Science Department

The Argo Science Department is dedicated to providing students with a comprehensive science education while providing a challenging, interest-based course for all students. A hands-on, laboratory Science education at every level ensures students learn while doing and experience Science to provide understanding. From college level courses for future scientists to courses designed for the science novice, there are a myriad of courses provided by the Argo Science Department. While some students may choose a rigid, prescribed sequence others might enjoy the freedom to choose their course and level from year to year. Regardless of the path of courses chosen, Argo students will graduate literate in science with a deep respect for knowledge.

Most college admissions require a minimum of three years of laboratory science. Students planning a career in a medical field, science, engineering, or technical field should seek out a four-year science foundation based in Biology, Chemistry, and Physics. Argo has a two-year science requirement for graduation.

Course Offerings

	9th	10th	11th	12th
SC310 Biology	X	X	X	X
SC910 Honors Biology	X	X	X	X
SC340 Earth Science	X	X	X	X
SC340H Honors Earth Science	X	X	X	X
SC920 Honors Chemistry	A	X	X	X
SC320 Chemistry		X	X	X
SC940 AP Environmental Science		X	X	X
SC990 AP Chemistry		B	B	B
SC680 Comparative Bio			X	X
SC650 Medical Bio			X	X
SC410 Physics			X	X
SC930 Honors Physics			X	X
SC980 AP Biology			X	X
SC500 Forensics				X
SC500H Honors Forensics				X
SC975 AP Physics C				C

X – Any student – no prerequisite course requirements.
A – Student must be enrolled in Honors Geo or Honors Geo10 as a freshman.
B – Student must have taken a previous chemistry course (2021-2022 9th graders can take AP Chem as 10th graders w/o summer course).
C – Student must have already taken or be enrolled in AP Calculus. Summer Science Bridge Program required if the student does not meet the AP Calculus requirement.

CURRICULUM MAPS & NEW COURSES!

AP Environmental Science

SC930

Year 10, 11, 12

Credit: 1

The AP Environmental Science course is a lab based course that is designed to engage students with the scientific principles, concepts, and methodologies required to understand the interrelationships with the natural world. The course requires that students identify and analyze natural and human-made environmental problems, evaluate the relative risks associated with these problems, and examine alternative solutions for resolving or preventing them. Environmental science is interdisciplinary, embracing topics from geology, biology, environmental studies, environmental science, chemistry, and geography.

The AP Environmental Science course is designed to be the equivalent of a one-semester, introductory college course in environmental science.

AP Environmental Science may cover but is not limited to the following 9 units:

Unit 1	The Living World: Ecosystems	Unit 6	Energy Resources and Consumption
Unit 2	The Living World: Biodiversity	Unit 7	Atmospheric Pollution
Unit 3	Populations	Unit 8	Aquatic and Terrestrial Pollution
Unit 4	Earth Systems and Resources	Unit 9	Global Change
Unit 5	Land and Water Use

This course requires a teacher recommendation.

Comparative Biology

SC680

Year: 11, 12

Credit: 1

Comparative Biology is a two-semester lab-based course that relies heavily on dissection of several species of animals as comparisons in structure and function are made between different species. Human anatomy will NOT be discussed.

Do not take this course if you do not want to or are opposed to the dissection of various species.

The topics for this course include dissection techniques; muscular structure and development; arterial structure and development; evidence of evolution based on phylogeny.

Comparative Biology may cover but is not limited to the following 8 units:

Unit 1	Biological Design	Unit 5	Circulatory System
Unit 2	Skeletal System	Unit 6	Digestive System
Unit 3	Muscular System	Unit 7	Nervous System
Unit 4	Respiratory System	Unit 8	Sensory Organs

Honors Earth Science

SC340(H)

Year: 9, 10, 11, 12

Credit: 1

If students elect to take this course for honors credit, there will be requirements in addition to those of SC340.

This lab-based course is designed as a one-year course with eight units of study that are tied together through a set of enduring topics that are emphasized throughout the course. The topics are designed to address three-dimensional learning standards including disciplinary core ideas, cross cutting concepts, and science practice. Topics include space systems; the history of Earth; Earth systems; weather and climate; human sustainability and impact.

Earth Science may cover but is not limited to the following 8 units:

Unit 1	Earth’s Interior and Plate Tectonics	Unit 5	Climate Change and Weather
Unit 2	Rock Cycle	Unit 6	Earth, Sun, and Moon System
Unit 3	Geologic History	Unit 7	Our Solar System
Unit 4	Evolution of Life	Unit 8	Origin of Universe and Galaxies

Honors Forensic Science

SC500(H)

Year: 12

Credit: 1

If students elect to take this course for honors credit, there will be requirements in addition to those of SC500. The Honors work will consist of either a biological or chemical emphasis dependent upon section instructor.

The purpose of this lab-based course is to gain experience in the most common investigative techniques currently used by forensic scientists, crime scene investigators, and other law enforcement agencies and to develop an understanding of the scientific concepts which serve as a basis for these techniques. At the end of the course students will be able to secure and document a crime scene; collect and evaluate DNA, blood, hair, fibers, and other trace evidence; chemically analyze unknown substances that might be found at a crime scene; use methods in forensic anthropology and psychology to evaluate evidence.

Forensic Science may cover but is not limited to the following 10 units:

Unit 1	Observation Skills	Unit 6	Pathology
Unit 2	Fingerprinting	Unit 7	Anthropology
Unit 3	Hairs and Fibers	Unit 8	Casts and Impressions
Unit 4	Toxicology	Unit 9	Toolmarks
Unit 5	Blood and DNA	Unit 10	Handwriting and Forgery