Science Course Progressions Potomac Falls High School 2013-2014 Edition

1. Conceptual Physics Earth Science Biology Science Course ProgressionsPotomac Falls High School2013-2014 Edition EnvironmentalExplorations Chemistry AP Chemistry Physics AP Physics Honors Earth Science (Research) Honors Biology (Research) AP Biology IndependentScienceResearch General Elective: GeospatialScience Illustration of some of the many different pathways students take in PFHS Science.

2. Science Course Selection Guidelines Potomac Falls High School2013-2014 Edition • Honors Earth Science • Requires advanced academic skills. • Good writing skills are necessary. Students will complete lengthy research papers with references. • Students will perform some numerical analysis, and preferably have completed Algebra I before enrolling. • Honors students should have already shown a strong interest in science. • The successful honors student will be a self-starter that requires little prompting to complete assignments. • Honors Biology • Recommended only for students who can schedule long-term project work around their busy lives. • Recommend that student earn at least a “B” in Honors Earth Science and score at least 450 on the SOL if taken. • Good writing skills are necessary. Students will complete lengthy research papers with references. • Students should be able to comprehend abstract concepts, analyze data, and draw conclusions. • Student must be able to work independently. • Honors students should have already shown a strong interest in science. • Highly recommended that student be enrolled in Algebra II.Strong math skills necessary to complete statistical analyses of data.

3. Science Course Selection Guidelines Potomac Falls High School2013-2014 Edition • Chemistry • Completed Algebra II and a passing score on the Algebra II SOL test is HIGHLY recommended. • May be taken concurrently with Algebra II but only by students are comfortable with math skills.  Students taking Algebra II concurrently tend to struggle with chemistry math concepts. • At least a “B” in the most recent math class. • Students who are comfortable with algebra will excel in this class. • Typically taken by sophomores and juniors after biology, or by seniors after Conceptual Physics. • Prepares student for AP Chemistry.  • AP Chemistry • At least an “A-” in Chemistry and an “A-” on the midterm and final exams. • Best to enroll in the school year immediately following chemistry. • At least an “A-” in most recent math class, as well as in pre-calculus, is recommended. • Most students are enrolled in Calculus, though this is not required. • A score of at least 490 on the Algebra II SOL test is recommended. • Must recognize interconnections between chemistry topics.

4. Science Course Selection Guidelines Potomac Falls High School2013-2014 Edition • AP Physics • At least an “A-” in academic physics. • Best to enroll in the school year immediately following academic physics. • At least a “B” in chemistry, if taken. • At least an “A-” in most recent math class, as well as in pre-calculus. • A score of at least 490 on the Algebra II SOL test is recommended. • AP Calculus is a co-requisite, though it may certainly be taken in advance. • If a student took AP Calculus in advance, recommend an AP test score of 3 or higher. • Does not matter if it is Calculus AB or BC, but each student must take one of the two concurrently or in advance. • Academic Physics • Pre-requisite of a passing score on the Algebra II SOL test. A score of 450 or above is recommended. • At least a “B” in the most recent math classes. Students who are comfortable with algebra will excel in this class. Knowledge of trigonometric functions is strongly recommended (Algebra II with Trig). Most students who have not had trig struggle in the class. • Typically taken by juniors and seniors, after chemistry, but not necessarily. May be taken after biology concurrent with chemistry. • Prepares student for AP Physics.  • Conceptual Physics • Pre-requisite of a passing score on the Algebra I SOL test. • Typically taken by juniors and seniors, after ES and bio. • Is not a course to be taken as preparation for Academic or AP physics.

5. Science Course Selection Guidelines Potomac Falls High School2013-2014 Edition • Independent Science Research • Recommended for advanced-GPA seniors, though juniors may enroll. • Recommend that student pass at least one AP science test before enrolling. • Ideally, student earned at least a “B” in AP courses taken. • Recommended that student have mostly “A’s” in science courses taken. • Student should have high SOL scores in science and math.  • Must be able to work independently. There will be self-paced research to be done outside of class. • Geospatial Science • Recommended for technology-savvy seniors, though juniors with an interest in a Geospatial Science career may enroll. • Student should excel in a project-based environment. • Recommended that student have mostly “A’s” in science courses taken. • Must be able to work in a project-based classroom environment. • Is an elective – not a science credit for standard or advanced diploma.

6. Science Course Selection GuidelinesPotomac Falls High School2013-2014 Edition • Environmental • Recommended for seniors, though juniors may enroll. • Earth Science and biology are prerequisites. • Class will often meet outdoors. Students should be able to be outdoors even if pollen count is high. Also, there will be bugsoutside.  • AP Biology • At least a “B” in academic or honors biology. • Best to enroll in the school year immediately following biology. • At least a "B" in chemistry, if taken. • At least an "A-" in most recent math class, as well as in pre-calculus. • Chemistry is a co-requisite, though it is recommended in advance of enrollment if possible.