Below is the general course outline for the Physical Science course here at Anderson County High School for the 2022-2023 School Year. 

1^st Semester (August – December)

1. Scientific Method
   • Conducting a scientific experiment in the proper manner
   • Refining the skills needed to analyze the results of an experiment

2. Solids, Liquids, and Gases
   • Explaining the properties of matter and thermal energy
   • Comparing the various characteristics of liquids and fluids
   • Describing the unique behavior of matter when in the gas phase and how temperature can change the physical state of matter

3. Classification of Matter
   • Understanding and describing the composition of various states of matter from the atomic level
   • Comparing the various properties of matter in different states

4. Properties of Atoms and the Periodic Table
   • Understanding and describing the structure of an atom including the characteristics of the sub-atomic particles
   • Describing and calculating the various ways to determine the mass of an atom
   • Explaining the various patterns and trends found within the periodic table of elements

5. Chemical Bonds
   • Comparing the types of bonds that can form in chemical reactions including covalent, ionic, and hydrogen bonds
   • Understanding how to properly write chemical formula and naming compounds

6. Chemical Reactions
   • Explaining the various types of chemical reactions and the energy required to complete the reactions
   • Comparing chemical reaction rates and chemical equilibrium

7. Radioactivity and Nuclear Reactions
   • Explaining the unimaginable amount of power that is locked within the nucleus of an atom
   • Understanding and calculating the rate of nuclear decay and half-life of a radioactive substance
   • Identifying the various applications of nuclear and radiation technologies in society

 2^nd Semester (January - May)

1. Motion
   • Describe the concept of motion.
   • Differentiate between velocity and momentum.
   • Explain and analyze problems using acceleration.

2. Forces and Newton’s Laws
   • Compare and contrast the different types of forces in nature.
   • Understand and explain Newton’s three laws of motion.
   • Analyze and decipher problems using Newton’s three laws and the corresponding equations.

3. Work and Energy
   • Explain the concept of work and the various machines that perform these types of work.
   • Explain how energy and work are connected mathematically.
   • Understand the concept of conservation of energy and energy efficiency.

4. Electricity
   • Explain how electric charge is determined.
   • Understand and explain how simple circuits are constructed and analyzed.
   • Compare and contrast simple circuits with more complex circuits.

5. Waves – Light, Electromagnetic, and Sound
   • Differentiate between the nature of the three major wave sources; light, sound, and electromagnetic.
   • Compare and contrast the various wave properties.
   • Explain and understand the behavior of waves within the confines of various media.

Below is the general course outline for the Biology course here at Anderson County High School for the 2022-2023 School Year

1^st Semester (August – December)

1. Scientific Method
   • Conducting a scientific experiment in the proper manner
   • Refining the skills needed to analyze the results of an experiment

2. The Study of Life
   • Defining what constitutes a living thing and how they are interdependent
   • Comparing various items/organisms to determine if it is biotic or abiotic

3. Chemistry in Biology
   • Understanding and analyzing the various components of the atom and how they determine an elements reactivity and interaction with other elements
   • Identifying and explaining the various organic molecules and their important roles in living organisms

4. Cellular Structure and Function
   • Understanding and explaining the processes that led to the current model of the cell and the tenents of the cell theory
   • Explaing the structure and function of the various cell organelles
   • Comparing and contrasting the organelles found in animals and plants
   • Describing the process of cellular transport and the structures involved and their functions

5. Cellular Energy
   • Describing how an individual cell gains energy for life processes
   • Comparing and contrasting the complexities of cellular respiration and photosynthesis

6. Cellular Reproduction
   • Describing how a single cell could develop into an organism with trillions of cells
   • Explaining and understanding the cell cycle including cytokinesis, mitosis, and interphase
   • Comparing the various processes involved in cell cycle regulation and how those processes can lead to cancer

2^nd Semester (January - May)

1. Cellular Reproduction
   • Describing how a single cell could develop into an organism with trillions of cells
   • Explaining and understanding the cell cycle including cytokinesis, mitosis, and interphase
   • Comparing the various processes involved in cell cycle regulation and how those processes can lead to cancer

2. Meiosis and Mendelian Genetics
   • Explaining the stages of Meiosis and their importance in the diversity of life.
   • Compare and contrast the Laws of Segregation and Independent Assortment.
   • Use and analyze results from genetic studies using a Punnett square.
   • Understand the importance of polyploidy in agriculture and its benefits and harm to humans.

3. Complex Inderitance and Human Heredity
   • Analyze genetic patterns to determine dominant and recessive inheritance patterns.
   • Construct and analyze human pedigrees to determine genetic inheritance both autosomal and sex-linked.
   • Construct and analyze a karyotype to determine possible genetic disorders, including cause and effect.

4. Molecular Genetics
   • Describe the processes that led to the discovery of DNA.
   • Understand and explain the process and structures involved in DNA replication, transcription, and translation.
   • Analyze and describe the structure and function of mRNA, rRNA, and tRNA in gene expression.
   • Describe the various types of genetic mutations and their respective causes and effects.

5. Genetics and Biotechnology
   • Describe how selective breeding is used to produce organisms with specific traits.
   • Compare and contrast selective breeding and genetic engineering.
   • Describe and understand the importance of biotechnology in forensic science.