, Accident Reconstruction, Digital Evidence (mobile devices, computers, cybercrimes), Criminal Profiling, Detector Dogs (drugs, missing persons, find and rescue), Biometrics, and Crime Scene Photography. This course will emphasize inquiry and problem-solving in the field and laboratory.
Course Number: 222
Duration: Semester
Credits: 0.5
Grade: 10-12
Fees: $15
Additional: Credit in Forensic Science 1 and 2 required.
Biomedical Science
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Honors Principles of Biomedical Sciences
This course will help prepare students for a career in medical and health care fields and will challenge students to solve real-world problems. They will practice how to think critically to innovate in science and gain practical experience tackling challenges that biomedical professionals face in the field. Additionally, students will work through real-world situations, cases, and problems, such as solving a medical mystery case, diagnosing and treating a patient, responding to a medical outbreak, and exploring various biomedical innovations and technologies. Students will also have the opportunity to receive medical badges and will participate in medical credentialing. This is the first course in the PLTW CTE Biomedical Pathway.
Course Number: 284H
Duration: Full Year
Credits: 1
Grade: 9-12
Fees: None
Additional: Other students that enter the CTE program out of sequence that are interested in the program will contact the Biomedical Science Coordinator. Three end-of-course exams associated with this course: PLTW, state Biology, and CTE WebXam required.
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Honors Human Body Systems
Students examine the interactions of human body systems as they explore identity, power, movement, protection, and homeostasis. Exploring science in action, students build organs and tissues on a skeletal Manikin®; use data acquisition software to monitor body functions such as muscle movement, reflex and voluntary action, and respiration; and take on the roles of biomedical professionals to solve real-world medical cases. Students will also have the opportunity to receive medical badges and will participate in medical credentialing.
This course is an upper-level course in the Medical Bioscience Career Pathway, a Career Technical Education (CTE) program, and is available to those who have completed the appropriate foundational level courses.
Course Number: 287H
Duration: Full Year
Credits: 1
Grade: 10-11
Fees: None
Additional: Credit in Principles of the Biomedical Sciences, pre-AP Biology or the equivalent prerequisite is required. This is the second course in the PLTW/CTE Biomedical Pathway; end-of-course PLTW and CTE WebXam required.
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Medical Interventions
Students follow the life of a fictitious family as they investigate how to prevent, diagnose, and treat disease. Students explore how to detect and fight infection; screen and evaluate the code in human DNA; evaluate cancer treatment options; and prevail when the organs of the body begin to fail. Through real-world cases, students are exposed to a range of interventions related to immunology, surgery, genetics, pharmacology, medical devices, and diagnostics. Students will also have the opportunity to receive medical badges and will participate in medical credentialing.
This course is an upper-level course in the Medical Bioscience Career Pathway, a Career Technical Education (CTE) program, and is available to those who have completed the appropriate foundational level courses.
Course Number: 254
Duration: Full Year
Credits: 1
Grade: 11–12
Fees: None
Additional: This is the third course in the PLTW/CTE Biomedical Pathway; credit in Human Body Systems required; end-of-course PLTW and CTE WebXams required.
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Biomedical Innovations
In the final course of the Biomedical Science sequence, students build on the knowledge and skills gained from previous courses to design innovative solutions for the most pressing health challenges of the 21st century. Students address topics ranging from public health and biomedical engineering to clinical medicine and physiology. Students will be shadowing in areas of the hospital such as the Emergency Department, Pharmacy, Core lab, Imaging, and Mammography. This course is offered at The Pickerington OhioHealth Methodist Hospital. Students will be required to follow OhioHealth guidelines during shadowing. Students will also have the opportunity to receive medical badges and will participate in medical credentialing.
Course Number: 255
Duration: Full Year
Credits: 1
Grade: 12
Fees: None
Additional: This is the fourth course in the PLTW/CTE Biomedical Pathway; credit in Medical Interventions required; end-of-course CTE WebXams required.
