1 of 12

Science Department Recommendations

​

​

2024-25 course selection

2 of 12

Link: 2024-25 science course bulletin

Purpose:

  • The goal of this presentation is for science students to receive guidance from their science teachers on classes to take for the 2024 - 25 school year.

​

Teachers will review:

  • Science department course recommendations – typical WJHS pathways
  • What differentiates honors science courses from on-level science courses?
  • Course descriptions
  • Average weekly study hours (by science course)
  • MCPS Graduation requirements
  • Appendix: Which WJHS physics course should I take?

3 of 12

4 of 12

Page 2 of the science course bulletin

5 of 12

Page 2 of the science course bulletin

6 of 12

Slide for students currently in grade 9

Current Class is:

Biology

Honors Biology

Next year enroll in:

Chemistry

Honors Chemistry or Chemistry

**honors chemistry students are often in honors math classes**

See your teacher for additional recommendations if you are interested in registering for:

​

  • Honors Physics
  • AP Chemistry
  • AP Environmental Science (must be enrolled or have completed honors chem)
  • AP Physics 1
  • AP Physics C - Mechanics (must be enrolled or have completed AP AB/BC Calc or Calc with Apps)

Reminder:

All AP classes are NGSS aligned and may count towards meeting the MCPS science graduation requirement.

Earth Systems and Sustainability

Biology

7 of 12

Slide for students currently in grade 10

Current Class is:

Chemistry

Honors Chemistry

Next year enroll in:

Physics

Honors Physics or Physics

**honors physics students are often in honors math classes**

See your teacher for additional recommendations if you are interested in registering for:

​

  • AP Biology
  • AP Chemistry
  • AP Environmental Science
  • AP Physics 1
  • AP Physics C - Mechanics
  • AP Physics C - Electricity and Magnetism
  • Anatomy (available to 11th and 12th graders): Not NGSS aligned this is an elective only.

Reminder:

All AP classes are NGSS aligned and may count towards meeting the MCPS science graduation requirement.

8 of 12

Slide for students currently in grade 11

Current Class is:

A required course for graduation

Honors Physics

Next year enroll in:

A science elective

AP Physics course

See your teacher for additional recommendations if you are interested in registering for:

​

  • AP Biology
  • AP Chemistry
  • AP Environmental Science
  • AP Physics 1
  • AP Physics C - Mechanics
  • AP Physics C - Electricity and Magnetism
  • Anatomy (Honors) - grades 11 and 12 only
  • Astronomy
  • Forensics Science (Honors) - grade 12 only
  • Molecular Biology (Honors) - grades 11 and 12 only

Reminder:

All AP classes are NGSS aligned and may count towards meeting the MCPS science graduation requirement.

9 of 12

Page 7 of the science course bulletin

​

These totals are averages.

10 of 12

Page 8 of the science course bulletin

11 of 12

Appendix: Which advanced physics course should I take?

​

Refer to the course bulletin page 9

​

Or you can reach out to one of our physics teachers (Mr. Roller, Ms. Rooney, and Mr. Willard)

12 of 12

Summary

​

  • Pre- Registration will begin soon in your science classes.

​

  • Your teacher has posed an electronic version of the science course bulletin to Canvas so you can use this as a guide.

​

  • When choosing a course, look at the course description section for prerequisites and corequisites. These are available to help you make the best decision.

​

  • Keep in mind to register for classes that will challenge you but will not overwhelm you. Balance is important.

​

  • When choosing electives / APs, choose something that interests you.

​

  • Continue to reach out to your science teacher if you need any help with the course you should register for.