Science

Credits:  2

Prerequisite: None

Required by all for graduation

This year-long course explores the wonders of life, from tiny cells to complex ecosystems. You’ll dive into topics like genetics, evolution, human anatomy, and ecology through hands-on labs, activities, and discussions. Our goal is to spark curiosity, develop scientific thinking, and connect biology to the real world…all through a Christian lens. By the end, you’ll understand how living things work and why they matter. 

Credits:  2

Prerequisites: a B or better in Biology I and Chemistry I or Chemistry concurrently and Department approval required.

High school Anatomy and Physiology is a lab-based science course that explores the intricate relationship between the structure of the human body (anatomy) and how its parts work together (physiology). The course follows a hierarchical approach, starting with the chemical and cellular levels, building up to tissues, organs, and finally the major organ systems like the skeletal, muscular, nervous, and cardiovascular systems. A central theme throughout the course is homeostasis, the body's ability to maintain a stable internal environment. Students learn not just to identify body parts, but to understand how their specific form allows them to perform their unique functions, often through hands-on activities and dissections, all through a Christian lens.

LHS Credits:  2
IU Credits: 5

Prerequisite: Completion of Biology and Chemistry with a B or better. Department approval required.

L100 Human and the Biological World: This 5-credit lecture-laboratory course is designed to introduce students to explore the unifying principles of biology and how they relate to humans. We will examine a variety of topics, including biology underlying food and nutrition, how humans obtain energy, the role of biotechnology in everyday life, the evolutionary basis for the diversity of life, simple genetics, and humans’ relationship to the environment. Additionally, students will be introduced to and practice the scientific method to explore how our understanding of biological mechanisms is derived from scientific research and recognize that this knowledge is constantly advancing as new scientific findings support, refine, challenge, or refute previous understandings.

Credits:  2

Prerequisites: None

A Core 40 and Academic Honors Diploma Physical Science course.

ICP is a full year laboratory course in which students explore the fundamental core topics of chemistry and physics that are present in God’s creation. Students enrolled in this course examine, through the process of scientific inquiry, the structure and properties of matter, chemical reactions, forces, motion and the interactions between energy and matter as they relate to the environment and economy. Students will gain scientific knowledge by doing science; making observations, experimenting by designing and conducting investigations, and by evaluating and communicating the results of those investigations.  Emphasis will be on students making connections between the big ideas of chemistry and physics in solving real world problems that may have personal or social consequences as they complete inquiry-based learning in both lab and non-lab activities to explore these ideas.

Credits:  2

Prerequisites:  Completion of Biology.

A Core 40 and Academic Honors Diploma Physical Science course.

Chemistry is a course based on the following core topics: properties and the states of matter; atomic structure and the periodic table; bonding and molecular structure; reactions and stoichiometry; behavior of gases; thermochemistry; solutions; acids and bases. Students enrolled in Chemistry I compare, contrast, and synthesize useful models of the structure and properties of matter and the mechanisms of its interactions. Students have an opportunity to gain an understanding that scientific knowledge is gained from observation of natural phenomena and experimentation by designing and conducting investigations guided by theory and by evaluating and communicating the results of those investigations according to accepted procedures. Students have opportunities to see how chemistry and nature are part of God’s plan for us.

Credits:  2

Prerequisites:  Completion of Biology, Algebra II or taking Algebra II concurrently.  B or better in Algebra I and Biology.  Department approval required.

A Core 40 and Academic Honors Diploma Physical Science course.

Honors Chemistry is a fast paced course allowing for an in-depth and expanded look at the topics covered in Chemistry.  Honors Chemistry may be taken in place of Chemistry.  Students compare, contrast, and synthesize useful models of the structure and properties of matter and the mechanisms of its interactions. Students have an opportunity to gain an understanding that scientific knowledge is gained from observation of natural phenomena and experimentation by designing and conducting investigations guided by theory and by evaluating and communicating the results of those investigations according to accepted procedures. Students have opportunities to see how chemistry and nature are part of God’s plan for us.

Credits:  2

Prerequisites: Pre-Calculus or taking concurrently. B or better in Chemistry and Algebra II.  Department approval required.

A Core 40 and Academic Honors Diploma Physical Science course.

Honors Physics s a course focused on the following core topics: constant velocity; constant acceleration; forces; energy; linear momentum in one dimension; simple harmonic oscillating systems; mechanical waves and sound; simple circuit analysis. Instruction should focus on developing student understanding that scientific knowledge is gained from observation of natural phenomena and experimentation by designing and conducting investigations guided by theory and by evaluating and communicating the results of those investigations according to accepted procedures. Students have opportunities to see how physics and nature are part of God’s plan for us.

Credits: 2 for LHS diploma and 5 college credit hours from Indiana University.

Prerequisite: Completion of Biology and Honors Chemistry with a B or better.  Department approval required.

A Core 40 and Academic Honors Diploma Physical Science course, and a Dual Credit course.

ACP Chemistry C101/C121:   Introduction to aspects of general chemistry/ Introduction to the techniques and reasoning of experimental chemistry.  In this course you will learn in depth (and an accelerated rate) about  classification, measurement and changes of matter; the concept of atoms, molecules and compounds; the modern atomic theory;  how chemical bonds (ionic, covalent etc.) determine the properties of matter; chemical nomenclature, mass relationships, molar masses, and the gas laws; the characteristics of solids, liquids, and gases; how to define acids and bases, distinguishes between strong and weak acids and bases,  understand the pH scale, and discusses some acid-base consumer issues; the process and significance of oxidation and reduction; organic chemistry, functional groups and significance of organic chemistry in everyday life; the various bio-molecules and significance of biochemistry to everyday life; the chemistry in food, drugs and household chemicals; nuclear chemistry and its applications.  Successful completion of this course earns FIVE college semester credits of college [freshman] Chemistry [3 credits for lecture and 2 credits for the Laboratory portion], which is foundational for Medical Doctor candidates, Nursing, Engineers, Physicists, Chemists, and all majors who require Chemistry courses in college.

Credits: 2 for LHS diploma and 5 college credit hours from Indiana University.

Prerequisite: MUST TAKE AP CALCULUS CONCURRENTLY.  Department approval required.

A Core 40 and Academic Honors Diploma Physical Science course, and a Dual Credit course.

ACP Physics P221: Introduction to the concepts and laws of classical Newtonian mechanics. The ideas that have resulted from Newton’s Laws and the consequent conservation principles form the basis for all of contemporary physics. Develops an array of skills and techniques needed to appreciate what physicists do and how they do it.   Emphasizes the quantitative application of physical laws to solving problems.   Calculus and other mathematics are displayed daily in a more abstract approach to enhance fluency in and appreciation of mathematics.  Performance of simple (and not-so-simple) laboratory experiments will be done to demonstrate concepts covered in the lectures. Through these experiments techniques will be learned to make reliable measurements and estimate their uncertainties, and build appreciation to the interplay between experiment and theory in science.  Collaborations with other students will be developed as teamwork is central to physics research and as well as understanding the relationships among different approaches to the same problem.  Successful completion of this course earns FIVE college semester credits of calculus-based Physics [Classical Mechanics], which is foundational for Engineers, Physicists, and Chemists.

Credits: 2

Prerequisite:  Completed Biology, Integrated Chemistry/Physics or Chemistry

A Core 40 and Academic Honors Diploma Science course.


Environmental Science is an interdisciplinary course that integrates biology, earth science, chemistry, and other disciplines. Students enrolled in this course conduct in-depth scientific studies of ecosystems, population dynamics, resource management, and environmental consequences of natural and anthropogenic processes. Students formulate, design, and carry out laboratory and field investigations as an essential course component. Students completing Environmental Science, acquire the essential tools for understanding the complexities of national and global environmental systems as God created them.