Biology is the science of life. Students in biology will develop a conceptual framework for modern biology. IWA has created an interdisciplinary and hands-on approach designed to help students see biology as an active process rather than as an accumulation of facts. The course will be a survey of the most important topics in Biology, giving the student an appreciation for the depth and complexity of the Natural World. Students will learn about all of the Metabolic Pathways
and the way cells perform all of the myriad chemical reactions that allow life to continue. Students will study Genetics and Evolution to see how traits are passed down from generation to generation. Students will survey living things, with particular emphasis on plants, animals and how living things relate to and affect each other. This will include our responsibility for being good stewards of our world. A number of methods will be used throughout the course including lecture, demonstrations, lab activities, discussions, projects, and active writing assignments.

Honors Biology is a challenging course designed to prepare the students for AP Biology. Biology is the science of life. Students in biology will develop a conceptual framework for modern biology and an appreciation of science as a process. IWA has created an interdisciplinary and hands-on approach designed to help students see biology as an active and living process rather than as an accumulation of facts. The course will be a survey of the most important topics in Biology, giving the student an appreciation for the depth and complexity of the Natural World. Students will learn about all of the Metabolic Pathways and the way cells perform all of the myriad chemical reactions that allow life to continue. Students will study Genetics and Evolution to see how traits are passed down from generation to generation across the millennia. Students will survey living things, with particular emphasis on plants, animals and how living things relate to and affect each other. This will include our responsibility for being good stewards of our world. A number of methods will be used throughout the course including lecture, demonstrations, lab activities, discussions, projects, and active writing assignments. This course places emphasis on research, critical thinking, scientific writing, and real world application of knowledge. This course involves hands on exploration of the Natural World through research projects, and lab inquiries, including designing student directed experiments to accurately test individualized hypotheses.

Prerequisite: For incoming 9th graders, Academic Advisors use middle school grades, entrance test scores, teacher recommendation, admissions essay and the April  Placement Exam for enrollment into this course. For Honors World History and Geography, a student must also be enrolled in Honors English I.

Chemistry introduces students to a range of topics addressing the chemical composition of the world around us. Basic chemistry concepts include stoichiometry, chemical reactions as described in chemical equations, atomic structure, bonding, acid and base solutions, and gas laws. Students will develop and execute laboratory procedures, manipulate data, and interpret results from scientific investigations designed to supplement scientific concepts. Students will become skilled in critical thinking and scientific problem solving. A TI -84 calculator is required.

Prerequisite: Biology and Algebra I

Honors Chemistry introduces students to a physical science that relies heavily upon mathematical analysis. Basic chemistry concepts include stoichiometry, bonding, atomic structure, chemical reactions, chemical equations, solutions, acids and bases and gases. Students will develop procedures, manipulate data and interpret laboratory results. Developing critical thinking and problem solving skills are specific objectives of the course. Honors Chemistry is designed to provide a comprehensive chemical foundation in preparation for an introductory college chemistry course. A TI-84 calculator is required.

To be eligible for placement into Honors Chemistry, students must meet the following requirements:

1. The final grade must average an 86 or higher in Honors Biology or must average a 93 or higher in Biology. This average includes the final grades for both semesters.
2. The final grade must average an 86 or higher in their most recent honors math class or must average a 93 or higher in their most recent on-level math class. This average includes the final grades for both semesters.

This course is to prepare young women for an ever-changing society; in particular learning skills directly exceeding expectations relating to high school, college and life experience. Examples include improving communication techniques, developing time management proficiency, implementing techniques to cope with emotions and stressors, gaining an understanding of the effect relationships have on overall health, and learning to react in emergency situations.

This two-semester course provides an introductory study of the structure and function of the human body. In Anatomy and Physiology, students will build a strong foundational knowledge of the inner working of the human body including the related mechanisms that operate to maintain homeostasis. Students will explore these concepts through laboratory dissections, hands-on activities, and demonstrations. Upon completion, students should be able to demonstrate a basic understanding of the fundamental principles of anatomy and physiology and the relationship between the two disciplines.

Prerequisite: Biology and Chemistry

Forensic Science is an upper level science course based on lab investigation, activities and exploration which applies many disciplines of scientific study such as biology, chemistry, physics, and environmental science to legal matters, such as solving crimes. This course will focus on the skills and concepts behind crime scene investigation, including the collection, identification and analysis of crime scene evidence. Laboratory exercises will include fingerprinting, handwriting
analysis, blood spatter analysis, DNA profiling, hair and fiber examination and forensic anthropology, among others. Case studies and current events will be explored.

Prerequisite: Biology and Chemistry

This course is an inquiry-based program that combines conceptual and mathematical descriptions of physical phenomena to construct a framework for understanding broader physics topics. Each new concept is introduced through connections to real world applications in the form of lab activities, calculations, and reading in the text. Critical thinking skills are emphasized in labs and problem sets as students build their ability to analyze different physical situations. Students in this course will use a combination of mathematical analysis and critical thinking to interrogate phenomena observed in nature while building data interpretation skills. A TI-84 calculator is required.

Prerequisite: Completion of Algebra, Biology, Geometry, Chemistry and Algebra II

This course is an inquiry-based program that combines conceptual and mathematical descriptions of physical phenomena to construct a framework for understanding broader physics topics. Each new concept is introduced through connections to real world applications in the form of lab activities, calculations, and reading in the text. In honors physics, students are held to a more rigorous set of academic expectations (more difficult concepts and problems in class, on
homework, and on tests; more detail required for lab write-ups; formula sheets and constants must be on a 3” x 5” index card for tests) compared to the regular physics course. Critical thinking skills are emphasized in labs and problem sets as students build their ability to analyze different physical situations using a common set of skills. A TI-84 graphing calculator is required.

To be eligible for placement into Honors Physics, students must meet the following requirements:

1. The final grade must average an 86 or higher in their previous honors or AP science course or must average a 93 or higher in their previous on level science course. This average includes the final grades for both semesters.
2. The final grade must average an 86 or higher in their most recent honors math class or must average a 93 or higher in their most recent on-level math class. This average includes the final grades for both semesters.
3. Have completed Algebra II.

Design is the creative process of solving problems by identifying needs and then devising solutions. This solution may be a product, technique, structure, process, or many other things depending on the problem. Science aims to understand the natural world, while engineering seeks to shape this world to
meet human needs and wants. Engineering design takes into consideration limiting factors or "design under constraint." Various engineering disciplines address a broad spectrum of design problems using specific concepts from the sciences and mathematics to derive a solution. The design process and problem solving are inherent to all engineering disciplines. Engineering Design and Problem Solving reinforces and integrates skills learned in previous mathematics and science courses. This course emphasizes solving problems, moving from well-defined toward more open ended, with realworld application. Students apply critical-thinking skills to justify a solution from multiple design options. Additionally, the course promotes interest in and understanding of career opportunities
in engineering. This course is intended to stimulate students' ingenuity, intellectual talents, and practical skills in devising solutions to engineering design problems. Students use the engineering design process cycle to investigate, design, plan, create, and evaluate solutions. At the same time, this course fosters awareness of the social and ethical implications of technological development.

**Students may apply to the University of Texas at Austin for Dual Credit in the course as part of the “Engineer Your World” program. Students seeking dual credit must separately submit their projects to UT if admitted.

To be eligible for placement into Honors Engineering, students must meet the following requirements:

1. The final grade must average an 86 or higher in their previous honors or AP science course or must average a 93 or higher in their previous on level science course. This average includes the final grades for both semesters.
2. The final grade must average an 86 or higher in their most recent honors math class or must average a 93 or higher in their most recent on-level math class. This average includes the final grades for both semesters.
3. Must have completed Geometry or Honors Geometry and either Chemistry or Honors Chemistry.

The purpose of Advanced Placement Chemistry is to provide a college level course in chemistry and to prepare the student to seek credit and/or appropriate placement in college chemistry courses. Inorganic chemistry concepts are covered in depth with aspects of organic chemistry included. This course meets regularly plus extra time per cycle during flex time and after school for extended laboratory time. Laboratories include qualitative and quantitative chemistry with a focus on detailed observations and analysis of data. Complete laboratory reports are required. Summer assignments include reading and on-line homework covering a review of Chemistry I. A TI-84 calculator is required. Sitting for the AP Exam is a course requirement.

To be eligible for placement into AP Chemistry, students must meet the following requirements:

1. The final grade must average an 86 or higher in their previous honors or AP science course or must average a 93 or higher in their previous on level science course. This average includes the final grades for both semesters.
2. The final grade must average an 86 or higher in Honors Algebra II or must average a 93 or higher in Algebra II. This average includes the final grades for both semesters.
3. If a student is enrolled in two science courses, she must meet the prerequisite criteria in both courses in order to qualify for an AP Course.