Wheeling Central Catholic High School

Academics

SCI311-312 Integrated Science 9 (Freshman / Year) - Requirement
This course deals with various topics from the traditional disciplines of physics, chemistry, earth science and biology. It is primarily a lab course. Topics include: electricity, magnetism, atoms, the periodic table, organic chemistry, weather, the solar system, evolution, heredity and reproduction.

SCI321-322 Integrated Biology 10 (Sophomore / Year) - Requirement
This course is an in depth study of life forms in the context of other scientific disciplines. Students learn the classification of all living things and how they are interrelated. It is primarily a lab course. Topics include: the cell, the fundamentals and chemical basis of genetics, DNA, and the structure of life forms.

SCI329 Human Biology (Semester)
This course is a basic introduction to the systems of the human body. It is a semester course that concentrates on human organs and their relationships in the functioning of the body. The course includes dissection, laboratory experiments, and lecture.

SCI331 Chemistry (Year)
Students learn the composition and classification of matter. They learn how to predict and represent chemical reactions, and how to determine various quantities associated with chemical changes. Topics include: a review of the periodic table, balancing equations, and chemical bonding. It is primarily a lab course, making use of computers and probes.

SCI333 Chemistry Basics (Year)
This course gives an overview of a variety of topics, some of which provide an excellent basis for Biology 2 or Anatomy. It is designed to de-emphasize the mathematical aspects of chemistry, while accentuating the practical applications. It is primarily a hands-on course, making use of computers and sensors in labs when appropriate to the topic. Topics include measurements, atomic structure, balancing chemical equations, the periodic table, acids and bases, organic molecules, and beginning biochemistry. Chemistry Basics is recommended for the student who has difficulty with math and will be taking only one chemistry course.

SCI340 Physics (Year)
This is a general introduction to the fundamental concepts of kinematics and dynamics of motion, forces, work and energy, thermodynamics, wave motion, optics, electricity and magnetism. It is primarily a lab course, using computerized analysis of sensor data and graphing calculators.
Prerequisite: Trigonometry

SCI342 Chemistry II (Year)
This course presents students with an in-depth knowledge of chemical properties and reactions. Students gain substantial insight into chemical bonding. This insight is enhanced through frequent laboratory experiments, extensively implementing probes and computers. Topics include: stoichiometry, chemical equilibrium, qualitative and quantitative analysis, molecular structure, and reactions in aqueous solutions.

SCI343 Anatomy (Year)
Students learn the biological systems of the human body. Their understanding is enhanced by laboratory comparisons with similar systems in other animal species, as well as with the use of computers and interactive probes. Students learn to name and identify different structures and muscles, and are introduced to all human anatomical systems. Topics include: the cell, cellular energy, DNA, tissue, the integumentary system, skeletal and muscular structures, the respiratory system, nutrition and digestion. A microscopic camera is used to aid in the investigation of tissues and cell functions.

SCI344 Biology II (Year)
This course expands on the fundamental principles of Biology and focuses on genetics and bacteriology. It is primarily a lab course in which computers and probes are used to perform experiments. Fruit flies are used in the genetics portion of the course. In the second semester students perform advanced studies in bacteriology and botany. Students perform experiments with live plants and bacteria and use computers to gather and process data.

SCI345 Anatomy II (Year)
This course is a continuation of Anatomy I providing a more detailed look at specific organs, functions, and systems. Topics include: the nervous, lymphatic, urinary, endocrine systems. Particular emphasis is placed on the brain, the cardiovascular system, blood and reproduction. A substantial portion of the class is devoted to laboratory comparisons of animal and human organs and systems. Computers, software, and probes are used to gather data and investigate human anatomical systems.

SCI347 Biology II (Semester)
This course expands on the fundamental principles of Biology and focuses on genetics and bacteriology. It is primarily a lab course in which computers and probes are used to perform experiments. Fruit flies are used in the genetics portion of the course.

SCI348 Environmental Science (Year)
This course focuses on the interaction of physical and biological systems in the environment. It helps students relate living organisms to the influences and pressures of their environment. Theoretical concepts and practical field experience are emphasized. Appropriate sensors are employed in lab work, along with computer analysis. Topics include all the elements listed above in course 349 and the following: soils, water, and the dynamics of plant and animal populations and the communities they form.

SCI349 Environmental Science (Semester)
This course offers an overview of human activities and their relationships to basic processes of ecosystems. Topics include: the flow of energy and materials through our biosphere, the problems created by human intervention within the ecosystem, agricultural technology and national and world policies that affect the environment. Theoretical concepts about the environment and practical field experience are stressed, implementing sensors and computers where appropriate. This is the first semester of course 348 listed below.

SCI356 Scientific Writing (Semester)
This semester course is designed to help students communicate their technical work. It will utilize technology to incorporate within the course the Design of Technical Presentation Slides, Design of Scientific Posters, Letter format, Laboratory Reports, Proposals, Word Usage, Resumes, and Journal Articles. It will also include Assessing the Audience and Crafting a Style.

SCI357 Biology III (Year)
This full year laboratory science course will expand on the principles of the life science subjects not covered in Integrated Biology and Biology II. This course will include an in-depth study of cellular respiration, science and technology, the history and nature of science as well as science in personal and social perspectives.