Great Falls High School

Science

Earth and Space Science (Formerly Foundations of Science)

Length of Class: Year
Prerequisite: None
Grade Level (s): 9
The Earth and Space Science course introduces students to the study of the Earth from a local and global perspective. While presenting the concepts and principles essential to students’ understanding of the dynamics and history of the Earth, students will explore the Earth cycles, nature of science, and Earth systems. Units will include: plate tectonics, earthquakes and volcanoes, rock cycle, weather and erosion, water cycle, atmosphere and climate, our solar system, and the universe. Upon completion of the course, students will have a clear understanding of the dynamic forces at work in the world around them, becoming better stewards of our planet Earth.

Honors Earth and Space Science

Length of Class: Year
Prerequisite: Teacher recommendation, proficient MAP reading score, B or better grade in 8th grade science
Grade Level (s): 9
Students in the Honors Earth and Space Science classes will follow the same Earth and Space Science curriculum and topics in the same sequence. However, honors students are expected to do more reading and writing, think deeper, and apply a higher level of mathematics to science. Honors students will do many of the same learning activities and assignments as other students. However, a deeper understanding of the topics will be gained and applied to everyday life. Students will be assessed through projects, homework and activities that occur both in and out of the classroom. Students in the honors classes typically have better reading comprehension, more interest in science, and have a better aptitude for understanding difficult science concept. They are more organized, more disciplined in their approach to homework, and more motivated to excel in science. Additionally, these students demonstrate the classroom behavior that promotes learning of everyone in the class. Students in these classes will be exposed to more in-depth study to further motivate interest in taking additional upper level science courses. Students taking an honor level Earth and Space Science class will also be better prepared for our upper level science courses because they will have worked at a rigorous level. This preparation will allow the upper level science course instructors to focus on more curriculum. Students will also be exposed to a wide range of materials that will connect and affect their adult life and possible STEM career choices.

​Biology 1-2

Length of Class: Year
Prerequisite: None (Freshman Science preferred)
Grade Level(s):  10 or teacher approval 
This is a laboratory science covering the major areas of the living world with special emphasis on studies of the structure & processes in organisms, ecosystems, heredity, and biological evolution.
Download the course syllabus.

Honors Biology 1-2

Length of Class: Year
Prerequisite: B average in Earth and Space Science
Grade Level(s):  10 or teacher approval  
This laboratory science covers the major areas of the living world.  Through class discussions, laboratory activities, data analysis, and reading assignments, students will gain the organizational skills, study skills, critical thinking skills, and analytical writing skills that are essential for success in all academic endeavors.  Topics covered include: chemistry, cell biology, molecular biology, genetics, evolution, and ecology. The basic concepts covered are the same as BIO 1-2; however, those concepts will be covered in greater depth.  Additional concepts will be studied with an emphasis on higher-level critical thinking, study skills, and increased content knowledge.  This challenge prepares a student for further advanced classes in all areas of science.

Biology 3-4

Length of Class: Year
Prerequisite: Biology 1-2
Grade Level(s): 11, 12 or teacher approval
Lab Fee $20.00
Biology 3-4 is organism-based biology. This course is designed to complement the cell-based sophomore Biology 1-2. Students will investigate topics in zoology, microbiology and botany. Emphasis will be placed on comparative anatomy and physiology, animal behavior, ecology, evolution and the impacts to human health. Students will participate in labs with live organisms as well as several dissections. Individuals with an aversion to dissection should not consider this course. Those students signing up for Biology 3-4 will be required to build an insect collection. Prerequisites for this course include having passed Biology 1-2. Lab fees must be paid no later than September 30.
Download the course syllabus.

AP Biology

Length of Class: Year
Prerequisite: Biology 1-2 with a minimum of a B average
Grade Level(s): 11, 12 or teacher approval
Advanced Placement (AP) Biology is designed to be the equivalent of a college introductory biology course. AP Biology aims to provide students with the conceptual framework, factual knowledge, and analytical skills necessary to deal critically with the rapidly changing science of biology. Through class discussions, laboratory activities, data analysis, and reading assignments, students will gain the organizational skills, study skills, critical thinking skills, and analytical writing skills that are essential for success not only in science, but also in all academic endeavors. Topics covered include: chemistry, cell biology, molecular biology, genetics, evolution and the evolutionary history of life, animal form and function, and ecology. The challenge of the course and the emphasis on critical thinking, study skills, and increased content knowledge prepares a student for college work. For prospective science majors, this course provides a solid foundation for higher-level science courses. For students interested in the physical sciences, this course provides the opportunity to study how the principles of physics and chemistry are applied to living systems. For students not interested in pursuing a collegiate science degree, this course provides an excellent opportunity to earn college credit to satisfy your degree programs’ mandatory science requirement. College credit earned is contingent upon passing the AP exam in May or through dual enrollment in Bio 160 (offered through GFC-MSU). Attendance incentives do not apply to college level courses.
Download the course syllabus.

Intro to Anatomy/Physiology (Science or CTE)

Length of class: Year
Prerequisite: Bio 1-2 with a 75% or higher & Intro to Health Occupations (Health Occ recommended but not required, may be taking concurrently), Medical Terminology recommended
Grade Level: 11, 12
Materials fees: $15.00
During this course, the essential principles of human anatomy and physiology are presented through lecture and lab components, including basic chemistry, cell and tissues studies, and an overview of all the body systems. This course is intended to serve the needs as an introduction anatomy course for the allied health field. There will be some dissection in this course.
This course provides the opportunity for a one-day job shadow experience in the community. Students must have a 70% in the course in order to be placed in their job shadow.

Anatomy & Physiology Honors (Science or CTE Credit)

Length of Class: Year
Prerequisite: Bio. 1-2 with a “C” or better
Grade Level(s):  11-12
Lab Fee $30.00
This laboratory science covers the major areas of the living world.  Through class discussions, laboratory activities, data analysis, and reading assignments, students will gain the organizational skills, study skills, critical thinking skills, and analytical writing skills that are essential for success in all academic endeavors.  Topics covered include: chemistry, cell biology, molecular biology, genetics, evolution, and ecology. The basic concepts covered are the same as BIO 1-2; however, those concepts will be covered in greater depth.  Additional concepts will be studied with an emphasis on higher-level critical thinking, study skills, and increased content knowledge.  This challenge prepares a student for further advanced classes in all areas of science.

​General Chemistry and Honors Chemistry (Dual Credit)

Length of Class: Year
Prerequisite: Read Below
Grade Level(s) 11, 12
Lab Fee $20.00 (honors only)
General Chemistry and Honors Chemistry both take a broad-view survey of the fundamental concepts of inorganic chemistry. These concepts include the nature of matter, atomic theory, quantum mechanics, chemical bonding, chemical naming, reaction classification, stoichiometry, laboratory practicum, and more. Both courses offer the same exposure to content, however
Honors Chemistry supports theory with additional mathematical explanation. A minimum of a C in Algebra I is required. Detailed information for dual credit requirements will be given upon registration for class.
Any student with the intent of pursuing a college degree is strongly encouraged to experience chemistry during high school. Furthermore, any student with the intent of pursuing a science-based college degree should plan to take chemistry and another elective science as a junior, thus allowing for advanced science classes as a senior, such as Advanced Chemistry, Honors Physics or AP Biology. To ensure all students have an opportunity to be successful in their chemistry experience, all students enrolling in chemistry will be placed based upon individual success in previous MATH classes. As such, Honors Chemistry is offered as a dual credit course with the University of Great Falls. 

Advanced Chemistry (Dual Credit)

Length of Class: Year
Prerequisite: Honors Chem. must have a 27 in math on ACT for dual credit
Grade Levels:  11, 12
Lab Fee $25.00
Advanced chemistry is a full-spectrum in-depth course that is equivalent to college-level inorganic chemistry majors. This course will engage students with an in-depth, mathematical approach to investigating the fundamental principles of chemistry and is intended to be an extension of Honors Chemistry, as such, a strong mathematical background, coupled with a successful year in Honors Chemistry, are required for this class. As with all chemistry courses, Advanced Chemistry is supported by a full schedule of laboratory exercises thus requiring a $25 lab fee. Lab fees must be paid no later than September 30. Attendance incentives do not apply to college level courses. It is offered as dual credit with Montana Tech and reduced tuition is required within the first two weeks of each semester. However, this course can be taken as high school credit only, should a student not wish to enroll with MT Tech.

Applied Physics (CTE)

Length of Class: Year
Prerequisite: Prep for Algebra/Biology/Freshmen Science or Instructor Approval
Grade Level(s): 11, 12
Applied Physics is a science course for students interested in the technical fields. This course is designed for the student who needs a broad understanding of physics and the ability to apply those principles in the work force. It is a lab-based approach to the concepts of force, work, rate, power, resistance, and energy as they may apply in mechanical, fluid, electrical, and thermal systems. A course taught, using both science and vocational facilities and materials. This course counts as either a career technical or science  credit. It also serves as a prerequisite (may be taken simultaneously) for Auto Tech.
Download the course syllabus.

General Physics

Length of Class: Year
Prerequisite: Prep for Alg. with a C
Grade Level(s): 11, 12
Course for students who plan to continue their education post-secondary, but not necessarily as a science major. Topics include motion, forces, energy, waves, light electricity, and magnetism. Emphasis is on conceptual understanding with less math than Honors Physics.
Download the course syllabus.

Advanced Placement (AP) Physics - Dual Credit GFCMSU

Length of Class: Year, 1 credit, students who fail 1st semester must drop the course unless they have teacher and/or administrative approval.
Prerequisite: Earth & Space Science, Algebra 1 and Alg. II/Trig with at least a  'C' grade. (Can take Alg II/Trig concurrently)
Grade Level(s) 11, 12
AP Physics 1 is an algebra-based, introductory college-level physics course. Students cultivate their understanding of physics through inquiry-based investigations as they explore topics such as: Newtonian mechanics (including rotational motion), work, energy, power, collisions, and simple harmonic motion. AP Physics has been designed as a course equivalent to the algebra-based college-level physics classes. At the end of the course, students will have the opportunity to take the AP Physics 1 exam, which will test their knowledge of both the concepts taught in the classroom and their use of the correct formulas. A brief study of fluids will take place in May to satisfy the Dual Credit Requirements.

​Geology

Length of Class: Year
Prerequisite: Freshmen Science/Biology 1-2
Grade Level(s):  11, 12
Geology is the study of the physical processes operating on and in the earth and the results of these processes through time. Topics include: plate tectonics, mineralogy, volcanism, geological time, and basic cosmology. Learn about Montana's geologic history and how geologic processes have created the spectacular scenery that makes Montana unique. From the rolling plains of eastern Montana to the rugged mountains in the west, this course will discuss various aspects of historical and physical geology. 
​Download the course syllabus.