Course Catalog - Oswego Community Unit School District 308

AP Physics C – 1.5 credits (blocked) weighted
CORE ELECTIVE/OPEN ELECTIVE
Grade Level: 11, 12
Prerequisite: "C" or better in Honors Physics and Honors Precalculus; Concurrent enrollment or completion of Calculus I.
Teacher recommendation required.
This is a calculus-based laboratory course equivalent to the first year college course taken by chemistry, physics, and engineering majors.
Students will be prepared to take the AP Physics "C" exam. This course is a two semester course covering classical mechanics and
electromagnetism. The mechanics semester covers topics in linear and rotational kinematics dynamics, momentum, energy, gravitation,
and harmonic motion. The electromagnetism semester covers topics from fields and potential, DC circuits, capacitance, inductance, and
Maxwell's equation in integral form. Extensive use of calculus is made in both derivations and problem solving.
On the basis of the AP examination, the student's college will determine the amount of advanced placement credit received in physics.
Forensics - 1.0 credit (2 semesters) Note: Course Fee $14 CORE ELECTIVE/OPEN ELECTIVE
Grade Level: 11, 12
Prerequisite: Successful completion of Biology and Chemistry
The forensics course is designed to integrate components from all sciences (anatomy, biology, chemistry, earth science, physics).
Students will continue to develop previous science skills such as critical thinking, deductive reasoning, laboratory technique, and problemsolving.
Students will use real-life situations, criminal law cases, and research-based activities to investigate complex forensic scenarios.
Earth and Space Sciences
Earth and Space Science - 1.0 credit (2 semesters) Note: Course Fee $15 CORE ELECTIVE/OPEN ELECTIVE
Grade Level: 11, 12
Prerequisite: Successful completion of a Physical Science course and Biology
Earth/Space Science is a laboratory survey course that integrates the study of Earth with the characteristics of the solar system and builds
upon those concepts. The study of the Earth will include its geological history, composition, structure, atmosphere and place in the
universe. The characteristics of the solar system include (but are not limited to) the motion of the universe and its structures. The tools
required for space exploration may also be studied. In this course, students will collect and interpret real-time data, utilizing problem
solving and critical thinking to gain an understanding of events happening in the real world.
Honors Earth and Space Science - 1.0 credit (2 semesters) weighted Note: Course Fee $15 CORE ELECTIVE/OPEN ELECTIVE
Grade Level: 11, 12
Prerequisite: Successful completion of a Physical Science course and Biology; teacher recommendation required.
Earth/Space Science is a laboratory based, in-depth course that integrates the study of Earth with the characteristics of the solar system
and builds upon those concepts. The study of the Earth will include its geological history, composition, structure, atmosphere, and place in
the universe. The characteristics of the solar system include (but are not limited to) the motion of the universe and its structures. The tools
required for space exploration may also be studied. In this course students will collect and interpret real-time data, utilizing problem solving
and critical thinking to gain an understanding of events happening in the real world.
Meteorology – 0.5 credit (1 semester)
Grade Level: 11, 12
Prerequisite: Successful completion of Earth and Space Science
CORE ELECTIVE/OPEN ELECTIVE
This laboratory is designed to cover meteorological topics such as the mechanics of the atmosphere, the hydrosphere, regional geography,
climate patterns, and weather prediction.