Online High School Science Courses

Physical Science

This two-semester course provides students with a thorough introduction of chemistry, physics, and astronomy. Chemistry concepts include the structure and properties of matter, the periodic table, chemical bonds, and reactions, as well as acids, bases, and solutions. An overview of motion, forces, and energy is the focus of the physics section of the course. Newton’s laws of motion, work, machines, and energy are the major ideas explored. An introduction to Earth and its place in the universe completes the course.

Environmental Science

This two-semester course encompasses six major units which cover many aspects of environmental science: Ecology; The Biosphere; The Land, Forests, and Soil; The Water; Energy and Resources; and Societies and Policy. The course utilizes a two or three section lecture format to provide opportunities for mastery learning in smaller segments. Environmental Science contains Global Connections lessons which include unique activities that merge lesson material with real world issues pertaining to the environment. This course contains activities such as vocabulary, online content, journals, practice and homework, and skills lessons. Assessment questions in the form of a quiz follow each lesson and a summative exam follows each topic. A cumulative exam concludes the end of each semester.

Biology

This two-semester high school course covers an in-depth view of biological science concepts. A brief section of biochemistry leads into an overview of ecology and the interactions of the environment and populations of living organisms. A comprehensive section on cellular biology and genetics exposes students to biology on a small scale that leads to the theory of evolution and the history of life on Earth. The remainder of the course explores the complexity and variety of life on Earth with sections devoted to simple organisms, plants, invertebrates, and vertebrates, as well as human biology.

Chemistry

This two-semester high school course covers the foundation for the composition, structure, and reactions of matter. It addresses scientific measurements, the general properties of matter, and the structure of the atoms. Also covered are the periodic table, types of science bonds, and chemical equations. Other topics involve introducing the states of matter, chemical reactions, and the energy involved in chemical changes. Sections on organic chemistry are also included, as well as a brief overview of nuclear chemistry. This course requires students to have a solid foundation in math as calculations and conversions are basic components of chemistry.

Physics

This upper division, two-semester high school course provides the foundation for the laws that govern the concepts of motion and energy. This course relies on the use of mathematics to represent and illustrate different phenomena, so students need to have a strong math background to be successful. Major themes on this course include mechanics, states of matter, waves and light, energy and magnetism, and modern physics.

Middle School Science Courses

Middle School Life Science

This two-semester course for middle-school students offers a broad experience in the biological sciences. Beginning with life on a small scale through an introduction to cells, students are introduced to structures and functions of cells, cell theory, cell reproduction and genetics. A brief unit on evolution gives students some background on Darwin’s theory and evidence of the past. The classification and organization of living organisms and the characteristics of the variety of plant and animal groups is also addressed. An in-depth unit of human biology is included to emphasize the organ systems and their functions in maintaining a healthy life. The course also includes a study of ecology and the interrelationships that help to maintain life on earth.

Middle School Earth Science

This two-semester course covers many aspects of Earth science, including an overview of the Earth’s structure, rocks, minerals, and resources. A major unit on the forces that change the Earth includes lessons on plate tectonics, earthquakes, volcanoes, and erosion, concluding in a section that discusses Earth’s history of change through the fossil record. A general study of oceanography explores such concepts as the sources of water, currents and climate, and the structure of the ocean environment. Atmospheric science with lessons in weather and climate are also included. A unit on space science exposes students to the interactions of the earth, moon, and sun and an overview of our solar system and the universe beyond.