3026 Environmental Systems (ENVIRSYS)(03020000) 1 Credit
In Environmental Systems, students conduct laboratory and field investigations, use scientific methods
during investigations, and make informed decisions using critical thinking and scientific problem solving.
Students study a variety of topics that include: biotic and abiotic factors in habitats, ecosystems and
biomes, interrelationships among resources and an environmental system, sources and flow of energy
through an environmental system, relationship between carrying capacity and changes in populations and
ecosystems, and changes in environments. Texas law requires 40% field and laboratory experience
during the course. This course satisfies a fourth science credit.
Grade: 11-12
Prerequisite: Biology I and Chemistry I
3028 Physics (PHYSICS)(03050000) 1 Credit
In Physics, students conduct laboratory and field investigations, use scientific methods during investigations, and make informed decisions using critical thinking and scientific problem solving.
Students study a variety of topics that include: laws of motion; changes within physical systems and conservation of energy and momentum; forces; thermodynamics; characteristics and behavior of waves; and atomic, nuclear, and quantum physics. Students who successfully complete Physics will acquire factual knowledge within a conceptual framework, practice experimental design and interpretation, work collaboratively with colleagues, and develop critical thinking skills. Texas law requires 40% field and laboratory experience during the course.
Grade: 9-12
Prerequisite: Algebra I is a suggested pre- or co-requisite enrollment in Algebra I
Note: Physics AP is available and is a more rigorous course designed to prepare students for the Physics AP exam.
3035 Principles of Technology (PRINTECH) (1307100) 1 Credit
In Principles of Technology, students conduct laboratory and field investigations, use scientific methods during investigations, and make informed decisions using critical thinking and scientific problem solving. Various systems will be described in terms of space, time, energy, and matter. Students will study a variety of topics that include laws of motion, conservation of energy, momentum, electricity, magnetism, thermodynamics, and characteristics and behavior of waves. Students will apply physics concepts and perform laboratory experimentations for at least 40% of instructional time using safe practices.
Note: This course may count as the third science credit.
Grade: 11-12
Prerequisite: One year of High School Science and Algebra I
3032 Scientific Research & Design (SIRD)(13037200) 1 Credit
In this course, students conduct field and laboratory investigations, use scientific methods during investigations, and make informed decisions using critical thinking and scientific problem solving.
Students will explore the basic properties of scientific systems that can be described in space, time, energy, and matter. When implementing designs, students will collect, organize, and evaluate qualitative and quantitative data obtained through experimentation. Evaluation of data will enable students to synthesize valid conclusions concerning the investigations and communicate those conclusions to an audience of professionals.
Grade: 11-12
Prerequisite: Biology I, Chemistry I, and Algebra II
Additional science courses available through the TLC Lab via the TxVSN.
Note: This course will cover the lab portion of A & P as well as dual credit Biology for Non-Science majors.