SWVGS Courses
All face-to-face courses are dual-enrolled with either New River Community College (NRCC) or Radford University (RU). Students have the opportunity to earn a minimum of 50 dual-enrolled college credits in their two years at SWVGS. The number of earned college credits, and the associated college, is indicated beside each course description below.
Science
The science curricula are designed to build a strong foundation in the basic sciences, while also providing students with the knowledge necessary to conduct research investigations and to understand and appreciate the connections among different fields of science as well as the interdisciplinary nature of advanced scientific explorations.
|
Course Number |
Course Name | Description | Credits |
Enrolled Through |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
ASTR |
Astronomy I | The astronomy within a solar system is discussed including star formation, solar system formation, planet formation, our solar system, and making observations of the cosmos. | 3 | RU |
|
ASTR |
Astronomy II | Discusses astronomy on the galactic scale including the Milky Way galaxy, foundations of modern cosmology, Galaxy evolution, dark matter and dark energy, and the formation of the universe. | 3 | RU |
|
BIO |
General Biology I | Explores fundamental characteristics of living matter from the molecular level to the ecological community with emphasis on general biological principles. Introduces the diversity of living organisms, their structure, function and evolution. Part I of II. | 4 |
NRCC |
|
BIO |
General Biology II | Explores fundamental characteristics of living matter from the molecular level to the ecological community with emphasis on general biological principles. Introduces the diversity of living organisms, their structure, function and evolution. Part II of II. | 4 | NRCC |
|
BIO |
Human Anatomy and Physiology I | Integrates anatomy and physiology of cells, tissues, organs, and systems of the human body. Integrates concepts of chemistry, physics, and pathology. Part I of II. | 4 | NRCC |
|
BIO |
Human Anatomy and Physiology II | Integrates anatomy and physiology of cells, tissues, organs, and systems of the human body. Integrates concepts of chemistry, physics, and pathology. Part II of II. | 4 | NRCC |
|
BIO |
Human Heredity | Surveys basic principles of classical and molecular genetics as applied to humans. | 3 |
NRCC |
|
BIO |
Immunology | Provides students with and in-depth understanding of the mammalian immune system. Students begin with a detailed study of the immune system components and move on to an integrated look at the immune response with respect to clinical applications and human health. | 3 |
NRCC |
|
BIO |
Biotechnology Concepts | Explores the growing field of biotechnology ranging from basic cellular and molecular biology concepts to both basic and advanced laboratory techniques. Emphasizes the application of biotechnology to medicine, agriculture, environmental science, and forensics. Includes discussion of the business, regulatory/legal, ethical, and societal issues of this topic as well as bioinformatics. | 3 |
NRCC |
|
BIO |
Biological Problems in Contemporary Society | Discusses major biological problems facing society which may include environmental and health concerns such as pollution, bioengineering, drug abuse, conservation, famine and others. | 3 |
NRCC |
|
CHM |
College Chemistry I | Explores the fundamental laws, theories, and mathematical concepts of chemistry. Designed primarily for science and engineering majors. Requires a strong background in mathematics. Part I of II. | 4 |
NRCC |
|
CHM |
College Chemistry II | Explores the fundamental laws, theories, and mathematical concepts of chemistry. Designed primarily for science and engineering majors. Requires a strong background in mathematics. Part II of II. | 4 |
NRCC |
|
CHM |
Organic Chemistry I | Introduces fundamental chemistry of carbon compounds, including structures, physical properties, syntheses, and typical reactions. Emphasizes reaction mechanisms. Part I of II | 3 |
NRCC |
|
CHM |
Organic Chemistry I Laboratory | Introduces various methods and procedures used in present day organic laboratories. Covers the general techniques, organic synthesis, and the use of common spectroscopic instrumentation; synthesizing a variety of compounds; and analyzing the products through physical properties and spectroscopy. Part I of II | 2 |
NRCC |
|
ENV |
Basic Environmental Science | Presents and discusses basic scientific, health-related, ethical, economic, social and political aspects of environmental activities, policies/decisions. Emphasizes the multidisciplinary nature of environmental problems and their potential solutions. | 3 |
NRCC |
|
PHY |
General College Physics I | Teaches fundamental principles of physics. Covers mechanics, thermodynamics, wave phenomena, electricity and magnetism, and selected topics in modern physics. Part I of II. | 4 |
NRCC |
|
PHY |
General College Physics II | Teaches fundamental principles of physics. Covers mechanics, thermodynamics, wave phenomena, electricity and magnetism, and selected topics in modern physics. Part II of II. | 4 |
NRCC |
|
PHY |
General University Physics I | Teaches principles of classical physics. Includes mechanics, wave phenomena, heat, electricity, magnetism, and optics, with extended coverage of selected topics. Includes recitation as part of the lecture. Part I of II. | 4 |
NRCC |
|
PHY |
General University Physics II | Teaches principles of classical physics. Includes mechanics, wave phenomena, heat, electricity, magnetism, and optics, with extended coverage of selected topics. Includes recitation as part of the lecture. Part II of II. | 4 |
NRCC |
|
SCT |
Junior Science and Technology Seminar and Project | Requires completion of a project or research report related to the student's occupational objectives and a study of approaches to the selection and pursuit of career opportunities in the field. | 3 |
NRCC |
|
SCT |
Senior Science and Technology Seminar and Project | Requires completion of a project or research report related to the student's occupational objectives and a study of approaches to the selection and pursuit of career opportunities in the field. | 3 |
NRCC |
Math
The study of mathematics is highly differentiated to meet the varied needs and interests of the students served. An exhaustive range of courses is offered and instructors focus on ensuring that students develop strong math skills, independent of a calculator, so that they are able to complete required calculations in a given field of science or research.
|
Course Number |
Course Name | Description | Credits |
Enrolled Through |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
MTH |
PreCalculus I | Presents college algebra, matrices, and algebraic, exponential, and logarithmic functions. | 3 |
NRCC |
|
MTH |
PreCalculus II | Presents trigonometry, analytic geometry, and sequences and series. | 3 |
NRCC |
|
MTH |
PreCalculus w/ Trigonometry | Presents college algebra, analytic geometry, trigonometry, and algebraic exponential and logarithmic functions. | 5 |
NRCC |
|
MTH |
Statistics I | Covers descriptive statistics, elementary probability, probability distributions, estimation, and hypothesis testing. | 3 |
NRCC |
|
MTH |
Statistics II | Continues the study of estimation and hypothesis testing with emphasis on correlation and regression, analysis of variance, chi-square tests, and non-parametric methods. | 3 |
NRCC |
|
MTH |
Applied Calculus I | Presents limits, continuity, differentiation of algebraic and transcendental functions with applications, and an introduction to integration. | 3 |
NRCC |
|
MTH |
Applied Calculus II | Covers techniques of integration, multivariable calculus, and an introduction to differential equations. | 3 |
NRCC |
|
MTH |
Calculus I | Presents analytic geometry and the calculus of algebraic and transcendental functions including the study of limits, derivatives, differentials, and introduction to integration along with their applications. Designed for mathematical, physical and engineering science programs. | 4 |
NRCC |
|
MTH |
Calculus II | Continues the study of analytic geometry and the calculus of algebraic and transcendental functions including rectangular, polar, and parametric graphing, indefinite and definite integrals, methods of integration, and power series along with applications. Designed for mathematical, physical, and engineering science programs. | 4 |
NRCC |
|
MTH |
Calculus III | Presents vector valued functions, partial derivatives, multiple integrals, and topics from the calculus of vectors. Designed for mathematical, physical, and engineering science programs. | 4 |
NRCC |
|
MTH |
Linear Algebra | This course covers matrices, vector spaces, determinants, solutions of systems of linear equations, basis and dimension, Eigen values, and Eigen vectors. | 3 |
NRCC |
|
MTH |
Differential Equations | Introduces ordinary differential equations. Includes first order differential equations, second and higher order ordinary differential equations with application. Designed for mathematical, physical, and engineering science programs. | 3 |
NRCC |
Career Development
Students develop skills in active learning, consistent study practices, and time-management to maximize their success. They also shadow someone in an occupation that interests them during the eight week junior internship program. This opportunity assists students in finalizing college major choices and, for many, cements their decision to pursue a science and math related career.
|
Course Number |
Course Name | Description | Credits |
Enrolled Through |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
SDV |
Study Skills | Assists students in planning strategies to overcome nonproductive study habits and in implementing positive study behaviors. Includes management, memory improvement, note taking, and test taking. | 2 |
NRCC |
|
SDV |
Career Education | Surveys career options available to students. Stresses career development and assists in the understanding of self in the world of work. Assists students in applying decision-making to career choice. | 1 |
NRCC |
Computer Science
Technology and computer programming are part of numerous devices used on a daily basis. Many SWVGS students design fully functional electronic devices incorporating skills in engineering, electronics, design, and programming. Laser alarm clocks, automatic sheet music advancers, and an electrocardiogram monitor are examples of equipment students created using skills acquired in Governor's School courses.
|
Course Number |
Course Name | Description | Credits |
Enrolled Through |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
CSC |
Computer Science I | Introduces algorithm and problem solving methods. Emphasizes structured programming concepts, elementary data structures and the study and use of a high level programming language. Corequisite MTH 173 or equivalent or divisional approval. | 4 |
NRCC |
|
ITEC |
Data Ethics, Privacy, and Security | This course is designed to foster ethical online behavior, introduce students to privacy and security issues of their personal data on mobile devices and social media. The course is designed for non-majors with limited background in Information Technology, so students do not need prior computer science course or experience with coding to succeed. | 3 | RU |
|
ITP |
Software Design | Introduces principles and practices of software development. Includes instruction in critical thinking, problem solving skills, and essential programming logic in structured and object-oriented design using contemporary tools. | 3 |
NRCC |
| AP CS A | Advanced Placement Computer Science A | The course is designed to prepare a student for the Advanced Placement Computer Science exam, level A. Topics include: simple, user defined and structured date types, algorithm development, decisions and loops, arrays, recursion, searches and sorts, data abstraction, and classes. | NA | edhesive |
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