Science
College Planning: Students planning on education beyond high school may need extra science courses as prerequisites for admission to college, NCAA, or vocational programs. Students should contact the program of their choice for specific courses necessary for admission.
Courses Shown Below
Click title to see course description and prerequisites
| Requirement | Course Options |
| Physics (2 classes) taken in grade 9 | AP Physics A/B/C (9-12) OR Physics A/B (9-12) |
| Chemistry (1 class) taken after Physics | AP Chemistry A/B/C (10-12) OR Chemistry A (10-12) |
| Biology (2 classes) taken in grades 11 or 12 after Chemistry | AP Biology A/B/C (11-12) OR Biology A/B (11-12) |
| Earth & Space Science (1 class) | Earth & Space Science (11-12) |
| Science Elective (1 class) |
Chemistry B (10-12) AP Chemistry A/B/C (10-12) Organic Chemistry (11-12) Meteorology (10-12) Astronomy (10-12) (Offered in 2022/23) Environmental Science (11-12) Human Anatomy & Physiology (12) Criminalistics (10-12) Genetics in Medicine (11-12) I AP Biology A/B/C (11-12) CIS Human Physiology A/B (12) |
Applied Science Offered Annually Course: 6500 Grade: 9
Prerequisite: No other high school science courses have been taken. Students have not met the math requirements for Physics A and B. Students may not self-register for this course, instructor permission is required at the time of registration. The Applied Science course is designed to build foundational science skills and will address many of the science process and engineering standards. For those approved for the course, this will meet their ½ credit science elective. This course will discuss science method, and students will participate in experimental design, measurement, and data analysis. Topics covered will range from consumer science and energy issues to new research and product design.
Biology A/B Offered Annually Course: 6601/6602 Grade: 11-12
Recommendation: Completion of Chemistry or Physics prior to taking this course. Successful completion of these courses will satisfy the one credit in biology required for graduation.
What makes people sick? Why are people alive? What hidden worlds exist beyond people's eyes? Biology A takes students through a journey that investigates these questions as well as the nature of life and living organisms. Students become scientists as they discover organisms that inhabit both visible and invisible spaces. Students will pursue the nature of cells, life’s energy, and human body systems. The focus of this course is on problem solving in science through activities and lab investigations. Jeans or Genes? Join Biology B to crack the genetic code. Investigate past, present, and future secrets held in DNA. Heredity, adaptation, genetic engineering, selective breeding and mutation are some of the topics explored in Biology B. Students will learn to apply experimental techniques to discover how DNA and genes operate. Students will also link the structure and function of DNA and genes to evolutionary change and the struggle for existence.
Environmental Science Offered Biannually Odd Years (offered 2023-2024) Course: 6605 Grade: 11-12
This is a course that focuses on the complexity of natural and environmental systems. Through the application of the scientific method, students will participate and initiate research projects that examine all aspects of environmental stability. In their research, students will analyze the way humans impact and interact with their natural environments, and learn what is being done to preserve and conserve environmental areas into the future.
Human Anatomy and Physiology Course: 6611 Grade: 11-12
Prerequisite: Successful completion of either Biology A/B or AP Biology A/B/C.
This high life-science course is organized around the core principles of anatomy and physiology, such as homeostasis, chemical interactions, structure and function relationships, and the levels of organization. Modeled around an introductory college-level course, students will use scientific literature, class discussion, case studies, and specimen dissections to understand the details of eight major body systems. This class is a great option for students interested in pursuing a career in health care or a related field.
Criminalistics Offered Annually Course: 6612 Grade: 10-12
Forensics is a science that requires the abilities to observe, analyze, experiment and solve problems. This course will require students to combine high level problem solving skills with scientific knowledge in order to form conclusions from the interpretation of crime scene evidence. Some examples of physical evidence that will be studied in this course are fingerprints, handwriting analysis, chromatography, bone identification, time of death estimates, ballistics, crime scene reconstruction and tire track analysis.
Genetics in Medicine Not Offered 2023-24 Course: 6613 Grade: 11-12
This class is a great option for students interested in pursuing a career in health care or a related field. This medicine-focused course will challenge students to investigate the role of chromosomal inheritance on the incidence of human disease. Students will combine deductive reasoning skills with scientific knowledge in order to form conclusions about genetic inheritance. We will explain a range of genetic topics including the science of aging and the inheritance of schizophrenia.
AP Biology A/B/C Offered Annually Course: 6615/6616/6617
Grade: 11-12
Prerequisites: Recommended math—successful completion of Algebra II (A & B). Completion of a full year of Chemistry or Physics. AP Biology is a college-level biology course. The class offers highly motivated students an opportunity to gain college credit at the high school level or provide high school students with an extremely strong background in biology. The course creates the time and space for students to be scientists as they develop inquiry skills to answer classical and unique questions in the biological sciences. We will explore the four "Big Ideas' of biology as articulated by the College Board: Evolution, Energy, Information, and Systems. Each topic will be explored through labs and group discussions. At the end of the course, it is expected that a student in this AP class will take the Advanced Placement Exam for the course. AP national exams are offered in May. Successful completion of AP Biology A, B and C satisfies the biology graduation requirement.
CIS Human Physiology A/B Not Offered 2023-24 Course: 6618/6619 Grade: 12
Prerequisite: Successful completion of either Biology A/B or AP Biology A/B/C, Chemistry A/B or AP Chemistry A/B/C earning a B or better.
College in the Schools - Human Physiology, Technology, and Medical Devices. This life-science course is organized around the core principles of human physiology, such as homeostasis, information flow, causal mechanisms, structure and function relationships, and the levels of organization. Students first learn the concept of hierarchical organization of the body and the basic mechanism for homeostasis, which provides a foundation for all subsequent course topics related to health (e.g.,cardiovascular fitness) and disease (e.g., atherosclerosis and Type 2 diabetes). In every class period, students will learn about technologies and/or medical devices associated with the science. For example, during units on the cardiovascular system students will engage in assignments focusing on pacemakers and stents, and how these technologies have affected both medical culture and the health of our wider society.
Chemistry A Offered Annually Course: 6701 Grade: 10-12
Prerequisite: Successful completion of Algebra 9B Chemistry A fulfills the 0.5 credit physical science graduation requirement for the graduating class of 2022 and beyond.
Chemistry A and Chemistry B fulfills the 1.0 credit physical science graduation requirement for the graduating class of 2020 and 2021.
Chemistry focuses on the interaction of matter and energy in chemical reactions. Concepts include periodic trends, chemical bonding, writing formulas for compounds and reactions, Students will perform experiments individually and collaboratively.
Chemistry B Offered Annually Course: 6702 Grade: 10-12
Prerequisite: Successful completion of Chemistry A.
Chemistry B is an elective credit for the graduating class of 2022 and beyond, and highly recommended for students that wish to attend a 4-year university.
Chemistry A and Chemistry B fulfills the 1.0 credit physical science graduation requirement for the graduating class of 2020 and 2021.
This course is ideal for the student who asks the question: “Why are certain gases poisonous or why do some substances dissolve in water and others don’t?” Chemistry focuses on the interaction of matter and energy in chemical reactions. Concepts include, stoichiometry, acids and bases, gases, rates and organic. Students will perform experiments individually and collaboratively. Chemistry B allows for opportunities to complete several inquiry type labs.
AP Chemistry A/B/C Offered Annually Course: 6712/6713/6714 Grade: 10-12
Prerequisite: Successful completion of Geometry and Physics A and B (for the class of 2022 and beyond) AND completion of Google Survey. https://goo.gl/forms/dKlTbfMmUeRF0s3u2
This is a college-level chemistry course. Students need to sign up for all 3 sections.This course covers all of the standard chemistry topics such as atomic and molecular structure, bonding, periodic trends, thermodynamics, electrochemistry, chemical reactions, kinetics and equilibrium, etc. Students will develop lab skills using university-level equipment and techniques. It is expected that a student in an AP class will take the Advanced Placement Exam for that course. AP national exams are offered in May.
Organic Chemistry Offered Annually Course: 6715 Grade: 11-12
Prerequisite: Successful completion of Chemistry A/B or AP Chemistry A/B/C earning a C or better.
Organic Chemistry is the study of carbon compounds and the various functional groups that commonly are added. The focus will be on nomenclature and structure of these compounds. Students will have a lab component as well focusing on synthesis of small organic molecules and polymers, and characterization of their physical properties. Organic Chemistry is a second course designed for science, chemical engineering, and health- related majors, as well as students who aspire to become chemical professionals.
Meteorology Offered Biannually Odd Years (Offered 2023-2024) Course: 6805 Grade: 10-12 Meteorology introduces students to basic weather concepts, instrumentation, and maps. Students will learn about various aspects of weather, including the atmosphere, seasons, severe weather, and much more. Weather data will be collected from instruments used by the students outside and around the school in addition to using data from the weather station on rooftop of Forest Lake Senior High.
Earth and Space Science Offered Annually Course: 6806 Grade: 11-12 In this required course, students will investigate Earth and Space through four major units: space, plate tectonics, geologic time, and climate change. Students will explore star composition and galaxy motion using light evidence, read about Icelandic volcanoes, and evaluate the human interaction with Earth’s four spheres (atmosphere, geosphere, biosphere, and hydrosphere).
Astronomy Offered Biannually Even Years (Offered 2024-2025) Course: 6807 Grade: 10-12
The purpose of this course is to enable students to develop and apply knowledge of the universe and compare the conditions, properties, and motions of bodies in space. Emphasis will be placed on concepts basic to Earth, including materials, processes, scientific laws, history, and phenomena. Astronomy is the scientific study of the contents of the entire Universe. This course will provide the student with a study of the universe and the conditions, properties, and motions of bodies in space. The content includes, but is not limited to, historical astronomy, space exploration, astronomical instruments, the celestial sphere, the solar system, the earth as a system in space, the earth/moon system, the sun as a star, and stars.
Physics A/B Offered Annually Course: 6905/6906 Grade: 9-12 Prerequisite: Successful completion of Algebra 8B Physics A and Physics B fulfills the 1.0 credit physical science graduation requirement for the graduation class of 2020 and 2021.
Physics A and Physics B is a required course for the graduating classes of 2022 and beyond.
In Physics A, students will study Newton’s laws of motion, investigate motion, and energy. These investigations will include lab work, models, graphs, and mathematical equations. In Physics B, students will study sound, light, electricity, and magnetism through lab activities that drive our discussion and problem solving.
AP Physics A/B/C Offered Annually Course: 6907/6908/6909 Grade: 9-12 Prerequisite: Successful completion of Algebra 9B OR by written recommendation of a science teacher. This is a college level physics course. Students need to sign up for all 3 sections of AP Physics and complete all 3 sections to fulfill the physics portion of the science standards needed to graduate.
AP Physics 1 is an algebra-based, introductory college-level physics course. Students cultivate their understanding of Physics through inquiry-based investigations as they explore topics such as Newtonian mechanics (including rotational motion); work, energy, and power; mechanical waves and sound; and introductory, simple circuits. It is expected that a student in an AP class will take the Advanced Placement Exam for the course. AP national exams are offered in May. After the AP exam, additional topics surrounding light, magnetism, and heat will be studied so that this course meets the graduation requirements for 1 year of physics/chemistry.
AP Physics - Mechanics A/B (Calculus based) Not Offered 2023-24 Course: 6910/6911 Grade: 11-12
Prerequisite: Enrollment in or completion of AP Calculus This two-term course covers the study of motion at an advanced placement level . Topics include Newtons’ laws, accounting for friction, simple harmonic motion, circular motion, energy, and momentum. At the end of the Mechanics II term, students will participate in the Advanced Placement Physics C exam. It is expected that a student in an AP class will take the Advanced Placement Exam for that course. AP national exams are offered in May.
ALC Only:
Ecology Course: 6600
Minnesota is a biologically diverse state because we exist at the convergence of three major land biomes and we are home to three different freshwater biomes. In this course, students will study the characteristics of the biomes of the world with special attention being given to the biomes of Minnesota. During the course of this study, students will also learn about classification and claudistics, energy roles in an ecosystem, succession, chemical and biological water testing, and environmental issues facing Minnesota’s future.
and Forensic Biology B.
Minnesota Forests Course: 6608 Our diverse forests are one of the most unique characteristics of Minnesota’s natural resources. Students in this course will study basic plant biology and taxonomy as it pertains to Minnesota flora. Students will apply this new knowledge to design, set-up, and conduct a long-term inquiry based plant experiment. Students will also study the techniques used for various forestry field skills, positives and negatives of different logging techniques, forest pests and diseases, and spend time looking at the current environmental issues facing the health and future of our Minnesota forests.
Biology at the Extremes Course: 6620
This course will study the of habitability of different environments in the universes. Students will discover the requirements that need to be met in order for an organisms to be considered living. Then the students will explore the physical requirements that an environment needs to provide in order to sustain life. This field of science searches for extreme habits on Earth and planets both within our solar system and elsewhere in the universe that could be habitable environments for life. Students will learn about the search for evidence that life may once have occurred on Mars or elsewhere in our solar system through the Mars rovers and various NASA space missions. Finally, students will study the ways in which living organisms have adapted and will have to adapt to survive the challenges that extreme Earth ecosystems can present and the challenges of surviving in the microgravity of space.