Science

This course introduces ninth grade students to concepts in science with an emphasis on hands-on projects and data analysis through a theme-based approach. Topics covered are in biology, physics, and chemistry. It is a skill-building course that is the introduction to the laboratory sciences. Full-year, one credit.

This course introduces ninth grade students to concepts in science with an emphasis on hands-on projects and data analysis through a theme-based approach. Topics covered are in biology, physics, and chemistry. It is a skill-building course that is the introduction to the laboratory sciences. It is more mathematically rigorous and goes at a faster pace than the Integrated Science I course. Prerequisite: Concurrent enrollment Algebra II. Full-year, one credit.

This course is a continuation of Integrated Science I. Students work with scientific concepts through a theme-based approach. Emphasis is on modeling and data analysis. It is an application of the skills of scientific inquiry. Full-year, one credit.

This course is a continuation of Integrated Science I. Students work with scientific concepts through a theme-based approach. Emphasis is on modeling and data analysis. It is an application of the skills of scientific inquiry. It is more mathematically rigorous and goes at a faster pace than the Integrated Science II course. Prerequisite: departmental approval required. Full-year, one credit.

This full-year course is designed to meet the needs of college preparatory work in biology and acquaint students with the diverse world of living organisms and their interrelation. The course combines lectures, demonstrations, and weekly laboratory work. It is open to juniors and seniors. Prerequisite: successful completion of Algebra II.

This full-year course offers a rigorous college preparatory background in chemistry. The emphasis is on a thorough introduction to inorganic chemistry with a mathematical description. Lectures and discussion sessions are supplemented with laboratory exercises and demonstrations. It is open to juniors and seniors. Prerequisite: successful completion of Algebra II.

This course is designed to meet the needs of college preparatory work in biology and acquaint students with the diverse world of living organisms and their interrelation. The course combines lectures, demonstrations, and weekly laboratory work. Prerequisite: Algebra II. Full-year, one credit.

This course offers a rigorous college preparatory background in chemistry. The emphasis is on a thorough introduction to inorganic chemistry with a mathematical description. Lectures and discussion sessions are supplemented with laboratory exercises and demonstrations. Prerequisite: Algebra II. Full-year, one credit.

This course covers the topics in the AP curriculum and includes advanced studies of biochemistry, cell structure and function, cellular energy, genetics with a strong emphasis on the molecular biology of the gene, evolution, and taxonomic classification. This class prepares students for the AP Exam in Biology in May. Students are expected to take this exam as the culmination of the course. Some summer preparation is expected as well. Full-year, one credit.

This full-year course covers the topics in the AP curriculum and prepares students for the AP Exam in May. Topics include basic atomic structure with quantum theory of the atom, chemical reactions, thermochemistry molecular geometry, reaction types - acid/base, oxidation/reduction, precipitations - stoichiometry and equilibrium, kinetics, and thermodynamics. Students are expected to take the AP Exam in Chemistry as the culmination of the course. Some summer preparation is expected as well. Full-year, one credit.

This course is a rigorous, lab- and calculus-based physics course that covers the Mechanics portion for the AP Exam. Topics include: kinematics, Newton's laws, energy, momentum, rotational motion, simple harmonic motion, and gravity. Students are expected to take the AP Exam as the culmination of the course. Some summer preparation is expected as well. Full-year, one credit.

Serious environmental problems face the next generation of decision-makers and will probably force us to make drastic changes in the decades to come. The goal of this course is to use the students’ knowledge of biology, chemistry, and physics to deepen their understanding of current environmental issues. The course also develops the critical thinking and analytical skills that are necessary to weigh the socioeconomic costs and benefits of this type of decision-making. Research and data collection are a large part of the class, and students’ own interests are explored. This class prepares students for the AP Exam in Environmental Science in May. Students are expected to take this exam as the culmination of the course. Some summer preparation is expected as well. Prerequisite: Completion/concurrent enrollment PreCalculus Advanced. Full-year, one credit. Qualifies for Global Scholars.

This course takes a deep dive into the structure and function of prokaryotic and eukaryotic genes and genomes in order to be able to use both foundational and cutting edge Biotech tools and techniques: electrophoresis, restriction enzymes, bacterial transformation, bioinformatic databases, epigenetic manipulation, pcr, DNA sequencing, and CRISPR. Students will gain the skills to function independently in a formal lab setting as they use these tools to solve novel problems. All assessments are project-based, require collaboration, project management, tool use, data management and analysis, and both written and oral scientific communication skills will be emphasized. If fascinated by the latest in DNA technology, or have ever wondered what it would be like to do actual lab-based scientific research, this is the course for you. Some of the lab techniques will require time outside of class, but this can be shared and managed between research team members. Due to the nature and work flow of long term lab projects, this course can be doable while co-enrolled in more homework intensive AP science courses. Lab fee may apply with financial aid support to those who qualify. Prerequisites: One of the following, Integrated Science II - Honors or Biology, completion/concurrent enrollment in AP Biology or AP Chemistry, departmental approval required. Full-year, one credit.

This course explores the world of oceanography through a variety of lectures, labs, papers, and numerous other activities. We look at the biological, chemical, physical, and geological interactions of every aspect of life on our planet, from tide pools to the deep abyss. Units of study include geology, current events, navigation, exploration, and more . Also explored i s the biology of the world of water through a variety of lectures, labs, papers, and numerous other activities. We look at the biological, chemical, physical, and geological interactions of every aspect of life on our planet, from tide pools to the deep abyss. Units of study include biology, chemistry, current events, deep-sea aquaculture, and more. Seniors take precedence over junior applicants. Full-year, one credit.

Students in this class will learn chemical principles from a more conceptual, less mathematical perspective. Students will explore the interdisciplinary nature of chemistry, examining its connections with other scientific fields and its relevance to everyday life, societal issues, and global challenges. We will delve into the foundations of chemistry, investigate matter and energy, explore chemical reactions, and connect chemistry to the broader society. Through a combination of classroom instruction, laboratory investigations, discussions, and collaborative projects, the course aims to empower students with the knowledge, skills, and mindset necessary to become informed citizens, critical thinkers, and lifelong learners in an increasingly complex and interconnected world. Seniors take precedence over junior applicants. Full-year, one credit.

This course help students gain a greater appreciation for the engineering process and are designed to delve more deeply into a variety of physical and human systems through inquiry. Two key aspects of this course are designing and building large-scale projects as well as the leadership and management involved in a team environment. Students interested in this course should possess strong quantitative skills, a creative bent, the desire and ability to solve problems in groups, and a keen interest in the physical sciences. Many of the class activities are team-based projects; therefore, good attendance is essential and constitutes a significant portion of the student’s grade. Seniors take precedence over junior applicants. Full-year, one credit.

This is a calculus-based, college-level physics course, especially appropriate for students planning to specialize or major in one of the physical sciences or engineering. Students cultivate their understanding of physics through classroom study and activities as well as hands-on laboratory work as they explore concepts like change, force interactions, fields, and conservation. Prerequisite: Concurrent enrollment in AP Physics C - Mechanics. Full-year, one credit.