Science

The Science department at Oakland Catholic strives to provide high quality science experiences for students of all ability levels. Students learn science best when laboratory experiences enhance their understanding of the science discipline. The science department provides hands on laboratory experiences in all science classes. With a wide variety of electives at all ability and interest levels, most students at Oakland Catholic take four years of science. With a strong foundation in the sciences, Oakland Catholic graduates are prepared to be scientifically literate citizens.

Biology

Biology I

Honors Biology I

Level: Honors

This course builds the foundation for further advanced level science courses. Laboratory work will be stressed in the areas of Science Process, Biochemistry, Enzyme Kinetics, Photosynthesis, Respiration, DNA, Molecular Genetics, Ecology and Evolution. Students will be challenged to develop critical thinking skills and to critically analyze scientific information. A TI 84+ graphing calculator is required for this lab science.

AP Biology

Level: AP

This rigorous course follows the AP Biology syllabus and prepares students for the AP exam in May. It is available to Oakland Catholic Juniors or Seniors. Students must be able to work at a rapid pace and be willing to cover selected topics independently. Students may be required to purchase a lab book for this course. All students enrolled in this course MUST take the AP exam in May according to the schedule set by the College Board. Students must take Anatomy Honors before or concurrently with AP Biology. A summer assignment is required and turned in by the assigned dates throughout the summer.

Prerequisites: A 93% average in Honors level sciences courses and a recommendation of theScience Department is required. (This course is only available to juniors and seniors.)

Chemistry

Chemistry I

Honors Chemistry I

Level: Honors

Honors Chemistry I is designed to strengthen the preparation of students preparing for a career in science, but may include other students who are college bound for other fields but have the ability to do advanced work in Chemistry. Advanced level mathematical skills are required to study concepts such as Stoichiometry, Significant figures, Redox reactions and Thermochemistry.

Prerequisite: You must achieve a minimum of a 90% average in Honors Biology I or a 95% average in CP Biology I. These averages are based on the final grade in the Biology course.

Chemistry II

CE Chemistry

Level: CE

Students will earn college credit from the University of Pittsburgh and will have five (5) labs, seven (7) study sessions, four (4) exams at the University of Pittsburgh campus. This course covers an in-depth study of the structure of matter, bonding, stoichiometry, the kinetic theory of gases, thermochemistry and equilibrium. Students taking this course must enroll with the University of Pittsburgh for credit and must pay $320 for University of Pittsburgh credit. Students will be required to complete a summer assignment by the required turn in date over the summer.

Prerequisite: A 95% average in Honors Chemistry I and recommendation of Honors Chemistry I teacher are required.

Physics

Physics I

Level: CP

This college prep course will cover the main topics of Newtonian (Classical) Mechanics. Topics include the scientific method, measurement, graphing, 1-dimensional motion, free- fall, vectors, projectile motion, and Newton’s laws of motion, work, energy, and momentum. Math is an important tool used in physics, but this class will only require a basic understanding of algebra and the order of operations.

Honors Physics I

Level: Honors

This honors course will cover the main components of Newtonian (Classical) Mechanics in more depth and rigor than the college prep class. A double lab period will be held once every six-day cycle. Topics include the scientific method, measurement, graphing, 1-dimensional motion, free-fall, vectors, projectile motion, and Newton’s laws of motion, work, energy, and momentum. Additional topics include circular motion, simple harmonic motion, and simple machines. Math is an important tool used in physics, and this class will require algebra as well as trigonometry.

Prerequisite: You must achieve a 90% average in Honors Chemistry I and be enrolled in Honors Algebra II or a higher math class for junior year.

CE Physics

Level: CE

Students will earn college credit from the University of Pittsburgh. This is the first semester physics class taught at Pitt. This is a rigorous course that will require at least five to seven (5- 7) hours of work each week outside of the classroom. The topics will expand and add upon material in Physics I honors. Topics include kinematics, projectile motion, Newton’s Laws of motion, rotational motion, uniform circular motion, work, energy, universal gravitation, waves, thermodynamics and simple harmonic motion. Students taking this course must enroll with the University of Pittsburgh for credit and pay $245 (subject to change).

Prerequisites: A 93% average in previous Honors Science classes must be achieved. (This course is only available to juniors and seniors.)

Honors Physics II

Level: Honors

This course is a second-year Physics course designed to follow Honor Physics I or CE Physics. It will introduce concepts and principles not seen in our other physics classes. Topics will include circuits, electricity, DC motors, AC generation, magnetism, optics, light and color, wave nature of light, nuclear physics, and quantum mechanics. Students will learn through a hands-on approach and will conduct labs frequently. Evaluation consists of homework, lab work, test scores and a comprehensive midterm and final.

Prerequisites: A 90% average in Physics I Honors or a 95% average in Physics I CP is required. (This course is only available to juniors and seniors.)

Electives

Honors Bioinformatics

Level: Honors

Bioinformatics is an interdisciplinary course focusing on biology, chemistry and computer science while implementing mathematics, statistics, physics and engineering to understand and organize information about biological macromolecules (DNA, RNA & Proteins). Student planning to focus their studies in the fields of medicine (including medicinal technologies) and computational biosciences will benefit from completion of this course. It is an honors course aimed at preparing our students for a career in the computational biosciences. This class will be limited to the top 15 students expressing interest in this course.

Prerequisites: A 90% or higher in Honors level science classes or 95% or higher in CP science classes is required. (This course is only available to juniors and seniors.)

Anatomy and Physiology

Level: CP

This course is a continuation of Human Biology taught in Biology I. It is an excellent course for students who wish to pursue a career in medicine or health-related fields. All body systems are covered in detail, and four major dissections are performed. Evaluation is based on tests, written assignments and labs.

Prerequisites: You must successfully complete Biology I and Chemistry I. (This course is only available to juniors and seniors.)

Honors Anatomy and Physiology

Level: Honors

This course will be a fast-paced Anatomy course that is designed for students with demonstrated ability in high-level science and will enhance the education of students seriously intending to enter the medical field. All body systems are covered in detail, and four major dissections are performed. Evaluation is based on tests, written assignments, and labs.

Prerequisites: A 90% average in Honors Biology I and a 90% average in Honors Chemistry I, must be achieved.

Students in this course must also complete a Physics course at Oakland Catholic. (This course is only available to juniors and seniors.)

Honors Engineering Principles Including Challenges (EPIC)

Level: Honors

The goal of this course is to expose high school students to beginning engineering design and prototyping. This course will provide students with the basic knowledge and analytical skills needed to develop a meaningful and practical design based on a relevant problem statement, user needs, and user values. This course utilizes teamwork and will be taught primarily through activities, projects, and problem-based learning. This will serve as a strong foundation to continually hone interpersonal skills, creative abilities, and understanding of the design process. It also allows students to develop strategies to enable and direct their own learning, which is the ultimate goal of education. Students will learn how to document their work, and communicate their solutions to their peers and members of the professional, scientific community. A formal presentation is required at the completion of a major group project. Some project work will require meeting outside of class to complete.

Prerequisite: An 85% average in all math classes is recommended to take this course. Enrollment for this course is limited to 16-17 students and is only available to juniors and seniors.