Page 74 - HHS Curriculum Guide 2020-21
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PHYSICAL SCIENCE interactions within and between them. This course
will also explore Biochemistry, Cells and Cell
(Full year, 1 credit, Grade 9) Functions, Energy Transformations, Molecular
Genetics, Evolution, and Ecology
This course is designed to provide all students a
laboratory experience in basic physics, chemistry, Lab Fees: Students are expected to purchase safety
and earth and space science and to offer insight into goggles ($8). Students must pay a lab fee of $30.
the methods by which scientific knowledge is
acquired. The course is designed to serve as a solid H2BE: Honors Biology & English
foundation for students taking later courses in
Biology, Chemistry, and Physics. This course is not (Full year, 2 honors level credits: 1 Honors Biology,
open to any student who has received credit in 1 Honors English, Grade 9)
Chemistry, Honors Chemistry, Physics or Honors Prerequisite: Evaluation of student application,
Physics. teacher recommendations, and possible interview
Lab Fees: Students are required to purchase an This co-taught Honors Biology and Honors English 9
approved laboratory apron and safety goggles is a research-based course focusing on critical
(approximately $15). Students are charged a thinking and application. The course integrates
replacement fee for lab equipment/glassware biological concepts (cells, genetics, ecology,
breakage. evolution, and related ethical issues) with literature
that complements these topics and meets state
BIOLOGY standards. Students will read a variety of works,
including poetry, plays, and nonfiction, to learn
(Full year, 1 credit, Grade 9) about biological issues while using these sources as
a springboard for discussion. For example, students
This course investigates the composition, diversity, could create proposals offering solutions for some
complexity and interconnectedness of life on Earth. of today’s most compelling scientific dilemmas.
Fundamental concepts of heredity and evolution Reading selections include, but are not limited to, Of
provide a framework through inquiry-based Mice and Men by John Steinbeck, The Hour of Land
instruction to explore the living world, the physical by Terry Tempest Williams, The Immortal Life of
environment and the interactions within and Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot, selections from
between them. Students engage in investigations to Botany of Desire by Michael Pollan, selections from
understand and explain the behavior of living things Walden by H.D. Thoreau, and others. The course will
in a variety of scenarios that incorporate scientific include an outdoor component, utilizing Hudson
reasoning, analysis, communication skills and real- High School’s land lab and nearby parks, and
world applications. culminate in a backpacking trip in the spring, with an
overnight in the fall.
HONORS BIOLOGY
Summer reading and writing are required.
(Full year, 1 Honors credit, Grade 9)
Prerequisite: Teacher Recommendation Lab Fee: $30.00
Additional Fees: $125.00 for travel expenses.
Honors Biology is the required course for students Students purchase paperbacks not to exceed $35
wishing to take AP Biology. The course will
investigate the composition, diversity, complexity
and interconnectedness of life on Earth. Advanced
concepts of heredity and evolution provide a
framework through labs and instruction to explore
the living world, the physical environment and the
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