Early College Sophomore Year Courses

SOPHOMORE YEAR     3

*green indicates Ivy Tech curriculum is a part of the course

2315 ENGLISH 10/Ivy Tech Eng 095, Penn Academy Early College

2 Semesters 2 Credits Grade 10

Fee: $5.00

Paperback Purchase: $25.00

COURSE DESCRIPTION: English 10 PAEC is designed to prepare students for success in future dual credit classes, building on the literary and study skills they developed in English 9 PAEC. This course also pushes students to be prepared for the Accuplacer and PSAT tests, of which a certain level of competency is required for college credit classes. In addition to the curriculum developed by Penn teachers, Ivy Tech’s Integrated Reading and Writing Course will also be used to help make the above goals achievable. Students analyze and respond through reading, writing, speaking, and listening to a variety of fiction and non-fiction pieces of literature, as well as informational texts, giving students the necessary skills to be successful, college-level readers and writers.

2319 Biology, Penn Academy Early College

2 Semesters 2 Credits Grade: 10

Prerequisite: Integrated Chemistry Physics

Textbook Rental: $22.05 Fees:$8.00

COURSE DESCRIPTION: The course highlights how biology applies to and potentially improves human life. To help students develop into productive and responsible citizens, they will make connections between biological concepts and their current and future lives. Through inquiry laboratory investigations, data analysis, demonstrations, reading, research, group discussion, and computer simulations, Early College Biology Honors provides a study of four major themes:

  • Biochemistry and Cells-Organic molecules, cellular components and functions.
  • Ecology-the study of the relationships between living organisms and the environment.
  • Genetics-the study of the molecular basis of heredity and inheritance of traits.
  • Evolution-the mechanism for change over time and the unity and diversity of life.

2317 US History, Penn Academy Early College

Course Title: U.S. History Detectives

2 Semesters 2 Credits Grade 10

Prerequisite: None

Fee: $5 Paperback purchase: $30

COURSE DESCRIPTION: US History Detectives is designed to introduce Early College students to the History of the United States with an investigative approach. In this course students will ask probing questions surrounding iconic mysteries from America's past. This course has students to step into the shoes of a history detective and tackle some of history's toughest mysteries. Students will evaluate conflicting evidence by examining sources, evaluating the context of those source, including identifying the differences between then and now. Additionally, students are expected to examine multiple sources to see what other sources say about the information found in primary source documents. This course requires close reading of primary sources to establish what the source says, its bias, tone, etc. The intent of this course is to equip students with research tools that they can use throughout their academic and lifetime careers.

2323 Spanish 2, Penn Academy Early College

2 Semesters 2 Credits Grade 10

Fee: $10 Textbook/Workbook Fee TBD

COURSE DESCRIPTION: Spanish 2 EC is the continuation of preparing the students to achieve dual credit through Ivy Tech in their junior and senior years. This course continues to focus on the important skills of reading, writing, listening, and speaking while studying new tenses. Special emphasis will be placed on open-ended writing as well as oral proficiency that includes studying and applying pronunciation rules. Within this context, Spanish 2 EC provides students with opportunities to:

  • Comprehend new language through dialogues, clip art, rhymes, visuals, video, and games
  • Practice communication through listening exercises, paired activities, and group activities
  • Answer questions and express personal opinions both verbally and in writing, as related to the student as well as readings in authentic settings
  • Compare languages and cultures through grammar study, pronunciation, art, and readings in authentic settings
  • Demonstrate all language skills through a variety of tasks and projects presented in the classroom

2327 CINS 101 Introduction to Microcomputers          TransferIN 3 College Credits

1 Semester 2 HS Credits Grade 10

COURSE DESCRIPTION: Introduces the physical component and operations of microcomputers. Focuses on computer literacy and provides hands-on training in four areas of microcomputer applications software: word processing, electronic spreadsheets, database management and presentation software. Use of a professional business computer application program is encouraged.

2325 Sophomore Resource, Penn Academy Early College

2 Semesters 2 Credits Grade 10

COURSE DESCRIPTION: Students in the Penn Academy of Early College will participate in a study hall class that serves the unique college-bound population. Early College teachers will lead the class and provide students with resources such as tutors, access to technology, and individual instruction to help students succeed. Resource at the sophomore level will specifically be designed to help Early College students prepare students with skills and resources to succeed in in a rigorous junior year of dual-credit college courses.

2321 Algebra II/Ivy Tech Math100, Penn Academy Early College

2 Semesters 2 Credits

Prerequisite: Geometry

Textbook Rental: $26.70 Fee: $3.00

COURSE DESCRIPTION: This course is for students with above average performance in math. It expands on the topics of Algebra I and provides further development of the concepts of a function, domain and range. Reviews linear equations, inequalities, graphing, and factoring algebraic expressions. Concentrates on properties of integer and rational exponents, systems of linear equations, radicals, radical equations, quadratic equations, functions including their graphs, and applications. Compared to Algebra II, the pace of this course is accelerated and topics are covered in greater depth. Students will gain experience using the graphing calculator. A scientific calculator is required and a graphing calculator is highly recommended.