Science

Students study the basic concepts of natural and physical sciences and acquire the tools for further study in science. Students learn that science is about asking questions, testing ideas, making observations, and drawing conclusions that become the foundation for further investigation. The primary goals of the curriculum are to teach students an appreciation for the mystery and beauty of science, to organize their creative thoughts and observations, to draw meaningful and intelligent conclusions, and to enhance their analytical thinking and problem-solving skills.

AP Biology
Per the College Board Curriculum Guidelines, AP Biology is designed around “Four Big Ideas”:
1. Big Idea 1: The process of evolution drives the diversity and unity of life.
2. Big Idea 2: Biological systems utilize free energy and molecular building blocks to grow, to reproduce, and to maintain dynamic homeostasis.
3. Big Idea 3: Living systems store, retrieve, transmit, and respond to information essential to life processes.
4. Big Idea 4: Biological systems interact, and these systems and their interactions possess complex properties.
Through exploring these Big Ideas, students will have the opportunity to develop critical thinking skills and advance their use and implementation of scientific method in preparation for the AP Biology exam in May. Students will study many important concepts of biology beyond the scope of the traditional high school curriculum and will be expected to rise to the level of work that is associated with an introductory college level course. The nature of the course requires a great deal of independent study and preparation time. Class discussion, activities, and laboratory exercises will supplement lecture and textbook assignments. This class is offered every other year.

Prerequisites:

Biology, Chemistry, department approval

Terms:

Full year

Eligible:

Juniors, Seniors
Anatomy and Physiology

Anatomy and Physiology are the study of the human body and its functions. In this course we will tackle this subject matter specifically through the lens of the health sciences. While exploring the topics of anatomy and physiology we will learn basic medical techniques, investigate medical conditions, and research diverse careers in the health sciences. Critical thinking skills, basic medical techniques, research/library skills, and recent biomedical breakthroughs will all be emphasized. Human evolution will be a recurring theme throughout the curriculum. This will be a great class for students contemplating a career in the health sciences. The course will include a field trip to a cadaver lab and in-class dissection.

Prerequisites:

Biology and Chemistry

Terms:

Fall

Eligible:

Juniors, Seniors
AP Chemistry

AP Chemistry is designed to be equivalent to a first-year college chemistry course, while preparing students to take the AP Chemistry Exam. Students study important concepts of chemistry beyond the scope of the high school curriculum. Such areas include atomic theory, chemical kinetics, thermodynamics, and equilibrium. The nature of the course requires a great deal of independent study and preparation time, and students will be held to a higher standard than they may have experienced in the past. The success of the class and of each student will depend on the discipline and diligence of each student. Class discussion, group projects, problem sets, and laboratory exercises will supplement lecture and textbook assignments. As this is a content heavy class, students should expect to spend a significant amount of time on work for this class. This class strives to prepare students to take the AP exam in May.

Prerequisites:

Chemistry,Algebra II, department approval

Terms:

Full year

Eligible:

Juniors, Seniors
AP Physics C

AP Physics with Calculus replicates the first semester of a college-level physics sequence for science and engineering majors. The curriculum focuses on flexible approaches to complex physics problems with a rigorous program of homework and classwork. The lab component of the class is designed to emphasize both creative experimental design with real-life open-ended challenges, and rigorous data analysis with online lab simulations. Persistence, motivation, and collaboration will help students successfully navigate the class.

Prerequisites:

Physics, Calculus or concurrent enrollment in Calculus, department approval

Terms:

Full year

Eligible:

Juniors, Seniors
Biology

This required course, primarily for freshman, focuses on the process of science. Our first goal is to provide experiences that allow students to develop questions about the biological world and answer those questions through observations and experiments. All students will integrate critical thinking with the scientific process, learning how to design experiments, draw conclusions from those experiments, and communicate findings in a sophisticated manner. The second goal is to build a foundation of knowledge and develop curiosities about the natural world.
Biotechnology

This course explores current trends in biotechnology. During the first half of the course, laboratory investigations will help students develop the skills used in the field of biotechnology. The second half of the course will focus on individual student research into areas of biotechnology that spark the students’ interest. Students will be encouraged to make connections with local experts in biotechnology as part of their research.

Required activities in this course will include laboratory work focusing on biotechnology skills and concepts, research projects, and a final independent project and presentation. Much of the work in this course requires students to be present in the classroom laboratory. There will be no tests or exams.

Prerequisites:

Biology and Chemistry

Terms:

Spring

Eligible:

Juniors, Seniors
Chemistry

This course is designed to develop a strong foundation of knowledge in chemistry and to deepen student engagement in the scientific process. Topics include the study of matter, its composition and interactions, periodicity, and chemical reactions. Laboratory work is a fundamental part of this course. Emphasis will be placed on problem solving and integrating critical thinking with the scientific process. Students will build on their experiences from their freshman year. This course will prepare students for AP and college-level chemistry courses.

Prerequisites:

Biology

Terms:

Full year

Eligible:

All students
Environmental Science I

Environmental Science I and II are designed to give students an understanding of the world we live in and how human activity impacts it. They are interdisciplinary courses that provide students with the scientific principles, concepts, and methodologies required to understand the workings of the natural world. Students will learn to identify and analyze environmental problems, with a focus on discovering alternative solutions for resolving or preventing these problems. In our study of environmental problems, we will employ the “triple bottom line” approach, analyzing the economic, ecological and cultural impact of different solutions. In both courses, we will attempt to answer the following essential question:

To what extent and in what ways can ecological, economic and human needs best be balanced during the growth and development of modern societies?

The courses include field and laboratory investigations as well as field trips, speakers and independent projects. Students will help determine the topics chosen each semester and will have the opportunity to investigate issues of personal interest. Assessment will take the form of projects such as debates, multimedia presentations, and publications (blogs, letters to the editor, etc). Environmental Science I and II are designed to be taken together, but students can opt to enroll in either semester. This class is not offered every year.
Environmental Science II

Environmental Science I and II are designed to give students an understanding of the world we live in and how human activity impacts it. They are interdisciplinary courses that provide students with the scientific principles, concepts, and methodologies required to understand the workings of the natural world. Students will learn to identify and analyze environmental problems, with a focus on discovering alternative solutions for resolving or preventing these problems. In our study of environmental problems, we will employ the “triple bottom line” approach, analyzing the economic, ecological and cultural impact of different solutions. In both courses, we will attempt to answer the following essential question:

To what extent and in what ways can ecological, economic and human needs best be balanced during the growth and development of modern societies?

The courses include field and laboratory investigations as well as field trips, speakers and independent projects. Students will help determine the topics chosen each semester and will have the opportunity to investigate issues of personal interest. Assessment will take the form of projects such as debates, multimedia presentations, and publications (blogs, letters to the editor, etc). Environmental Science I and II are designed to be taken together, but students can opt to enroll in either semester.
Food Chemistry

Food Chemistry is an elective designed to give students an overview of the chemical and physical properties of food components and their changes during processing, handling and storage. The specific topics of the course are determined by the students at the beginning of the semester. The course can cover water, carbohydrates, protein, lipids, minerals, vitamins and enzymes. This is done by looking at the processes by which different foods are made. We will connect the composition and break down to the nutritional values present in the various foods and additives. An emphasis will be placed on the applied aspects of food chemistry through real-world examples and lab experiments.

Prerequisites:

Biology and Chemistry

Terms:

Spring

Eligible:

Juniors, Seniors
Forensic Science

Forensic Science is an elective designed for students who have an interest in science. This course is a culmination of much of what they have learned in their previous science classes and examines the relationship to Criminalistics. We look at current cases and historic cases to assess their significance and the science used. Students also learn to use a discerning eye relating to what is real and what is fiction on television. The specific topics of the course are determined by the students at the beginning of the semester. This course is designed to make science relevant and pertinent to the interests and goals of the students.

Prerequisites

Biology, Chemistry, & Physics

Terms:

Fall

Eligible:

Juniors, Seniors
Oceanography & Marine Biology

We will begin with a dive into oceanography, including planetary and oceanic formation, thermohaline and nutrient cycling, ocean currents and their effect on climate, plate tectonics and island formation, and natural disasters. Our marine biology unit will include an exploration of the ecology of ocean biomes, the life cycles and evolution of major marine taxa, and an in-depth look at the ecology of the intertidal zone. We will conclude with a unit on human impacts on the ocean, including marine acidification, overfishing, trace pollutants, and plastics, with an emphasis on creative solutions for conservation.

Prerequisites:

Biology and Chemistry

Terms:

Eligible:

Juniors, Seniors
Physics

Students learn to be better problem solvers through a focused study of process and method. Physics topics covered include kinematics, dynamics, work, energy, power, momentum, rotation, oscillations and waves, electricity and magnetism, electromagnetism, light optics, quantum mechanics, radioactivity, relativity, and other topics in modern physics. In-class activities as well as a laboratory program support regular reading assignments and interactive problems. This class prepares students to take AP Physics.

Prerequisites:

Biology, Algebra II

Terms:

Full year

Eligible:

Sophomores, Juniors, Seniors

Curriculum Detail

Science

AP Biology

Anatomy and Physiology

AP Chemistry

AP Physics C

Biology

Biotechnology

Chemistry

Environmental Science I

Environmental Science II

Food Chemistry

Forensic Science

Oceanography & Marine Biology

Physics

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