Science Course Descriptions

Beginning in the 2007-2008 school year, the State of Arizona will require a Science AIMS test to be administered to 8th grade students and at the end of a high school Biology course. (9th or 10th grade).

NOTE: Courses that will meet the competency requirements for Arizona universities are marked with an asterisk.*

SC 07 Integrated Science I
Difficulty: Average 1 Sem.—1/2 Cr.

SC 07 is the introductory science class for the junior high. Topic studies include scientific processes, the nature and history of science, ecology, earth's structure and earth's processes. SC 07 emphasizes the development of laboratory skills, science process skills, and mathematical
and graphing skills necessary for data analysis.

SC 08 Integrated Science II
Difficulty: Average 1 Sem.—1/2 Cr.

SC 08 builds on laboratory and science process skills studied in SC 07. These skills include experimental design, working appropriately with the basic tools of science, data analysis through mathematical processes and graphing. Topics studied include animal and plant diversity, heredity, properties of matter, and force and motion.

SC 09 is the entry level science course for high school and provides the conceptual foundation for the entire MPS high school science curriculum. Students in SC 09 receive instruction and practice in developing and refining scientific skills and methods that are prerequisites for success in subsequent high school science courses. Using mostly chemistry and physics concepts as a framework, students discover and collect evidence that supports the atomic/molecular theory of matter. These principles lay the groundwork for understanding all biological and chemical relationships. Topics included in this class are scientific processes,
the nature and history of science, earth science, basic physics and chemistry.

Prerequisites: Completion of Algebra I highly recommended.

Major areas of study are cell structure, function and processes, genetics, classification, microbiology, plants, animals, human systems and ecology. Fulfills college entrance and district graduation requirements only for 9th graders. Full requirement information for 9th graders is available through the counselors’ office. This course includes the topics of human reproduction and evolution.
NOTE: This course may include dissection.

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