Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics

AP Physics

CareerTech AP Physics is intended to be a rigorous course that is on the level of most college physics courses. Whether AP Physics B or AP Physics C is taught is up to the discretion of the individual CareerTech. The following standard will cover the objectives of both with the understanding that the course direction is up to the CareerTech and their program needs. CareerTech AP Physics B has a trigonometry emphasis. Five major content areas of physics will be taught. They are: mechanics, thermodynamics, waves and optics, electricity & magnetism, and modern physics. Students will be expected to sit for the AP exam at the completion of the course. CareerTech AP Physics C expects the student to have knowledge of trigonometry and calculus. It is an analytical course that focuses on mechanics and electricity & magnetism. CareerTech AP Physics C-Mechanics should provide instruction in each of the following content areas: kinematics, Newton's Laws of Motion, work, energy and power, systems of particles and linear momentum, circular motion and rotation, and oscillations and gravitation. CareerTech AP Physics C-Electricity and Magnetism should provide instruction in each of the five content areas: electrostatics; conductors, capacitors, and dielectrics; electric circuits; magnetic fields; and electromagnetism. These subjects will be covered in depth with laboratory activities and lab reports an essential part of the coursework. Students will be expected to sit for the AP exam at the completion of the course.

Aerospace Engineering

Aerospace Engineering is a specialty engineering courses where students learn through hands-on engineering projects developed with NASA, students learn about aerodynamics, astronautics, space-life sciences, and systems engineering (which includes the study of intelligent vehicles like the Mars rovers Spirit and Opportunity).

Biotechnical Engineering

Biotechnical Engineering is a specialty engineering course where students complete relevant projects from the diverse fields of bio-technology, bio-engineering, bio-medical engineering, and bio-molecular engineering enable students to apply and concurrently develop secondary-level knowledge and skills in biology, physics, technology, and mathematics.

Human Body Systems

The human body is a complex system requiring care and maintenance. This course will engage students in the study of basic human physiology, especially in relationship to human health. Students will use a variety of monitors to examine body systems (respiratory, circulatory, and nervous) at rest and under stress, and observe the interactions between the various body systems. Students will use LabView® software to design and build systems to monitor body functions.

AP Environmental Science

AP Environmental Science is a course that will provide students with the scienctific principles, concepts, and methodologies requried to understand the interrelationships of the natural world, 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. Environmental science is interdisciplinary; it embraces a wide variety of topics from different areas of study. Yet there are several major unifying constructs, or themes, that cut across the many topics included n the study of environmental science.

Principles of Biomedical Sciences

This course provides an introduction to the biomedical sciences through exciting “hands-on” projects and problems. Student work involves the study of human medicine, research processes and an introduction to bio-informatics. Students investigate the human body systems and various health conditions including heart disease, diabetes, sickle-cell disease, hypercholesterolemia, and infectious diseases. A theme through the course is to determine the factors that led to the death of a fictional person. After determining the factors responsible for the death, the students investigate lifestyle choices and medical treatments that might have prolonged the person’s life. Key biological concepts including: homeostasis, metabolism, inheritance of traits, feedback systems, and defense against disease are embedded in the curriculum. Engineering principles including: the design process, feedback loops, fluid dynamics, and the relationship of structure to function are incorporated in the curriculum where appropriate. The course is designed to provide an overview of all the courses in the Biomedical Sciences program and to lay the scientific foundation necessary for student success in the subsequent courses.

Medical Interventions

Medical practice includes interventions to support humans in treating disease and maintaining health. Student projects will investigate various medical interventions that extend and improve quality of life, including gene therapy, pharmacology, surgery, prosthetics, rehabilitation, and supportive care. Students will study the design and development of various medical interventions including vascular stents, cochlear implants, and prosthetic limbs. They will review the history of organ transplants and gene therapy, and read current scientific literature to be aware of cutting edge developments. Using 3-D imaging software and current scientific research students will design and build a model of a therapeutic protein.

Science Research

This capstone course gives student teams the opportunity to work with a mentor, identify a science research topic, conduct research, write a scientific paper, and defend team conclusions and recommendations to a panel of outside reviewers. Each team will have one or more mentors from the scientific and/or medical community guiding their scientific research. This course may be combined with the capstone course from the pre-engineering pathway, allowing students from both pathways to work together to engineer a product that could impact healthcare.

Pre-AP Algebra II

This course will enhance and expand the mathematical foundations of Algebra I and Geometry. The course will stress the fundamental extension of previous mathematics and the preparation for future higher-level mathematics courses. It will involve operations with real and complex numbers as well as matrices. The problem solving processes will use functions and relations. Within the course applications of math, and while satisfying predictions based on a set of data, the use of data analysis, and statistics will be justified. Students who master CareerTech Algebra II will gain experience with quadratic functions, conic sections, logarithmic and exponential functions, linear functions, solution methods for systems of linear functions, and matrix operations.

AP Chemistry

Chemistry is the study of the properties of materials and the changes that materials undergo. A student will see how chemical principles operate in all aspects of our lives, from everyday activities to far-reaching matters like the development of drugs to cure cancer. Students will learn through laboratory and lecture methods using group and individual activities, cooperative learning, presentations, and technology to enhance the learning environment. Students will learn how to design and conduct experiments using a variety of laboratory techniques and technology to investigate a chemical concept. They will apply stoichiometric concepts to chemical reactions and analyze how atomic structure relates to periodicity. The student will analyze how atomic structures relate to chemical bonding and apply chemical concepts to reactions in aqueous solutions. They will learn about gas laws as well as study electrochemistry.

AP Calculus

This is a college preparatory course that offers extreme rigor in a specialized field of study. It will enable the student to be successful on the Advanced Placement AB Calculus exam and/or in college calculus. Topics covered will be: limits, differentiation, and basic integration techniques. An emphasis will be placed on real world applications as they relate to the various engineering fields as well as development of problem-solving skills.

Geometry

This course will allow students the chance to relate mathematics to real-life situations and careers. It will build logical reasoning capabilities as well as give students an opportunity to justify conclusions in a structured manner. Students will analyze characteristics and properties of two- and three-dimensional geometric shapes. They will use visualization, spatial reasoning, and geometric modeling to solve problems. Throughout the course students connect the algebra skills previously developed to the geometric concepts. The CareerTech Geometry is a rigorous course that prepares students for higher-level mathematics. It was developed by a group of mathematics instructors while correlating it with NCTM Standards (National Council of Teachers of Mathematics) and the Oklahoma PASS Objectives (Priority Academic Student Skills).

Pre-AP Trigonometry/Pre-Calculus

This course is designed to be in preparation for Calculus or AP Calculus. A graphing calculator is recommended. The first part of the course includes a study of six basic functions of trigonometry, solutions of right and oblique triangles, identities, and complex numbers. The calculator is used as an aide to computations. The second half of the course gives a review study of straight lines, conic sections, simplification of equations, algebraic curves, transcendental curves, a completed study of straight lines, simplification of equations, polar coordinates, and an introduction to limits and derivatives

Pre-AP Physics

This course will cover kinematics in one and two dimensions, as well as forces and vectors. Students will study work, energy, and power that will then lead into the study of momentum and the conservation of energy. Circular motion and gravitation, translational and rotational equilibrium, fluid mechanics and thermal physics will be covered. The students will study electricity and magnetism then look at waves and optics. A final subject area will be atomic and nuclear physics. Good math skills are critical to success in this course.

Microbiology

CareerTech Microbiology will look at the relationship between microbes and humans. It will look at the harmful effects of certain microorganisms, such as disease and food spoilage, and also the many beneficial effects they have on our daily lives. It will cover in detail the identification of microbes and the effects microbes have on our environment.

Pre-AP Chemistry

Pre-AP Chemistry is designed to prepare students for the complex thinking that will be expected in future science courses. This course will focus on the development of the student as a scientist through the study of chemistry. Being a scientist requires a broad set of tools, including theory, problem solving, written and oral communication, interpreting data and laboratory skills. Areas covered are: Matter, atoms & periodic table, molecules & compounds, chemical reactions & stoichiometry, Aqueous solutions & reactions, Gases, Energy & Chemical Reactions, Atomic & Molecular Structure.

Biotechnology I

This is a course that will familiarize the student with common laboratory glassware, utensils, and equipment. They will become skillful at using micropipettes, centrifuges, autoclaves, pH meters, and microscopes. Laboratory safety and precision/accuracy with equipment will be emphasized. The course will provide students with applicable knowledge of the scientific method, preparation and staining of microscope slides, cell structure and identification, and preparation of chemical solutions. Aseptic technique will be covered as well as preparation of culture media and specimen handling protocols. The students will also be able to maintain a pure cell culture and test for microbial sensitivity. Isolation, amplification, and characterization of DNA and proteins will be covered. Throughout the course, advanced math skills will be used for scientific notation, significant figures, conversion factors, percentages, and creating and integrating graphs for laboratory analysis and reporting.

Biotechnology II

This course is an advanced continuation of Biotechnology I. It will provide the student with practice in in vitro DNA synthesis reactions, programming and use of thermal cyclers for PCR reactions, utilization of real time PCR, Southern and Western blotting techniques, protein extraction and analysis, ELISA technology, and maintenance of animal cell lines.

Civil Engineering and Architecture

This course provides an overview of the fields of Civil Engineering and Architecture, while emphasizing the interrelationship and dependence of both fields on each other. Students use state of the art software to solve real world problems and communicate solutions to hands-on projects and activities. This course covers topics such as: The Roles of Civil Engineers and Architects, Project Planning, Site Planning, Building Design, and Project Documentation and Presentation.

Computer Integrated Manufacturing

Computer Integrated Manufacturing is a course that applies principles of robotics and automation. The course builds on computer solid modeling skills developed in Introduction to Engineering Design. Students use CNC equipment to produce actual models of their three-dimensional designs. Fundamental concepts of robotics used in automated manufacturing, and design analysis are included.

Digital Electronics

Digital Electronics is a course in applied logic that encompasses the application of electronic circuits and devices. Computer simulation software is used to design and test digital circuitry prior to the actual construction of circuits and devices.

Engineering Design and Development

Engineering Design and Development is an engineering research course in which students work in teams to research, design and construct a solution to an open-ended engineering problem. Students identify a problem, complete extensive research, apply principles developed in the preceding courses, and are guided by a community mentor. They must present progress reports, submit a final written report, and defend their solutions to a panel of outside reviewers at the end of the course.

Introduction to Engineering Design

Introduction to Engineering Design is a course that teaches students problem-solving skills using a design development process. Models of product solutions are created, analyzed and communicated using solid modeling computer design software.

Principles of Engineering

Principles of Engineering helps students understand the field of engineering/engineering technology. Students explore various technology systems and manufacturing processes helping them learn how engineers and technicians use math, science, and technology in an engineering problem solving process to benefit people. This course also includes concerns about social and political consequences of technological change.

Survey of Biotechnology

This course is designed to introduce students to areas and concepts involved in Biotechnology. Students will learn to apply scientific methods of study and concepts through research and hands-on experiments. This course will strengthen the students' knowledge of science and give them a better understanding of various biology, chemistry, and botany concepts. Students will attend field trips and seminars that will reinforce the need for biotechnology in today's workforce. They will also explore the ethics involved concerning biotechnology.

Advanced Biotechnology

This is a course that is intended for students who have excelled in Biotechnology I and II. It will challenge them to gain knowledge in upper-level biochemistry, microbiology, and lab techniques. Lab reports are an intregal part of this course, as well as bio-informatics. Students will be expected to do independent research projects.

Biotechnology Internship

The student will be paired with a scientist as a mentor in a biotechnology industry as a lab scientist intern. They will work in varied roles in order to get a full picture and scope of what it takes to be employed in a biotechnology industry. A final paper and review about the intern experience is part of the course. Hours vary per schedule but should total 120 hours.

AP Biology

CareerTech AP Biology is designed to be the equivalent of a first year Biology post-secondary course. The range and depth of knowledge of the content area, type of labs, and time expenditure is elevated and extensive. Students will develop a conceptual framework for biology and an appreciation of science as a process. The course follows Collegeboard's outlline and covers eight major themes. They are: Science as a Process, Evolution, Energy Transfer, Continuity and Change, Relationship of Structure to Function, Regulation, Interdependence in Nature, Science, Technology, and Society. Labs play an integral part of this course and there are twelve lab topics that will be covered. They will provide the student with an opportunity to learn a variety of skills and facts, principles, and concepts of biology. Lab investigations will encourage higher-order thinking, generating ideas, and formulating hypotheses. All students are expected to take the AP Exam upon completion of this course.