Science

Biology I is a course based on the following core topics: cellular structure and function, matter cycles and energy transfer; interdependence; inheritance and variation in traits; evolution. Instruction should focus on developing student understanding that scientific knowledge is gained from observation of natural phenomena and experimentation, by designing and conducting investigations guided by the Science and Engineering Practices (SEPS) and crosscutting concepts.

• Recommended Grade: 10
• Required Prerequisites: none
• Recommended Prerequisites: none
• Credits: 2 semester course, 1 credit per semester
• Fulfills the Biology requirement for all diplomas

Biology II is an advanced laboratory, field, and literature investigation-based course. Students enrolled in Biology II examine in greater depth the structures, functions, and processes of living organisms. Students also analyze and describe the relationship of Earth’s living organisms to each other and to the environment in which they live. In this course, students refine their scientific inquiry skills as they collaboratively and independently apply their knowledge of the unifying themes of biology to biological questions and problems related to personal and community issues in the life sciences.

• Recommended Grade: 10, 11
• Required Prerequisites: none
• Recommended Prerequisites: Biology I
• Credits: 2 semester course, 1 credit per semester
• Counts as an Elective for all diplomas
• Fulfills a science course requirement for all diplomas

Chemistry I is a course based on the following core topics: properties and states of matter; atomic structure and the Periodic Table; bonding and molecular structure; reactions and stoichiometry; behavior of gases; thermochemistry; solutions; acids and bases.

Students enrolled in Chemistry I compare, contrast, and synthesize useful models of the structure and properties of matter and the mechanisms of its interactions. Instruction should focus on developing student understanding that scientific knowledge is gained from observation of natural phenomena and experimentation, the Science and Engineering Practices (SEPS) and cross-cutting concepts.

• Recommended Grade: 10, 11, 12
• Required Prerequisites: none
• Recommended Prerequisites: Algebra II (can be taken concurrently)
• Credits: 2 semester course, 1 credit per semester
• Fulfills a science (physical) course requirement for all diplomas
• Qualifies as a quantitative reasoning course

Advanced Science, College Credit is a title that covers (1) any science course offered for credit by an accredited post-secondary institution through an adjunct agreement with a secondary school, or (2) any other post-secondary science course offered for dual credit under the provisions of 511 IAC 6-10.

• Recommended Grade: 11, 12
• Required Prerequisites: none
• Recommended Prerequisites: none
• Credits: 1 semester course, 1 credit per semester. May be offered for successive semesters
• Counts as a Science Course for all diplomas
• Courses that use this title are most often those taught through the post-secondary campus, taught either online or in traditional settings or a combination; and taught by higher education faculty.
• Courses that use this title are those that do not meet specific high school standards for a corresponding high school course, as they are standards beyond what is taught in the high school.

Environmental Science is an interdisciplinary course that integrates biology, earth science, chemistry, and other disciplines. Students completing Environmental Science acquire the essential tools for understanding the complexities of national and global environmental systems. Students enrolled in this course conduct in-depth scientific studies of environmental systems, flow of matter and energy, natural disasters, environmental policies, biodiversity, population, pollution, and natural and anthropogenic resource cycles.

Cross-cutting concepts are an integral part of this course. Students formulate, design, and carry out laboratory and field investigations as an essential course component using the Science and Engineering Practices.

• Recommended Grade: 11, 12
• Required Prerequisites: none
• Recommended Prerequisites: Two credits science coursework
• Credits: 2 semester course, 1 credit per semester
• Counts as an elective for all diplomas
• Fulfills a science (life) course requirement for all diplomas

Integrated Chemistry-Physics is a course focused on the following core topics: constant velocity; uniform acceleration; Newton’s Laws of motion (one dimension); energy; particle theory of matter; describing substances; representing chemical change; electricity and magnetism; waves; nuclear energy. Instruction should focus on developing student understanding that scientific knowledge is gained from observation of natural phenomena and experimentation using the Science and Engineering Practices (SEPS) and cross-cutting concepts.

• Recommended Grade: 9
• Required Prerequisites: none
• Recommended Prerequisites: Algebra I (may be taken concurrently with this course)
• Credits: 2 semester course, 1 credit per semester
• Counts as an elective for all diplomas
• Fulfills a science (physical) course requirement for all diplomas
• Qualifies as a Quantitative Reasoning course

Physics I is a course focused on the following core topics: constant velocity; constant acceleration; forces; energy; linear momentum in one dimension; simple harmonic oscillating systems; mechanical waves and sound; simple circuit analysis. Instruction should focus on developing student understanding that scientific knowledge is gained from observation of natural phenomena and experimentation using the Science and Engineering Practices (SEPS) and cross-cutting concepts.

• Recommended Grade: 9, 10, 11
• Required Prerequisites: none
• Recommended Prerequisites: Algebra I or Algebra II
• Credits: 2 semester course, 1 credit per semester
• Counts as an elective for all diplomas
• Fulfills a science (physical) course requirement for all diplomas
• Qualifies as a Quantitative Reasoning course