Science

Chemistry 1 is an introductory course that studies the principles that determine the behavior of matter. It provides a lifelong awareness of both the potential and limitations of science and technology. Topics covered will be molecular bonding and structure, the mole, stoichiometry, solids, liquids and gasses, the periodic chart, acids, and bases. Students engage in numerous laboratory investigations, problem-solving exercises, and group activities.

Advanced Chemistry is an introductory course that examines the same topics as in Chemistry 1, but with more rigor and greater depth. Topics covered will be molecular bonding and structure, the mole, stoichiometry, solids, liquids and gasses, the periodic chart, acids, bases, organic chemistry, and nuclear chemistry. Each student will develop independent thinking skills by applying the concepts learned in class to a variety of rigorous chemistry problems, both qualitative and quantitative. Numerous laboratory activities will build upon the ideas discussed in class. This course is recommended for students who have demonstrated strong mathematical and analytical skills in prior courses and who have earned a B+ or higher in Physics. Students who have already taken Chemistry 1 should not enroll. 

The Biology 1 course is a lecture-based class designed to give the student an introduction to the major concepts processes of Biology. The material is categorized into larger units to emphasize the connections between topics. First semester material focuses on the major principles of life and is divided into the units of; the Nature of Science, Biochemistry (building block of life), Cell Structure, Cellular Metabolism, and Cellular Replication. Second semester builds off the first semester and introduces the students to Heredity, Genetics, Evolution, the History of Life, Classification, Ecology and the Human Body. Labs, hands-on activities, and projects will also be performed throughout the course to enhance the lessons, and give the students the opportunity to apply the material. While the classes will provide reinforcement of the topics, the student is expected to read and review outside of class. Upon successful completion of the course, the student will have a better appreciation of the natural world around them and be prepared for any intro level biology course in college.

Advanced Biology is designed for the more aggressive student willing to go above and beyond the general understanding of the major topics of Biology. In Advanced Biology the students will be introduced to the same topics of Biology 1: scientific method of thinking and exploring the natural world, the compounds and traits of living organisms, the cell structures and cycles, cell metabolism, DNA structure and replication, protein synthesis, inheritance, life development, evolution, ethics, organ systems, characteristics of populations and ecology. Laboratory experiments and activities will be performed to enhance the lessons and challenge the students’ understanding of the material. The students can expect a large amount of reading, which will be built upon in lectures. Upon completion of the course, the student will have a firm understanding of the concepts and know the material that will be covered in any intro level biology courses in college.

Advanced Physics is an introductory course that investigates the fundamental principles of our universe with an emphasis on a conceptual understanding as well as a quantitative one. Students will be working regularly in the lab and will be expected to apply the concepts learned in the classroom to real-world situations. The topics covered will be linear motion, forces, energy, momentum, rotational motion and mechanics, pressure, waves, sound, optics, and electrostatics. Students who have taken Physics 1 should not enroll.

This course delves deeply into the kinematics and dynamics of translational, rotational, and simple harmonic motion. This class is equivalent to a semester-long, college-level introductory physics course for scientists and engineers. The concepts of force, mass, acceleration, energy, and momentum will be thoroughly investigated. Other topics will include electric and magnetic fields, circuits, and optics. This course is recommended for students who have earned an A- or higher in their previous math class.

AP Physics C: Electricity and Magnetism is equivalent to the second semester of a college-level, introductory course for science and engineering majors. The topics covered will include static charges, electric fields, Coulomb’s Law, capacitors, DC circuits, RC circuits magnetism, Amperes’ Law, RL Circuits, and Faraday’s Law. Students will do hands-on laboratory work and in-class activities to investigate phenomena and use calculus to solve problems. 

AP Chemistry offers a theoretical understanding of chemical reactions through an examination of molecular structure and rearrangement. Through numerous laboratory investigations, students gain a theoretical understanding of chemical reactions by studying calculations with chemical formulas, aqueous reactions, atomic structure, periodic properties of elements, chemical bonding, phases of matter, kinetics, equilibria, acid-base reactions, thermodynamics, and electrochemistry. This course is recommended for students who have demonstrated excellent analytical and mathematical skills and meet the prerequisite.

AP Biology gives students an advanced conceptual framework for modern biology and introduces science as a process rather than the accumulation of facts. Student-moderated discussion, group and individual activity, and extensive laboratory work integrate several major themes, including evolution, energy transfer, cell biology, biochemistry, and the relationship of structure to function. This course emphasizes the application of biological knowledge and critical thinking to understanding and developing ideas relating to societal issues and environmental issues dealing with biology. Students who commit to this course will be expected to have basic knowledge of cells and cell structures, macromolecules and chemical bonds, principle of inheritance, and energy transfer. Students will have guided reading to ensure they have this base knowledge in place before the first day of class. This course is recommended for students who have demonstrated superior diligence and analytical skills in prior science courses. 

From global pandemics to individual diagnoses, disease has a powerful impact on our day to day lives. This course will introduce students to core concepts of cellular biology and genetics through the lens of infectious disease, genetic disorders, and cancer. Students will be challenged to understand how the underlying causes of different types of disease are connected to its symptoms, the body’s response, and the development of potential treatments. First semester will include the study of different types of infectious diseases, the innate and adaptive immune system, and both pivotal historic discoveries and modern advances, such as the development of germ theory or mRNA vaccines. Second semester, students will learn how the disruption of cellular processes can lead to the development of cancer and genetic disorders, and how our approach to testing for and treating these conditions has evolved over time. Students will additionally be asked to thoughtfully consider ethical questions related to our understanding of the definition of disease, and how this understanding changes across time and cultures. The course will include a lecture component, laboratory investigations, nightly reading assignments, as well as research projects and presentations.

This course is designed for students who have already completed any level of biology and are interested in advancing their understanding of the human body. The course material will cover the structure, organization, and functions of the human body systems. The course starts by reemphasizing the structure of the cell and major metabolic pathways, anatomical organization, and histology. From there the course moves into a study of the human body’s major systems including: the integumentary, skeletal, muscular, nervous, endocrine, cardiovascular, immune, digestive, respiratory, excretory, and reproductive systems. Anatomy and Physiology is a lecture and discussion-based course accompanied by laboratory activities and dissections.

This year-long curriculum focuses on the relevant application of science, math, engineering, and technology (STEM) concepts to electrical, mechanical, environmental, and biomedical engineering. Students will discover how modern engineers design and build new technologies using math and science, together with their ingenuity. Students will learn and apply the engineering design process during hands-on activities and projects. Students will learn how to use CAD software and use the 3D printer, write code to manage a variety of sensors and actuators connected to the Arduino, use KiCad to create printed circuit boards, and design and build basswood bridges. In addition, they will utilize critical thinking skills to design solutions to real-world problems. Techniques involving brainstorming, reverse engineering, and research will also be applied during this process.

Students engage in original research on a variety of topics to learn problem-solving skills, critical thinking and analysis. Some projects involve growing plants and screening them for the presence of certain antioxidants, which have the potential to be used as a natural colorant in food products and have been shown to have health benefits. In addition, students may use discarded objects or materials to create a product of higher quality (upcycling), such as for the synthesis of biopolymers, in particular bioplastics, or to extract fuel from the potentially discarded objects. The students will learn how to use a variety of different instruments and laboratory techniques, such as high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), lyophilization and gas chromatography (GC). This class is open to committed and motivated seniors and juniors with approval. Qualified students should have earned a B or higher in their Chemistry class.

This class is a continuation of Biochemistry Research 1. The student who has taken year one will continue their research using chromatographic or other methods, depending on the research project that they are performing. Students will prepare the samples themselves and collect and analyze the data using instruments and other mathematical techniques. This class is open to committed and motivated seniors who have taken Biochemistry Research 1.

This class will cover three topics that have the potential trajectory to become major driving forces in medicine, science, technology, industry, economy, and career growth. Genetic/molecular engineering (synthetic biology): Synthetic biology is making cells that manufacture molecules, or that metabolize wastes, or target pathogens/cancer. We will have an introduction to DNA technologies including CRISPR, restriction enzymes, and transformation of single-celled species. Biomedical engineering: Designing technologies to assist humans or animals. We will explore from the less invasive ideas to the more invasive ideas (hearing aids, insulin pumps, generated organs). We will have an introduction to antibody-based -, app/digital based-, and DNA-based screening of health, foods, or water. Environmental engineering: Designing systems to improve, stabilize, or extract things from the environment using methods that leave the environment better than it was found.

AP Environmental Science is a college-level course that integrates extensive lab work, fieldwork, and projects as part of the many units of study. The goal of AP Environmental Science is to provide students with the scientific principles, concepts, and methodologies required to understand the interrelationships of the natural world, to identify and analyze environmental problems both natural and human-made, to evaluate the relative risks associated with these problems, and to examine alternative solutions for resolving and/or preventing them. Topics include earth systems and resources, ecology, population, land and water use, energy resources and consumption, pollution, and global change. Additionally, there is a summer reading requirement for this course. This course will prepare students to take the Advanced Placement Exam. 

Advanced Placement Psychology is a full-year college-level course. It is designed to introduce students to the systematic and scientific study of behavior and mental processes of human beings and other animals as defined by the College Board and the American Psychological Association. AP Psychology deepens the exploration into the human psyche and human behavior through the exploration of the history and varied approaches within psychology, brain function, sensation and perception, states of consciousness, human development and learning acquisition, motivation and emotion, cognition, testing, and individual differences, personality theory, abnormal behavior and treatment, and social psychology. The course will include a variety of assessments including student-led discussions, traditional tests, projects, papers, and presentations. The overall content covered in this course fulfills the College Board’s requirements for AP Psychology, and students are expected to take the Advanced Placement exam for this course.

The purpose of this course is to provide an interdisciplinary overview of Earth’s surface processes that directly impact humanity. This course will integrate principles in geology, meteorology, oceanography, and astronomy. We will explore the characteristics, causes, global distribution, estimated frequencies, and effects of the following natural hazards: earthquakes, volcanoes, flooding, landslides, sinkholes, thunderstorms and tornadoes, coastal hazards, climate change, wildfires, and impact events. We will also look at approaches to mitigate the effects on humans and how humans are exacerbating the frequency and effects of some of these natural disasters. By the end of the course, students will have an overview of Earth’s natural hazards and how they impact societies and economies in a globalized world. This class runs every other spring semester, when Ancient and Modern Forensics are not offered.