Science

The Science Department attempts to increase knowledge of the world around the student by increasing his critical awareness of biological, chemical, and physics phenomena. This is accomplished by familiarizing the student with the vocabulary of science, and presenting the processes of scientific inquiry and methods for drawing conclusions. Additionally, the student will be trained to draw his own conclusions about how acquired knowledge may be applied to the world and to his own life in particular.

Our students are encouraged to reason deductively from the existing body of knowledge, to reason inductively from their own observations and experimental data, and to arrive at general regularities and underlying themes and principles. Also, they are shown how to be proficient in problem solving techniques that are commensurate with their background in mathematical skills.

Courses

  • IS001 Integrated Science 6cr {07} RQ

    With an emphasis on critical thinking skill, IPS is designed to give students an understanding of the earth, its environment, and the universe. Through extensive laboratory work students are involved in the inquiry process of science. Hands-on experiments are designed to aid students in the developing of learning skill and processes such as observing, identifying, classifying, measure, inferring, hypothesizing and interpreting. Topics covered include universality of change from the weather and the rock cycle through plate tectonics to postulated changes in the universe. It continues with a look into the properties of matter and the structure of the atom and finishes with a look at the diversity of life on our planet. Term assignments in media, literature and research encourage students to experience science outside the classroom in their everyday lives.

  • IS050 Integrated Science 6cr {08} RQ [DptRec]

    This course is designed to introduce students to all of the physical sciences but primarily chemistry and physics. Students get a thorough introduction to the "scientific method." Through laboratory investigation and experimentation, students learn techniques of data gathering and interpretation.

  • BL101 Introduction to Biology 6cr {09} RQ

    This course serves as the upper school introduction to the "science of life." Students learn the use of basic biological tools in laboratory investigations and study the classical biological experiments and current information on livings systems, their anatomy, structure and function. Topics include energy, photosynthesis, cell study, heredity, genetics, micro-biology and ecology. Problem solving is stressed.

  • BL103 Advanced Introduction to Biology 6cr {09} EL Placement Test

    This course includes all the topics above in BL101 plus additional topics. All topics are covered with greater depth and detail. This course prepares students for the SAT Subject Test.

  • CH201 Introduction to Chemistry 6cr {09,10} RQ [BL101 or BL103]

    This course builds upon the background established in first year biology and broadens the student's knowledge in chemistry. Through lecture, experimentation and demonstration, the student gains a broader perspective of chemical principles involving atomic theory, chemical bonding, molecular structure, chemical relationships and thermodynamics. Through laboratory experiments the student is encouraged to discover principles, regularities and periodicity on his own.

  • CH203 Advanced Introduction to Chemistry 6cr {09, 10} EL [BL101 or BL103, DptRec]

    This course includes all the topics above in CH201 plus additional topics. All topics are covered with greater depth and detail. This course prepares students for the SAT Subject Test.

  • PH301 Introduction to Physics 6cr {10,11,12} RQ [BL101, CH201 or CH602]

    This course is a presentation of a unified view of physical science through the analysis of basic principles and their implications and limitations. Special emphasis is placed upon the analytical understanding of physical phenomena through the frequent use of mathematics. Topics include: scalars, vectors, kinematics, Newton's Laws and dynamics, conservation principles, work and energy, oscillatory motion, and electricity and magnetism.

  • BL602 AP Biology 6cr {09,10,11,12}AP EL [BL101, CH201, PH301, DptRec]

    This is a second year biology course with the goal of preparing the student for the AP Biology Exam at

    the end of the year. The following topics are stressed: organic chemistry, cell physiology, genetics, microbiology, ecology and evolution. There is a heavy emphasis on laboratory work and the ability of the student to combine lecture information with readings for problem solving and further investigation.

  • PH606 AP Physics B Level 6cr {10,11,12} EL [BL101,CH201, or 103, 203, 602,DptRec]

    This is a first-year comprehensive course in physics that will prepare the student for the AP Physics Level B exam at the end of the year and serves as an alternate to Introductory Physics while also satisfying the graduation requirement. Many more topics will be covered than in PH301. It is designed for the most capable sophomores or juniors and may serve to fulfill a general first-year or first-term college-level science requirement.

    For more information view this web page.

  • BL607 AP Biology 6cr {11,12}AP EL [BL101, CH201, or 103, 203, 606, BI 103, CH203, DptRec]

    This is a second year biology course with the goal of preparing the student for the AP Biology Exam at the end of the year. The following topics are stressed: organic chemistry, cell physiology, genetics, microbiology, ecology and evolution. There is a heavy emphasis on laboratory work and the ability of the student to combine lecture information with readings for problem solving and further investigation.

    For more information view this web page.

  • CH602 AP Chemistry 6cr {10,11,12} AP EL [BL101, CH201, PH301, DptRec]

    The main objective of this second year chemistry course is to prepare the student for the AP Chemistry Exam at the end of the year, and in so doing, provide the student with a general, first-year, college-level chemistry course. All fundamentals of first year chemistry are taught in greater depth and scope and with emphasis on problem solving and laboratory investigation.

    For more information view this web page.

  • PH602 AP Physics C Level 6cr {11,12} EL [BL101,CH201,PH301 or 55, DptRec]

    This is a second-year in-depth physics course that will prepare the student for the AP Physics Level C exam at the end of the year and serves as a first-year college-level physics course. Topics as in PH301 will be covered, but much more thoroughly; techniques of the calculus will be used.

    For more information view this web page.

  • BL406 Environmental Studies 6cr {11,12} EL [BL101,CH201,PH301, or 102, 203DptRec]

    This is a laboratory and project-oriented course covering environmental studies. Subjects covered include earth systems and resources, species interactions and ecology, population dynamics, land and water use, genetics, energy resources and consumption, pollution, and global change. Proficiency in biology, chemistry, physics and basic computer usage is required due to the interdisciplinary nature of the course.

  • PH401 Advanced Physical Science 6cr {11,12} EL [BL101, CH201, PH301] or 103, 203

    This is a laboratory and project-oriented course in which a wide range of physical science topics will be undertaken. Topics covered will include astronomy, astrophysics, meteorology, modern physics, and geology.

  • PS601 AP Psychology 6cr {12} EL [BL101, CH201, PH301, or 103, 203 DptRec]

    The AP Psychology course is designed to introduce students to the systematic and scientific study of the behavior and mental processes of human beings and other animals. Students are exposed to the psychological facts, principles, and phenomena associated with each of the major subfields of psychology. They also learn about the ethics and methods psychologists use in their science and practice. At the conclusion of the course, students take the AP Psychology exam administered by the College Board.

    For more information view this web page.

  • SC609 Research in Science 6cr

    This is a laboratory-oriented course designed for students who have been designated as gifted and talented in science. Students will be required to complete a research project which will be submitted for participation in a national, state, or regional competition open to high school science students. In addition, students will participate in a weekly seminar on topics that are not usually covered in traditional science courses.