US Science

The course introduces the student to the unifying principles of biology. These include the nature and method of science, life at the cellular and molecular level, genetics, diversity, physiology, population biology, and ecology. The curriculum is delivered via observations of living organisms, experimentation, lectures, reading, and discussions of the unity and diversity of life. NOTE: THIS COURSE IS TRANSITIONING TO A FRESHMAN-LEVEL CLASS AT THIS TIME. 

The AP Biology course is an introductory college-level biology course. Students cultivate their understanding of biology through inquiry-based investigations as they explore the following topics: evolution, cellular processes, energy and communication, genetics, information transfer, ecology, and interactions.  

**Prerequisite: Students should have successfully completed high school courses in biology and chemistry.

**Prerequisites: HS Biology and HS Chemistry

*Transferability: 4 College Credits (3 for lecture, 1 for lab)

UT Course Codes: BIO 311C + BIO 206LA

TCCNs: BIOL 1306 + BIOL 1106

Molecular and cellular biology is the focus of this introductory biology course. This year-long course explores three big ideas of biology: the structure and function of biomolecules, the flow of energy through living systems via photosynthesis and cellular respiration, and how genetic information is expressed and transmitted both within and between cells.

At its core, this course is focused on teaching students how to think like scientists. How do scientists think? They acquire knowledge through discovery—both within and outside a laboratory environment. They communicate their conclusions to others and use critical feedback to improve their scientific thinking. With practice and continued application, scientists strengthen their skills in scientific thinking and grow their craft.

Students will learn how to apply critical thinking and quantitative skills to real-world scenarios. They will develop their scientific thinking skills through Peer Instruction, laboratory activities, and active learning in an inclusive classroom environment. Additionally, students will be guided in the development and integration of verbal, written, and graphical communication skills.

The course provides the student with a thorough introduction to the study of matter. Qualitative and quantitative laboratory experiences are utilized to explore the concepts presented during class discussions as well as develop analytical skills. Topics include scientific measurement, classification of matter, atomic theory, chemical bonding, thermodynamics, solution chemistry, oxidation and reduction reactions, nuclear chemistry, and acid­/base theories and equilibrium.

Learn about the fundamental concepts of chemistry including structure and states of matter, intermolecular forces, and reactions. You’ll do hands-on lab investigations and use chemical calculations to solve problems. Design experiments and procedures to test a prediction or theory. Create graphs, diagrams, and models that represent chemical phenomena. Explain how the microscopic structure of a substance determines its chemical properties. Balance chemical equations. Make a scientific claim and support it with evidence.

**Prerequisites: High school courses in chemistry and Algebra II

**Prerequisite: Algebra 1

*Transferability: 4 College Credits (3 for lecture, 1 for lab)

UT Course Codes: CH 301 + CH 104M

TCCNs: CHEM 1311 + CHEM 1111

The Principles of Chemistry I course addresses the nature of matter, energy, chemical reactions, and chemical thermodynamics. The course reviews descriptive chemistry of matter in the natural world as well as compositional and reaction stoichiometry of chemical compounds. Throughout the course, students learn to think like scientists by exploring the underlying theoretical foundations of chemistry, making intuitive arguments for how the world works, and supporting those arguments with quantitative measures. Built with an intention to engage students from a variety of backgrounds, students in the course will learn how to successfully study science by organizing their learning around mastery and ownership of materials.

Introduction to Chemical Practices I—the course’s lab component—provides an introduction to the techniques of modern experimental chemistry and is designed to instill basic laboratory and analytical skills.

**Prerequisite: OnRamps CH 301 & CH 104M, AP Chemistry, or equivalent

*Transferability: 4 College Credits (3 for lecture, 1 for lab)

UT Course Codes: CH 302 + CH 104N

TCCNs: CHEM 1312 + CHEM 1112

The College Chemistry II course continues the development and application of concepts, theories, and laws underlying chemistry that were introduced in Principles of Chemistry I. The course extends the study of thermodynamics taught in Principles of Chemistry I to the development of chemical equilibria and kinetics with applications to water chemistry and electrochemistry. In addition, students will gain insight into the workings of the material world through an introduction to nuclear chemistry, battery technology, polymer chemistry, and applications in organic chemistry and biochemistry.

Introduction to Chemical Practices II—the course’s lab component—provides laboratory exercises that focus on analytical laboratory techniques, modern chemistry instrumentation, such as spectrophotometers, voltage probes, and a variety of experimental protocols of how to analyze and identify unknowns.

This course will encompass a study of the fundamental physical constants; trigonometric and graphic addition of vectors; equilibrium; linear and rotational kinematics; simple harmonic motion; thermodynamics; sound; light; electricity and magnetism; and modern physics. This course is recommended for the college bound student and the student who intends to continue in physics or chemistry. There will be a strong math focus during the teaching of the physics concepts.

AP Physics 1 is an algebra-based, introductory college-level physics course. Students cultivate their understanding of physics through inquiry-based investigations as they explore these topics: kinematics, dynamics, circular motion and gravitation, energy, momentum, simple harmonic motion, torque and rotational motion. 

**Prerequisites: Students should have completed Geometry and be concurrently taking Algebra II or an equivalent course. Although the Physics 1 course includes basic use of trigonometric functions, this understanding can be gained either in the concurrent math course or in the AP Physics 1 course itself. 

**Prerequisites: Algebra I, Geometry, Algebra II or Precalculus (recommended)

*Transferability: UT Course Codes: PHY 302K + PHY 102M

      4 College Credits (3 for lecture, 1 for lab)

                 TTU Course Code: PHYS 1403 - 4 College Credits

TCCNs: PHYS 1301 + PHYS 1101

Mechanics, Heat, and Sound introduces big ideas in physics, such as Newtonian mechanics (including motion, force, energy, and rotation), as well as solid and fluid mechanics, oscillations, waves, sound, and heat. Taken together, the topics reinforce the general idea that the behavior of many systems in the world can be described precisely with simple mathematics.

This is an algebra-based (non-calculus) course in mechanics that fulfills a general physics requirement. Proficiency in algebra and geometry is assumed. This course lays the conceptual groundwork for STEM majors. Students will experience a high-quality curriculum designed by the faculty at The University of Texas at Austin (UT Austin). Students can earn up to four hours of UT Austin credit, with feedback and assessment provided by UT Austin course staff.

General Physics Laboratory I—the course’s lab component—engages students in both guided and open inquiry investigations of physical principles. It is designed to instill foundational scientific reasoning, data collection, and analytical skills.

**Prerequisites: Geometry, Algebra II, On Ramps PHY 302K, AP Physics, Honors Physics, or PHYS 1301 and Precalculus (recommended)

*Transferability: 3 College Credits

      UT Course Codes: PHY 302L

      TCCNs: PHYS 1302

Electromagnetism, Optics, and Nuclear Physics serves as an introduction to electricity, magnetism, optics, waves, and quantum and nuclear physics. Students will explore these topics as they obtain practical experience with electrical circuits and optical devices. Students will also investigate modern physical phenomena, including the quantum nature of light (photons) and properties of the atomic nucleus. Students will learn both how scientific inquiry reveals the fundamental properties of the universe and how these properties are applied in technologies that shape the modern world.

This is the second course in a sequence of algebra-based (non-calculus) courses, designed by the faculty at The University of Texas at Austin (UT Austin), which fulfills a general physics requirement. Proficiency in algebra and geometry is assumed. Students will develop critical thinking, empirical, and quantitative skills through analysis of physical situations and problem solving. Students can earn three hours of UT credit, with feedback and assessment provided by UT course staff.

**Prerequisites: Biology or IPC, Chemistry (Recommended or concurrent enrollment)

*Transferability: UT Course Code: GEO302E - 3 College Credits

      TTU Course Code: GEOG1401 - 4 College Credits

Earth, Wind, and Fire is a course in geoscience literacy. It covers the fundamentals of how the Earth works, and how its various systems—the lithosphere, atmosphere, hydrosphere, and biosphere—interact to form the complex world in which we live. Geoscience is the study of the Earth. It is an integrated science drawing on the fundamental principles of physics, chemistry, biology, and geosciences to explain Earth processes. Many of the most complex and interesting scientific problems of this century, such as energy resources, water supply, and climate change, require geologic thinking skills to solve. This class introduces students to the major areas in geoscience and helps them develop critical, creative, and geologic problem-solving skills, as applied to 21st-century scientific problems.

Students will experience a curriculum designed by the faculty at The University of Texas at Austin. Students can earn three hours of UT credit with feedback and assessment provided by UT course staff.

Environmental Science at Allen is a course based on environmental awareness and connection, real world research, service learning opportunities and principles in environmental justice principles.The curriculum seeks to have students understand natural processes, fundamental principles of sustainability and work with organizations on specific programs such as oyster reef construction, forest conservation, water quality monitoring and reporting in our community and more.