COURSES AVAILABLE FOR THE

2015-2016 SCHOOL YEAR

ENGINEERING

Required Engineering Classes• 9th grade Engineering Concepts

• 10th grade Engineering Applications

GSMST’s pillars of concentration:

• Engineering*

• Emerging Technology*

• Bioscience

* The Engineering and Emerging Technology pillars require two additional engineering courses in addition to the two required engineering courses.

Engineering Electives

• Appropriate & Alternative Energy***

• Biochemical Engineering***

• Computer Science Principles (Intermediate Programming)

• AP Computer Science***

• Nanotechnology & Materials Engineering***

• Information Technology Essential

• Introduction to 3-D Animation

• Principles and Concepts of Animation

• Advanced Animation and Game and App Design

• Robotics and Mechatronics***

• Advanced Robotics***

***Recognized as a fourth year science by the State Department of Education

If you have room in your schedule for an elective, you are encouraged to take an engineering elective.

Please talk to an engineering teacher to find out which course would best meet your needs.

• Non-renewable energy sources

– Coal

– Oil

– Natural Gas

– Nuclear

• Renewable/alternative sources

– Solar

– Wind

– Biomass

– Wave/Ocean

– Geothermal

– Hydro

• Integration of energy sources

Appropriate & Alternative Energy

Biochemical Engineering

• The highlights of this course investigates the quantitative aspects

of membrane transport and cell signaling pathways and how the

cell signaling modifies gene expression and/or cell function.

• We will look at regulation of cell growth and cell death as well as

regulatory mechanisms of gene expression and protein synthesis,

biotechnology processes including PCR, RNA silencing and bio-

imaging, molecular and imaging technologies used in biomedical

research and the development and delivery of biotechnology to

the marketplace.

Introduction to Animation and 3D Design

• Introduction to Animation and 3d Design is a foundations course that

serves as an introduction to the animation and 3d design industry.

• Emphasis is placed on career awareness, fundamentals of modeling,

storyboard creation, cameras and lighting. Students will learn how 3d

technology is used for film, broadcast and games and how it is rapidly

becoming the medium of choice for industrial design, military

simulations, and medical visualization.

• The standards are aligned with the interactive media standards in

Georgia’s technical colleges, thus helping to qualify students for

advanced placement should they continue their education at the

postsecondary level.

Principals and Concepts of Animation

• Create physical models and working prototypes, realistic

animations and virtual scenes to be used as communication and

marketing tools.

• Explore the manufacturing process, including materials

selection, in order to create the most appropriate solutions to

the given design problems.

• Build real prototypes – test to compare to virtual versions.

Programs used: 3DS Max, Inventor, Photoshop, Illustrator.

Advanced Animation and

Game & App Design

• Build on the concepts from the introductory course.

• Focus on individual long term projects on specific areas of

interest.

• Topic areas will include game design, product design, animation,

software physics, scene creation, software analysis, character

modeling, video production.

Computer Science Principles

• Develop the following skills using the Java language:

– algorithm development

– problem solving and programming

• Develop a working understanding of the internet including these

topics:

– common formats for data transmission

– web page creation

– providing interactive content using JavaScript

• Major objective is to foster a fundamental understanding of the

operation of computers and computer networks.

AP Computer Science

*Pre-requisite Computer Science Principles

Intended to give students an opportunity to complete the

requirements for a first semester computer science course offered

in a college setting.

• Students will develop the following skills

– algorithm development

– problem solving

– programming by using object-oriented methodologies

Information Technology Essentials

• Introduction to the computer hardware and software skills

- describe the internal components of a computer

- assemble a computer system

- install an operating system

- troubleshoot using system tools and diagnostic

software

• Covers the fundamentals of PC technology, networking, and

security

• Materials Science

–Metals, Ceramics, Polymers, Composites

–Material Properties

• Nanofabrication

• Surface energy and surface tension

• Characterization

• Nanoparticle synthesis

• Nano- and micro particle assembly

• Biomimetics and Biomaterials

Nanotechnology & Materials Engineering

Robotics and Mechatronics:

(Mechatronics is simply the combination of mechanical and electrical devices being controlled by a program.)

• Build/program Lego Mind Storms robots using the Robot C language.

• Work in teams to build working robots to accomplish specific predetermined goals.

Advanced Robotics

• Work independently and collaboratively building and programming specialized robots using various programming languages.

• Use a variety of robotic kits or building custom designs from scratch.

• Available kits and projects include VEX, Tetrix, Bioloid, ROV, and FRC.

• Exposure to rapid prototyping with 3D printer and CNC manufacture with mill, lathe, and router.

Research, Design & Project Management (3rd year robotics course)

• Work independently and collaboratively building and programming

advanced robots using various programming languages.

• Students choose independent projects using a variety of robotic kits or

building from scratch. Available robot kits include VEX, Tetrix, Bioloid, ROV,

and FRC. More scratch built robots and unique applications are generally

pursued.

• Continue development of rapid prototyping with our 3D printer and CNC

manufacture with mill, lathe, and router.

• Many students use this course as an extension of their JFE or SCE projects.

HUMANITIES

• Language Arts

• Social Studies

AP World History• College Level Course

• Should be avid readers as there is

reading every night

• Students need to be self-motivated and

driven

• 8 Major Essays

• True World History course with more

emphasis on Asian History

• AP Exam

Humanities II – 10th grade

Teacher recommendation and the PSAT Index are used to place students

Honors World History• Not as writing intensive

• Similar content but a different timeline

from the AP course

• Difficult to move from AP to Honors

during the year

• Great course for students who

aren’t strong readers/writers

• Not as much in-depth analysis

• More focused on Western History

All students will take 10th grade World Literature AND one of the options below:

American Studies

AP US History

AP US Government

US History

Political Systems

Option A is:• AP US and AP GOV are seamlessly integrated

with American literature

• An advanced-level eleventh grade American

studies humanities course

• This course culminates with two

College Board examinations

Option A: AP Humanities Option B: Gifted/Honors

Option B is:• US History is a challenging four year college

preparatory course that provides a

comprehensive, chronological survey of the

history of the United States.

• Political Systems provides students with

fundamental understanding of their rights and

responsibilities as a citizen.

• All Juniors will take Gifted/Honors American Literature

then decide from Option A or B below:

AP Language ArtsSeniors Choose One of the following

AP English Language and Composition

• This is a college level course for high school students interested in improving themselves as critical

readers, thinkers, and writers. Our emphasis is two-fold: reading strategies for the “expository,

analytical, and argumentative writing that forms the basis of academic and professional

communication" and writing from argumentative and analytical platforms. The course is designed for

those who love reading, writing, and discussion, or are at least willing to apply themselves to the

task.

AP English Literature and Composition

• This is a college level course for high school students interested in improving themselves as critical

readers, thinkers, and writers. These students are the ones willing to devote the energy necessary to

complete a course more rigorous and demanding than other high school English courses designed for

the college-bound students. The course attempts to teach students to write well about something

important and to develop in them the skills of a mature reader. In the AP course, students are

involved in both the study and practice of writing about literature.

AP Economics

AP Macroeconomics

• This course places particular emphasis

on the study of national income and

price determination, and also develops

students’ familiarity with economic

performance measurers, economic

growth, and international economics.

AP Microeconomics

• This course gives students a thorough

understanding of the principles of

economics that apply to functions of

individual decision-makers, both

consumers & producers, within the larger

economic system.

• The primary emphasis is on the nature and

functions of product markets and includes

the study of factor markets and the role of

government in promoting greater

efficiency & equity in the economy.

Both courses are required for seniors

Humanities Electives: Language Arts

Both courses provide students who are interested in journalism with an

opportunity to explore and to experience the process involved in the

creation of a large publication, including preplanning, designing layouts,

copyrighting, proofreading, organizing visuals, and managing finances, all

of which involve creativity.

Journalism/Literary Magazine: 10 – 12

• Students will produce a literary magazine Infinitas

Journalism/Yearbook: 9 – 12

• This course involves the production and sale of the VANGAURD, the

GSMST yearbook.

Humanities Electives: Social Studies Advanced Placement Comparative Government – one semester (open to 11th and 12th grades)

• This elective course examines a wide variety of political and economic systems such as authoritarianism,

communism, democratic socialism, and democracy in its many forms. The United States system of

governance is not emphasized in this course as the AP Unites States Government course focuses entirely

on the United States system. This course is especially suitable for GSMST juniors and seniors as it

complements the global approach that is the foundation of our tenth grade world history offerings, our

foreign language program, and the telepresence experience. Moreover, this course is a half-year course

and thus works well as a semester counterpart to the JFE program and for seniors seeking and advanced

half-year elective.

AP Human Geography: two semesters (open to all students)

• AP Human Geography is a year-long course designed to meet or exceed the experience of an introductory

one-semester college human geography course. The purpose of the AP course in Human Geography is to

introduce students to the systematic study of patterns and processes that have shaped human

understanding, use, and alteration of Earth's surface. Students employ spatial concepts and landscape

analysis to examine human social organization and its environmental consequences. They also learn

about the methods and tools geographers use in their science and practice.

Humanities Electives: Social Studies Advanced Placement European History – two semesters (open to 10th and 12th grades)

• This advanced survey course encompasses the years 1450 to the present. In specific, the course deeply

examines the political, diplomatic, intellectual, cultural, and economic evolution of European history. The

pedagogical approach emphasizes critical thinking skills and historical changes over time, as well as

analysis and synthesis. Intensive reading and writing assignments support the pedagogical approach

employed.

• The course will be offered to students in a hybrid 0 period/eCLASS format. The students will need to be

able to attend 2-3 days per week during 0 period for instruction and course work. This means that

students will have to provide their own transportation on these face to face meeting days. They will then

have the ability to work in eCLASS to keep up with the challenging AP European History curriculum.

Students will also have the opportunity to be grouped together into a Guided Study so they would be able

to ask questions and discuss course content with the teacher and their peers to increase understanding.

Please see Mr. McAuliffe if you have any questions or contact him at Bill_McAuliffe@gwinnett.k12.ga.us

Humanities Electives: Social Studies Advanced Placement Psychology – two semesters

(open to 11th and 12th grades)

• The AP Psychology course is designed to introduce students to the systematic and scientific study of the behavior and mental processes of human beings and other animals. Students are exposed to the principles and phenomena associated with major subfields within psychology. Students also learn about the ethics and methods psychologists use in their science and practice. This course is particularly suited to GSMST students as the course is equal parts science and social studies.

Controversial Issues: one semester (open to 11th and 12th grades)

• This elective class is designed for mature upper level students who are able to confront issues, both local and abroad. The purpose of this class is to explore different viewpoints and develop critical thinking skills through classroom discussions. Topics include current events and issues with social relevance.