2026-2027 Course Catalog – Science: Physics Emphasis
Science: Physics Emphasis
CL College Level
DC Dual Credit
Students will be placed in the appropriate physics level based on their math enrollment. Juniors may wish to delay taking physics until their senior year in order to build their math abilities.
For students who have no credits in General Physics, a comprehensive physics test, covering the subject matter of the two semesters of General Physics at the Academy, will be given to those students attempting to place out of the lecture portion of the course. This test will include questions to satisfy the Indiana physics standards and additional questions to satisfy the higher expectations of the Academy. The test will be given before classes start in the fall and may be taken only once.
There are two possible outcomes of this test:
- The student does not pass the exam, and thus is assigned to a physics course as the Academy math placement test dictates.
- The student does pass the exam, and thus can –
- elect to not place out and thus take the General Physics course and that earned grade will appear on the transcript
- use the spare credit to take another academy course. If this path is chosen, they will be required to take and pass both semesters of the lab portion of the General Physics course
- take AP Physics I
- take AP Physics C (if the student is concurrently enrolled in Calculus BC)
Passing this comprehensive physics placement test (upon completion of the laboratory requirement), or a higher level class, will satisfy a student’s survey physics course requirement for their Indiana Academy diploma.
SCI03103/03103A
Physics & Astronomy: Physics (DC)
Prerequisite: None
Co-requisite: Physics & Astronomy: Physics Lab (SCI3103L/3103AL)
Credit: 1.5 credits per semester
Offered: Fall (SCI03103) or Spring (SCI03103A)
In this one semester course, students will explore basic classical and modern physics concepts of matter, motion, energy, and forces with application to mechanics, heat, sound, electricity and magnetism, light, atomic, nuclear, and elementary particles. No advanced knowledge of algebra or geometry is required, as simple math will be used to define and describe the physical relationships of ideas.
The lab portion of this course models the scientific process and gives students hands-on experience in dealing with many of the concepts covered.
* Ball State University offers 3 college credit hours in PHYC 100 to students who complete this Academy course. Refer to the Dual Credit section for details on enrollment and fees.
**Completing both this course and Physics & Astronomy: Solar System will satisfy the Indiana Academy graduation requirement of completing two semesters of physics.
SCI03104
Physics & Astronomy: Solar System (DC)
Prerequisite: None
Co-requisite: Physics & Astronomy: Solar System Lab (SCI3104L/3104AL)
Credit: 1.5 credits per semester
Offered: Fall or Spring
In this one semester course, students will explore the history of astronomy and take a deep dive into the field of planetary science. There are elements of geology and physics in this Physics & Astronomy: Solar System, as well as a focus of the importance of light to understand Earth’s backyard, the Solar System, and beyond.
The course also includes lab experience, launching students into basic calculations and creative projects that aids in understanding Earth, our neighboring planets, and the Sun. There will also be the occasional required late evening sky observation (as weather permits) and the occasional field trip to the Ball State Planetarium (as scheduling permits).
* Ball State University offers 3 college credit hours in ASTRO 100 to students who complete this Academy course. Refer to the Dual Credit section for details on enrollment and fees.
**Completing both this course and Physics & Astronomy: Physics will satisfy the Indiana Academy graduation requirement of completing two semesters of physics.
SCI03111/03112
AP Physics I (DC)
Prerequisite: Precalculus and math placement test score or permission of instructor or co-requisite enrollment in AP Precalculus EL (MAT03131/03132).
Co-requisite: AP Physics I Lab (SCI3111L/3112L)
Credit: 1.5 credits per semester
Offered: Fall/Spring Sequence
AP Physics I proceeds at an accelerated pace and provides a physical introduction to the main principles of physics, which include Newtonian mechanics, oscillations and sound, electricity and magnetism, kinetic theory and thermodynamics, fluids, optics and modern physics. Emphasis will be given to linear and rotational applications to kinematics, forces, and momentum, as well as energy and power, gravitation, harmonic motion, and introductory electric circuits. Knowledge of geometry, algebra and some trigonometry is required for this course. Laboratory investigations emphasize concepts and inquire in order to develop proficiency in problem solving and in the application of fundamental principles to a wide variety of situations. This course is intended for those students whose career goals include life or earth science, pre-medicine, as well as other fields not directly related to science. Students will prepare for and are encourage to take the AP Physics I exam in May.
* Ball State University offers 4 college credit hours in PHYC 110 to students who complete this Academy course. Refer to the Dual Credit section for details on enrollment and fees.
SCI03113/03114
AP Physics II (DC)
Prerequisite: AP Physics I or permission of the instructor
Co-requisite: AP Physics II Lab (SCI3113L/3114L)
Credit: 1.5 credits per semester
Offered: Fall/Spring Sequence
AP Physics II builds upon what was learned in AP Physics I, and will emphasize fluid statics and dynamics; thermodynamics and kinetic theory; PV diagrams and probability; electrostatics, electric circuits with capacitors, magnets and electromagnetism; physical and geometric optics; and various topics in modern physics. Knowledge of geometry, algebra and some trigonometry is required for this course. Laboratory investigations emphasize concepts and inquiry in order to develop proficiency in problem solving and in the application of fundamental principles to a wide variety of situations. This course is intended for those student whose career goals include life or earth science, pre-medicine, as well as other fields not directly related to science. Student will prepare for and are encouraged to take the AP Physics II exam in May.
* Ball State University offers 4 college credit hours in PHYC 112 to students who complete this Academy course. Refer to the Dual Credit section for details on enrollment and fees.
SCI04102/04103
AP Physics C (DC)
Prerequisite: Fall: Completion of a General Physics course and/or concurrent enrollment in AP Calculus BC or permission of the Science Division Chair
Spring: Successful completion of first semester AP Physics C.
Co-requisite: AP Physics C Lab (SCI4102L/4103L) or permission of instructor.
Credit: 1.5 credits per semester
Offered: Fall/Spring Sequence
This calculus-based physics course forms the first part of the college sequence, normally extending over two or three semesters. Linear and Rotational Mechanics, Wave Motion, and Heat for the first semester, and Electricity, Magnetism, Optics and Thermodynamics for the second semester. Strong emphasis is placed on solving a variety of challenging problems with an emphasis on analysis in both the laboratory and classroom. Calculus is used freely in formulating principles and in solving problems. This course serves as the foundation for students whose career goals include the physical sciences or engineering, but has many applications to geo-physics, bio-physics and other interdisciplinary fields. Students will prepare for and are strongly encouraged to take both the College Board AP Physics C: Mechanics exam and the College Board AP Physics C: Electricity & Magnetism Exam in May.
* Ball State University offers 5 college credit hours in PHYC 120 and 122 to students who complete this course. Refer to the Dual Credit section for details on enrollment and fees.
SCI04112
Electronics Fundamentals
Prerequisite: Advanced Algebra/Trig1/2 (MAT03001/03002)
Co-requisite: Electronics Fundamentals Lab (SCI4112L)
Credit: 1.5 credits
Offered: Spring
An introductory course in electronics covering basic theory of DC and AC electrical circuits, electronic components, circuit design, and circuit construction methods. The major topics covered are basic electric circuits concepts and components, semiconductors and superconductors, applications of logic gates in computing, designing simple electronic circuits to perform tasks, representation and interpretation of electrical signals in time and frequency domains.
SCI04403
Astrophysics I: The Sun & Stars (DC)
Prerequisite: Algebra I
Co-requisite: Astrophysics I: The Sun & Stars Lab (SCI4403L)
Credit: 1.5 credits
Offered: Fall
Students will be introduced to the science underlying modern stellar astronomy. The sky is full of amazing objects and astronomers use the properties of light and matter to better understand the currently unreachable expanse of the universe. The properties of the sun and stars reveal the processes that govern their birth, life, and death, revealing insights into the remnants they leave behind (such as white dwarfs, neutron stars, and black holes!)
The course also includes lab experience, students will utilize multiple avenues to analyze astrophysical data with algebraic calculations and use of observational data to reveal natural physical laws that provide information about remote objects in space. There will also be the occasional required late evening sky observation (as weather permits) and the occasional field trip to the Ball State Planetarium (as scheduling permits). Students are not expected to know or have had prior experience using the programming language Python, a programming language will be used in the practical labs. These labs will have pre-written code for students to use and both beginners and experienced Python users are welcome.
* Ball State University offers 3 college credit hours in ASTRO 120 to students who complete this Academy course. Refer to the Dual Credit section for details on enrollment and fees.
** Astrophysics I: The Sun & Stars is part of a two-course set. Completing this course and Astrophysics II: Galaxies & Cosmology will satisfy the graduation requirement of completing two (2) semesters of physics at the Indiana Academy.
SCI04404
Astrophysics II: Galaxies & Cosmology (DC)
Prerequisite: Algebra I
Co-requisite: Astrophysics II: Galaxies & Cosmology Lab (SCI4404L)
Credit: 1.5 credits
Offered: Spring
Students will be introduced to the physical processes that govern the structure and evolution of galaxies and the Universe. The course will take students on a journey through the history of the cosmos as we currently understand it and the amazing super-structures that shape the known universe. The evolution of the universe and the formation of galaxies, including the hypothetical blackhole star, will allow students to dive further into the many facets of galactic classification, the mystery behind active galactic nuclei (AGN), and current models of the end of the universe.
The course also includes a lab experience, capitalizing on the observational and experimental data that are used in modern galactic astronomy and cosmology research to reveal natural physical laws that provide information about remote objects in space. There will also be the occasional required late evening sky observation (as weather permits) and the occasional field trip to the Ball State Planetarium (as scheduling permits). Students are not expected to know or have had prior experience using the programming language Python, a programming language will be used in the practical labs. These labs will have pre-written code for students to use and both beginners and experienced Python users are welcome.
Astrophysics I: The Sun & Stars NOT required but recommended.
* Ball State University offers 3 college credit hours in ASTRO 122 to students who complete this Academy course. Refer to the Dual Credit section for details on enrollment and fees.
** Astrophysics II: Galaxies & Cosmology is part of a two-course set. Completing this course and Astrophysics I: The Sun & Stars will satisfy the graduation requirement of completing two (2) semesters of physics at the Indiana Academy.