Science
The Science Department at Plano West Senior High helps to prepare students to be successful in their future endeavors of higher education and professional life. The wide array of science class offerings gives students the opportunity to explore various subjects. Make sure you visit mypisd.net to view calendars, syllabi, and other information concerning each course.
Parents have the ability to review instructional plans for their child’s classes. Visit https://www.pisd.edu/students-families-a6/instructionalplans to view the instructional plans and learn more about your child’s learning experience.
Meet the Faculty
| Staff Member | Courses | Title |
| Iro Omere | AP Biology and On Ramps Biology | |
| Emily Sharma | AP Biology | LASER |
| Julia Drake | AP Biology | AP Biology Team Leader |
| Breeanna Russ | AP Biology and AP Environmental Science | |
| Nathan Leraas | Earth-Space Science | Earth-Space Team Leader |
| Bev Mahoney | AP Chemistry | AP Chemistry Team Leader and LASER |
| Yared Haile | AP Chemistry and Chemistry | Chemistry Team Leader |
| Cooper Philllips | Environmental Systems | |
| James Holub | AP Physics 1 and Chemistry | |
| Noah Knotts | AP Physics 1 and Environmental Systems | |
| Ami Burgdorf | Anatomy & Physiology and AP Physics 1 | A&P Team Leader and AP Physics 1 Team Leader |
| Meghann Dismascio | Environmental Systems and A&P | Evnirnmental Team Leader |
| Bob Croman | Physics | Physics Team Leader |
| Nico Robinson | Astronomy and Physics | Astronomy Team Leader |
| David Carroll | AP Physics 2 and AP Physics C | Science Department Chair |
| Sydney Gardiner | AP Environmental Science | AP Enrivonmental Science Team Leader |
Courses
First Year Science Courses
- Anatomy and Physiology
- Astronomy
- Chemistry
- Earth Systems Science (ESS)
- Environmental Systems
- Physics
- On Ramps Biology
Anatomy and Physiology
Anatomy & Physiology of Human Systems
Anatomy and Physiology of Human Systems includes laboratory investigation and fieldwork using appropriate scientific inquiry. This hands-on course is a survey of the structures and functions of the human body and homeostasis within body systems. In this course the student will investigate the body's maintenance of homeostasis, body coordination, transport systems, energy processes, and continuation of the species.
Things to consider:
- Interest in a medical field
- Interest in human systems
- if a student has taken or is currently enrolled in Health Science, much of the material will be repeated.
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Prerequisite: |
Biology and Chemistry |
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Class Length: |
1 class period |
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Credits Awarded: |
1-hour regular |
Astronomy
Astronomy
Astronomy is the study of the universe and celestial objects. Topics covered in this course will include impact of civilizations; motion of objects in the universe; humans' place in space; interactions of the sun, Earth, & moon; planetary seasons; use of astronomical tools; stellar activity and the life cycle of stars; structure of the universe; cosmology; and human impact & learning. Student investigations emphasize asking questions and identifying problems, gathering and analyzing data, developing and communicating models & conclusions, and making informed decisions using critical thinking and scientific problem solving
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Prerequisite: |
Algebra I and Integrated Physics and Chemistry or Chemistry |
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Reading Requirement: |
textbook is used as support material |
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Math Requirement: |
scientific calculator; everyday use of algebra |
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Lab Requirement: |
inquiry-based investigations |
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Problem Solving: |
Basic mathematics problem solving; may use an online homework service; goal or task oriented lab activities |
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Juniors: |
Juniors or Seniors may take Astronomy. |
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Class Length: |
1 class period |
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Credits Awarded: |
1-hour regular credit |
Chemistry
Chemistry
Chemistry is the study of the structure, composition, and behavior of matter. The course of study emphasizes the investigation of matter, its interactions, and the factors affecting the interactions. Chemistry is a laboratory-oriented course that stresses the observation of matter and its behavior, classification of matter, communication of data, measurement of chemical quantities, prediction of chemical phenomena, and manipulation of chemical investigations.
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Prerequisite: |
Algebra and completion of Biology or IPC (Integrated Physics and Chemistry) |
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Class Length: |
1 class period |
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Credits Awarded: |
1-hour regular |
Earth Systems Science (ESS)
Earth Systems Science (ESS)
Earth Systems Science
Earth Systems is based on themes of the Earth, solid Earth and fluid Earth. In each theme are included the strands of systems, energy and relevance. Natural and human events and their effect on Earth's systems will be studied within the context of these themes and strands.
Things to consider
- Students that struggled with Biology should consider Earth Systems.
- Greater depth and breadth of middle school earth science topics
Topics studied include:
- Earth's History
- Geology
- Oceanography
- Climate
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Prerequisite: |
2 credits of high school science (Biology and IPC or Chemistry) |
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Class Length: |
1 class period |
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Credits Awarded: |
1-hour regular |
Environmental Systems
Environmental Systems
Environmental Systems will focus on the study of the environment with emphasis on ecology and natural resources. The current energy situation will be studied, and recycling of natural resources will be evaluated. Emphasis on people and society, including cultural perspectives and pollution problems will be made. Laboratory experiences, group discussions, and other special activities will be planned.
Things to consider:
- The least mathematical on-level science class.
- Focuses on science literacy.
Topics studied include:
- Human population growth & impact
- Food production
- Water use & pollution
- Energy use focusing on renewable sources and applications for the future
- Air pollution & climate change/global warming
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Prerequisite: |
2 credits of high school science (Biology and IPC or Chemistry) |
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Class Length: |
1 class period |
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Credits Awarded: |
1-hour regular |
Physics
Physics
Physics is the study of matter and energy and their interaction. Student investigations emphasize accurate observations, collection of data, analysis of data, and safe manipulation of laboratory materials.
Topics of Study
- One and Two Dimensional Motion
- Newton's Laws
- Work and Energy
- Gravity and Circular Motion
- Impulse and Momentum
- Mechanical and Electromagnetic Waves
- Electrostatics
- Circuits
- Magnetism
- Modern
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Prerequisite: |
Algebra and Geometry, 2 credits of science |
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Reading Requirement: |
online textbook is used as support material |
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Math Requirement: |
scientific calculator; everyday use of algebra |
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Lab Requirement: |
inquiry-based investigations |
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Problem Solving: |
Algebraic mathematics problem solving; goal or task oriented lab activities |
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Juniors: |
Juniors or Seniors may take Physics. |
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Class Length: |
1 class period |
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Credits Awarded: |
1-hour regular credit |
On Ramps Biology
AP Science Courses
AP Biology
AP Biology
The course is based on four Big Ideas, which encompass core scientific principles, theories, and processes that cut across traditional boundaries and provide a broad way of thinking about living organisms and biological systems. The following are Big Ideas:
- The process of evolution explains the diversity and unity of life.
- Biological systems utilize free energy and molecular building blocks to grow, to reproduce, and to maintain dynamic homeostasis.
- Living systems store, retrieve, transmit, and respond to information essential to life processes.
- Biological systems interact, and these systems and their interactions possess complex properties.
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Prerequisite: |
Biology and Chemistry |
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Reading Requirement: |
textbook reading required; 2-3 chapters per unit; 6 units per semester |
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Math Requirement: |
4-function; simple algebra; basic statistical analysis; graphical creation and interpretation |
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Lab Requirement: |
Inquiry labs to emphasize experimental design, data collection and analysis. |
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Problem Solving: |
frequent biomechanical/structure function problem solving |
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Juniors: |
should strongly consider concurrent enrollment in Physics. Check with college admission requirements |
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Class Length: |
2 class periods |
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Credits Awarded: |
2-hours AP credit (1 AP credit for Biology and 1 AP credit for Advanced Biology Lab) |
AP Chemistry
AP Chemistry
The key concepts and related content that define the AP Chemistry course and exam are organized around underlying principles called the Big Ideas. They encompass core scientific principles, theories, and processes that cut across traditional boundaries and provide a broad way of thinking about the particulate nature of matter underlying the observations students make about the physical world. The following are Big Ideas:
- The chemical elements are the building blocks of matter, which can be understood in terms of the arrangements of atoms.
- Chemical and physical properties of materials can be explained by the structure and the arrangement of atoms, ions, or molecules and the forces between them.
- Changes in matter involve the rearrangement and/or reorganization of atoms and/or the transfer of electrons.
- Rates of chemical reactions are determined by details of the molecular collisions.
- The laws of thermodynamics describe the essential role of energy and explain and predict the direction of changes in matter.
- Bonds or attractions that can be formed can be broken. These two processes are in constant competition, sensitive to initial conditions and external forces or changes.
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Prerequisite: |
Biology and Chemistry |
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Reading Requirement: |
1-2 chapters per unit; 5-8 units per semester |
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Math Requirement: |
graphing calculator; uninterrupted math program (recommended concurrent enrollment in precalculus) everyday use of algebra and graphical creation and interpretation; error analysis |
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Lab Requirement: |
inquiry-based investigations and performance-based lab activities |
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Problem Solving: |
daily mathematics problem solving; online resources; goal or task oriented lab activities. |
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Juniors: |
should strongly consider concurrent enrollment in Physics. Check with college admission requirements. |
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Class Length: |
2 class periods |
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Credits Awarded: |
2-hours AP credit (1 AP credit for Chemistry and 1 AP credit for Advanced Chemistry Lab) |
AP Environmental Science
AP Environmental Science
Environmental science is interdisciplinary; it embraces a wide variety of topics from different areas of study. There are several unifying big ideas that cut across topics. The Big Ideas are:
- Science is a process.
- Energy conversions underlie all ecological processes.
- The Earth itself is one interconnected system.
- Humans alter natural systems.
- Environmental problems have a cultural and social context.
- Human survival depends on developing practices that will achieve sustainable systems.
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Prerequisite: |
Biology, Chemistry and Algebra I |
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Reading Requirement: |
online textbook reading required; 2-3 chapters per unit; 4-5 units per semester |
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Math Requirement: |
simple algebra; dimensional analysis; graphical interpretation |
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Lab Requirement: |
Inquiry labs to emphasize experimental design and data collection labs using probes. |
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Problem Solving: |
frequent mathematics problem solving |
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Juniors: |
should strongly consider concurrent enrollment in Physics. Check with college admission requirements. |
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Class Length: |
1 class period |
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Credits Awarded: |
1-hour AP credit |
AP Physics I
AP Physics 1
No prior physics knowledge is required to take AP Physics 1
No first-year physics credit is required to take AP Physics 1.
Students build their understanding of physical models as they explore and solve problems in these topics:
- Kinematics
- Forces and Translational Dynamics
- Work, Energy, and Power
- Linear Momentum
- Torque and Rotational Dynamics
- Energy and Momentum of Rotating Systems
- Oscillations
- Fluids
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Prerequisite: |
Geometry and concurrent enrollment in Algebra II |
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Reading Requirement: |
online textbook is used as support material; 1-2 chapters per unit; 3-4 units per semester |
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Math Requirement: |
graphing calculator; uninterrupted math program; everyday use of algebra & trigonometry; graphical creation and interpretation |
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Lab Requirement: |
inquiry-based investigations and performance-based lab activities |
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Problem Solving: |
daily mathematics problem solving; online homework service; goal or task oriented lab activities |
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Juniors or Seniors: |
Course is available to both juniors and seniors |
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Class Length: |
1 class period |
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Credits Awarded: |
1-hour AP credit |
AP Physics II
AP Physics 2
- Thermodynamics
- Electric Force, Field, and Potential
- Electric Circuits
- Magnetism and Electromagnetism
- Geometric Optics
- Waves, Sound, and Physical Optics
- Modern Physics
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Prerequisite: |
AP Physics 1, Geometry, Algebra II and concurrent enrollment in Precalculus |
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Reading Requirement: |
online textbook is used as support material; 1-2 chapters per unit; 3-4 units per semester |
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Math Requirement: |
graphing calculator; uninterrupted math program; everyday use of algebra & trigonometry; graphical creation and interpretation |
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Lab Requirement: |
inquiry-based investigations and performance-based lab activities |
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Problem Solving: |
daily mathematics problem solving; online homework service; goal or task oriented lab activities |
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Seniors: |
AP Physics 2 is available to seniors only |
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Class Length: |
1 class period |
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Credits Awarded: |
1-hour AP credit |
AP Physics C
AP Physics C
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Mechanics (Fall Semester) |
Electricity and Magnetism |
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Prerequisite: |
Either completion of AP Physics 1 or a first-year physics credit (physics, summer school, eSchool or CBE) and completion or CONCURRENT enrollment in AP Calculus AB or BC |
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Reading Requirement: |
online textbook is used as support material; 1-2 chapters per unit; 6 units per semester |
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Math Requirement: |
graphing calculator; uninterrupted math program; completion or concurrent enrollment in Calculus; everyday use of algebra & trigonometry; graphical creation and interpretation |
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Lab Requirement: |
inquiry-based investigations and performance-based lab activities |
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Problem Solving: |
daily mathematics problem solving; online homework service; goal or task oriented lab activities |
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Seniors ONLY: |
Juniors or Seniors may take AP Physics C. |
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Class Length: |
1 class period |
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Credits Awarded: |
2-hours AP credit 1 AP credit for AP Physics Mechanics (fall semester) 1 AP credit for AP Physics E&M (spring semester) |




