High School Courses

High School Curriculum

Biology

Biology I students in Prince William County Public Schools learn the 2018 Science Sstandards of Learning (SOL) set by the Virginia Department of Education. The 2018 SOL require the Scientific and Engineering Practices (SOL BIO.1 a-f) to be embedded throughout all units of study. Students will experience the following units in this course:

Quarter 1

Unit 1: Biochemistry

Organisms are complex systems that require energy and materials to support biochemical processes that maintain metabolism. Students learn how the physical and chemical properties of water contribute to metabolism, components of living cells, macromolecules and their functions, and the role enzymes play for living things.

Standards Covered: BIO.2a-c

Assessment Window: 9/16-9/20/24

Unit 2: Cell Structure & Function

All living things are composed of cells. Although there are many different types of cells in terms of size, structure, and function, all cells have certain characteristics in common. The cell theory encapsulated the current understanding of the cell. Both theory and laws describe nature phenomena and are equal in terms of scientific validity.

Standards Covered: BIO.3a-d

Assessment Window: 10/14 - 10/18/24

Unit 3: Cell Energetics

In this unit, students learn about how biological systems utilize energy and matter to maintain organization, growth, and reproduction. They will explore the process of photosynthesis, understanding how it converts light energy into stored chemical energy. Students will also delve into the interconnected processes of photosynthesis and cellular respiration, discovering how living organisms derive energy from sugar and oxygen to sustain life.

Standards Covered: BIO.2e

Assessment Window: 10/28-11/01/24

Quarter 2

Unit 4: Cell Growth, Division & Specialization

This unit on cell growth, division, and specialization explores the essential processes that sustain life. Students will model and describe the stages of the cell cycle and mitosis, emphasizing the critical role of DNA replication in cell division. They will investigate how cell specialization supports the life processes of both unicellular and multicellular organisms, demonstrating how a cell’s structure is intricately linked to its function. Additionally, the unit will cover meiosis, highlighting its importance in sexual reproduction and genetic diversity, and comparing it to mitosis to understand the conditions necessary for each process.

Standards Covered: BIO.3c-e

Assessment Window: 12/09 - 12/13/24

Unit 5: Genetics & Heredity

This unit on genetics and heredity introduces Mendelian and non-Mendelian genetics. Students will learn how genotypes determine phenotypes, use Punnett squares for genetic predictions, and understand the role of probability in genetic variation. The unit also covers the basics of DNA structure, reproduction, and the importance of genetic diversity.

Standards Covered: BIO.5c

Assessment Window: 01/13 - 01/17/25

Unit 6: (Begin) Nucleic Acids & Protein Synthesis

This unit explores the intricate structure and function of DNA, emphasizing its role in genetic information transfer and protein production. Students will compare various DNA models, understand the significance of DNA replication in cell division, and delve into the processes of transcription and translation in protein synthesis. This unit also covers synthetic biology, where students will evaluate genetic engineering tools and debate the ethical implications of altering genomes.

Standards Covered: BIO.2d, 3c, 5a, 5b, 5e

Assessment Window: 02/10 - 02/14/25

Information for Quarter 3 will be available no later than January 2, 2025. 

Information for Quarter 4 will be available no later than March 11, 2025.

Chemistry

Chemistry I students in Prince William County Public Schools learn the 2018 Science Standards of Learning (SOL) set by the Virginia Department of Education. The 2018 SOL require the Scientific and Engineering Practices (SOL CH.1 a-f) to be embedded throughout all units of study. Students will experience the following units in this course:

Quarter 1

Unit 1: Matter & The Atom

This unit will deepen understanding of atomic components, radioactivity, and the impact of changing these components. It will also explore the electron behavior and the Quantum-mechanical model, our current representation of atoms.

Standards Covered: CH.2a-e

Unit 2: The Periodic Table

This unit will deepen understanding of the periodic table, how it is organized, and the different trends (atomic radius, electronegativity, ionization energy, and the shielding effect) present on the table. It will also explore an elements electron configuration and how those configurations help predict bonding.

Standards Covered: CH.2c-d

Unit 3: Bonding & Nomenclature

This unit will explore the fundamental concepts of chemical bonding, including the formation of covalent and ionic bonds. It will also investigate the significance of polar and non-polar bonds, molecular geometry prediction, and the role of key elements like carbon in biological systems.

Standards Covered: CH.3a-b, CH.3d-e

Quarter 2

Unit 4: Chemical Reactions

In this unit, students will explore the conservation of mass by writing and balancing chemical equations. Students will investigate to classify reaction types as one of six types and use that knowledge of reaction types to predict the products of single and double replacement reactions.

Standards Covered; CH.3c, CH.3f

Unit 5: The Mole & Mole Calculations

In this unit, students will use Avogadro’s principle to understand the mole and perform mole conversions. Students will also determine the percent composition and empirical and molecular formula of a substance. This unit provides the foundational information required for the next unit, Stoichiometry.

Standards Covered: CH.4a-b

Information for Quarter 3 will be available no later than January 2, 2025.

Information for Quarter 4 will be available no later than March 11, 2025.

Earth Science

Earth Science I students in Prince William County Public Schools learn the 2018 Science Standards of Learning (SOL) set by the Virginia Department of Education. The 2018 SOL require the Scientific and Engineering Practices (SOL ES.1 a-f) to be embedded throughout all units of study. Students will experience the following units in this course:

Quarter 1

Unit 1: Cosmology

This unit explores the Big Bang theory as the scientific explanation for the universe’s origins and how stars, star systems, and galaxies evolve over time. It will also investigate how the composition of celestial bodies influences their features, while recognizing the impact of space exploration on expanding our understanding of the universe’s structure and nature.

Standards Covered: 2a-d

Unit 2: Our Unique Earth & Moon

In this unit, students will study the interactions between the Sun, Earth, and Moon, while exploring their roles in creating seasons, moon phases, eclipses, and tides. They will also practice map reading skills using latitude and longitude coordinates to understand the sun-Earth relationship.

Standards Covered: 3a-b

Unit 3: Minerals

In this unit, students will examine the characteristics of minerals, including their chemical composition, crystal structure, and physical properties. They will also examine the diverse uses of minerals in agriculture, manufacturing, and construction. Furthermore, students will investigate the creation of minerals under different conditions, gaining insight into how energy transfer and chemical composition impact mineral formation.

Standards Covered: 4a-c

Unit 4: Formation & Transformation of Rocks

This unit will explore the formation and transformation of rocks through diverse processes, gaining insights on how rocks evolve over time, delving into the rock cycle. It will also look at the identification and classification of rocks based on composition, texture, and formation processes. Finally, this unit will investigate the profound impact of weathering, erosion, and deposition on Earth’s surface.

Standards Covered: 5a-d

Quarter 2

Unit 5: Geologic Processes

In this unit, students will explore the theory of plate tectonics and how it is central to many Earth Science concepts. It explains how the structure of the Earth’s crust and many associated phenomena result from the interaction of rigid lithospheric plates that move slowly over the underlying mantle.

Standards Covered: 7a-d

Unit 6: Freshwater & Soil

In this unit, students will explore water on Earth. Water is found everywhere on Earth, from the heights of the atmosphere to the depths of the mantle. Although 70% of the planet’s surface is covered in water, only 2.5% is in the form of freshwater. Water not only impacts geological processes, but the limited amount of freshwater indicates it is a resource that must be conserved.

Standards Covered: 8a-d

Information for Quarter 3 will be available no later than January 2, 2025.

Information for Quarter 4 will be available no later than March 11, 2025.

Environmental Science

Environmental Science students in Prince William County Public Schools learn content defined by the Guidelines set by the Virginia Department of Education.  Students will experience the following units in this course:

Quarter 1

Unit 1: What’s in the World

In this unit, students are introduced to environmental science to frame their thinking for future units. They will utilize their knowledge of natural resources and resource management to review the concepts of resources, sustainability, and the human impact of the environment. These concepts serve as the foundation upon which you will build further knowledge of how environmental issues have developed over time and how public awareness and support for solving environmental problems can have a positive impact.

Standards Covered:   

Currently, Environmental Science does not have Standards of Learning, only Science Content Guidelines. Standards of Learning will be available when the new standards are released.

Unit 2: Where the Little Things Are

This unit will explore how matter moves through living and nonliving things. It will look at the unique properties of water and how they contribute to life on Earth. Finally, it will find out how the movement of water and other biogeochemical cycles sustain life.

Unit 3: Disasters Abound

In this unit, students will understand the relationship between Earth’s physical systems, the hydrosphere, the atmosphere, and the lithosphere. It will also look at the characteristics, processes, and formation events that happen between and within the different spheres.

Quarter 2

Unit 4: The Living World

In this unit, students will discover how energy moves through the living and nonliving components of the Earth. Using examples and specific ecosystems, students will explore examples of how energy passes through each ecological level through interactions among organisms. They will discover the importance of biodiversity in ecosystems and explore the possible impacts of disruptions, such as invasive species. They will also find out how ecosystems change over time.

Unit 5: Can We All Fit?

In this unit, students will discover that the Earth is in a dynamic equilibrium. Students will study the natural process of changes in an ecosystem and what factors influence those changes.

Information for Quarter 3 will be available no later than January 2, 2025.

Information for Quarter 4 will be available no later than March 11, 2025.

Physics

Physics I students in Prince William County Public Schools learn the 2018 Science Standards of Learning (SOL) set by the Virginia Department of Education.  The 2018 SOL require the Scientific and Engineering Practices (SOL PH.1 a-f) to be embedded throughout all units of study. Students will experience the following units in this course:

Quarter 1

Unit 1: Linear Motion

In this unit, students expand on what they already know, beginning by exploring the concepts of distance, displacement, velocity, and speed, and how they are related. They learn to master this terminology and solve simple problems using equations. Finally, they continue to learn by exploring how to create visual models of motion and learn the basics of vectors.

Standards Covered: PH.2a-b

Unit 2: Uniform Acceleration

In this unit, students will expand on what they already know about acceleration. They will learn about uniform acceleration, gravity and free-fall, and continued graphical analysis of motion.

Standards Covered: PH.2a

Unit 3: 2-Dimensional Motion

This unit focuses on understanding the fundamental concepts of position, velocity, and acceleration, and their interrelation with time. Students will delve into solving problems involving uniform circular motion, two-dimensional vectors, and projectile motion, enabling them to analyze displacement, velocity, acceleration, and time in both one and two dimensions.

Standards Covered: PH.2c-d

Quarter 2

Unit 4: Forces

This unit on forces will provide students with a comprehensive understanding of the fundamental principles governing the motion of objects. Students will solve problems involving force, mass, and acceleration, will learn to use free-body diagrams to analyze forces, and explain motion using Newton’s laws.

Standards Covered: PH.3a-b

Unit 5: Linear Momentum

In this unit, students will explore the principles of momentum and its conservation in mechanical systems. They will investigate how momentum is transferred between objects, use mathematical representations to demonstrate conservation, and solve related problems. Additionally, students will apply scientific and engineering concepts to design devices that minimize force during collisions.

Standards Covered: PH.4a

Unit 6: Energy

This unit explores the fundamental concepts of energy, including its various forms and transformations in everyday life. Students will investigate the conservation of energy in mechanical systems and conduct experiments to understand the conservation of electric charge. Additionally, they will solve problems related to work and power, applying these concepts to real-world scenarios.

Standards Covered: PH.4b

Information for Quarter 3 will be available no later than January 2, 2025.

Information for Quarter 4 will be available no later than March 11, 2025.