Courses available for seniors. Most classes can also be selected in the junior year as electives.
- AP Calculus BC
- AP Calculus BC is primarily concerned with developing the student’s understanding of the concepts of calculus and providing experience with these methods and applications. The courses emphasize a multi-representational approach to calculus, with concepts, results, and problems being expressed graphically, numerically, analytically, and verbally. Technology will be used regularly to reinforce the relationships among the multiple representations of functions, to confirm written work, to implement experimentation, and to assist in interpreting results. Through the use of unifying themes of derivatives, integrals, limits, approximation, and applications and modeling, the course becomes a cohesive whole rather than a collection of unrelated tops. More information about the course can be found at the following website: https://apstudent.collegeboard.org/apcourse/ap-calculus-bc
- AP Statistics
- AP Statistics is a full year course that is designed to introduce students to the major concepts and tools for collecting, analyzing and drawing conclusions from data. Students are exposed to four broad themes: Exploring Data (Describing patterns and departures from patterns), Sampling and Experimentation (Planning and conducting a study), Anticipating Patterns (Exploring random phenomena using probability and simulation), and Statistical Inference (Estimating population parameters and testing hypotheses). Students will be expected to use Graphing Calculators on a daily basis. Students who successfully complete the course and perform well on the AP exam may receive college credit, advanced placement or both for a one-semester introductory college statistics course. More information about the course can be found at the following website: https://apstudent.collegeboard.org/apcourse/ap-statistics
- AP Computer Science A
- AP Computer Science is an introductory course in computer science. AP Computer Science represents content covered in a first-semester college computer science course. Because the development of computer programs to solve problems is a skill fundamental to the study of computer science, a large part of the course is built around the development of computer programs or parts of programs that correctly solve a given problem. The course also emphasizes the design issues that make programs understandable, adaptable, and when appropriate, reusable. At the same time, the development of useful computer programs and classes used as a context for introducing other important concepts in computer science, including the development and analysis of algorithms, the development and use of fundamental data structures, and the study of standard algorithms and typical applications. In addition, an understanding of the basic hardware and software components of computer systems and the responsible use of these systems are integral parts of the course. More information about the course can be found at the following website: https://apstudent.collegeboard.org/apcourse/ap-computer-science-a
- AP Computer Science Principles
- AP Computer Science Principles offers a multidisciplinary approach to teaching the underlying principles of computation. The course will introduce students to the creative aspects of programming, abstractions, algorithms, large data sets, the Internet, cybersecurity concerns, and computing impacts. Students can earn college credit if they do well on their projects and the AP exam at the end of the course. More information about the course can be found at the following website: https://apstudent.collegeboard.org/apcourse/ap-computer-science-principles.
- AP Environmental Science
- The AP Environmental Science course will provide students with the scientific principles, concepts, and methodologies required to understand the interrelationships of the natural world. It is a rigorous and highly interdisciplinary course that as it integrates the natural sciences, social sciences, and humanities to the study of environmental systems. The goal of this course is to identify and analyze environmental problems both natural and human-made, to evaluate the relative risks associated with these problems, and to examine alternative solutions for resolving or preventing them. The course will cover areas of environmental testing, sustainability, and resource management. Students will be expected to participate in group projects, case studies, lab work, and hands-on activities that relate to different aspects of environmental science. This rigorous Advanced Placement course will require a commitment of both time and interest. More information about the course can be found at the following website: https://apstudent.collegeboard.org/apcourse/ap-environmental-science
- AP Research (beginning Fall 2019)
- AP Research allows students to deeply explore an academic topic, problem, or issue of individual interest. Through this exploration, students design, plan and conduct a year-long research-based investigation to address a research question. In the AP Research course, students further their skills acquired in the AP Seminar course by understanding research methodology; employing ethical research practices; and accessing, analyzing, and synthesizing information as they address a research question. Students explore their skill development, document their processes, and curate the artifacts of the development of their scholarly work in a portfolio. The course culminates in an academic paper of 4000-5000 words (accompanied by a performance or exhibition of product where applicable) and a presentation with an oral defense.AP Research is the second of two courses in the AP Capstone™ program. AP Seminar is the first course. If a student earns scores of 3 or higher in AP Seminar and AP Research and on four additional AP Exams of their choosing, they will receive the AP Capstone Diploma™. This signifies outstanding academic achievement and attainment of college-level academic and research skills. Alternatively, if a student earns scores of 3 or higher in AP Seminar and AP Research only, they will receive the AP Seminar and Research Certificate™. More information about the course can be found at the following website: https://apstudent.collegeboard.org/apcourse/ap-research
- Discrete Math
- The purpose of this course is to understand and use (abstract) discrete structures that are backbones of computer science. In particular, this class is meant to introduce logic, proofs, sets, relations, functions, counting, and probability, with an emphasis on applications in computer science.
- Epidemiology & Public Health
- The course mainly focuses on the basic principles and methods of epidemiology, with an emphasis on critical thinking, analytic skills, and application to clinical practice and research.
Course Competencies:
– Evaluate the quality and comparability of data.
-Understand the major study designs for obtaining quantitative information relevant to population health research questions, including surveillance, observational, community-based and controlled trial
research studies -Be able to select the most appropriate design for different hypotheses.
-Define exposure variables, outcome variables, extraneous variables and measures of their frequency.
-Understand and calculate commonly used health measures, such as relative risk, attributable risk, and odds ratio; select appropriate methods for estimating such measures.
-Define appropriate comparison groups for epidemiologic studies.
– Apply the concepts of confounding and bias to describe variables; describe appropriate methods for
addressing each.
-Critique the study design and quantitative methods used in published literature and appropriately interpret the findings.
-Identify key sources of epidemiologic data.
-Describe a public health problem in terms of magnitude, person, time and place.
-Formulate and apply an epidemiologic methodology to identify a specific public health problem, develop a hypothesis, and design a study to investigate the issue.
- The course mainly focuses on the basic principles and methods of epidemiology, with an emphasis on critical thinking, analytic skills, and application to clinical practice and research.
- Genetics
- This one-semester course will introduce students to the fundamental concepts of Genetics with emphasis on Human Heredity. Topics will include the history of genetics, genes and chromosomes, nucleic acids and proteins, approaches to the study of genetics, and the impact of genetics on society. Students will be introduced to basic lab techniques and learn about current issues in genetics.
- Topics in Chemistry
- Topics in Chemistry is a one-semester, laboratory-based course in Advanced Chemistry topics including chemical reactions, polymers, and organic chemistry. Students will make a crystal heart for Valentine’s Day, learn the history of soap-making and make their own, and even make ice cream!
- Anatomy and Physiology
- Anatomy and Physiology is a laboratory-based course that investigates the structure and function of the human body. Topics covered will include the basic organization of the body and major body systems (integumentary, skeletal, muscular, nervous, endocrine, cardiovascular, immune, respiratory, digestive, and reproductive). The impact of aging and diseases on body systems will also be studied. The full-year course culminates with the dissection of a fetal pig.
- Forensic Science
- Forensic Science is a one-semester integrated science course covering topics in Biology, Chemistry, and Physics. In this course, we will focus on forensic techniques used by scientists and law enforcement officials to observe, collect, and analyze data that may be used to solve a crime. Topics of study include fingerprints, DNA, blood, etc. Students will analyze a mock crime scene by gathering and collecting evidence in order to solve the crime. Additionally, students will learn what is and isn’t possible through critical analysis of forensic techniques utilized in current TV shows.
- Introduction to Mathematical Thinking
- Introduction to Mathematical Thinking transforms mathematics into an engaging, relevant experience. Students are introduced to important and interesting ideas in mathematics that go beyond what is taught in a normal mathematics classroom while inspiring them to actively engage in mathematical thinking. Topics include topics such as counting infinite sets of numbers, cryptography, Geometrical correspondences, Non-Euclidean geometries, and Julia and Mandelbrot Sets.
- 2D Design
- Drawing & illustration skills, design composition, color theory, graphic design, web & animation, advertising, communication design, using Photoshop, Illustrator & Flash.
- 3D Design
- 3-D drawing, rendering & illustration skills, design process, 3D aesthetics & sculpture design, 3D modeling and product design using Rhino 3D modeling software.
- Dual Enrollment
- Students are invited to take college classes at HFCC or U of M Dearborn that will count for both high school and college credit during their Junior and Senior years. In order for a Dual Enrollment class to be considered a DCMST “STEM” elective, it must be on the approved course list that is available here.