 |
 |
 |
| Physical Science | Environmental Science | Biology | Chemistry | Physics |
Introduction
The Universal American School Science Curriculum is designed to build essential skills and knowledge that students will need to be scientifically literate citizens in the twenty first century. The science curriculum is vertically integrated throughout the school, beginning with kindergarten and ending with AP programs in specialized subject areas in high school.
The High School program provides for students who wish to further their study in various aspects of science. The courses are structured so that students have the opportunity to build connections that link science to technology and societal impacts. Science, technology and societal issues are strongly connected to community health, population, natural resources, environmental quality, natural and human-introduced hazards, and other global challenges. The outcome of this program will provide opportunities for students to be successful in post secondary programs at the college and university level. It will also serve as a springboard to viewing the world through the eyes of a life long learner who can make connections between theory and application in their real life.
Physical Science
Physical Science is an introductory course designed to expose the student to the basic concepts of the physical sciences (Physics and Chemistry). a major emphasis of this course is to improve the critical thinking and problem-solving skills of the student. Also, techniques in measurement and exposure to laboratory equipment that is used in more advanced courses are added dimensions of this course.
The course is designed for ninth grade students. No mathematics courses are prerequisites, nor are any previous science course a requirement. In the course, however, computational and problem solving skills developed in Pre-Algebra and Algebra will be reinforced. Through laboratory demonstrations and student experiments, the student will be exposed to the scientific method and laboratory practice.
| Introduction to Science |
Solutions | Heat and Temperature | The Solar System |
| Matter | Acids, Bases and Salts | Waves | The Universe |
| States of Matter | Nuclear Changes | Sound and Light | Planet Earth |
| Atoms and the Periodic Table | Motion | Electricity | The Atmosphere |
| The Structure of Matter | Forces | Magnetism | Using Natural Resources |
| Chemical Reactions | Work and Energy | Communications Technology |
Biology
This course is designed to be a general survey of topics for 10th grade students who have some prior experience in biology or life science courses. No particular mathematical background is required; however, it will be expected that students are familiar with the scientific method, experimentation, and laboratory practice from a prior science course. This course is designed to reinforce techniques of sound scientific inquiry, both in and out of the laboratory, and to prepare students for advanced college or high school course work in biology and related fields. Some chemistry is included in the course; however, no prior knowledge of chemistry is demanded of students.
| Introduction | Cells and Energy | Evolution |
| Ecology | Cell Reproduction | Taxonomy |
| Biochemistry | Fundamentals of Genetics | Human Anatomy and Physiology |
| Cell Structure and Function | Molecular Biology |
Chemistry
Chemistry is a concentrated physical science course focusing on the nature of matter and the nature of the interactions it exhibits. Chemistry covers the relationships between substances and their capacity to interact with the environment into which they are introduced. Chemistry explains the reason behind the constructive and destructive forces in the world of matter.
This course is designed for high school grade students and is most often scheduled for students in their junior year (grade 11). Due to the heavy reliance on mathematical relations as a basis for unlocking the mechanism of chemical reactions, students should have successfully completed Algebra II before enrolling in chemistry. Since laboratory experiments are expected to be conducted, some introduction to the Scientific Method and laboratory experience is also most strongly recommended for students.
| Matter | Gases | Solutions |
| Structure of Matter | Formulas and Equations | Acids and Bases |
| Periodic Table and Periodicity | Mole Concept | Redox and Electrochemistry |
| Chemical Bonding | Chemical Reactions and Calculations | Organic Chemistry |
Physics
The objectives of the Physics course are to explain the physical world and provide mathematical arguments and formulae necessary for a thorough understanding of High School Physics. Students will study the fundamental laws of nature, its theories and concepts, and how they relate to everyday life. This is basically a mathematics-based laboratory-oriented course and it is recommended that the student be enrolled in pre-calculus.
Students engage in discussions, group work, laboratory experiments, independent research, and presentation of projects. Resources include scientific calculators, videos, the Internet, and others.
| Newtonian Mechanics | Electricity and Magnetism | Magnetostatics | Modern Atomic and Nuclear Physics |
| -Kinematics,Motion in one dimension, Motion in two dimensions, Newton's Three Laws of Motion (including friction and centripetal force), Work, Energy, Power, Impulse and Momentum, Linear Momentum, Collisions and Conservation of Momentum,Simple and complex Machines,Mechanical Advantage and Efficiency, Compound Machines, Qualitative treatment of circular motion and rotation, Torque, Centripetal Acceleration and Angular Momentum, Simple Harmonic Motion, Kepler's Laws of Planetary motion and Law of gravitation | -Electrostatics including charge, field and potential, Coulombs Law and field potential of point charges, Electric circuits in I,R,Power, Steady state DC circuits with batteries and resistors only. | -Forces on moving charges in a magnetic field, forces on current carrying wires in magnetic fields, Fields of long current carrying wires, Electromagnetism including Faraday's and Lenz's Law, Electromagnetic induction, AC and DC generators and transformers. | -Photons and photoelectric effect, Nuclear reactions, mass energy equivalence, radioactivity and half-life, |
Environmental Science
Environmental Science is an elective course designed to expose the student to basic and advanced concepts of the environment. A major emphasis of this course is to improve the critical think and problem-solving skills of the student. A special emphasis is placed on helping the students improve their reading and writing skills.
The course is designed for 11th and 12th grade students. Students should have completed high school Biology and Chemistry before taking this course, as concepts from both courses are implemented in the Environmental Science course.
| Introduction | Water and Water Pollution | Food and Agriculture | Economics,Policy and the Future |
| Deserts | Air and Air Pollution | Renewable and nonrenewable Resources | |
| Aquatic Ecosystems | Land | Waste | |
| Rain forests | Atmosphere & Climate Changes | The Environment and Human Health |