3 credits of a lab science are required for graduation. Our traditional college preparatory sequence is biology, physics and chemistry. All courses listed meet the lab science requirement.
Anatomy and Physiology:
- The student and teacher will meet individually to study the structure and function of the human body. Students will learn the anatomical locations, structures, and physiological functions of the main components of each major system of the body.
Anatomy and Physiology Honors:
- The student and teacher will meet individually to study the structure and function of the human body. Students will learn the anatomical locations and structures of the main components of each major system of the body. The focus will include hands on experiments and data collection and analysis.
Biology:
- The student will meet individually with the teacher for the study of cells. Topics will include basic biochemistry, cell structure, cell transport, cell division, DNA, and genetics. This course is also available as a group course.
Biology Basics:
- The student will meet individually with the instructor for the study of living systems. Topics will include basic biochemistry, cell structure, genetics, body systems, classification, plants, animals, and ecosystems.
Biology Advanced:
- The student and instructor will focus on the study of living systems in this second year course. Topics will include biochemistry, cell structure, genetics, body systems, classification, plants, animals, and ecosystems. Prerequisite: Biology
Biology Honors:
- The student will meet individually with the instructor for the study of living systems. Topics will include basic biochemistry, cell structure, genetics, body systems, classification, plants, animals, and ecosystems. Additional assignments and projects are required.
Biology Topics:
- Student will meet with the instructor to explore a variety of topics in biology. These topics will range from basic cell structure to genetics and evolution. Current events connected to the topics being covered will be explored and the student will determine the direction and depth of information per topic. The focus will include hands on experiments and data collection and analysis.
Chemistry:
- This individual class will focus on atomic theory, chemical bonding, the metric system, the periodic table, chemical notation, chemical reactions, acids and bases, environmental issues, lab safety, and experimental design. This course is also offered in a group setting. Prerequisite: Algebra I
Chemistry Advanced:
- This second year individual course continues the study of chemistry, exploring specific topics in depth from a college level textbook. It has a heavy emphasis on the more mathematical aspects of chemistry. This course is offered in a group setting. Prerequisite: Chemistry
Chemistry Honors:
- This individual class will focus on atomic theory, chemical bonding, the metric system, the periodic table, chemical notation, chemical reactions, acids and bases, environmental issues, lab safety, and experimental design. Honors students cover additional topics including organic chemistry, oxidation reduction, and equilibrium. Formal lab reports and research papers are also required. Prerequisite: Algebra I
Chemistry in the Community:
- This individual course focuses on introductory chemistry topics including atomic theory, the periodic table, chemical formulas, chemical quantities, organic chemistry, and environmental chemistry with an emphasis on practical application to everyday life.
Chemistry Organic:
- This individual course is the study of carbon based compounds, basically the chemistry of life. The course will focus on the basic structure, naming, function, and reactions of various classes of organic compounds in order to prepare students who are interested in pursuing medical oriented careers. Pre-requisite: Algebra l
Cellular Biology:
- The student will meet individually with the teacher for the study of cells. Topics will include basic biochemistry, cell structure, cell transport, cell division, DNA, and genetics.
Ecology:
- The student will meet individually with the instructor for the study of living systems. Topics will include history of life, evolution, biomes, ecosystems, carbon and nitrogen cycles, and communities.
Environmental Science:
- This individual course will focus on the study of environmental issues with emphasis on understanding complex issues and community involvement. The focus will include hands on experiments and data collection and analysis.
Forensic Science:
- In this individual course the student will study basic forensic science concepts. Topics will include:chemical identification of substances, DNA analysis, fingerprinting and chromatography. The focus will include hands on experiments and data collection and analysis.
Geology:
- In this individual course the student will focus on experimental design, the earth’s structure, rocks, minerals, weathering, and geologic formations. The focus will include hands on experiments and data collection and analysis.
Horticulture:
- Chrysalis utilizes an off site farm plot in Woodinville where students are in a “hands on” agricultural environment. Students will learn to grow starts from seed utilizing our farm greenhouse. Fall and spring gardens will be planted and students will be involved in tilling, sowing, composting, watering, weeding and harvesting. We will visit farms to gain an understanding of the modern, organic farmer. In class, we will study soil science, organic growing techniques, carbon farming, growing zones, and vermiculture. Transportation from school is provided for this extended weekly field experience.
Life Science:
- The student and teacher will meet individually to study life systems. Topics may include: classification, basic genetics, plants, animals, cell theory, and current events. The focus will include hands on experiments and data collection and analysis.
Marine Biology:
- The teacher and student will meet individually for the study of marine life, ecosystems, diversity, and environmental issues. The focus will include hands on experiments and data collection and analysis.
Marine Biology Advanced:
- In this second year course, the teacher and student will meet individually to continue the study of marine life, ecosystems, diversity, and environmental issues. Pre-requisite: Marine Biology
Meteorology:
- This individual course explores the basics of weather and climate, including energy flow in the atmosphere, clouds, precipitation, winds, air masses and fronts, storms, and climate change. The focus will include hands on experiments and data collection and analysis.
Outdoor Education:
- This course will focus on navigation skills (using maps and compasses), essentials for being self-sufficient in the backcountry, camping on different terrains, caring for the environment, and much more. This class may also include off-site learning.
Physical Science:
- The teacher and student will meet individually for the study of basic physical science concepts. Possible topics include: density, atomic structure, motion, heat, light, electricity, and magnetism. The focus will include hands on experiments and data collection and analysis.
Physics:
- This individual course focuses on the study of the laws and concepts of physics with additional course work emphasizing the mathematics of physics. Topics include: mechanics, atomic structure, heat, sound, light, electricity, magnetism, radioactivity, and nuclear physics. This course is offered in a group setting. Prerequisite: Algebra I
Physics Applied:
- The student will apply the laws and principles of physics to hands on projects. Topics covered will vary based on the projects chosen by the student. Topics may include: mechanics, heat, sound, light, electricity, and magnetism. Prerequisite: Algebra I
Physics Advanced:
- This second year, individual course continues the study of physics concepts began in first year physics with an additional emphasis on the application of mathematics to solve physics problems. This course may be offered in a group setting. Prerequisite: Physics
Physics Conceptual:
- The student will individually study the laws and concepts of physics with minimal emphasis on related mathematics. Topics include: Mechanics, atomic structure, heat, sound, light, electricity, magnetism, radioactivity, and nuclear physics. Prerequisite: Algebra I
Physic Honors:
- This individual course features a rigorous approach to physics focusing on both the concepts and mathematics of physics. Requires outside reading and an emphasis on quantitative problem-solving. Prerequisite: Algebra II
Physics of Flight:
- This individual course will focus on aerodynamics, Bernoulli’s principle, and other physics concepts related to aviation and flight. The focus will include hands on experiments and data collection and analysis.
Physics with Calculus:
- This individual course continues the study of physics by introducing calculus concepts and focuses on their application to physics concepts and problems.
Science, Earth:
- This individual course introduces students to Earth science. Topics include formation, evolution, structure, and composition of the Earth, plate tectonics and the rock cycle, the water cycle, and climate change. The focus will include hands on experiments and data collection and analysis.
Science Topics:
- The teacher and student will decide together on science topics of interest. Emphasis will be on research and current events related to the topic of choice. The focus will also include hands on experiments and data collection and analysis.
Science, General:
- This individual course will focus on the study of basic life, physical and/or earth science topics. The focus will include hands on experiments and data collection and analysis.
Zoology:
- Topics include basic concepts of general zoology including the origin of animal life, animal reproduction and development, classification of major phyla of animals and the major classes of vertebrates, structure, and function of animals, and basic concepts of animal behavior and ecology. The focus will include hands on experiments and data collection and analysis.
Zoology Advanced:
- This second course in zoology focuses on the vertebrate classes of Agnatha, Chondrichthyes, Osteichthyes, Amphibia, Reptilia, Aves, and Mammalia. Concepts to be studied for each class include classification, evolution, ecology, behavior, anatomy, and physiology.