Cardinal Ritter High School

Science

Biology I

• 9
• 10

2 Semesters / 2 Credit(s)

This first year general biology course will reflect the entire spectrum of living things.  The student will be able to engage in scientific inquiry, understand societal roles of science and technology and appreciate the unifying principles of biology.  Emphasis will be on biological characteristics, methods and tools, chemical and physical organizations of life, prokaryotic and eukaryotic cell structures and functions, biochemistry, cellular metabolisms, cell divisions, genetics, protein synthesis, evolution, ecology, the biosphere and living biological tissues and organs.  Lectures, laboratories, dissection, projects, field trips, technology and/or investigations will be utilized in this course.

Prerequisite: Must have passed the Language Arts portion of the 8th grade ISTEP + examination. Placement test recommendation required.

Honors Biology I

• 9

2 Semesters / 2 Credit(s)

This course is an accelerated and more in-depth study of biology.  The material studied will come from a variety of sources.  The student will be able to engage in scientific inquiry, understand societal roles of science and technology and appreciate the unifying principles of biology.  Emphasis will be on biological cell structures and functions, biochemistry, cellular metabolisms, cell divisions, Mendelian and molecular genetics, evolution, protein synthesis, ecology, anatomy and physiology of plants and biological systems.  Lectures, laboratories, dissection, projects, long-term research, field trips, technology and/or investigations will be utilized in this course.  Reading a scientific novel may be required during the year.

Prerequisite: Must have passed the Language Arts portion of the 8th grade ISTEP+ examination. B average in 8th grade English and Placement test recommendation required.

Advanced Science, Special Topics (Human Anatomy and Physiology)

• 10
• 11
• 12

2 Semesters / 2 Credit(s)

This course provides for an in-depth investigation of comparative anatomy and physiology.  This class requires lengthy and detailed dissections.  All of the major organ systems will be studied.  Lectures, research, laboratories, dissection, projects, technology, and/or investigations will be utilized in this course.

Prerequisite: B average in Biology I and B average in Chemistry I

Biology, Advanced Placement

• 11
• 12

2 Semesters / 2 Credit(s)

This course is an advanced study of the characteristics of life designed to be equivalent to a full year of biology taken during the first year of college by biology majors.  Emphasis will be placed on biological concerns, cytology, organic chemistry, cellular respiration, photosynthesis, cellular division, molecular genetics, genetic inheritance patterns, evolution, diversity of organisms, ecology and the structure and function of plants and animals.  Lectures, research, laboratories, projects, technology, field trips and/or investigations will be utilized in this course.  Students taking this course are required to take the AP Exam. Summer reading is required for this course. For every 1 hour of class time, students should expect to spend 2 hours outside of class on course work.

Prerequisite: Minimum of B average or higher in Honors Biology I or A+ in Biology I with Honors Chemistry I. Anatomy and Physiology with a C or higher and AP Chemistry is suggested. Not eligible for a waiver.

Advanced Science, Special Topics (Ecology)

• 10
• 11
• 12

2 Semesters / 2 Credit(s)

This is a science class involving an in-depth study of the relationship between organisms and their environment.  The class may make many field trips to the creek near Marian University.  Biotic and abiotic factors affecting life in and surrounding the creek will be studied.  The carbon, water, and nitrogen cycles will be studied along with energy flow through trophic levels.  A comprehensive lab report of the student’s data collection and conclusions will be presented at the end of the course.  Students will write three to four papers during the class as part of their in-depth studies.

Earth and Space Science I

• 9
• 10
• 11
• 12

2 Semesters / 2 Credit(s)

This course will reflect the entire spectrum of earth and space.  The student will be able to engage in scientific inquiry, understand societal roles of science and technology, and appreciate the unifying characteristics of the earth, atmosphere and space sciences.  This course provides for the in-depth investigation of one or more specialized earth or space science disciplines such as geology, mineralogy, oceanography, paleontology, astronomy, meteorology and/or theoretical physics of space and time.  The course is geared to produce a scientifically-literate student capable of using his/her knowledge of earth and space.  Lectures, projects, presentations, technology, lab work and/or investigations will be utilized in this course.   Semesters are independent of each other.  Fall semester focuses on geology, while the spring semester focuses on astronomy and meteorology.

Integrated Chemistry-Physics

• 10
• 11
• 12

2 Semesters / 2 Credit(s)

This introductory course will help the student understand the fundamental concepts of matter and energy, mechanics, heat, magnetism, electricity, sound and light.  The course will also focus on the structures of matter, atomic structures, chemistry and nuclear physics with an emphasis on recent advances in chemistry.  This course may be taken to prepare students for general chemistry.  Lectures, projects, presentations, technology and lab work will be utilized in this course.  A SCIENTIFIC CALCULATOR IS REQUIRED FOR THIS COURSE.

Prerequisite: Algebra I

Chemistry I

• 10
• 11
• 12

2 Semesters / 2 Credit(s)

This first year chemistry course will provide the student with the opportunity to develop an understanding of the nature and composition of matter and its chemical interactions.  The student will be able to engage in scientific inquiry, understand societal roles of science and technology and appreciate the unifying principles of chemistry and organic chemistry.  The course will emphasize the history of chemistry, chemical bonding, nomenclature, classification of reactions, the behavior of gases, the nature of solutions and laboratory safety.  Lectures, projects, presentations, technology, lab work, demonstrations and/or investigations will be utilized in this course. A GRAPHING CALCULATOR IS REQUIRED FOR THIS COURSE.

Prerequisite: C average in both Biology I and Algebra I

Honors Chemistry I

• 10
• 11
• 12

2 Semesters / 2 Credit(s)

This first year chemistry course provides an in-depth study of chemistry at an accelerated rate.  It provides the student with the opportunity to develop an understanding of the nature and composition of matter and its chemical interactions through a variety of resources.  The student will engage in scientific inquiry, understand societal roles of science and technology and appreciate the unifying principles of chemistry and organic chemistry.  The course will emphasize the history of chemistry, chemical bonding, nomenclature, classification of reactions, the behavior of gases, the nature of solutions and laboratory safety.  This class will also include topics not covered in Chemistry I such as an introduction to nuclear chemistry, biochemistry, thermochemistry, and organic chemistry.  Lectures, projects, presentations, technology, lab work, demonstrations and/or investigations will be utilized in this honors course. A GRAPHING CALCULATOR IS REQUIRED FOR THIS COURSE.

Prerequisite: B average in both Biology I and Algebra I

Chemistry, Advanced Placement

• 11
• 12

2 Semesters / 2 Credit(s)

This course is designed to be the equivalent of the general chemistry course usually taken during the first college year.  Students will increase the depth of knowledge gained during Chemistry I and build on their laboratory skills through an intensive lab schedule.  Emphasis at this level will include properties and forces in solids, liquids, gases, and solutions, thermochemistry, chemical kinetics and equilibrium, electrochemistry, and nuclear chemistry.  Lectures, research projects, technology, laboratory experiments, and field trips will be utilized in this course.  All students enrolled in this course are required to take the AP Exam.  A GRAPHING CALCULATOR IS REQUIRED FOR THIS COURSE.  Summer Reading is also required for this course.

Prerequisite: B average in Honors Chemistry I along with a B average in Algebra II; Be enrolled in Pre-Calculus or have taken it previously. Not eligible for a waiver.

Honors Physics

• 11
• 12

2 Semesters / 2 Credit(s)

Honors Physics is a laboratory-based course in which students synthesize the fundamental concepts and principles related to matter and energy, including mechanics, wave motion, heat, light, electricity, magnetism, atomic and subatomic physics.  Through regular laboratory study using such quantities as velocity, acceleration, force, energy, momentum, and charge, students (1) examine the nature and scope of physics, including its relationship to other sciences and its ability to describe phenomena using physical laws, (2) describe the history of physics and its role in the birth of technology, (3) explore the uses of its models, theories, and laws in various careers, and (4) investigate physics questions and problems related to personal needs and societal issues. It is recommended that students take this course prior to enrolling in Physics, Advanced Placement. A GRAPHING CALCULATOR IS REQUIRED FOR THIS COURSE.

Prerequisite: B average in Algebra II; be enrolled in Pre-Calculus or have taken it previously

Physics, Advanced Placement

• 11
• 12

2 Semesters / 2 Credit(s)

This physics course will provide the student the opportunity to develop an understanding of the nature of matter and its interactions and interdependencies.  The student will be able to observe and understand the fundamental concepts and principles concerning mechanics, heat and temperature, electricity and magnetism, wave motion, and atomic and nuclear physics.  The course is designed to help the students: (1) read, understand, and interpret physical information through words, graphs, and equations, (2) use mathematical reasoning to solve physical problems, and (3) perform experiments and interpret the results of observations.  Lectures, projects, presentations, technology, lab work, demonstrations, and/or investigations will be utilized in this course.  Students taking this course are required to take the AP Exam.  A GRAPHING CALCULATOR IS REQUIRED FOR THIS COURSE.

Prerequisite: B average or higher in Honors Physics. C average or higher in Honors Pre-Calculus or B average or higher in Pre-Calculus A+. Not eligible for a waiver.