Listed below are only a few out of the many types of high school courses that can be taken in each of the four categories: Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math.
Science
Biology, AP Laboratory Course
Overview: Grades 11 to 12, full year, one credit PLUS one quality point
Prerequisites: Successful completion of Intensified Science sequence or first level courses in biology and chemistry AND permission of the instructor
Description:
- Students are presented with an in-depth study of all of the major areas of biology
- Students will learn the course content, which includes the following three major topics: Molecules and Cells, Heredity and Evolution, and Organisms and Populations
Note: Students are required to take the AP exam associated with the two required courses
College Credit: Students may be awarded college credit based upon their results on the AP exam
Physics
Overview: Grades 10 to 12, full year, one credit
Prerequisites: Successful completion of or concurrent enrollment in Algebra II or an equivalent course
Description:
- Students are given a broad introduction to the fundamental topics and ideas in physics
- Students will place emphasis on the use of mathematical skills in solving problems involving motion, forces, momentum, energy, heat, light, electricity, and magnetism
Intensified Earth Science Laboratory Course
Overview: Grades 9 to 12, full year, one credit
Prerequisites: None
Description:
- Students will seek secondary science experience in geology, oceanography, meteorology, and astronomy
- Students will learn about the formation of rocks and minerals; landforms and changes; interrelationships of the earth's interior, surface, and land features; studies of the solar system; and the life and death of stars
Astronomy
Overview: Grades 11 to 12, full year, one credit
Prerequisites: Successful completion of Earth Science or Physics
Description:
- Students will be taught content, which includes solar system physics, celestial navigation, constellation study, and cosmology
- Students will get to participate in laboratory activities, which provide exercises in celestial mechanics and observations of astronomical events
Technology
Introduction to Information Technology
Overview: Grades 9 to 12, full year, one credit
Prerequisites: None
Description:
- Students are offered a hands-on introduction to multimedia production and presentation skills, computer software applications, network administration, programming languages, operating systems, and computer hardware
- Students will explore IT as a career area and will be able to make an informed choice of advanced IT study
Computer Science
Overview: Grades 9 to 12, full year, one credit PLUS one quality point
Prerequisites: Successful completion of Algebra I
Description:
- Students are introduced to object-oriented programming language control structures, procedures, functions, parameter passing, records, arrays, files, and datasets
- Students will primarily be taught the JAVA and Python programming languages
College Credit: This course is dual enrolled at NOVA (Northern Virginia Community College) for up to 4 credits at NOVA
Computer Information Systems
Overview: Grades 9 to 12, full year, one credit
Prerequisites: None
Description:
- Students apply problem-solving skills to real-life situations through word processing, spreadsheets, databases, multimedia presentations, and integrated software activities
- Students can work individually and in groups to explore computer concepts, operating systems, networks, telecommunications, and emerging technologies
College Credit: This course is dual enrolled at NOVA (Northern Virginia Community College) for a total of 3 credits at NOVA
Note: Student-selected verified credit can be eared by passing the course related industry certification
Technology Computer Applications
Overview: Grades 9 to 12, full year, one credit
Prerequisites: None
Description:
- Students are introduced to proper formatting of business and personal documents, and teaches students the 21st century employability knowledge and skills
- Students will develop their technical writing by designing and creating authentic business projects, and with the integration of academic projects
Note: Student-selected verified credit can be eared by passing the course related industry certification
Engineering
Engineering I: Introduction to Engineering Design
Overview: Grades 9 to 12, full year, one credit
Prerequisites: None
Description:
- Students use computer software to produce, analyze, and evaluate models of project solutions
- Students are taught to understand and apply the design process, apply adaptive design concepts in developing sketches, solve design problems while they develop, create, and analyze product models
Advanced Drawing & Design
Overview: Grades 10 to 12, full year, one credit
Prerequisites: Computer Assisted Engineering Drawing OR Computer Assisted Architectural Drawing
Description:
- Students use a graphic language for product design and technical illustration as well as increase their understanding of drawing techniques learned in the prerequisite courses
- Students research design-related fields while identifying the role of advanced drawing and design manufacturing and construction industry processes
- Students apply the design process, analyze design solutions, reserve engineer products, create 3-D solid models using CADD, construct physical models, and create multimedia presentations of finished designs
Engineering II: Principles of Engineering
Overview: Grades 10 to 12, full year, one credit
Prerequisites: Engineering I
Description:
- Students develop problem-solving skills by tackling real-world engineering problems
- Students address the emerging social and political consequences of technological change
- Students will dive into topics, which include the design process, communication and documentation, engineering systems, statics, materials and material testing, and thermodynamics
Engineering IV: Design & Development
Overview: Grades 10 to 12, full year, one credit
Prerequisites: Engineering I & Engineering II
Description:
- Students research, design, and construct solutions to engineering problems
- Students synthesize knowledge, skills, and abilities through an authentic engineering experience
- Students will develop and formally present an independent-study project and a team-oriented project
Math
Algebra II
Overview: Grades 10 to 12, full year, one credit
Prerequisites: Grade "C" or better in the previous mathematics course AND a teacher recommendation
Description:
- Students will learn properties, which include the real number system, linear equations and inequalities, systems of equations, polynomials, factoring, solving and graphing quadratic equations, functions, statistics, and problem solving
Note: Passing the course and the Algebra I SOL test (taken at the end of the course) earns a verified credit
Pre-Calculus, Intensified
Overview: Grades 10 to 12, full year, one credit
Prerequisites: Grade "B" or better in Algebra II / Trigonometry, Intensified AND a teacher recommendation
Description:
- Students are provided will the necessary skills and concepts for the study of calculus the following year
- Students will learn topics, which include vectors, transformations of the plane, development of the concept of the limit of a sequence, and completeness of the real number system
Calculus AB, AP
Overview: Grades 10 to 12, full year, one credit PLUS one quality point
Prerequisites: Grade "B" or better in Algebra II / Trigonometry, Intensified AND a teacher recommendation
Description:
- Students are provided will the necessary skills and concepts for the study of calculus the following year
- Students will learn topics, which include the theory of limits, differential calculus and its applications, integral calculus and its applications, and problem solving at the calculus level
College Credit: This course is dual enrolled at NOVA (Northern Virginia Community College) for a total of 3 credits at NOVA
Statistics, AP
Overview: Grades 11 to 12, full year, one credit PLUS one quality point
Prerequisites: Grade "B" or better in Algebra II / Trigonometry, Intensified AND a teacher recommendation
Description:
- Students are provided will the necessary skills and concepts for the study of calculus the following year
- Students will learn topics, which include the theory of limits, differential calculus and its applications, integral calculus and its applications, and problem solving at the calculus level
College Credit: This course is dual enrolled at NOVA (Northern Virginia Community College) for a total of 3 credits at NOVA