Science
Graduation requirement: 3 years; 4 years are strongly recommended
Biology
Biology involves the study of living things and emphasizes fundamental life processes. Students have a natural curiosity about themselves as living organisms. During the course, they will acquire knowledge to answer many of their own questions and, hopefully, to extend their curiosity further. The studies range from topics that involve the very small—cells and molecular biology—and the very large—biomes as well as plant life and animal life, from invertebrates to mammals. Relating topics to everyday experiences makes understanding more manageable. Also, the theory is supported by a considerable number of hands-on, practical investigations. The students immerse themselves in the study of living things. Biology connects content and critical thinking via labs, review of current scientific events, and research. Students begin with sample lab procedures; then, as abstract concepts are added to facts, they move to a higher level of scientific problem-solving.
Text: Biology: The Dynamics of Life (Glencoe/McGraw-Hill, 2006)
Environmental Science
Prerequisite: Biology or departmental recommendation
This course is designed to introduce the student to the study of our environment. The course focuses on the basic structures of our environment, ecosystems, essential cycles, energy and biodiversity, and the issues that adversely affect these structures. The course ends with an in-depth look at the concept of sustainability, economics and the environment, and the government’s role in shaping the future of the earth around us. This course seeks to raise the students’ awareness of the world around them and how the actions of their daily lives affect the environment and the importance of environmental advocacy.
Text: Holt Environmental Science (Holt, Rinehart and Winston, 2005)
Chemistry
Prerequisite: completion of or current enrollment in Algebra 2/Trig
Chemistry involves the study of materials. Key to understanding the myriad of chemicals that make up our World, is an awareness of the underlying patterns that make the understanding manageable including atomic structure, kinetic molecular theory and a combination of inorganic and some organic chemistry. Students explore the nature of the matter that surrounds them through demonstrations, lectures, and lab work and learn to approach problems with scientific logic and to present findings in lab-report format. Seeing the chemicals and performing labs with them reinforce the underlying principles and increase the students’ level of involvement in the subject. Whenever possible, examples that are relevant to the students’ everyday lives are incorporated.
Text: Chemistry (Pearson, Prentice Hall, 2005)
Physics
Prerequisite: Algebra 2/Trig and Chemistry or departmental recommendation
The study of physics involves an in-depth look at mechanics, optics and modern physics. Understanding more complex physical phenomena requires a combination of understanding conceptual ideas and developing competency with problem-solving skills—many involving mathematical solutions. Key to success is the marriage of clear explanations and adequate practice with the quantitative challenges. Lessons involve hands-on experimentation and step-by-step problem solving sessions. As with all advanced science studies, it is important to involve applications of the physical phenomena that relate to the students’ every day lives. An active curiosity and involvement in class are significant features that make physics both enjoyable and manageable. When needed, more than one problem solving strategy is provided along with the prioritization of concepts. Students are given the skills to identify successful problem solving strategies.
Text: Physics (Pearson, Prentice Hall, 2007)
Advanced Placement (AP) Biology
Prerequisites: Biology and Chemistry; departmental recommendation
physiology designed to be the equivalent of a freshman biology course at the college level. It covers the syllabus recommended by the College Board and prepares the students to take the Advanced Placement Biology Exam. Classes consist of discussions, lectures, journal projects and an extensive laboratory component requiring students to demonstrate, both in technique and analysis, their thorough understanding of the major concepts. Creative ways to explain key concepts will be explored and there will be an extensive use of technology including Internet explorations, animation presentations and virtual labs. The course is intensive, challenging on multiple levels, and includes a comprehensive reading element.
Text: Biology, 8th Edition (Campbell & Reece, AP Edition 2008)
Advanced Placement (AP) Chemistry
Prerequisites: Biology and Chemistry; departmental recommendation
year college Chemistry course. The pace of the course is an accelerated one to enable a large volume of work to be covered in one academic year. The goals of the course are to challenge students to become more aware of material science and the physical laws that relate to matter. The nature of the material demands that students develop critical thinking skills and advanced problem-solving techniques which they can apply to novel situations. A significant series of practical investigations accompanies the theory studied. These reflect the complexity of practical activity as studied in a college setting. Students are asked to be curious about the molecular world around them. AP Chemistry provides a tool to answer many questions while generating more. In May, students sit for the AP Chemistry Exam.
Text: Chemistry (Houghton Mifflin Company 2007) Lab Manual: Experimental Chemistry
P.A.I.D. Physiology, Anatomy, Injury Prevention, and Diseases (Senior Elective)
Prerequisite: Biology
This course is designed to be an interactive, practical learning experience for 12th graders. Through classroom activities, labs, guest speakers, field trips, and hands-on projects, the students learn about the physiology and anatomy of the human body, how to stay fit and prevent injury through fitness training, endurance, strength and flexibility. Students are trained in first aid, adult and child CPR and AED. In the section of the course dealing with communicable diseases, students study the prevention of diseases and the body’s defense against infection. The instructional emphasis is on interaction as students work on individual activities, participate in demonstrations, solve problems or pursue case studies.
Sports Medicine (Senior Elective: semester course)
Prerequisite: Biology
Seniors taking the senior elective in Sports Medicine learn more about human biology as it relates to Seniors taking the senior elective in Sports Medicine learn more about human biology as it relates to sporting activities. The course is designed to introduce students to basic anatomy (including bony and muscular anatomy), tissue injury, and response, treatment and rehabilitation. As in learning any subject, students need to devote time to learning the language of anatomy. At the end of this course, students will know medical terms and be able to describe anatomy and injury in their new language. Students are introduced to the knowledge and skills required to identify, to treat, to rehabilitate, and to prevent injuries. A variety of sports are covered as well as case studies involving health issues and injuries of a number of sporting personalities.
Text: Fundamentals of Athletic Training (Lorin A. Cartwright & William A. Pitney, 2007)
Forensic Chemistry (Senior Elective: semester course)
Prerequisite: Biology and Chemistry
Seniors taking the semester elective in Forensic Chemistry investigate the science behind crime detection. The emphasis of this course is on the chemistry of crime solving. Students complete a large number of hands-on activities that allow them to acquire the skills of dealing with evidence at a crime scene and to become familiar with many of the techniques utilized in a modern criminal laboratory. They delve into the chemistry behind the analytical techniques as they investigate the intriguing themes of Forensic Science. The techniques include: biomedical recognition, gunshot residue, ink and handwriting analysis, chemical analyses of hair and blood, chromatography, footprint casting, and biological and mineral residue analysis. Along with the practical aspects of the course, the nascent criminalists will investigate several types of evidence recognition and be able to relate these to crime solving. The course would not be complete without a number of case studies—including excerpts from movies, television, fiction, and non-fiction books.
Texts: Crime Scene (Avon Books, 2002), Lab Manual for Criminalistics: An Introduction to Forensic Science (Pearson Prentice Hall, 2007)