High School Course Digest
Page Navigation
- Overview
- Advanced Placement (AP)
- College & Career Development (CTAE)
- Dual Enrollment
- English
- Fine Arts
- International Baccalaureate (IB)
- Mathematics
- PE and Health
- Science
- Social Studies
- Special Education
- World Languages
- College & Career Readiness Guide
- Course Waiver Request Guidelines
- High School Graduation Requirements
-
Students are required to earn 4 science credits to meet Georgia high school graduation requirements.
Science: Four units of credit in science shall be required of all students, including one full unit of Biology; one unit of either Physical Science or Physics; one unit of either Chemistry, Earth Systems, Environmental Science or an AP/IB course; and one additional science unit. The fourth science unit may be used to meet both science and elective requirements. Any AP/IB science course may be substituted for the appropriate courses listed above.
The most up-to-date approved 4th science courses outside of core science courses, including Career Technical, Biotechnology, Agricultural Education, and Computer Science can be found here.
Course
Pre-Requisites
State/National Assessment
AP Biology
Biology and Chemistry
Honors HIGHLY recommended for student success. Honors courses are AP prep courses.
AP Exam
AP Chemistry
Chemistry and GSE Algebra II
Honors/Accelerated HIGHLY recommended for student success. Honors courses are AP prep courses.
AP Exam
AP Environmental Science
Biology, Chemistry and GSE Algebra
Honors HIGHLY recommended for student success. Honors courses are AP prep courses.
AP Exam
AP Physics 1
GSE Geometry
Concurrently taking GSE Algebra II.
AP Exam
AP Physics 2
AP Physics 1
Should have taken or be concurrently taking GSE Pre-Calculus.
AP Exam
AP Physics C - Electricity & Magnetism
Calculus and AP Physics C - Mechanics
AP Exam
AP Physics C - Mechanics
Should have taken or be concurrently taking Calculus.
Physics or AP Physics 1 HIGHLY recommended for student success.
AP Exam
Astronomy
A strong K-8 science background, the ability to plan/carry out an investigation, and analyze/interpret data.
N/A
Biology
A strong K-8 science background, the ability to plan/carry out an investigation, and analyze/interpret data.
EOC
Chemistry
Biology and GSE Geometry co-requisite.
N/A
Earth Systems
A strong K-8 science background, the ability to plan/carry out an investigation, and analyze/interpret data.
N/A
Ecology
A strong K-8 science background, the ability to collect field data, analyze/interpret data, and draw conclusions about real-world implications.
N/A
Environmental Science
A strong K-8 science background, the ability to plan/carry out an investigation, and analyze/interpret data.
N/A
Epidemiology
Biology and Chemistry and Human Anatomy & Physiology or AP Biology or Healthcare Pathway
N/A
Forensics
Biology
Chemistry is HIGHLY recommended for student success.
N/A
Human Anatomy & Physiology
Biology (honors level highly recommended for student success) and Chemistry
N/A
Honors Biology
A strong K-8 science background, the ability to plan/carry out an investigation, analyze/interpret data, think independently, and write.
EOC
Honors Chemistry
Biology (honors highly recommended for student success), GSE Accel Alg/Geom A recommended.
N/A
Meteorology
A strong background in Earth Systems.
N/A
Oceanography
A strong K-8 science background, the ability to plan/carry out an investigation, and analyze/interpret data.
N/A
Organic Chemistry
AP Chemistry
N/A
Physical Science
A strong K-7 science background, the ability to plan/carry out an investigation, and analyze/interpret data.
*EOC
If taken in middle school. No EOC if taken in high school.
Physics
GSE Geometry
Concurrently taking GSE Algebra II
N/A
Scientific Research I
The ability to conduct short as well as more sustained research projects to answer a question (including a self-generated question) or solve a problem; narrow or broaden the inquiry when appropriate; synthesize multiple sources on the subject, demonstrating understanding of the subject under investigation.
Teacher Recommendation Only
Required Presentation of Work - Local
Scientific Research II
The ability to conduct more sustained research projects to answer a question (including a self-generated question) or solve a problem; narrow or broaden the inquiry when appropriate; synthesize multiple sources on the subject, demonstrating understanding of the subject under investigation.
Teacher Recommendation Only
Required Presentation of Work - Local/State
Scientific Research III
See SRI and SRII plus: Ability to explicitly draw on that preparation by referring to evidence from professionals and other research on their personalized topic or issue to stimulate a thoughtful, well-reasoned exchange of ideas with interest groups or national/global competitions.
Teacher Recommendation Only
Required Presentation of Work - National/International
Scientific Research IV
See SRI and SRII plus: Ability to collaborate with university or industry partners and other research on their personalized topic or issue to present a thoughtful, well-reasoned exchange of ideas in a national/global competition.
Teacher Recommendation Only
Required Presentation of Work - National/International
*AP Science course prerequisites are directed by the College Board and the AP Course Audit.
*See the Science Course Description list to view a full list of courses and electives. Course elective offerings may vary at each school.
*Advanced Placement Program information may be found here.
*IB science course information may be found on the South Forsyth High School International Baccalaureate webpage.
View more information on science curriculum, including state standards.