CURRICULUM GUIDE 2012-2013 copy - The Ethel Walker School

AP BIOLOGYOpen to Grades: 11-12 Credit: 1Prerequisites: Completion of Biology and Chemistry and departmental approvalExceptional students may be allowed to enroll in this course as their biology course. This course isthe equivalent of a college level introductory biology course and prepares students to take theadvanced placement exam in May. Topics covered in depth include biochemistry, cells, heredity,evolution, organisms and populations. The course is demanding, moves quickly, and requires agreat deal of independent work outside of class (10-15 hours/week).PHYSICSOpen to Grades: 11-12 Offered in 2012-2013 Credit: 1This first course in Physics examines everyday phenomena such as motion, wave phenomena, andelectricity and magnetism. The goal is to apply fundamental principles to understanding commonoccurrences and devices. The course emphasizes, equally, understanding concepts and solvingquantitative problems. Students are taught to rely on analysis rather than memory. Laboratorywork and lab reports are two very important parts of this course. Emphasis is on clear thinkingand concise writing. The mathematical analysis of data and error is explored in depth. This is ahands-on laboratory based course.HONORS PHYSICSOpen to Grades: 11-12 Offered 2013-2014 Credit: 1Prerequisites: Chemistry, honors math placement and department approvalThis course is designed for those students entering Walker’s after 9th grade who have not yet taken Physics.Honors Physics explores the fundamental concepts of physics. The emphasis is on understandingthe basic forces and phenomena of the physical world. Applying that understanding to practicalsituations is also stressed. Students are taught to rely on analysis rather than memory. The course isfaster paced and more in-depth than the regular physics course. Laboratory work and lab reportsare two very important parts of this course. Emphasis is on clear thinking and concise writing.The mathematical analysis of data and error is explored in depth. This is a hands-on, laboratorybased course.Time required outside of class: 5-6 hours/week.AP PHYSICS BOpen to Grades: 11-12 Offered in alternating years with Astronomy Credit: 1Prerequisites: an introductory physics course, concurrent enrollment in Precalculus or higher math, and department approvalAdvanced Placement Physics B covers the syllabus used in introductory college physics coursesand prepares students to take the advanced placement exam in the spring. The major topicsinclude kinematics, dynamics, energy, wave phenomena, electricity, and magnetism. The courseuses mathematical concepts from Algebra and geometry, but notfrom Calculus. The course is very rigorous, mathematical, and fast-paced and assumes the studentis very comfortable will all aspects of mathematical problem solving.Time required outside of class: 10-15 hours/weekASTRONOMYOpen to Grades: 11-12 Offered in alternating years with AP Physics, Offered 2012-2013 Credit: 1Exceptional sophomores may be allowed to enroll in this class concurrently with Honors Chemistry.Astronomy is a yearlong course that includes such topics as the evolution of astronomical thoughtand a study of our solar system, stars, galaxies, and beyond. Some physics is included in thecourse, but concurrent enrollment in physics is acceptable.There will be mandatory evening observation sessions each month (weather dependent).37