science

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The high school science program is designed to develop science literacy for all students and to provide a firm foundation for students who wish to pursue science and/or engineering at higher levels, or as careers. The science curriculum integrates the practices of science and engineering with important ideas from each of the major disciplines of science. The crosscutting concepts, or big ideas of science, provide an organizational framework so that students develop deep and lasting understanding of science. Laboratory experiences are integral within all SMCPS science courses. Disciplinary literacy is emphasized throughout the program, and environmental literacy is integrated into each of the core science courses. For high school graduation, each student must earn a minimum of three credits in science courses that are aligned to the Maryland State Science Standards. When selecting courses to meet the three-credit requirement, students must seek a broad array of learning experiences that include experiences in each of the major disciplines of science (Earth, Life, and Physical science). Recommended course sequences for students entering high school in 2024-25 are shown in the following diagram. 

Additionally, students must fulfill state requirements for assessment in science at the high school level. The Maryland Integrated Science Assessment (MISA) will be administered at the conclusion of 9th grade for students in the Honors track. Students in the Academic Track will take the MISA at the conclusion of 10th grade. MISA counts as 20% of a student's overall grade in their Life Science/Biology course.  Please note that a variety of course levels, including Advanced Placement, are offered within each science discipline. Students and their families are encouraged to review the course descriptions carefully when selecting courses. All students are encouraged to follow a rigorous course of study in science throughout all four years of high school.

EARTH/SPACE SCIENCE – 041123, 164113

This course is aligned to the Maryland State Science Standards and has 3 primary areas of study: Earth’s Place in the Universe; Earth’s Systems; and Human Activity on Earth. Students will utilize various science and engineering practices and crosscutting concepts to help them master the disciplinary core ideas and better understand real-world phenomena. Students will learn skills and content that will help prepare them for future coursework in secondary science. 

• • CREDIT: 1 

  • TYPE: Academic 

  • GRADE: 9 

  • PREREQUISITE: Recommendation from 8th-grade science teacher for course placement.

INDEPENDENT STUDY SCIENCE – 042093

Independent Study Science is designed for advanced students who wish to pursue individualized course work during or beyond the school day. Students must complete a minimum of 132 hours of supervised activities for each 1 unit of credit and submit a minimum of two projects as determined by the student and the instructor. All projects must include lab- based experimental design and be presented or published in a public venue such as Science Fair, on a public website, or at a seminar. Approval must be obtained through the Independent Study approval process. All work is supervised by a member of the science department. (A maximum of six units of elective credit may be earned through independent study and/or work study programs while in high school.) COURSE NOTE: This unit may not count as a required course.

• • CREDIT: 1 

  • TYPE: Academic 

  • GRADE: 11-12

  • PREREQUISITE: Biology, 2.0 cumulative grade point average, and the approval of the department chairperson, principal, supervisor of science, and Director of Curriculum and Instruction required.

CHEMISTRY 1 – 043323

This course is aligned to the Maryland State Science Standards and has 3 primary areas of study: Matter and its Interactions, Motion and Stability (Forces and Interactions), and Energy. Students will utilize various science and engineering practices and crosscutting concepts to help them master the disciplinary core ideas and better understand real-world phenomena. This course is recommended for students who have demonstrated a need for skill improvement as indicated by previous science coursework. This course may not be scheduled in all high schools. 

• • CREDIT: 1 

  • TYPE: Academic 

  • GRADE: 10-11 

  • PREREQUISITE: Earth/Space Science, Biology 1 or Biology 1 (Honors)

PHYSICAL SCIENCE IN THE ENVIRONMENT – 046423

This course is aligned to the Maryland State Science Standards and has four primary areas of study: Matter and its Interactions, Motion and Stability, Energy, and Waves. Each area of study will be presented from the aspect of how they apply to Earth’s environment. Students will utilize various science and engineering practices and crosscutting concepts to help them master the disciplinary core ideas and better understand real world phenomena.  

• • CREDIT: 1 

  • TYPE: Academic 

  • GRADE: 11-12

  • PREREQUISITE: Biology 1

BIOLOGY 2 – 047331, 047332

This course extends the concepts of Biology I in the areas of Human Anatomy and Physiology, Microbiology, and the applied science of Forensics. Human Anatomy and Physiology will be taught during the first and second marking periods. Topics of study will include the Skeletal, Muscular, Integumentary, Circulatory, Respiratory, Digestive, Excretory, and Nervous, Endocrine, and Reproductive systems. Forensics will be taught during the third marking period and include various types of collected evidence and lab analysis. Microbiology will be taught in the fourth marking period and include topics like Virology, Bacteriology, Infectious Diseases, and Human Immunity. This laboratory-oriented course emphasizes scientific observation, investigation, experimental design, interpretation of data, problem-solving, critical thinking, analysis of scientific literature, and use of technology. Students who object to dissection will be given alternative activities.   COURSE NOTE:  This course does not count toward the three-year science requirement for graduation.

• • CREDIT: 0.5 per semester 

  • TYPE: Academic

  • GRADE: 11-12 

  • PREREQUISITES: Credit earned for Biology 1.

CHEMISTRY 2 – 043353

This course extends the concepts of Chemistry 1, incorporating more depth in the areas of chemistry such as organic chemistry, nuclear chemistry, electrochemistry, chemical kinetics, and thermodynamics. This laboratory-oriented course emphasizes scientific observation, investigation, experimental design, interpretation of data, problem-solving, critical thinking, analysis of scientific literature, and use of technology. An extended project involving experimental design is required. 

• • CREDIT: 1 

  • TYPE: Academic

  • GRADE: 11-12 

  • PREREQUISITE: Chemistry I

ADVANCED PLACEMENT ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE – 043093

This course provides students with the scientific principles, concepts, and methodologies required to understand the interrelationships of the natural world, to identify and analyze environmental problems both natural and human-made, to evaluate the relative risks associated with these problems, and to examine alternative solutions for resolving and/or preventing them. Themes include science as a process, energy conversions that underlie all ecological processes, the interconnected systems of Earth, how humans alter natural systems, the cultural and social contexts of environmental problems, and the importance of developing practices that will achieve sustainable systems. It will contribute to the development of the students’ abilities to think clearly and to express their ideas orally and in writing with clarity and logic. Students should be aware that not all colleges grant credit for qualifying grades on the Advanced Placement examination, although over 400 institutions do grant credit. 

• • CREDIT: 2 

  • TYPE: Advanced Placement 

  • GRADE: 11-12 

  • PREREQUISITE:  Demonstration of advanced ability on rigorous coursework and assessments in Biology and Chemistry (preferably Honors), and/or recommendation of the Science teacher

PHYSICS 1 – 044330

This course is aligned to the Maryland State Science Standards and has 4 primary areas of study: Matter and its Interactions, Motion and Stability (Forces and Interactions), Energy, and Waves and Their Applications in Technologies for Information Transfer. Students will utilize various science and engineering practices and crosscutting concepts to help them master the disciplinary core ideas and better understand real world phenomena. 

• • CREDIT: 1

  • TYPE: Academic 

  • GRADE: 11-12 

  • PREREQUISITE: Earth/Space Science, Biology 1 or Biology 1 (Honors), and successful completion of Algebra 1.

ADVANCED PLACEMENT PHYSICS 1– 045453

AP Physics 1 is the equivalent of a first-semester college course in algebra-based physics, but it is designed to be taught over a full academic year to enable AP students to develop a deep understanding of the content and to focus on applying their knowledge through inquiry labs. The full year also allows time for inclusion of physics content specified by state standards. The course covers Newtonian mechanics (including rotational dynamics and angular momentum); work, energy, and power; mechanical waves and sound. It also introduces electric circuits. This course is the replacement course for AP Physics B. 

• • CREDIT: 1 

  • TYPE: Advanced Placement 

  • GRADE: 10-12 

  • PREREQUISITE: Demonstration of advanced ability on rigorous coursework and assessments in Biology and Chemistry (preferably Honors), and/or recommendation of the Science teacher

ADVANCED PLACEMENT PHYSICS C – 044463

This course integrates the concepts of calculus as appropriate in formulating physical principles and in applying them to physical problems. The sequence is more intensive and analytic than AP Physics 2. Strong emphasis is placed on solving a variety of challenging problems, some requiring calculus. During the first semester, students will use calculus to analyze physics concepts related to Newtonian mechanics. The use of calculus in problem solving and in derivations increases as the course progresses. During the second semester, students will use calculus to analyze physics concepts related to electricity and magnetism. Calculus is used in formulating principles and in solving problems. Technology will be used regularly to reinforce the relationships among the multiple representations of functions, to confirm written work, to implement experimentation, and to assist in interpreting results. The Texas Instruments TI-84 Silver Edition or a calculator with equivalent or greater capability is recommended. Students should be aware that not all colleges grant credit for qualifying grades on the Advanced Placement examination, although over 400 institutions do grant credit. 

• • CREDIT: 2 

  • TYPE: Advanced Placement 

  • GRADE: 11-12 

  • PREREQUISITE: Demonstration of advanced ability on rigorous coursework and assessments in Biology and Chemistry (preferably Honors), and/or recommendation of the Science teacher