Oswego East High School

Honors Biology is the study of living things and their relationships with the non-living world. This two semester accelerated introduction to Biology takes a hands-on approach to the study of life. Students will conduct investigations that will support understanding on topics such as the structure and function of organisms, matter and energy in organisms and ecosystems, interactions in ecosystems, inheritance and variation of traits, unity and diversity of life, and natural selection and evolution.

AP Biology is equivalent to a first year college biology course for biology majors. In this course, students will prepare for the AP Biology exam by focusing on content and science reasoning skills. Knowledge of biology will be gained through lecture, independent study, and group laboratory activities. AP Biology focuses on the connections between organisms and their environment, the molecular and biochemical processes of life, reproduction of organisms, and evolution of living things. Students who take AP Biology should enjoy reading about science, analyzing data, writing lab reports, and studying content to apply knowledge to problem solving situations. Completion of the AP Biology exam is strongly encouraged.

This honors level course introduces students to the fundamental concepts of human anatomy and physiology. The course begins with an orientation to the human body followed by in-depth exploration of major body systems. This lab-based class incorporates mammalian dissection experiences. This course is appropriate for 11th and 12th grade students who have successfully completed biology and chemistry.

Students enrolling in AP Chemistry will cover topics equivalent to a first-year college general chemistry course. Students will be encouraged, though not required, to take the AP Chemistry exam. Scoring well on this test will usually allow students to take second year chemistry courses as a college freshman, as well as preparing them for medical and science related careers. Taking the AP Chemistry exam is strongly encouraged.

In this enriched and rigorous chemistry course, students will utilize the problem-solving skills of logic and deductive reasoning. Student participation in ongoing discussion and experimentation is required, with an emphasis on data analysis and understanding of the chemical principles that explain the behavior of matter. This course is appropriate for 10th grade (and up) students with above average skills in mathematics, English/Language Arts reading and writing, and for students who are considering taking AP Chemistry.

AP Physics 1 is an enriched physics course which provides a background in the physical laws that describe our universe such as Newtonian mechanics, work, energy, power, waves, and sound. This course relies heavily on laboratory experimentation and mathematical modeling to give the students an understanding of the major concepts of physics. Student participation in ongoing discussion and experimentation is required, with an emphasis on data analysis and understanding of the physical concepts.

AP Physics 2 is an enriched physics course which provides a background in the physical laws that describe our universe such as Thermodynamics: laws of thermodynamics, ideal gases, and kinetic theory, fluid statics and dynamics, electrostatics: electric force, electric field and electric potential, DC circuits and RC circuits (steady-state only), magnetism and electromagnetic induction, geometric and physical optics and quantum physics, atomic, and nuclear physics. This course relies heavily on laboratory experimentation and mathematical modeling to give the students an understanding of the major concepts of physics. Student participation in ongoing discussion and experimentation is required, with an emphasis on data analysis and understanding of the physical concepts.

Advanced Placement Physics C is a calculus-based, college level, physics course designed to prepare students for the Advanced Placement exams. Students will study in-depth topics in mechanics during first semester, and in-depth topics in electricity and magnetism during second semester. Students can earn as many as 8 college credits upon successful completion of the AP exam.

HONORS EARTH AND SPACE SCIENCE

Earth and Space Science is a laboratory based, in-depth course that integrates the study of Earth with the characteristics of the solar system and builds upon those concepts. The study of the Earth will include its geological history, composition, structure, atmosphere, and place in the universe. The characteristics of the solar system include (but are not limited to) the motion of the universe and its structures. The tools required for space exploration may also be studied. In this course students will collect and interpret real-time data, utilizing problem solving and critical thinking to gain an understanding of events happening in the real world.

AP ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE

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.

 

In this introductory course of the PLTW BMS program, students explore concepts of biology and medicine to determine factors that led to the death of a fictional person. While investigating the case, students examine autopsy reports, investigate medical history, and explore medical treatments that might have prolonged the person’s life. The activities and projects introduce students to human physiology, basic biology, medicine, and research processes while allowing them to design their own experiments to solve problems.

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 Maniken; 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 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; conquer cancer; 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.

In the final course of the PLTW Biomedical Science sequence, students build on the knowledge and skills gained from previous courses to design and innovate 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. They have the opportunity to work on an independent design project with a mentor or advisor from a university, medical facility or research institution.