2023-24 Le Mars Community High School Curriculum Guide

P a g e | 44  APPLIED PHYSICS Course Length: 1 Semester Credits: 1 Prerequisite: General Science, Biology Grade Level: 11, 12 This is a one-semester course designed for students pursuing community college or the workforce after graduation. Topics to be studies include graphing, energy, energy conversions, waves, electricity and magnetism, among others. This course is designed primarily for juniors or seniors after completing freshman and sophomore science courses. BIOLOGY (NCAA) Course Length: 1 Year Credits: 2 Grade Level: 9 Biology is a required course offered for students interested in the detailed workings of living organisms. This is a lab-oriented approach to the living world that surrounds us all. The course will present the major concepts needed to understand and become more aware of the interactions of living things with the environment and with each other. CHEMISTRY (NCAA) Course Length: 1 Year Credits: 2 Elective/Required: Required Option Prerequisite: Successful completion of or enrollment in Algebra 2 Grade Level: 11, 12 This course emphasizes a system of reasoning that is applicable to all endeavors of life. The study of chemistry is highly recommended for students planning to enter the fields of science, engineering, nursing, medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, agriculture, forestry, home economics, teaching and many other fields which may not require formal training after high school. This is an excellent elective to improve your background and to keep your options open. The course incorporates activities involving up to date equipment to gather and analyze, thus providing a background and proficiency in the use of that technology. It is a laboratory based course and requires math skills to be successful. The complexity of the material covered increases as the year proceeds. COLLEGE INTRODUCTION TO BIOLOGY – BIO105 Course Length : 1 Semester Credits: 1 LCHS, 4 WITCC Elective/Required: Elective Option Prerequisite: Chemistry recommended Grade Level: 11, 12 This is a combined lecture and lab course that is a biological concepts survey for non-science majors. Topics covered include biochemistry, molecular and cellular biology, genetics, evolution, diversity of life, and ecology. The course will provide information which should enable the student to:  State the scientific method and the characteristics of living organisms  Describe chemical principles that relate to the life sciences.  Describe basic cell structure and functions.  Explain the principles of Mendelian and molecular genetics.  Recognize natural selection as the driving force behind evolution.  Distinguish between the members and characteristics of the three domains of life: Bacteria, Archaea, and Eukarya, as well as the main Eukaryotic groups: Animals, Plants, Fungi and Protists.  Use the internet or other resources to identify selected members of a taxonomic group.  Identify and demonstrate understanding of major environmental issues facing our world today.