Science

4 units required for graduation:

One unit of Biology
One unit of Physical Science OR Physics
One unit of Chemistry OR Earth Systems or Environmental Science OR AP/IB course
One additional unit of credit, identified as a 4th Science option. The fourth science unit may be used to meet both the science and elective requirements. A list of the many upper-level science and CTAE courses that can fulfill this requirement can be found on the GaDOE Science webpage.
Students need to earn four units of credit in science; and
The student’s chosen science pathway will include at least one Advanced Placement course (26.014; 26.062; 40.053; 40.083; 40.0841; 40.0842), or one International Baccalaureate course (26.01800; 26.01900; 26.06300; 40.08500; 40.08600), or one postsecondary course that fulfills a core graduation requirement in science; and
Students need to complete two units of sequential course credit in one world language.
Any AP/IB science course may be substituted for the appropriate courses listed above.

Advanced Academic Pathway in Science Criteria:

Advanced Academic pathways prepare students for career opportunities that will lead to multiple postsecondary options for advanced studies and skills.

Biology I, Biology I Honors

Course Number: 26.01200

Biology focuses on the study of life by examining fundamental concepts of cellular biology, genetics, evolution, classification, and ecology. Scientific practices and thinking are emphasized, as well as reading, discussing, and explaining biological phenomena.

Required for graduation, 1 unit, A state mandated End-Of-Course Assessment (EOC) is required.

Honors courses are more rigorous and intensive college preparatory courses for highly motivated students that are greater in depth and accelerate students for more advanced courses, such as AP and IB.

AP Biology

Course Number: 26.01400

AP Biology is equivalent to a two-semester college introductory biology class. 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. Students are expected to take the Advanced Placement Exam in May. Students who plan to enter a medical or science-related field are strongly encouraged to take this course.

Hope Rigor, 1 unit.

IB Biology

Course Number: 26.01800 (year 1); 26.01900 (year 2)
Prerequisite: Biology; 11th & 12th grade students only

Biology is the study of life. It is a wide, overarching science that incorporates all living organisms from micro to macro in size. IB Biology will emphasize experimental work using different scientific methods in order to learn how to collect and analyze data and results and be able to communicate the information they find. Students will learn how to think and communicate scientifically using an interdisciplinary and international mindset.

*Hope Rigor, 2 units

Physical Science

Physics, Honors Physics

Course Number: 40.08100

This course is designed to continue student investigations of the physical sciences that began in grades K-8 and provide students the necessary skills to be proficient in physics. This curriculum includes basic concepts such as interactions of matter and energy, velocity, acceleration, force, energy, momentum, and charge. This course fulfills the graduation requirement for Physical Science and/or Physics.

*Hope Rigor, 1 unit

AP Physics 1

Course Number: 40.08310

AP Physics 1 is an algebra-based, introductory college-level physics course. Students cultivate their understanding of physics through classroom study, in-class activity, and hands-on, inquiry-based laboratory work as they explore concepts like systems, fields, force interactions, change, conservation, and waves. It will also introduce electric circuits. Students are expected to take the Advanced Placement Exam in May. Students who plan to enter engineering related fields are strongly encouraged to take this course. This course fulfills the graduation requirement for Physical Science and/or Physics.

*Hope Rigor, 1 unit

Chemistry I, Honors Chemistry I

Course Number: 40.05100

Chemistry focuses on the study of matter and energy by examining fundamental concepts of atomic structure, structure and properties of matter, conservation and interaction of energy and matter, and the use of Kinetic Molecular Theory to model atomic and molecular motion in chemical and physical processes. Scientific practices and thinking are emphasized, as well as reading, discussing, and explaining chemical phenomena. This course fulfills the graduation requirement for Chemistry or Environmental or Earth Systems.

*Hope Rigor, 1 unit

AP Chemistry

Course number: 40.05300

The AP Chemistry course is designed to be the equivalent of the general chemistry course usually taken during the first college year. Students cultivate their understanding of chemistry through inquiry-based investigations, as they explore content such as: atomic structure, intermolecular forces and bonding, chemical reactions, kinetics, thermodynamics, and equilibrium. The recommended prerequisite is Chemistry or Honors Chemistry. Students are expected to take the Advanced Placement Exam in May. This course fulfills the graduation requirement for Chemistry or Environmental or Earth Systems.

*Hope Rigor, 1 unit

IB Chemistry

Course number: 40.05500 (year 1); 40.05600 (year 2)
Prerequisite: Chemistry

IB Chemistry will be an application-based course that can prepare students for a career in an area of Chemistry. The course is structured to dive deeply into chemistry knowledge and content and give students an understanding of matter in the universe and how we use it in our everyday lives. IB Chemistry is a highly rigorous course, and is filled with content that will allow students to take a different look at their world. Students will perform labs to investigate different phenomena and solve real-world problems. Students will be given the opportunity to work with substances and equipment that scientists across the world use in their research. This course fulfills the graduation requirement for Chemistry or Environmental or Earth Systems.

Environmental Science

Course number: 26.06110

Environmental Science provides students with the opportunity to use concepts they learned in biology and physical science to investigate natural processes in the environment, identify and analyze ecological problems, evaluate the relative risks associated with these problems, and examine solutions for resolving or preventing them. This course fulfills the graduation requirement for Chemistry or Environmental or Earth Systems.

1 unit

AP Environmental Science

Course number: 26.06200

The AP Environmental Science course is designed to be the equivalent of a one-semester, introductory college course in environmental science. 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. Considerable emphasis is placed on field investigations as well as on laboratory study. Students are expected to take the Advanced Placement Exam in May. This course fulfills the graduation requirement for Chemistry or Environmental or Earth Systems.

*Hope Rigor, 1 unit

Earth Systems

Course number: 40.06400

Earth Systems focuses on the connections among Earth’s systems– the atmosphere, hydrosphere, geosphere, and biosphere – throughout Earth history. Students will engage in constructing explanations of phenomena fundamental to the sciences of geology and physical geography, including the early history of the Earth, plate tectonics, landform evolution, the Earth’s geologic record, weather and climate, and the history of life on Earth. This course fulfills the graduation requirement for Chemistry or Environmental or Earth Systems.

1 unit

Forensic Science, Forensic Science Honors

Course number: 40.09300

The Forensic Science curriculum is designed to build upon science concepts and to apply science to the investigation of crime scenes. It serves as a fourth science option for graduation. Students will learn the scientific protocols for analyzing a crime scene, how to use chemical and physical separation methods to isolate and identify materials, how to analyze biological evidence and the criminal use of tools, including impressions from firearms, tool marks, arson, and explosive evidence. - Fourth Science option

*Hope Rigor, 1 unit

IB Sports & Exercise Science

Course number: 26.02000

Students will analyze how anatomy, physiology, chemistry, and physics allow for completion and optimization of physical activity, exercise, and sports performance. Although there are no prerequisites for this course, it is strongly recommended that students complete either Human Anatomy & Physiology or Essentials of Healthcare prior to enrolling in Sports and Exercise Science. Fourth Science option.

*Hope Rigor, 1 unit (11th/12th grade students only)

Zoology

Course number: 26.07100

In this course, students will recognize key features of the major body plans that have evolved in animals and how those body plans have changed over time resulting in the diversity of animals that are evident today. In addition to classification and recognition, this course teaches students about the anatomical and physiological characteristics of animals. These characteristics relate to how an animal functions and can help students see the connections uniting particular animal groups. An understanding of form and function allows students to study how animals have evolved over time and to relate animals to their particular role in an ecosystem. Finally, students will develop an understanding that all living things are interconnected. Students should realize that the worldwide activities of humans can contribute to animal diversity both positively and negatively. It should also be understood that humans are dependent on animal species for advances in medicine, ecosystem maintenance, and food supply.