Althoff Science Department

Course Descriptions

Integrated Science     Applied Science      Science Lab Assistant
         ChemCom       Chemistry      Hon Chemistry        Chemistry II
Biology      Hon Biology       Biology II        Anatomy & Physiology
Physics      Physics II

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301INTSCIS1 INTEGRATED SCIENCE (Fr) Sem 1 .5 credit

    Prerequisite: NONE.
    A diverse science course exploring life & earth sciences. Areas of study can include the human body, earth, energy and the environment.
    This course is designed to lay a good foundation for biology.
    Student Activities: Includes a variety of laboratory activities, map reading, model building and problem solving.
    Student Evaluation: Tests, quizzes, written assignments, laboratory reports, and the semester exam.

301INTSCIS2 INTEGRATED SCIENCE (Fr) Sem 2 .5 credit

    Prerequisite: NONE.
    A diverse science course exploring physics and chemistry. Areas of study can include chemistry, practical physics, and the environment.
    This course is designed to lay a good foundation for future science courses.
    Student Activities: Includes a variety of laboratory activities, model building and problem solving.
    Student Evaluation: Tests, quizzes, written assignments, laboratory reports, and the semester exam.

309APSCIS1   APPLIED SCIENCE (Soph, Jrs)         All Year        1    credit
309APSCIS2
    Prerequisite: Completion of Integrated Science and consent of instructor or science department chair.
    This course uses problem-based investigations. The topics span numerous disciplines of science including chemistry, physics and biology.
    The topics for the year are dependent upon the instructor but could include The Rivers Project, Simple Machines, Forensics Chemistry,
    the how and why of modern technology marvels.
    Student Activities: Students will work in groups and use a hands-on approach that will emphasize skill building.
    Student Evaluation: Grade is determined by student performance, written assignments, reports, activities, and the semester exams.

310CCMS1    CHEM COM (Jrs, Srs)         All Year        1    credit
310CCMS2
    Prerequisite: Completion of Algebra 1. No other additional chemistry course may be taken after completion without consent of Chem Com instructor.
    This course is structured around motivating issues in the community involving chemistry. The class is geared to students who will be seeking non-science careers.
    Topics include water properties, acid rain, water treatment, pollution and real world application of chemistry.
    Student Activities: Students will perform and report on lab experiments, view demonstrations and relate information to the environment.
    Student Evaluation: Grade is determined by tests, quizzes, lab reports, homework assignments, classroom activities, and the semester exams.

311CHES1    CHEMISTRY (Jrs, Srs)         All Year        1    credit
311CHES2
    Prerequisite: Completion of Geometry and Biology with a "C" or better and enrolled in Algebra 2.
    This course consists of a blend of traditional chemistry and modern concepts. Theory, as well as practical applications, is stressed. Content includes energy,
    matter, atomic structure, the periodic table, chemical formulas and bonding, stoichiometry, and the gas laws. A good background in mathematics is
    essential to success in the course due to the large amount of problem solving, both in class and in the laboratory.
    Student Activities: Students will perform and report on lab experiments, view demonstrations, apply mathematical concepts, balance chemical reactions
    and develop problem solving skills.
    Student Evaluation: Grade is determined by tests, quizzes, lab reports, homework assignments, activities, and the semester exams.

312*CHS1    HON CHEMISTRY (Sophs, Jrs) HC        All Year        1    credit
312*CHS2
    Prerequisite: Completion of Hon Biology and Hon Geometry with an "A" or "B" and enrolled in Hon Algebra 2 or recommendation of the math department.
    Honors Chemistry core content is the same as Chemistry with more complex concepts included in the course (Ex: freezing point depression). Students will
    investigate an additional topic, some as independent study.
    Student Activities: Students will perform and report on laboratory experiments, view demonstrations, apply mathematical concepts, balance chemical reactions
    and develop problem solving skills. Furthermore, students will be required to do independent work on additional topics using
    CBL’s (calculator based laboratory system).
    Student Evaluation: Grade is determined by tests, quizzes, lab reports, homework assignments, activities, and the semester exams.

315*CHEM2S1    CHEMISTRY II (Jrs, Srs) HC        All Year    1    credit
315*CHEM2S2
    Prerequisite: Completion of Hon Chemistry and Hon Algebra 2 with an "A" or "B", or Chemistry with an "A" or consent of Chemistry instructor.
    This course is intended for students planning a very science-oriented college major, such as medicine, chemistry or biotechnology. Content can include such
    topics as oxidation-reduction reactions, thermochemistry, biochemistry, equilibrium, and electrochemistry.
    Student Activities: Students will perform laboratory experiments, write laboratory reports and work science-related mathematical problems.
    Students will be required to keep a laboratory notebook containing the AP (advanced placement) lab experiments.
    Student Evaluation: Grade is based on tests, quizzes, laboratory reports, and the semester exams.

319SCLAB    SCIENCE LAB ASSISTANT        Sem 1          .25 credit
320SCLAB SCIENCE LAB ASSISTANT        Sem 2          .25 credit
    Elective for any student interested in science who has a study hall period available.
    Student Activities: Set up and take down laboratory equipment; assist teacher in testing and maintenance of the lab and its equipment.
    One student may be selected by each teacher based on compatible schedules.
    Student Evaluation: Grade is based on student performance or responsibilities.

320BIOS1    BIOLOGY (Sophs)        All Year        1    credit
320BIOS2
    Prerequisite: Completion of Integrated Science with a "C" or better.
    Students will examine the world of biology, and cover a wide range of concepts, including evolution, genetic continuity, biodiversity, regulatory processes,
    ecosystems, biological history, and the scientific method. Students will also examine how biology affects their everyday lives. Study will include both
    classroom and laboratory work. In the lab, students will have an opportunity to investigate biological concepts and principles, as well as learn basic
    lab skills and techniques.
    Student Activities: Students will be required to complete assignments other than those listed above. Past projects have included caring and feeding of
    animal specimens, population sampling, field studies, research papers and maintaining a binder of all course material.
    Student Evaluation: Based on a combination of quizzes, tests, homework assignments, binder contents, laboratory reports, and the semester exams.
    Other course requirements may be added as necessary.
    NOTE: Students may be required to study preserved animal specimens.

321*BIOLS1    HON BIOLOGY (Fr, Soph) HC        All Year        1    credit
321*BIOLS2
    Prerequisite: Freshmen must be enrolled in Hon Geometry and have high placement test scores. Sophomores must be enrolled in Hon Geometry or
    Hon Algebra 2 and must have an "A" or consent of Integrated Science instructor.
    Course work is the same as for Biology, but at an honors level so biological concepts and principles will be studied in more detail.
    Student Activities: Past activities have included care of animal specimens, a fruit fly experiment in genetics, population studies using yeast,
    debates on bioethical issues, and field studies of nearby ecosystems.
    Student Evaluation: Based on a combination of quizzes, tests, homework assignments, laboratory write-ups, three original scientific investigations,
    and the semester exams.

322BIOL2S1    BIOLOGY II (Jr, Sr)        All Year        1    credit
322BIOL2S2
    Prerequisite: Completion of Biology or Honors Biology AND Chemistry or Honors Chemistry with a "C" or better, or ChemCom (with consent of instructor).
    This course delves deeper into some of the biological concepts introduced in the first year biology course. Semester 1 focuses on an assessment of a river
    ecosystem, emphasizing data collection, analysis, and presentation. The second semester explores DNA, Genetics, and the revolutionary realm
    of Biotechnology.
    Student Activities: Students will design and implement experimental research projects. A comprehensive field study will be conducted. Patterns of inheritance
    will be investigated using fruit flies. The tools of the Biotechnology trade-plasmids, electrophoresis chambers, and PCR machines-will be on loan from
    Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville.
    NOTE: Students may be asked to dissect some preserved specimens.
    Student Evaluation: Grades will be comprised of quizzes, tests, homework, research project reports, lab work, and the semester exams.

330*PHYSS1    PHYSICS (Jr, Sr) HC        All Year        1    credit
330*PHYSS2
    Prerequisite: Completion of Hon Chemistry and Hon Algebra 2 with an "A" or "B", or Chemistry with an "A" or consent of Chemistry instructor and
    enrollment in, or completion of Hon Trig, with an "A" or "B".
    The course is designed for students planning further study in math or the sciences. It relies heavily on mathematics and combines theory with practical
    application. Topics to be covered include machines, friction, forces, gravity and equilibrium.
    Student Activities: Students perform laboratory experiments including use of CBL’s (calculator based laboratory system), laboratory reports, and
    science-related math problems.
    Student Evaluation: Laboratory reports, homework problems, tests, other activities, and the semester exams.

340*ANS1    ANATOMY & PHYSIOLOGY (Jrs, Srs) HC        All Year        1    credit
340*ANS2
    Prerequisite: Completion of Hon Chem with an "A" or "B" or Chem with an "A" or consent of Chemistry instructor.
    This honors course begins with the study of human biochemistry and cellular and tissue structure/function. Students will then begin an in-depth
    examination of the anatomical structures and physiological processes of the major body systems. Study will include both classroom lecture
    as well as laboratory work.
    Student Activities: Review of current literature, construction of models, cat dissection, experiments in physiology, and an original scientific investigation.
    Student Evaluation: Based on a combination of quizzes, tests, homework assignments, lab reports, lab quizzes (both written and practical), the report on
    scientific investigation, and the semester exams.

350*PHYS2S1    PHYSICS II (Srs) HC        All Year        1    credit
350*PHYS2S2
    Prerequisite: Completion of Physics with an "A" or "B" and enrollment in Calculus.
    This course is intended for seniors planning a very science-oriented college major, such as engineering or medicine. Content includes sound, light, optics,
    electricity, magnetism and other topics.
    Student Activities: Laboratory work is used to reinforce concepts and to continue to develop scientific reasoning skills. Work can include CBL’s
    (calculator based laboratory system).
    Student Evaluation: Grade is determined by tests, quizzes, lab reports, and the semester exams.

Last updated on 2/19/02.