Science Graduation Requirements
Three credits of science are required for graduation:
- 9th Grade: CP Physical Science, Honors Physical Science (Life Science will not be offered starting 2024-25 pending Board approval)
- 10th Grade: CP Biology or Honors Biology.
- 11th & /or 12th Grade: Chemistry & Physics, which are generally taken in 11th grade but can also be taken
in 10th grade to allow students to complete the prerequisites in order to take AP courses during their high school career. Electives and Physical Science 2 can also be taken to satisfy graduation requirements.
All students are encouraged to take science courses beyond the three credits that are required for graduation. In addition, students planning to attend college should take physical science, biology, chemistry, and physics at the college prep or honors level.
PSSA Performance
Student performance on the eighth grade PSSA will be factored into course selection decisions for which course students will be scheduled to take in their 9th grade year. Non-proficient performance on the PSSA indicates a need for greater support and potentially additional coursework to ensure that students graduate with the expected level of science knowledge.
Keystone Exam Performance
Student performance on the Biology Keystone Exam can also be factored into course selection decisions. Passing the Biology Keystone Exam, starting with the class of 2022-23, will be a graduation requirement. Therefore, students who do not pass this exam will be scheduled for a biology remediation course in order to prepare for required retake of the exam.
College Prep Physical Science
Grade 9, #SCI012, 1 credit, 5 periods (FY), NCAA
This course is an introduction to the physical sciences and will allow students to discover the components and processes of the natural world around us, on Earth and beyond. Physics and chemistry concepts will be used to investigate how the Universe is structured as well as the components of Earth’s environments and systems. Topics of study include forces and motion, matter and its interactions, energy, earth processes, and Earth's physical changes. Students will utilize models, data, representations, laboratory design and exercises to study these physical science concepts and to enhance their skills of collecting, analyzing and reporting scientific data. The knowledge and skills students will build upon throughout this course will prepare students for future science course work and lifelong scientific literacy. (Pending Board approval).
Honors Physical Science
Grade 9, #SCI013, 1 credit, weight 1.05, 5 periods (FY), NCAA
Prerequisite: Enrollment in Algebra 2 or Geometry and 90% or higher in 8th grade Science.
This rigorous college-preparatory course is an introduction to the physical sciences to prepare students for honors and advanced placement science courses and lifelong scientific literacy. Physics and chemistry concepts will be used to investigate how the Universe is structured as well as the components of Earth’s environments and systems. Topics of study include forces and motion, matter and its interactions, energy, earth processes, and Earth's physical changes. This course is well suited for students interested in challenging themselves in the sciences and/or pursuing a college degree in a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) field. An emphasis will be placed on the development of complex cognitive processes through mathematical modeling, lab design, and exercises developed to enhance student understanding of physics, chemistry, and environmental concepts. (Pending Board approval).
Biology Remediation
Grades 10/11, #SCI022RKS, ½ credit, 5 periods (S)
Registration Restriction: Enrollment in the class is restricted to students who previously took any level of Biology and did not earn the score of Proficient on the Biology Keystone exam. Administrators can schedule students for this course; students may not enroll themselves in this course.
Biology remediation is designed for students to build on their content knowledge in biology. Students will receive
instruction as well as work on self-paced lessons. This course is designed to address areas of weakness in the biology curriculum based on student performance on the Biology Keystone Exam.
College Prep Biology
Grades 10/11, #SCI022KS, 1 credit, 5 periods (FY), NCAA
Prerequisite: successful completion of Physical Science or Life Science.
Students will construct knowledge about the complexities of life on Earth. Students will deepen their understanding of the living world in the following areas: life is diverse yet has common features, life is interconnected in complex ways, the composition of life is different than non-living materials, life relies on a flow of energy and cycle of matter, life survives over many generations, life is always changing, and life on Earth has been impacted by humans. This course prepares students to meet the PA STEELS High School Life Science Standards as measured by the PA State Biology Keystone Exam at the conclusion of the course. Scoring proficient on the Biology Keystone Exam is one component of meeting a Graduation Pathway. (Pending Board approval).
Honors Biology
Grades 10/11, #SCI023KS, 1 credit, weight 1.05, 5 periods (FY), NCAA
Prerequisite: successful completion of College Prep or Honors Physical Science. Students who select this course after College Prep Physical Science are recommended to have had a minimum grade of 85%.
Honors Biology is a rigorous college-preparatory course designed to challenge students to think critically about the biological world. To promote an in-depth investigation of the living world, emphasis will be placed on molecular biology as students investigate the diversity and commonalities of life, interconnectedness, the composition of life and differences from the non-living, how energy flows and matter cycles, the continuation of life over generations, changes in life over time, and how life on Earth has been impacted by humans. To obtain honors credit, successful completion of a research project is required which aims to promote student growth as a scientist in the areas of experimental design, implementation, data analysis, and scientific communication. This course is well suited for students interested in challenging themselves in the sciences and/or pursuing a college degree in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math). Honors Biology aims to exceed the PA STEELS High School Life Science Standards as measured by the PA State Biology Keystone Exam at the conclusion of the course. Scoring proficient on the Biology Keystone Exam is one component of meeting a Graduation Pathway. (Pending Board approval).
College Prep Physical Science 2
Grades 11/12, #SCI031, 1 credit, 5 periods (FY), NCAA
Prerequisite: successful completion of Life Science, Biology and Algebra 1.
Registration Restriction: Enrollment in this class is restricted to students who have successfully completed Life Science (SCI014) and Biology (SCI021).
This course is the study of the fundamentals of chemistry and physics. It is a laboratory-centered course and stresses measurement of matter, techniques used in the modern approach to the study of the physical sciences, and an orderly and scientific method of evaluation of problems and experiences. One semester of the course is devoted to chemistry concepts and one semester is devoted to physics. Topics include: nature of science, linear and projectile motion, Newton’s Laws, work/power/energy, properties of matter, atomic structure, molecular bonding, mixtures/solutions, and interactions of matter (acid-base, oxidation-reduction). This course is not available to students who have taken Physical Science 1, Chemistry or Physics due to significant course overlap.
College Prep Chemistry
Grades 10/11/12, #SCI032, 1 credit, 5 periods (FY), NCAA
Prerequisite: successful completion of Physical Science or Physical Science 2 and concurrent enrollment in or successful completion of Algebra 2.
This college-preparatory course will help students recognize and understand the importance of chemistry as it applies to their lives. Major topics of chemistry include: atomic theory, periodic properties, bonding, types of compounds, chemical and physical changes, energy transformations, equilibrium, and kinetics. The development of problem-solving and critical thinking will be emphasized.
Honors Chemistry
Grades 10/11/12, #SCI033, 1 credit, weight 1.05, 5 periods (FY), NCAA
Prerequisite: successful completion of College Prep or Honors Physical Science and Algebra 2. Students who select this course after College Prep Physical Science or College Prep Algebra 2 are recommended to have had a minimum grade of 85% in those courses.
This rigorous college-preparatory course is designed to challenge exceptional students and is well suited for students who are interested in pursuing a college degree in a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) field. Topics include: atomic and molecular structure, chemical bonding, kinetic and molecular theory, thermochemistry, electrochemistry, acid base theory, reaction kinetics, nuclear chemistry, equilibrium, and oxidation-reduction reactions. The content and skills learned through this course will serve as a solid background for those students who wish to take AP Chemistry in their junior or senior year.
College Prep Physics
Grades 10/11/12, #SCI042, 1 credit, 5 periods (FY), NCAA
Prerequisite: successful completion of Physical Science and concurrent enrollment in or successful completion of Algebra 2.
This college-preparatory course will provide students with a conceptual understanding of the field of physics through laboratory experiences. Students will confront the problems that face the working scientist, through a sequence that will lead to a better understanding of the physical structure of the universe and the systems within it. Topics include: mechanics, conservation laws, energy, waves, light and sound. This course meets the needs of the college-bound students and challenges them to become more scientifically literate. Students interested in a STEM career should consider enrolling in AP Physics 1.
Advanced Placement Physics 1
Grades 10/11/12, #SCI043, 1 credit, weight 1.10, 5 periods + 1 Lab Period (FY), NCAA
Prerequisite: successful completion of College Prep or Honors Physical Science, Algebra 2, Geometry and enrollment in or successful completion of Trigonometry. Students who select this course after College Prep Physical Science or College Prep Algebra 2 are recommended to have had a minimum grade of 85% in those courses. All students will have summer course work to complete in order to prepare for the course.
This rigorous AP course is designed to challenge exceptional students and is well suited for those who are interested in pursuing a college degree in a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) field. AP Physics concentrates heavily on conceptual understanding, problem solving and laboratory experiences. The pace and depth of the class will prepare students for AP Physics 2 and AP Physics C, or college courses. Topics include: mechanics, conservation laws and gravitation. Additionally, students will apply and expand what they learned in previous courses to write formal lab reports throughout the year as part of the course requirements. The content and skills learned through this course will serve as a solid background for those students who wish to take the second-year AP Physics 2 course or AP Physics 2 and AP Physics C courses together. Level changes between AP Physics 1 and CP Physics will require additional work as the two courses follow different curriculum.
science electives
Advanced Placement Biology
Grades 11/12, #SCI024, 1 credit, weight 1.10, 5 periods + 1 lab period (FY), NCAA
Prerequisite: successful completion of Honors Biology and Honors Chemistry with a recommended minimum grade of 85% in both courses or successful completion of College Prep Biology and College Prep Chemistry with a recommended minimum grade of 90% in both courses.
The AP Biology course is a second-year biology course that is designed to be the equivalent of a college introductory biology course usually taken by first year college students. The course covers the following four big ideas: (1) evolution drives the diversity and unity of life; (2) biological systems use energy and molecules to grow, reproduce and maintain homeostasis; (3) living systems store, retrieve, transmit, and respond to information; and (4) biological systems interact, and their interactions are complex. The goals of AP Biology are to help students develop a conceptual framework for modern biology, to help students gain an appreciation of science as a process, and to provide a more extensive inquiry based laboratory experience. Please note this course requires an extra lab period 1 day a week.
NOTE: Students selecting AP Science courses can only select 7 total credits if they have two semester course selections that meet 4 days a week or less.
Advanced Placement Chemistry
Grades 11/12, #SCI034, 1 credit, weight 1.10, 5 periods + 1 lab period (FY), NCAA
Prerequisite: successful completion of Honors Chemistry with a recommended minimum grade of 85%.
This second-year chemistry course is designed to be the equivalent of a college introductory chemistry course usually taken by first-year college students. Students will pursue advanced study of concepts learned in Chemistry 1, with more extensive lab work. Specific areas of study include atomic and molecular structure, kinetic molecular theory, equilibrium, kinetics, thermodynamics, acids and bases, electrochemistry and introductory organic concepts. Please note this course requires an extra lab period 1 day a week.
NOTE: Students selecting AP Science courses can only select 7 total credits if they have two semester course selections that meet 4 days a week or less.
Advanced Placement Physics 2
Grades 11/12, #SCI044, 1 credit, weight 1.10, 5 periods + 1 lab period (FY), NCAA
Prerequisite: successful completion of AP Physics 1 with a recommended minimum grade of 85%. All students will have summer course work to prepare for the course.
AP Physics 2 is a second-year physics course that is not calculus-based, and relies heavily upon the student’s conceptual understanding from AP Physics 1. In addition to a review and extension of the topics covered in the first year course, AP Physics 2 will cover the following: new topics in waves and light, thermodynamics, electricity and magnetism, and certain aspects of modern physics (the Bohr model, nuclear reactions, quantum mechanics, and relativity). The course emphasizes laboratory experiences along with problem solving at the AP level. After completing the course, students may take the AP Physics 2 level exam. Please note this course requires an extra lab period 1 day a week.
NOTE: Students selecting AP Science courses can only select 7 total credits if they have two semester course selections that meet 4 days a week or less.
Advanced Placement Physics C
Grades 11/12, #SCI045, 1 credit, weight 1.10, 4 periods (FY), NCAA
Prerequisite: successful completion of AP Physics 1 with a recommended minimum grade of 85% and concurrent enrollment in or successful completion of AP Calculus. Students will be required to complete supplemental course work to prepare for the course. Students must also concurrently enroll in AP Physics 2.
This second-year physics course is taught at the Advanced Placement C level, with an emphasis on problem solving using the techniques of calculus. The first semester covers Newtonian mechanics; the second semester covers electricity and magnetism. Students who successfully complete this course will be encouraged to take the AP Physics C (mechanics) test and/or the AP Physics C (E&M) test offered by the College Board. Students taking this course concurrently with AP Physics 2 will have a double block of Science (2 periods a day).
IB Chemistry SL
Grade 11*/12, #IBO411, NCAA
IB Physics SL
Grade 11/12*, #IBO421, NCAA
IB Biology SL
Grade 11/12, #IBO431, NCAA
IB Physics HL
Grade 12, #IBO422, NCAA
IB Biology HL/Advanced Anatomy and Physiology
Grade 11/12, #IBO432, NCAA
Students participating in the International Baccalaureate Program during their junior and senior year will satisfy their science graduation requirements through the completion of some of these courses. Most IB diploma candidates fulfill their science requirements by taking IB Chemistry junior year and IB Physics senior year. Any student who has successfully completed Honors Physical Science and Honors Biology with a minimum grade of 85% may enroll in these courses. Students wishing to take IB Biology must meet the same requirements established for AP Biology and/or Advanced Anatomy and Physiology. The course descriptions can be found in the International Baccalaureate section of the planning guide.
Anatomy & Physiology
Grades 11/12, #SCI053, ½ credit, 5 periods (S), NCAA
Prerequisite: successful completion of Biology and concurrent enrollment in or successful completion of Chemistry.
This one-semester elective combines the study of essential principles of human anatomy and physiology, subdivisions of biology. The subject matter emphasizes the structure and function of the human body and its mechanisms for maintaining homeostasis. Topics include basic chemical processes that play a role in organisms, cell and tissue studies, and body systems. This course also serves as an introduction to related careers for those students that are interested in the health and medical fields.
Advanced Anatomy and Physiology
Grades 11/12, #SCI060, 1 credit, weight 1.10, 5 periods per week (FY), NCAA
Prerequisite: minimum grade of 85% in Biology and concurrent enrollment in or successful completion of Chemistry.
This course will provide students with an understanding of the form and function of the human body through detailed discussion of anatomy and the chemical physiology which allows the body to function. Students will use dissection and laboratory activities to analyze data and determine structure and function relationships through comparative anatomy. This course also includes neurobiology and animal behavior. Students in this course should be interested in moving into fields of scientific study and should have successfully completed (recommended 85% or higher) in Biology and should be concurrently enrolled in, or have successfully completed Chemistry. This course, in combination with AP/IB Biology, satisfies IB Biology HL credit. Students who have taken the Anatomy and Physiology semester course (0.5 credits) are ineligible to take Advanced Anatomy and Physiology.
Astronomy: The Sky and the Stars
Grades 10/11/12, #SCI054, ½ credit, 5 periods (S), NCAA
Prerequisite: successful completion of Physical Science or Physical Science 2 and Algebra 1.
This one-semester elective takes students on a journey of exploration to understand the sky and the stars with the use of the Manheim Township Planetarium. Students will have hands-on experience using the computer program Starry Night, a desktop version of planetarium software, to explore such topics as the sky and its cycles, telescopes, the life and death of stars, neutron stars, and black holes This course will run based upon student demand.
Astronomy: The Solar System and the Universe
Grades 10/11/12, #SCI055, ½ credit, 5 periods (S), NCAA
Prerequisite: successful completion of Physical Science or Physical Science 2 and Algebra 1.
This one-semester elective takes students on a journey of exploration to understand our solar system, our Milky Way Galaxy, and the Universe with the use of the Manheim Township Planetarium. Students will have hands-on experience using the computer program Starry Night, a desktop version of planetarium software, to explore such topics as life on other worlds, airless worlds, Mars, Jupiter, Pluto (the "dwarf planet"), Super- massive Black Holes, and the Big Bang. This course will run based upon student demand.
Honors Astronomy - Our Amazing Cosmos
Grades 10/11/12, #SCI059, 1 credit, 1.05 weight, 5 periods (FY)
Prerequisite: successful completion of Physical Science or Physical Science 2, Algebra 2, and Geometry.
Honors Astronomy provides an optional opportunity to earn 6 college/university science credits from West Chester University (WCU) of Pennsylvania through the “Credit by Exam” program. Honors Astronomy will show up as “ESS111 Other Worlds, Other Stars - 3 credits” as well as “ESS112 Galaxies and Cosmology - 3 credits” on a WCU transcript. The course takes students on a journey of exploration to understand the sky and the stars, solar system, Milky Way Galaxy, and the Universe through the use of the Manheim Township Planetarium. Students will have hands-on experience using the computer program Starry Night, a laptop/iPad version of planetarium software, to explore such topics as the sky and its cycles, telescopes, the life and death of stars, neutron stars, life on other worlds, airless worlds, Mars, Jupiter, Pluto (the "dwarf planet"), Supermassive Black Holes, and the Big Bang. This course will run based upon student demand.
Geology “The Dynamic Earth”
Grades 10/11/12, #SCI056, ½ credit, 5 periods (S), NCAA
Prerequisite: successful completion of Physical Science or Life Science.
This one-semester science elective combines hands-on lab and field investigations into the formation, composition, history, and processes which shape our dynamic Earth. Students will also use virtual experiences through the use of Google Earth and other mapping software to study large-scale geologic features throughout the world. Topics include the study of rocks, minerals, earthquakes, caves, mountain building, glaciers, weathering/erosion, fossils, and Earth’s history. This course will run based upon student demand.
Oceanography and Meteorology
Grades 10/11/12, #SCI057, ½ credit, 5 periods (S), NCAA
Prerequisite: successful completion of Physical Science or Life Science.
This one-semester science elective combines hands-on lab and field investigations into the exchange of matter and energy within and between the hydrosphere and the atmosphere. Fundamentals of oceanography, meteorology and climatology will be explored as students investigate the driving forces behind such topics as ocean currents, tides, cloud formation and types, severe weather, and Earth’s ever-changing climate. Students will also investigate and predict our local weather conditions using Manheim Township’s very own weather station. This course will run based upon student demand.
Environment and Ecology
Grades 11/12, #SCI058, ½ credit, 5 periods (S), NCAA
Prerequisite: successful completion of Physical Science or Life Science and Biology.
This one-semester elective combines lab experiences and field investigations in the study of watershed and wetland ecology, local environmental issues, land, air, and water pollution, conservation, human impact on the environment, and environmental laws. Students will apply studies of physical, chemical and biological concepts from previous courses to real-life situations in the natural world. A class project will be selected during the first marking period and completed during the second, so that students have a firsthand opportunity to experience the positive impact that they can have on the environment through making informed decisions and taking action. This course will run based upon student demand.