Science Course Descriptions

Young Scientist Club

Third through 8^th grade students may join the CCA Young Scientist Club.  Students participate in monthly meetings where they experience exciting hands-on laboratory investigations designed to improve their command of the scientific method.  Students then use the skills they have gained to enter the CCA science fair in February.  Winners of the fair go on to compete in the ACSI district level science fair.

Covenant Christian Academy Logic and Rhetoric School Science Department Curriculum

Course Description: Earth science introduces students to the physical sciences in conjunction with the study of the earth and space.  Major concepts studied include meteorology, geology, oceanography, astronomy and plate tectonics. The “hands on” approach is emphasized to develop both laboratory skills and critical thinking skills.

Course Description: Physical science introduces students to chemistry and physics.  The course begins with a review of the scientific method and the metric system.  The balance of the fall semester is then devoted to classification of matter, atomic structure, chemical formula, chemical nomenclature, chemical reactions and acid/base chemistry.  Spring semester topics include energy, motion, force, work, power, simple machines, magnetism, electricity, heat and light.  Laboratory sessions are used to reinforce the concepts presented in lecture.

Course Description: Pre-AP biology introduces students to the basic concepts of modern biology and its major unifying ideas.  Cellular biology, biochemistry, genetics, zoology, microbiology, and botany are among the topics covered.  All topics, and especially the matter of human/earth origins, are addressed from a biblical perspective.  Laboratory experiences provide opportunities to view the concepts studied and to further develop critical thinking skills.

Course Description: Pre-AP chemistry introduces students to a physical science that relies heavily upon mathematical analysis.  The course explores the nature and properties of matter and the interactions between matter and energy.  Topics discussed include chemical changes, balancing chemical equations, stoichiometry, chemical bonding and states of matter.  Laboratory investigations are designed to supplement the lecture and develop technical skills.  This course is designed to provide a comprehensive chemical foundation in preparation for an introductory college chemistry course.

Course Description: The AP Biology course is designed to be the equivalent of the general biology course usually taken during the first college year and, as such, meets the objectives of a good general biology course.  After showing themselves to be qualified on the AP exam, some students, in their freshman year, are permitted to undertake upper level courses in biology or to register for courses for which biology is a prerequisite.

Course Description: Pre-AP physics introduces students to the study of nature in its most simple form.  Topics covered the first semester include one and two dimensional motion, Newton’s Laws, forces, vectors, gravity, momentum, work and energy.  Second semester topics include wave motion, sound, light and electricity.  Each major concept is examined either logically or experimentally.  Physics requires extensive use of mathematics.

Course Description: Advanced Placement Chemistry is designed to more thoroughly investigate concepts introduced in the Pre-Advanced Placement chemistry course and to investigate topics not covered in the first year chemistry course. As such, the Advanced Placement Chemistry course can be considered the second year of a two-year course of study in chemistry and the equivalent of a general chemistry course taken during the first year of college.

Course Description: The anatomy and physiology course covers the basics of human anatomy and physiology including anatomical terminology, basic biochemistry, and cells and tissues.  In addition, the integumentary, skeletal, muscular, nervous, endocrine, cardiovascular, lymphatic/immune, respiratory, digestive, urinary, and reproductive systems are examined.  The course also introduces students to common human disease processes.