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Students in Physical Science - Integrated continue to develop their understanding of the core ideas in the physical, life, earth and space sciences learned in junior high school. These ideas include the most fundamental concepts from chemistry, physics, biology, and earth and space science but are intended to leave room for expanded study in upper-level high school courses. There are eight topics in Physical Science - Integrated: (1) Periodic Trends, Bonding, and Chemical; (2) Conservation of mass and energy in ecosystems; (3) Environments and Populations; (4) Electricity and Magnetism; (5) Forces and Motion; (6) Momentum and Impulse; (7) Energy; (8) Waves. Notes: All students are highly encouraged to take Physical Science-Integrated (or 8th grade Accelerated Physical Science) because it develops foundational content knowledge and skills for upper level science courses.

This course focuses on the foundational biology knowledge and skills that matter most of college and career readiness. The Pre-AP Biology Course Framework highlights how to guide students to connect core ideas within and across the units of the course, promoting the development of a coherent understanding of biological systems.

AP Biology is an introductory college level biology course. Students cultivate their understanding of Biology through inquiry-based investigations as they explore the following topics: evolution, cellular processes—energy and communication, genetics, information transfer, ecology, and interactions. The course differs significantly from the usual high school course with respect to the kind of textbook used, the range and depth of topics covered, the kind of laboratory work done by the students and the time and effort required of the students. The course is rigorous, challenging and fast paced. Students must be able to think and work independently, be willing to do independent and group projects, and study nightly in this course. Notes: Students must take this course’s AP exam in May for the weighted GPA.

NWACC BIOL 1544 is an introductory college-level course offered through NWACC that surveys various levels of organization from atoms to biomes. The course introduces students to basic principles that provide a background for understanding biological issues in society and a foundation for further study. Topics of study include the scientific method; the chemistry of life, cell structure & function, metabolism, cell reproduction, genetics, DNA structure & function, evolution, basic ecological principles. It is highly recommended that students have an introductory Biology class prior to this course. Note: This is a one semester course.

Students in Chemistry - Integrated fully develop their understanding of the core ideas in chemistry, physics, earth and space sciences. Students build on physical science ideas and skills to explain more in-depth phenomena relevant to the standards. There are 5 topics in Chemistry-Integrated: (1) Matter and Chemical Reactions, (2) Nuclear Reactions, (3) Energy Flow, (4) Waves, and (5) Forces.

This course focuses on the foundational chemistry knowledge and skills that matter most for college and career readiness. The Pre-AP Chemistry Course Framework highlights how to guide students to connect core ideas within and across the units of the course, promoting and development of a coherent understanding of matter at the atomic scale.

AP Chemistry is a rigorous exploration of the most fundamental of all science disciplines. This class covers the full scope of the first full year of college chemistry with a heavy emphasis on systems, energy transfer, and kinetic molecular theory. Notes: Students must take this course’s AP exam in May for the weighted GPA.

This course provides an introduction to the study of inorganic, organic, analytical, and physical Chemistry to continue on students’ understanding of Chemistry fundamentals learned in a prior Chemistry class. Successful completion of this course will earn students credit for College Chemistry I. Note: This is a one semester course. Beginning with the fall of 2022 this course is eligible for weighted credit. Students are highly encouraged to also enroll in NWACC Chem 1124 Chemistry II. See General Information on Concurrent Enrollment

This course continues to build on concepts learned in CHEM 1104 with the addition of topics including solution concentrations and properties, acids and bases, thermodynamics, and electrochemistry. Successful completion of this course will earn students credit for College Chemistry II. Note: This is a one semester course. Beginning with the fall of 2022 this course is eligible for weighted credit. See General Information on Concurrent Enrollment

Physics is an algebra-based, introductory course. Students engage in the investigation of physical laws and application of the principles of physics to address real-world problems. This course is devoted to Newtonian mechanics and includes: kinematics, laws of motion, work and energy, systems of particles, momentum, oscillations, gravitation, and simple circuits. This course emphasizes problem solving through creativity, questioning, teamwork, reasoning, and justification.

AP Physics 1 is an algebra-based, introductory college-level physics course. Students cultivate their understanding of Physics through inquiry-based investigations as they explore topics such as Newtonian mechanics (including rotational motion); work, energy, and power; mechanical waves and sound; and introductory, simple circuits. This course requires that 25 percent of the instructional time will be spent in hands-on laboratory work, with an emphasis on inquiry-based investigations that provide students with opportunities to apply the science practices. Notes: Students must take this course’s AP exam in May for the weighted GPA.

AP Physics 2 is an algebra-based, introductory college-level physics course. Students cultivate their understanding of Physics through inquiry-based investigations as they explore topics such as fluid statics and dynamics; thermodynamics with kinetic theory; PV diagrams and probability; electrostatics; electrical circuits with capacitors; magnetic fields; electromagnetism; physical and geometric optics; and quantum, atomic, and nuclear physics. This course requires that 25 percent of the instructional time will be spent in hands-on laboratory work, with an emphasis on inquiry-based investigations that provide students with opportunities to apply the science practices. Notes: Students must take this course’s AP exam in May for the weighted GPA.

Mechanics is equivalent to a one-semester, calculus-based, college-level physics course, especially appropriate for students planning to specialize or major in physical science or engineering. The course explores topics such as kinematics; Newton’s laws of motion; work, energy and power; systems of particles and linear momentum; circular motion and rotation; and oscillations and gravitation. Introductory differential and integral calculus is used throughout the course. AP Physics C: Mechanics includes a hands-on laboratory component comparable to a semester-long introductory college-level physics laboratory. Students should spend a minimum of 20 percent of instructional time engaged in hands-on laboratory work. Students ask questions, make observations and predictions, design experiments, analyze data, and construct arguments in a collaborative setting, where they direct and monitor their progress. Each student will complete a lab notebook or portfolio of lab reports. Notes: Students must take this course’s AP exam in May for the weighted GPA.

Environmental Science students will explore the relationship between humans and their environment and the effect they have on each other. Students will use research, analysis, labs, group work, lecture, and notes to better understand this subject. All students will be expected to complete a field study project and keep a science journal. Students are also expected to help with the recycling program.

AP Environmental Science provides students with the scientific principles, concepts, and methodologies required to understand how the inhabitants of the natural world exist in balance, 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 and/or preventing them. Notes: Students must take this course’s AP exam in May for the weighted GPA.

Zoology covers different aspects of animals. Students will examine the classifications of animals and their unique systems and places in the environment. The course begins with a basic biology review and then quickly covers the invertebrate phylum. Animal classification and identification are stressed. In each phylum, animals of Arkansas are emphasized. Students will be expected to perform dissection as part of the lab portion of the course. Course Fee: $20

Students in Anatomy & Physiology develop understanding of key concepts that help them make sense of interactions among systems within the human body. There are eight topics in Anatomy & Physiology: (1) Patterns, (2) Structure and Function, (3) Scale, Proportion, and Quantity, (4) Stability and Change, (5) Cause and Effect, (6) Energy and Matter, (7) Systems and System Models, and (8) Career Exploration with Engineering Practices. Memorization, practice, and communication skills are required. Comprehensive special projects are assigned and a cat dissection is required. Students must have the skills to do independent activities and higher-level thinking skills to deal with abstract concepts. Course Fee: $10

Students in astronomy continue to develop fundamental concepts from chemistry, physics, and earth and space science to allow high school students to explain more in-depth phenomena. There are eight topics in astronomy: (1) Observational Astronomy, (2) Early History of Astronomy, (3) Gravitation, (4) Formation of the Solar System, (5) Earth, Moon, and Sun System, (6) Electromagnetic Radiation and Matter, (7) Stellar Evolution, and (8) Cosmology. Students are also expected to demonstrate understanding of several engineering practices, including design and evaluation.