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Science Course Electives

You may start taking science electives as early as Sophomore year!

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AP Science Electives

General Science Electives

  • Anatomy & Physiology
  • Astronomy
  • Forensic Science
  • Marine Science
  • Honors Chemistry (½)
  • Honors Physics (½)
  • Science Aide
  • AP Chemistry
  • AP Biology
  • AP Physics 1
  • AP Physics C: Mechanics
  • AP Physics C: Electricity & Magnetism
  • AP Environmental Science

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Anatomy & Physiology

This elective course builds on the foundations of Biology and is designed to help students understand the anatomic and physiological basis of life. The course covers cytology, histology, and the human body systems. Students will be expected to integrate relevant information and acquired skills in the exploration of careers in the medical science. dissection are available.

  • Available to Sophomores, Juniors, and Seniors
  • Students should have already completed Biology and currently enrolled in or have completed Chemistry

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Astronomy

This elective course builds on the foundations of Earth and Space Science. Students will engage in the practices of science and engineering to construct an understanding of the historical development of astronomic models and the contributions of the early astronomers; the characteristics of light; the solar system; constellations; stellar compositions, energy sources, and life cycles; and theories related to the origin of the solar system and the universe. Detailed observation, data recording, data interpretation including statistical analysis will be emphasized.

  • Available to Sophomores, Juniors, and Seniors
  • Students should have already completed Earth Science or equivalent.

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Forensic Science

This elective course builds on the foundations of Biology and Chemistry and is designed to help students understand the principles of Forensic Science. Students will regularly engage in laboratory investigations where an interdisciplinary approach incorporates principles of chemistry, biology, physics, geology, and various medical sciences.

  • This course is available to Sophomores, Juniors, and Seniors
  • Students should be currently enrolled or have completed Chemistry

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Marine Science

Marine Science is aspects of the marine environment including oceanography, ecology, biology and how humans interact with and influence the marine environment.   It combines knowledge of marine aquatic life with a solid understanding of the physical environment. Special emphasis will be placed on research methods, current issues, and real life applications of the principles learned.

  • Available to Sophomores, Juniors, and Seniors
  • Students should have already completed Earth Science or Biology

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Honors Chemistry (½ Credit)

  • Must be taken with Honors Physics to complete the graduation requirement for a physical science course

  • Available to Sophomores, Juniors, and Seniors
  • Students should have already taken a Biology course

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Honors Physics (½ Credit)

  • Must be taken with Honors Chemistry to complete the graduation requirement for a physical science course

  • Available to Sophomores, Juniors, and Seniors
  • Students should have already taken a Biology course

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Science Aide

As an aide, help set up labs and assist with day-to-day classes for the entire science department.

  • Counts as a science credit
  • Looks amazing on college applications (counts as an activity)
  • Hands on lab experience
  • Enough downtime to finish your things or study for other classes
  • Aides get to pull the safety shower!!

Took apart and repaired a Van Der Graaff Generator ---->>

Prepare different solutions for teachers ---->>

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AP Chemistry

AP Chemistry is an introductory college-level chemistry course equivalent to two semesters of college chemistry.

All engineering, technology, science, and medicine students have to take college chemistry their freshman year. This is the same material that is taught in AP Chemistry! Even students who struggled significantly through AP Chem found college chemistry was so much easier for them!!

  • Available to Juniors and Seniors
  • Students should have already taken Chemistry GT

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AP Biology

AP Biology is an introductory college-level biology course equivalent to two semesters of college biology. 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. Success on the AP exam can earn up to 8 college science credits.

  • Available to: Sophomores, Juniors, Seniors
  • Students should have already completed a Biology course

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AP Environmental Science (APES)

Students will explore and investigate the interrelationships of the natural world. We analyze environmental problems, both natural and human-made, and examine solutions for resolving and preventing those problems. The course is interdisciplinary, embracing topics from earth science, geology, biology,chemistry, geography, history, anthropology, sociology, and economics.

  • Available to Sophomores, Juniors, and Seniors
  • Students should have completed Earth Science or Biology, and currently enrolled or completed Chemistry or Physics.

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AP Physics 1

In this course, students use the Practices of Science and the Big Ideas of Physics to understand forces, motion, and gravity; energy and momentum. This course is designed to be the equivalent of an introductory college-level, algebra-based physics course

  • Available to Juniors and Seniors
  • Students should have already completed Biology & Chemistry
  • Completion of Algebra II is strongly recommended

Top Image: Inertia Bowling in Mrs. Feinstein’s Class

Bottom Image: “Walk the Plank” during the 2018 HCPSS Physics Olympics. (Photos by Mrs. Feinstein)

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AP Physics C: Mechanics

This course builds on the foundation of Physics and is designed to be the equivalent of a college-level, calculus-based introductory physics course for physics and/or engineering majors. Students will engage in the practices of science and engineering to construct a deep understanding of Newtonian mechanics using Algebra, trigonometry, and Calculus. Extensive laboratory experiences are integral to the course and emphasize detailed observation, data recording, data interpretation, and statistical analysis.

  • Available to Juniors and Seniors
  • Students should have already completed Biology & Chemistry
  • No previous physics courses are required
  • Concurrently enrolled or completion of AP Calculus AB is strongly recommended

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AP Physics C: Electricity & Magnetism

This course builds on the foundations of Physics and is designed to be the equivalent of a 2nd semester college level introductory physics course for physics and/ or engineering majors. Students will engage in the practices of science and engineering to construct an understanding of electricity and magnetism using Algebra, Trigonometry, and Calculus. Extensive laboratory experiences are integral to the course and emphasize detailed observation, data recording, data interpretation, and statistical analysis.

  • Available to Juniors and Seniors
  • Students MUST have completed AP Physics C: Mechanics
  • Concurrently enrolled or completion of AP Calculus BC is strongly recommended

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Questions? Please reach out via email:

  • Anatomy & Physiology - katie_haslup@hcpss.org
  • Astronomy - justin_rix@hcpss.org
  • Forensic Science - matthew_kinloch@hcpss.org
  • Marine Science - paul_regis@hcpss.org
  • Honors Chemistry - carrie_clippard-cope@hcpss.org
  • Honors Physics - irene_tsavaris@hcpss.org
  • AP Chemistry - kendall_morton@hcpss.org
  • AP Biology - phillip_johnson@hcpss.org
  • AP Physics 1 - irene_tsavaris@hcpss.org
  • AP Physics C: Mechanics - john_ballentine@hcpss.org
  • AP Physics C: Electricity & Magnetism - irene_tsavaris@hcpss.org
  • AP Environmental Science - paul_regis@hcpss.org