Course Catalog

Science pervades our society and the rapid pace of scientific change requires all students to develop a higher level of science literacy than ever before.  Consistent with the mission of Deering High School, the science curriculum has been designed to enable students to develop their reading, writing, listening and speaking skills as they utilize mathematical and scientific methods to answer questions and solve problems, evaluate data critically for content, source and relevance, and employ technology to gather, organize and communicate information in order to investigate and solve problems.  In science classes, students also work toward accepting responsibility for personal decisions and actions and display both local and global awareness of environmental issues.

 

Potential Options for Science Course Selections:

4-Year College Bound: Science Focus   (Example)				4-Year College Bound  (Example)
	Fall	Spring			Fall	Spring
9	-	Environmental Science		9	Environmental Science	Engineering & Design
10	Biology	Anatomy & Physiology		10		Biology
11	Physics	Chemistry Marine Ecology		11	Physics	Chemistry
12	AP Biology AP Chemistry AP Physics	AP Biology		12	Forensic Science

 

 

Portland Public Schools Graduation Requirements  (Example)
	Fall	Spring
9	Environmental Science
10		Biology
11	Physics or Chemistry
12

 

Standards for Honors Courses in Science

Students selecting honors science courses should exhibit outstanding performance in their previous science classes:  an A in college preparatory science classes, or a B or better in honors science classes.  Students coming from middle school should have an A in 8th grade science.  In the absence of those grade benchmarks, students can also obtain the recommendation of their most recent science teacher.  In addition to science skills, teachers will look for strong facility in mathematics, excellent reading and writing skills, well developed higher order thinking and problem-solving capabilities, excellent work habits and a willingness to go beyond basic requirements.

 

Course Title: Environmental Science

Course Number: 1514

Prerequisite: Grade of A in 8th grade science and/or middle school teacher recommendation.

Credit: 2 Science credits

Open to: Grade 9

Description: Honors Environmental Science is an in-depth study of the earth and its place in the universe.  Through laboratory activities, students will build a foundation in our earth’s systems as seen through the lens of modern environmental challenges.  Students will also develop basic skills which provide the foundation for subsequent science courses.

Honors weight/status: Students who earn an overall grade of at least a 3.25 (93) AND complete required honors challenges will receive honors weight and designation on their transcript. 

 

Course Title: Biology Honors

Course Number: 1521

Prerequisite: Completion of Environmental Science, Grade of A or B in Honors Environmental Science 1511 or A in Environmental Science1512, teacher recommendation.

Credit: 2 Science credits

Open to: All Grades

Description: Honors Biology provides students with an in-depth investigation of living things and their relationship to the environment. Topics include molecular and cellular biology, genetics, microbiology, ecology, classification and evolution.

 

Course Title: Biology

Course Number: 1522

Prerequisite: Completion of Environmental Science

Credit: 2 Science credits

Open to: All Grades

Description: Biology 1522 enables students to investigate living things and their relationship to the environment. Topics include cellular biology, genetics, microbiology, ecology, classification and evolution.

 

Course Title: ML Biology

Course Number: 1520

Prerequisite: Placement testing, Language Acquisition Committee Recommendation

Credit: 2 Science credits

Open to: All Grades

Description: This course furthers the development of student’s reading, writing, speaking and listening skills and strategies needed for the communication of information, ideas and concepts necessary for academic success in the content of science. Students will focus on building academic language and critical thinking skills as well as foundational  science standards through the process of  scientific inquiry. English language development standards are taught and assessed.

 

Course Title: Physics Honors

Course Number: 1531

Prerequisite: Environmental Science, minimum math requirements are successful completion of or concurrent enrollment in PreCalculus (HR) (1436) or Accelerated PreCalculus (HR) (1430).

Credit: 2 Science credits

Open to: All grades

Description: Honors Physics investigates, from a mathematical and theoretical point of view, concepts of quantitative analysis of phenomenon, motion, mechanics, energy, astronomy, and magnetism. Students' attainment of concepts taught in this course relies heavily on their ability to use graphing, absolute value, functions, relations, and trigonometry with an emphasis on circular functions. This course is designed to meet the needs of students planning careers in science, engineering or health.

 

Course Title: Physics

Course Number: 1532

Prerequisite: Algebra I highly recommended, Environmental Science

Credit: 2 Science credits

Open to: All grades

Description: This course emphasizes the concepts of physics with reliance on critical thinking and problem solving activities. Students will continue their study in lab-based sciences and learn and understand the rules that govern the physical world. This course is designed to increase students’ physics literacy in quantitative analysis of phenomenon, motion, mechanics, and energy. Students planning careers in science, engineering or health are encouraged to take Honors Physics.

 

Course Title: Chemistry Honors

Course Number: 1541

Prerequisite: Completion of Environmental Science as well as Algebra II or Algebra II (HR).

Credit: 2 Science credits

Open to: All grades

Description: Honors Chemistry approaches chemistry from a mathematical and theoretical point of view. Topics include the properties and types of matter, stoichiometry, atomic structure, periodicity and bonding.  This is a course offered for those students who plan careers in science, engineering, nursing, medicine or allied health careers.

 

Course Title: Chemistry

Course Number: 1542

Prerequisite: Algebra I, Environmental Science

Credit: 2 Science credits

Open to: All grades

Description: Chemistry  introduces students to the basic principles of chemistry as they investigate topics that include properties and types of matter, stoichiometry, atomic structure, periodicity and bonding. 

  

Course Title: Advanced Placement Chemistry

Course Number: 1540

Prerequisite: Grade B or better in Honors Chemistry or A in Chemistry; Honors math courses recommended; teacher recommendation.

Credit: 2 Science credits

Open to: All grades

Description: Advanced Placement Chemistry is designed to be the equivalent of a college introductory chemistry course, and to prepare students for the AP Chemistry exam held each spring. The topics covered are properties of gases, redox, thermochemistry and chemical equilibria.  Advanced  Placement Chemistry is strongly recommended for students who plan to study chemistry, biology, medicine or engineering.    

Students are expected to take the National Advanced Placement exam in May. The cost of the exam is $97.00. For information about fee reductions, go to Collegeboard.com and Visit Fee Reductions for AP Exams for information about eligibility criteria and the procedure for claiming College Board fee reductions for AP Exams and talk with your school counselor.

 

Course Title: Advanced Placement Algebra Based Physics 1

Course Number: 1530

Prerequisite: Grade B or better in Honors Physics or A in Physics; Honors math courses recommended; teacher recommendation.

Credit: 2 Science credits

Open to: All grades

Description: Advanced Placement Algebra Based Physics 1 is designed to be the equivalent of the first half of a college introductory physics course, and to prepare students for the AP Physics 1 exam held each spring. The topics covered are kinematics, energy, momentum, motion, and harmonics.  Advanced  Placement Physics is strongly recommended for students who plan to study physics, chemistry, biology, medicine or engineering. Advanced Placement Algebra Based Physics 1 is a Fall semester course.

Students are expected to take the National Advanced Placement exam in May. The cost of the exam is $97.00. For information about fee reductions, go to Collegeboard.com and Visit Fee Reductions for AP Exams for information about eligibility criteria and the procedure for claiming College Board fee reductions for AP Exams and talk with your school counselor.

 

Course Title: Advanced Placement Biology

Course Number: 1550 and 1550A

Prerequisite: Biology, Chemistry (at least concurrently), Grade of A or B in Honors Biology or A in Biology 1522; Teacher recommendation

Credit: 4 Science credits (This course will run for the full year)

Open to: Grades 11, 12 (Priority given to seniors)

Description: Advanced Placement Biology is designed to be the equivalent of a college introductory biology course, and to prepare students for the AP Biology exam held each spring.  It incorporates the necessary lab and discussion topics required to understand the four “Big Ideas” in the revised AP Bio curriculum. 

Students are expected to take the National Advanced Placement exam in May. The cost of the exam is $96.00. For information about fee reductions, go to Collegeboard.com and Visit Fee Reductions for AP Exams for information about eligibility criteria and the procedure for claiming College Board fee reductions for AP Exams and talk with your school counselor.

 

Course Title: Anatomy & Physiology Honors

Course Number: 1592

Prerequisite: Environmental Science, Biology; Teacher recommendation

Credit: 2 Science credits

Open to: Grades 10-12

Description: Honors Anatomy and Physiology examines the structure and function of the human body.  Emphasis is placed upon laboratory investigation of specimens including a mammalian dissection.  This course is highly recommended for students planning a career in nursing, medicine or the allied health professions.

 

Course Title: Marine Ecology

Course Number: 1593

Prerequisite: Earth Science, Biology and concurrent enrollment or previous completion of Chemistry or Physics is preferred.

Credit: 2 Elective credits

Open to: Grades 10-12

Description: Marine Ecology incorporates biological and physical sciences to investigate the Interaction between the living and nonliving components of the Gulf of Maine.  Field trips help students apply classroom concepts to actual field work.

 

Course Title: Forensic Science

Course Number: 1594

Prerequisite: Environmental Science, Biology and concurrent enrollment or previous completion of Chemistry or Physics is preferred.

Credit: 2 Elective credits

Open to: Grades 11 and 12

Description: This course offers a general introduction to the study of forensics. Students will use scientific knowledge and reasoning skills to “solve” crimes. The design of this inquiry-based course provides students an opportunity to integrate all of the sciences with their other core subjects. It is designed for students from all levels.

 

Course Title: Engineering By Design

Course Number: 1595

Prerequisite: None

Credit: 2 Elective credits

Open to: All Grades

Description: During this course, students will study the design process and use it to guide their actions. After learning the basics of vinyl cutting, 3D printing, engraving, basic circuitry and soldering, students will use their creativity and newly developed skills to tackle real-world problems in their school or community.

 

Course Title: Advanced Placement Environmental Science

Course Number: 1516

Prerequisite: Environmental Science, Biology, Chemistry (at least concurrently), Teacher recommendation

Credit: 2 Science credits (This course will run in the spring)

Open to: Grades 11, 12 (Priority given to seniors)

Description: The AP Environmental Science course is designed to engage students with the scientific principles, concepts, and methodologies required to understand the interrelationships within the natural world. The course requires that students identify and analyze natural and human-made environmental problems, evaluate the relative risks associated with these problems, and examine alternative solutions for resolving or preventing them. Environmental science is interdisciplinary, embracing topics from geology, biology, environmental studies, environmental science, chemistry, and geography. Students are expected to take the National Advanced Placement exam in May. The cost of the exam is $96.00. For information about fee reductions, go to Collegeboard.com and Visit Fee Reductions for AP Exams for information about eligibility criteria and the procedure for claiming College Board fee reductions for AP Exams and talk with your school counselor.