Is Chemistry Required in High School in Michigan?
In order to graduate high school in Michigan, students must complete 3 credits in Science:
• Proficiency in State Content Standards for Science (3 credits); or
• Proficiency in some State Content Standards for Science (2 credits) and completion of a Department-approved formal Career and Technical Education (CTE) program (1 credit).
High school students typically follow the course model set forth by the Michigan Science Standards and take chemistry courses beginning in Grade 10. Additionally, students must pass the Michigan Merit Exam in Grade 11 which could cover the chemistry topics learned throughout their sophomore year. Some topics that students may learn about include:
Structure and Properties of Matter
HS-PS1-1
Use the periodic table as a model to predict the relative properties of elements based on the patterns of electrons in the outermost energy level of atoms.
HS-PS1-3
Plan and conduct an investigation to gather evidence to compare the structure of substances at the bulk scale to infer the strength of electrical forces between particles.
HS-PS1-8
Develop models to illustrate the changes in the composition of the nucleus of the atom and the energy released during the processes of fission, fusion, and radioactive decay.
HS-PS2-6
Communicate scientific and technical information about why the molecular-level structure is important in the functioning of designed materials.
HS-PS1-2
Construct and revise an explanation for the outcome of a simple chemical reaction based on the outermost electron states of atoms, trends in the periodic table, and knowledge of the patterns of chemical properties.
HS-PS1-4
Develop a model to illustrate that the release or absorption of energy from a chemical reaction system depends upon the changes in total bond energy.
HS-PS1-5
Apply scientific principles and evidence to provide an explanation about the effects of changing the temperature or concentration of the reacting particles on the rate at which a reaction occurs.
HS-PS1-6
Refine the design of a chemical system by specifying a change in conditions that would produce increased amounts of products at equilibrium.
HS-PS1-7
Use mathematical representations to support the claim that atoms, and therefore mass, are conserved during a chemical reaction.