Curriculum

Curriculum Overview

The curriculum of the Jackson River Governor's School emphasizes the connections between disciplines.

The cornerstone of the JRGS experience is the junior-year Environmental Science course which incorporates a multidisciplinary examination of planet Earth. Biology, chemistry, and geology come together to give a total picture of the Earth. Statistical analysis is an integral part of the studies. Technology, particularly as it relates to field studies and presentations is woven into the curriculum. The required precalculus course work prepares students for the rigorous study of physical science in the senior year.

The senior year curriculum approaches calculus and physics as complementary courses. Again, technology is tightly interwoven into the course of study, with emphasis on computer programming or web design.

More information on AP course content and exams is available on the AP web site.

Official descriptions of Virginia Community College courses can be found in the online Master Course Catalog.

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Prerequisites

Before entering the Jackson River Governor's School as a junior all students should have completed Algebra I and II, Geometry, and Biology with a grade of A or B. While not required, preference will be given to students who have also taken Trigonometry, Chemistry, and Earth Science. Students applying for the senior class should have taken Math Analysis (Precalculus) and Chemistry.

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Junior Year Courses

Orientation
(No credit)
A student/parent evening session in early June provides an opportunity for incoming students and their parents to meet each other and obtain necessary information about attending the Governor's School.
At a one-day session in early August, incoming students participate in orientation activities with the intent of building group cohesiveness and internalizing the purposes/objectives of the Jackson River Governor's School. The orientation includes an orientation to the DSLCC campus, testing, and enrollment paperwork.

Advanced Chemistry

CHM 111-112 (4+4 DSLCC credits)

2 high school credits (advanced)

Advanced chemistry is an advanced college level chemistry course. This course explores the fundamental laws, theories, and mathematical concepts of chemistry, particularly those of interest to fields of other sciences and of engineering. This course includes laboratory experience to introduce and apply those concepts. Topics studied include: structure and states of matter, atomic theory, types of reactions, thermodynamics, equilibrium, gas laws, and descriptive chemistry. The chemistry SOL will be given at the end of the GSC course.  This course also includes stoichiometry, equilibrium, acid-base chemistry, kinetics, oxidation-reduction reactions and electrochemistry.

Statistics
MTH 240 (3 DSLCC credits)
1/2 high school credit ("advanced")

This course will study statistics--experimental design, data collection, descriptive statistics, elementary probability, probability distributions, estimation, hypothesis testing, correlation, and regression--as we examine environmental research and perform field studies.

College Algebra/Trigonometry/Analytic Geometry (Precalculus, Math Analysis)
MTH 163-164 (3+3 DSLCC credits)
1 high school credit

This required math course presents college algebra, matrices, and algebraic, exponential, and logarithmic functions. The second half includes trigonometry, analytic geometry, and sequences and series.

Introduction to Scientific Research
NAS 198 (3 DSLCC credits)
1/2 high school credit
First-year students design and conduct an independent research project, including an oral presentation of the results and a written research paper. One laboratory session each week will be available for research.

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Senior Year Courses

College Physics
PHY 201-202 (4-4 DSLCC credit)
2 high school credits ("advanced")
The study of the physical phenomena of mechanics, waves, heat, electricity and magnetism, relativity, and nuclear physics.

Calculus
MTH 173-174 (5-5 DSLCC credits)
1 high school credit ("advanced")
Differenital and integral calculus.

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Internship

Governor's School students may participate in an internship each year.

0 high school credit

Internship experience related to coursework and student's interest taken the last two weeks of May. Students will be expected to work 10 mornings during their internship.

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Electives

Governor's School students take a total of 3 courses. Availability of these courses depends upon having sufficient interest to offer a class. Some are available as web-based or regular independent study. Optional courses may include:

Introduction to Engineering
EGR 124 (3 DSLCC credits)
1/2 high school credit ("advanced")
A survey of the various enjgineering disciplines--the challenges they address and the preparation required.

Basic Computer Literacy
ITE 115 (3 DSLCC credits)
1/2 high school credit
Students will explore the computer applications used in collecting, analyzing, and presenting scientific data, with emphasis on word processing, spreadsheets, data bases, and PowerPoint. This course is a prerequisite for all other computer courses, and students are encouraged to use "Credit-by-Exam" to place out of this course.

Java Programming
ITP 100, 120, 220 (3+3+3 DLSCC credits)
1 high school credit ("advanced")
AP Exam (Computer Science AB) optional
An introduction to computer programming using the Java language.

Web Page Design
ITD 195
1/2 high school credit
Learn to create web pages with Microsoft FrontPage.

Meteorology
NAS 125 (4 DSLCC credits)
1/2 high school credit ("advanced")
An introduction to meteorology using real-time data from the American Meteorological Society.

Astronomy
NAS 130 (3 DSLCC credits)
1/2 high school credit
or
NAS 131-132 (4+4 DSLCC credits)
1 high school credit
An introduction to astronomy; includes night-time observing when weather permits.