Faculty & Departments
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On this page, you'll find Science Department course information.
About the Science Program
Since scientific knowledge has become increasingly important in the world's social, material, and technological development, the Science Department feels it is essential to help students understand their surroundings and aid them to meet their vocational, as well as occupational needs.
| State and National Science Standards |
| The state and national standards in science require students to be proficient in at least two areas of science: Life and Physical. Students at Proviso must earn at least 1.0 credit in a biological science and 1.0 credit in a physical science. Students should note the courses listed below in each of these science areas and select the courses that interest them. |
| LIFE SCIENCES |
PHYSICAL SCIENCES |
| Biology |
9-12 |
| Biology Honors |
9-12 |
| AP Biology |
11, 12 |
| Physiology |
12 |
|
| Chemistry |
10, 11, 12 |
| Chemistry Honors |
10, 11, 12 |
| AP Chemistry |
11, 12 |
| Physics |
9, 11, 12 |
| Physics Honors |
11, 12 |
| AP Physics |
12 |
| Principles of Tech. |
11, 12 |
|
Science at a Glance
| Course |
Grade |
Credit |
| Biology |
All |
1 |
| Biology Honors |
All |
1 |
| AP Biology |
11, 12 |
1 |
 |
| Chemistry |
10, 11, 12 |
1 |
| Chemistry Honors |
10, 11, 12 |
1 |
| AP Chemistry |
11, 12 |
1 |
|
| Earth Science |
11, 12 |
1 |
| Earth Science Honors |
10, 11, 12 |
1 |
|
| Physics |
11, 12 |
1 |
| Physics Honors |
11, 12 |
1 |
| Principles of Technology |
11, 12 |
1 |
| AP Physics C |
12 |
1 |
|
| AP Environmental Science |
12 |
1 |
|
| Physiology |
12 |
1 |
|
| Astronomy and Space Science |
12 |
1 |
| Astronomy and Space Science Honors |
11, 12 |
1 |
|
| Forensic Science |
11, 12 |
1 |
|
| Geology |
11, 12 |
0.5 |
|
| Meteorology |
11, 12 |
0.5 |
|
| Independent Study |
11, 12 |
0.5 to 1 |
Science Courses
| Biology |
| S178 S169 ESL |
Grade 9 |
| S118 (Category I Grade Weighting) |
|
| No prerequisite |
1 credit |
| Year course |
| Biology is a one-year course, which deals with the study of living things and attempts to develop understandings of the basic biological principles. Emphasis is placed upon the chemical and physical basis of life, the continuity of life, the fundamental life processes, evolution of life, and the interdependence of living things. In addition to reading for information and class discussions, emphasis is placed on laboratory experiences. |
| Biology Honors |
| S172 |
Grades 9-12 |
| Prerequisite: Enrollment by selection |
1 credit |
| Year course |
| This course deals with the study of living things and attempts to develop understandings of the basic biological principles. Emphasis is placed upon the chemical and physical basis of life, the continuity of life, the fundamental life processes, evolution of life, and the interdependence of living things and the environment. the program will be heavily oriented toward laboratory investigation and critical thinking skills. Students should have above average abilities in reading, science, and critical thinking skills to be enrolled in this course. |
| AP Biology |
| S173 |
Grades 11, 12 |
| Prerequisite: Physical Science, Biology, and Chemistry (B grade or better); OR Biology Honors and Chemistry Honors or recommendation of Dept. Chairperson |
1 credit |
| Year course |
| This course provides an opportunity for students to pursue and receive credit for college level course work through national testing. The class is designed to be the equivalent of the general biology course taken during the freshman college year. Topics include: chemistry of life, cells, cellular energetics, heredity, molecular genetics, evolutionary biology, diversity of organisms, structure and function of plants, animals, and ecology. |
| Chemistry |
| S181 • S120 |
Grades 10, 11, 12 |
| Prerequisite: Physical Science or Biology |
1 credit |
| Year course |
| This course is designed for students who may be following a sequence of courses in either the General, Vocational, or College Prep curricula. Successful completion will provide a laboratory science credit for those wishing to attend college; however, it is not intended to provide an appropriate background for those who would major in science, engineering, or other technical fields. The course itself will be laboratory oriented and may include such topics as food chemistry, air and water pollution, nuclear chemistry, and the structure of atoms and molecules. |
| AP Chemistry |
| R179 |
Grades 11, 12 |
| Prerequisite: Successful completion of one year of Biology or Biology Honors, Chemistry, or Chemistry Honors, Advanced Algebra and trigonometry (Concurrent enrollment in Adv. Algebra and Trigonometry permitted) |
1 credit |
| Year course |
This course provides an opportunity for high school students to pursue and receive credit for college level course work at the secondary school level. The Advanced Placement Chemistry course is designed to be the equivalent of the general chemistry course usually taken during the first college year. Topics include structure of matter, chemical reactions, kinetic theory of gases, chemical equilibrium, chemical kinetics, and thermodynamics. The program places a heavy emphasis upon problem solving and laboratory experiences. Students acquire the scientific skills of making observations of chemical substances and reactions, recording data, calculating and interpreting results based on the quantitative data obtained with special emphasis on experimental procedures.
Students demonstrate their subject matter mastery to their prospective colleges/universities by earning a qualifying score on the Advanced Placement Chemistry College Board Examination. Students participating in the AP Chemistry program are not required to take the examination, but college/universities will award college credit if specified minimum scores are achieved. Even if a student chooses not to wrote the AP examination, the preparation received in this program will allow a student to achieve a high score on his/her chemistry college placement exam, which may result in the college/university granting college credit for this achievement. |
| Earth Science |
| S188 |
Grades 11, 12 |
| Prerequisite: Third or fourth year of high school or Department recommendation |
1 credit |
| Year course |
| This course provides the students with an understanding of the Earth. the topics of study include astronomy, weather, pollution, oceanography, maps and globes, rocks and minerals, glaciers, earthquakes, volcanoes, fossils and geologic time. Problem solving strategies and the scientific method are stressed. |
| Earth Science Honors |
| S288 |
Grades 11, 12 |
| Prerequisite: Two years of science |
1 credit |
| Year course |
| This course provides the students with an understanding of the earth. the topics of study include astronomy, meteorology, oceanography,and geology the student will study the interrelationships between the various branches of Earth Science. Lab work is a large part of this course. Problem solving strategies, graphing and the scientific methods are stressed. |
| Physics |
| S184 |
Grades 11, 12 |
| Prerequisite: Biology and Algebra |
1 credit |
| Year course |
| This course is designed for students following a sequence of courses in the general or college prep curricula. Successful completion will provide a laboratory science credit for those wishing to attend college; however, it is not intended to provide an appropriate background for those who would major in science, engineering, or other technical fields. It is intended for students who are interested in broadening their science background without placing the same emphasis on mathematics as would be done in the Physics Honors program. The course itself will be laboratory oriented and include the study of topics relating to matter, energy, space, and time as they are experienced in everyday life. |
| Physics Honors |
| S185 |
Grades 11, 12 |
| Prerequisite: Biology Honors, Advanced Algebra and Trigonometry (Concurrent enrollment in Adv. Algebra and Trigonometry permitted) or Recommendation of Dept. Chairperson |
1 credit |
| Year course |
| This course is designed for students typically following an honors sequence. The focus of the program is intended to emphasize the development of critical thinking and mathematical skills, and those skills associated with effective laboratory investigation. These skills will be developed through studying the relationships of matter, energy, space, and time as observed in nature with strong emphasis on laboratory work. |
| Principles of Technology |
| T245 |
Grades 11, 12 |
| Prerequisite: Minimum grade of C in two science classes |
1 credit |
| Year course |
Students will study Physics principles and their application. The topics of forces, vectors, fluids, heat, light, sound, mechanisms, optics, electricity, and electromagnetism are studied using robotics, hydraulics, pneumatics, holography, fiber optics, lasers, sensors, and motors. This course emphasizes the development of traditional Physics concepts and technical skills.
Note: This course may earn credit in Science. It may also fulfill an elective requirement in Applied Sciences. |
| AP Physics C |
| S189 |
Grades 11, 12 |
| Prerequisite: Biology Honors or Physics Honors (preferred, not required) (Concurrent enrollment in Pre-Calculus or Calculus) or Recommendation of Dept. Chairperson |
1 credit |
| Year course |
This course provides the opportunity to study topics normally covered in a first year college physics program. One semester is devoted to mechanics where students learn applications and problem-solving techniques in Kinematics, Newton's Laws of Motion, work, energy, power, system of particles, linear momentum, rotation, oscillations, and gravitation.
The second semester is devoted to electricity and magnetism. Students learn to analyze and apply concepts in electrostatics, electric circuits, magnetostatics, and electromagnetism. The use of calculus in problem solving and in derivations is expected to increase as the course progresses.
AP students are encouraged to take the AP Physics examination in the spring for the potential earning of college credit and advanced college placement. (This course is offered at East for East and West students. Transportation is provided.) |
| AP Environmental Science |
| S177 |
Grade 12 |
| Prerequisite: Senior standing or Department recommendation |
1 credit |
| Year course |
| This course is designed to provide students with the scientific principles, concepts, and methodologies required to understand the inter-relationships of the natural world, to identify and analyze environmental problems both natural and human-made, and to evaluate the relative risks associated with these problems while examining alternative solutions for resolving and/or preventing them. (This course is offered at East for East and West students and through Distance Learning. Transportation is provided.) |
| Astronomy & Space Science |
| S191 |
Grades 11, 12 |
| Prerequisite: Concurrent enrollment in or successful completion of Geometry OR senior standing |
1 credit |
| Year course |
| This is a course dealing with the study of stars, planets, solar systems, galaxies, and the human exploration of space. Major emphasis is placed on interactive projects involving NASA, JPL, and other institutions. Students will acquire skills in the use of telescopes, Internet-based research, instrument reading, and collaborative group work. |
| Astronomy & Space Science Honors |
| S192 |
Grades 11, 12 |
| Prerequisite: Concurrent enrollment in or successful completion of Chemistry and Geometry |
1 credit |
| Year course |
| This course will introduce students to Astronomy and Space Science while emphasizing application of concepts of physics and mathematics. Topics to be studied are celestial coordinate systems, optics and telescope design; sun and solar system; stars and stellar evolution; galaxies and modern cosmology; and, the physics of space flight and exploration. Basic quantitative laboratory, computer, and observational techniques relevant to astronomy are included. Student use of computer and other technology is a major component of this course. |
| Forensic Science |
| S193 |
Grades 11, 12 |
| Prerequisites: Biology, Chemistry, Geometry |
1 credit |
| Year course |
This is a survey course of the forensic sciences with emphasis on criminalities; unique characteristics, underlying philosophies; nature, analytical methods, significance of results with chemical, biological, trace, and pattern evidence. It is an introduction to the concept of what evidence is and how to collect it without destroying its forensic value. For example, bullets, cartridge cases, glass samples, hair samples, etc. will be shown to the students and their packaging and handling procedures will be discussed.
This class will illustrate to the student the various areas that make up the broad category know as Forensic Science. These areas are alcohol and its effects; controlled substances; homicide; assault and pathology; photography; sketching of crime scenes; blood and physiological fluids; firearms and tool marks; trace evidence, such as fibers, hair, glass, paint and arson; crime scene analysis and reconstruction; and blood spatter patterns as they relate to crime scenes. |
| Geology |
| S194 (S794 Sem. 2) |
Grades 11, 12 |
| Prerequisite: Two years of science |
0.5 credit |
| Semester course; offered both semesters |
| In this course the student will study rocks and minerals, plate tectonics, erosion, and the earth's history. The students will learn how the earth has changed since its creation and study the forces that caused those changes. This course is designed to be hands-on and includes extensive lab and computer work. Problem-solving strategies and the scientific methods will be stressed. |
| Meteorology |
| S288 |
Grades 11, 12 |
| Prerequisite: Two years of science |
0.5 credit |
| Semester course; offered both semesters |
| In this course, students study the earth's atmosphere. The complex relationship between the ground and the atmosphere that produces the weather will be paramount. The class will study everyday weather conditions and severe storms, as well as learn to read weather maps and make predictions for future weather. While studying the earth's climate and climatic regions, students will make use of the school's weather station to further their understanding of weather patterns and trends. |
| Independent Study in Science |
| S501 |
Grades 11, 12 |
| Prerequisite: Department recommendation |
0.5 to 1 credit |
| One or two semester course |
| Independent study must be appropriately designed and approved. The course will cover the knowledge and skills identified by the student working in cooperation with the selected faculty member. |
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