Science Department

Required Courses:

Physical Science is laboratory oriented to give the students an understanding of the basics of physical science and offer insight into the acquisition of scientific knowledge.  With approximately two-thirds of the year devoted to the study of basic chemistry concepts and one-third devoted to concepts in physics, this course provides an excellent foundation for the study of other sciences.  The instructional method is student experimentation with guided reasoning on the results of the experimentation.  The curriculum places heavy emphasis on graphing, measurement, data analysis, and reporting of lab results, as well as the application of mathematical concepts to scientific phenomena.

Honors Physical Science, an alternative to Physical Science, is designed to challenge students who excel in math and science.  It provides a strong foundation for students planning to study other honors level sciences and AP science courses.  In addition to the curriculum described above, this class contains a project component, in which students develop creative problem-solving, visual thinking, and prototyping skills.

Biology is lecture/laboratory based and covers traditional biology topics with heavy emphasis in biochemistry, genetics, anatomy and physiology.  Extensive lab work offers students an excellent preparation for college courses.

Honors Biology, an alternative to biology, is designed to challenge students who excel in science. It is a lecture/laboratory course which emphasizes topics that provide a strong foundation for students planning to study AP Biology or a rigorous college biology course.

Chemistry covers the concepts, vocabulary, and mathematical aspects of chemistry. It is designed for college bound students who plan to pursue both scientific and nonscientific fields. Topics include the structure of matter, chemical reactions, stoichiometry, states of matter and their changes, acids, bases, and solutions.  Laboratory work emphasizes the practical applications of chemistry such as production and testing of commercially used products and environmental chemistry.

Honors Chemistry, an alternative to chemistry, is a lecture/laboratory course designed to challenge students who excel in math and science.  Offered as preparation for AP Chemistry or college chemistry, this course moves at an accelerated pace in order to cover more laboratory exercises and more topics such as behavior of gases, chemical periodicity, and solution chemistry. The goal is the development of higher level reasoning and mathematical skills.

Electives Courses:

Biology II, an honors level, one credit course, is primarily for juniors and seniors planning a career in the biological sciences.  Students study the structure and function of the human body, as well as the biochemistry, cellular biology, histology, and embryology of each organ system to develop an integrated knowledge of human anatomy and physiology.

Physics is a course designed to teach students the fundamental concepts of motion, energy and electricity.  It allows students to draw on and apply algebra, geometry, trigonometry and critical thinking skills in the pursuit of answers to everyday problems.  Labs, which include rockets, bridge building and an egg drop competition, help students apply any and all information learned in and outside the classroom.  Overall, this class teaches students why and how to understand the world around them. 

Honors Physics, an alternative to Physics, is designed to challenge students who excel in science.  It includes the same content as the physics course but investigates the topics in greater depth and involves solving more complex problems.  Students use the same computer interfacing, video-tape analysis and simulations as the regular physics course but are required to use higher level thinking skills.

Advanced Placement (AP) Physics is designed to be equivalent to a one-semester, college physics course.  This course follows the College Board's syllabus for Physics-C.  It is designed to be a continuation of Honor's Physics and covers many of the same topics as that course with more complex calculations including the use of calculus.  Additional topics are included particularly relating to rotation and static equilibrium.  With appropriate scores on the AP exam, students may receive four hours of college credit.  AP Physics-C is the only type of advanced placement physics credit that colleges allow for science majors.

Advanced Placement (AP) Chemistry follows the College Board's syllabus and uses a college textbook. With appropriate scores and a college's approval, students may receive credit for one or two semesters of college chemistry. AP Chemistry continues Chemistry I and examines more complex math problems, chemical concepts and laboratory experiments. Additional topics include thermochemistry, spontaneity of reactions, chemical equilibrium in gaseous reactions, solubility equilibria, acid-base equilibria, electrochemical cells and cell voltages.

Advanced Placement (AP) Biology is designed for juniors or seniors planning a career in the biological sciences such as nursing, medicine, veterinary medicine, dentistry, medical research or pharmacy. Students study organic chemistry, biochemistry, cellular biology, genetics, zoology, physiology, anatomy, histology, and botany.  Labs accompanying this course follow the College Board's requirements.  College credit is available with approval from a college and appropriate AP exam scores.