Course Syllabus

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Course Information

Course Details

  • Course Code: 326500CW
  • Subject: Science
  • Required Prerequisites: None
  • Suggested Prerequisites: None
  • Class Times: There are no mandatory class meetings for this course. Instead, students are expected to work on their own to meet the deadlines posted in the course. Students should expect to spend 7-9 hours a week working on this course.

Course Materials

  • Textbook Information: All course materials are included in the course, and no outside textbook is required.
  • Online Course Materials: A list of links to websites and online textbooks used in this course can be found here: VirtualSC Course Links Document Folder. Students will need to be able to access all of these links to access all course materials.
  • Other Required Materials: None

Final Exam

  • Students in this course take a VirtualSC final exam.
  • Details on scheduling and taking final exams can be found on the Final Exam Page of the VirtualSC webpage.

Course Overview

  • Course Description: The Earth is our home, but what do we really know about it? This course combines critical thinking and problem-solving skills to explore concepts basic to the Earth and characteristics of the solar system. In this course, you'll explore Earth’s history through the study of energy flow, weathering and erosion, the rock cycle, and plate movements. You will apply your understanding of the three states of matter to the spheres on Earth. You will develop your understanding of Earth and its place in the universe. You’ll also discover what determines the weather, climate, and movement of ocean currents on Earth. You will look at climate change and human impact on Earth’s atmosphere. You will also analyze techniques scientists use to generate knowledge about them throughout the entire course.
  • Standards Alignment: The curriculum used in this course is guided by the South Carolina College and CareerReady Science Standards 2021.
  • Scope and Sequence: The course consists of 10 units.
    • Unit 1: Discovering New Worlds – How the Sun Works
    • Unit 2: Discovering New Worlds – Origin of the Universe and Star Life Cycles
    • Unit 3: Discovering New Worlds – Planets and Orbits
    • Unit 4: Earth Systems – Geologic History
    • Unit 5: Earth Systems – Plate Tectonics
    • Unit 6: Earth Systems: Earth’s Interior and Geologic Activity
    • Unit 7: System Interactions – Earth Systems Overview
    • Unit 8: System Interactions – Weather & Climate
    • Unit 9: Sustainability – Natural Resources
    • Unit 10: Sustainability – Human Actions

VirtualSC Policies and Guidelines

Grades

All VirtualSC courses use the South Carolina Uniform Grading Scale:

  • A = 90-100
  • B = 80-89
  • C = 70-79
  • D = 60-69
  • F = 0-59

Communication and Code of Conduct

Technology

Additional VirtualSC Policies

Other VirtualSC policies and guidelines are located on VirtualSC Program Guidelines/Policies. 

Course Summary:

Course Summary
Date Details Due