Biology is the study of living things. Students are challenged to move beyond descriptive biology, to an understanding of how cells work and how life’s processes occur. An appreciation of these microscopic and chemical details leads to an understanding of how living things work on a larger scale. Topics include basic biochemistry, cell structure & function, cellular energy, heredity and gene structure, and systems of the human body. We will also discuss differing viewpoints on creation (how God created) and the age of Earth (the timing of creation).

Required: 5 credits

Prerequisites: Sophomore; can be taken as a freshman in conjunction with Principles of Engineering if schedule allows

Honors biology will cover the same topics as biology, but in greater depth and at an accelerated pace. An additional unit on the frontiers of biotechnology is covered. Lab experiences are designed to be student-driven and require solid critical thinking and analysis skills. Students are expected to work well independently, to rise to the challenge of more difficult material, and to complete a greater amount of work outside the classroom.

Required: 5 credits

Prerequisites: 85 or above in Principles of Engineering or 90 in previous science course if doubling up

This course is an introductory college-level biology course. Students cultivate their understanding of biology through inquiry-based investigations as they explore the following topics: evolution, cellular processes, energy and communication, genetics, information transfer, ecology, and interactions.

Elective: 5 credits
Prerequisite: 85 or higher in Honors Biology; 90 or higher in Biology, or permission of instructor

Chemistry is the study of the nature and behavior of matter. The general topics of this course include the development of atomic theory, the electronic configuration of atoms, chemical bonding, types of reactions, stoichiometry, the gas laws, and acid-base chemistry. As the year progresses and a foundation is built, students will begin to understand chemical processes in their everyday lives. Chemistry is a lab-oriented college preparatory course. Because of the mathematical nature of many topics, students must be enrolled in the highest level of mathematics course available to them.

Elective: 5 credits

Prerequisites: Biology, can be taken as a sophomore in conjunction with Biology

Honors Chemistry will cover the same topics as Chemistry, but in greater depth and at an accelerated pace. Additional topics include solutions and chemical equilibrium. Students are expected to work well independently, rise to the challenge of more difficult material, complete a greater amount of work outside the classroom, and work through laboratory investigations independently.

Elective: 5 credits

Prerequisites: 90 or above in Biology or 85 or above in Honors Biology; 90 or above in previous science course if doubling up

This course is designed to help students learn about careers in the health professions and to develop skills needed for this field. During the semester, students will investigate career opportunities for Health Professionals, look at the importance of utilizing proper communication skills and identify the purpose of Medical laws and ethics guidelines. The course will challenge students to pursue increasing their knowledge about personal topics of interest in the field. Students will participate in hands-on activities, virtual simulations and role play activities.

Elective: 2.5 credits
Prerequisite: None

This course does not fulfill the lab science requirement.

Genetics is the study of heredity and is understood today at the molecular level. The application of this understanding holds much promise, some of which has already borne fruit in the areas of human health and agriculture. But there are also many difficult questions and choices that are being forced on us as this field expands and develops. These demand close scrutiny in the light of God’s word, making this course especially relevant to young Christians.

The course will open with a bioethics unit to examine the use of genetic applications. Students will then study the structure and function of the DNA, classical Mendelian genetics, inherited illness and gene therapies, gene regulation, and genetic engineering. Students will participate in numerous advanced molecular biology labs in order to develop independent lab skills and understand the workings of DNA through hands-on learning. Labs will include genetic studies working with living organisms and DNA extractions. In the final lab, students will extract and purify their own DNA to perform a molecular analysis of one their genes.

Elective: 2.5 credits

Prerequisite: Biology

Biomedical Science is a huge field of study. Students with a biomedicine degree pursue careers in Biomedicine including Dentistry, Biomedical Laboratory Science, Medicine, Pharmacy, Physical therapy, Veterinary medicine. In this class, students will learn about clinical skills and key practices in different areas of biomedicine.

Elective: 2.5 credits

Prerequisite: Biology

The mechanics of how the body moves is an awe-inspiring feat of divine ingenuity. Throughout the semester, students will learn the many intricacies of the body during movement. Students will learn about the basic principles of movement and focus on some of the major joints of the body. Students will learn the structure and function of those joints as well as injury and treatment, and will have fun learning common taping techniques for some joints. Students will study the requirements for human performance from multiple body systems, and will also examine sports management and sports careers. In the final unit students will analyze and measure all that is required for them to run a 100 meter dash. Kinesiology is designed to help prepare students interested in athletic training, physical therapy, or other related medical fields. It is also designed to pique intellectual curiosity and to apply analytical and critical thought to concepts related to human movement and well-being.

Elective: 2.5 credits

Prerequisite: Sophomore – Senior

In this introductory meteorology course, students will be challenged to draw upon their analytical, mathematical, and interpretive skills to engage with the atmosphere in which we live. Students will learn about the inner workings of the atmosphere and the factors that create the natural phenomena we know as weather, studying patterns and storm systems, reading radar maps, and analyzing live, local data to forecast models. This course will encourage students to obtain data and perform research through labs and hands-on experiences, and take a closer look at how atmospheric changes truly influence a significant part of our everyday lives.

Elective: 2.5 credits

Prerequisites: Junior – Senior

This course will allow students to see natural hazards through the eyes of those who prepare for, live through, and respond to these events. Students will research to understand how people perceive the risk associated with each event, explore to understand the meteorological and environmental factors involved, discover the current emergency plans in place, and sift through current research and case studies to make inferences and recommendations of their own. Students will also learn to acknowledge the emotional and humanitarian needs brought to light through each of these events, and discuss how we are called as Christ-followers to take action. These natural hazards include hurricanes, earthquakes, volcanoes, tsunamis, wildfires, drought, floods, tornadoes, severe weather, coastal hazards, and specific climate change markers. This class can be taken independent of or in succession to Meteorology. This course does not fulfill the lab science requirement.

Elective: 2.5 credits
Prerequisites: Sophomore – Senior

Physics is the study of forces, energy, and motion. A study of physics improves our understanding of God’s general revelation. The order and logic of nature in turn give us an insight into our Creator, showing His power and sovereign rule over the universe. Physics is a lab-oriented college preparatory course. Some highlights include building and launching rockets and going to Six Flags to experience acceleration first hand.

Elective: 5 credits

Prerequisite: Junior – Senior

This project-based course presents engaging and challenging problems to students. They will explore a broad range of engineering, math, and science principles that will enable student teams to design solutions to a variety of problems.

The curriculum focuses on mechanical, electrical, structural and robotic engineering. Students will learn to document their work, communicate their solutions and develop strategies to enable and direct their own learning.

Required: 5 credits

Prerequisite: None

This course is an exercise in Engineering theory. The students will be introduced to conceptual engineering design. They will learn about problem immersion, research and development, teamology, and failure analysis. This course will revisit some of the engineering concepts from Principles of Engineering and will offer training in CAD using an Autodesk program called Fusion 360. The premise of this course is for students to develop a higher level of critical thinking in engineering. They will be introduced to a real world problem that NASA is currently working on called the Epic Challenge. Students will investigate the Epic challenge or another real world problem of their choosing. The students will look at this problem from all angles and begin to conceptualize potential solutions, conduct extensive research, and can communicate with experts in their field of inquiry. Upon completion of their research, the students will test their proposed solutions and potentially develop prototypes (this would incorporate CAD and 3D printing). The final task of the course will be to create a presentation/poster highlighting their research and proposed solution. This course can also be used in conjunction with NASA GLOBE for students who wish to work on developing solutions in the sciences outside of space exploration.

Elective: 2.5 credits

Prerequisite: Principles of Engineering

For the second semester, students who are working on the “Epic Challenge” can continue their work in an independent study format. Students will be required to meet with the teacher on a weekly basis and submit an engineering report to track the students’ progress. Students would travel to the NASA symposium, and present their work as well as meeting students from around the country who also worked on the Epic Challenge. After the student symposium, students will create curricula based on what they have learned and potentially teach it to other WCS students.

Elective: 2.5 credits

Prerequisite: Engineering in Practice
*There is $400-$500 cost to attend the NASA Symposium