Biology 1 - An introductory course in general biology. Some of the topics covered are cell biology, genetics,
ecology and physiology. There is an important laboratory component once a week. This course fulfills one
Science Lab requirement.
Chemistry 1 - An introductory course in general chemistry. Topics of study include: Atomic Structure,
the Periodic Table, Chemical Bonding, Stoichiometry, Gases, Equilibrium, Thermochemistry, Kinetics,
Acids and Bases, Electrochemistry, Nuclear Chemistry and Organic Chemistry. There is a weekly
laboratory program which provides a “hands-on” learning environment for the student. Chemistry 1 will
not explicitly prepare students for the SAT Subject Test in Chemistry. This course fulfills one Science Lab
requirement.
Chemistry 1 (Honors) - Departmental Placement Test required. An Honors level introductory course
in general Chemistry that will also prepare students to take the SAT Subject Test in Chemistry. Topics of
study include Atomic Structure, the Periodic Table, Chemical Bonding, Stoichiometry, Gases, Equilibrium,
Thermochemistry, Kinetics, Acids and Bases, Electrochemistry, Nuclear Chemistry and Organic
Chemistry. There is a weekly laboratory program which provides a “hands-on” learning environment for
the student. Placement in Chemistry 1 Honors will require departmental approval in conjunction with
the results of a placement test. This course fulfills one Science Lab requirement.
Physics 1 (Honors) - Prerequisite: Completion of Biology and Chemistry, or completion of one and
concurrent enrollment in the other. A first year lab course, based on Newtonian physics, covering the
concepts of kinematics, dynamics, electricity and magnetism, optics and energy. The course is both
conceptual and quantitative. It develops a basic understanding of the connection between graphing data
and relating this to quantitative analysis using weekly labs. A student is expected to understand
simultaneous equations, the unit circle, and right triangle trigonometry prior to taking Physics 1. This
course fulfills one Science Lab requirement.
Introduction to Environmental Science - Prerequisite: Completion of Biology 1 and Chemistry 1.
A Full-Year introductory lab course considering current concepts in Environmental Science and the
interconnectedness of global systems. The course covers issues in a multi-disciplinary program
incorporating elements of biology, chemistry, geography, geology, oceanography, and natural resource
management. Questions of sustainability, current issues in environmental ethics, and the value of a
systems thinking approach will be considered and addressed from a human ecology perspective. The
course will be taught out of Pearson’s Environmental Science, a currently available online text. The text
will be supplemented with many outside sources throughout the year. This course fulfills one Lab Science
requirement.
Environmental Science (Honors) - Requires departmental approval. Prerequisite: Completion of
Biology 1 and Chemistry 1. A comprehensive and systemic approach to considering current concepts in
Environmental Science and the interconnectedness of global systems. This writing intensive course covers
issues in a multi-disciplinary program incorporating elements of biology, chemistry, geography, geology,
environmental ethics, oceanography, environmental engineering, and natural resource management. These
topics will be considered from a human ecology perspective. Attention will be paid to the manner in
which humans have changed and engineered the current state of their environment. The course will be
taught out of Enger and Smith’s 13th Ed. Environmental Science: A Study of Interrelationships. This
course fulfills one Lab Science Requirement.
Astronomy - Prerequisite: Completion of Biology 1 and Chemistry 1. The underlying principles of
life, earth, and physical science are integrated in the study of our place in the universe. The course will be
divided into three major components: solar system, stellar and galactic. Major topics include the history of
astronomy, objects of the celestial sky, planetary formation, stellar evolution, galaxies, Big Bang and the
search for extraterrestrial life. Students will conduct observations of the night skies and investigative
research.
Biology 2 (AP) - Requires departmental approval. Prerequisite: Completion of Biology 1,
Chemistry 1, and Physics 1. A deeper look at subjects presented in Biology 1. College level laboratories
and an oral presentation. Prepares the student for the Advanced Placement Examination in Biology. This
course fulfills one Science Lab requirement.
Chemistry 2 (AP) - Requires departmental approval. Prerequisite: Completion of Biology 1,
Chemistry 1, and Physics 1. A deeper look at subjects presented in Chemistry 1. College level
laboratories. Prepares the student for the Advanced Placement Examination in Chemistry. This course
fulfills one Science Lab requirement.
Physics 2 Mechanics (AP C) - Requires departmental approval. Prerequisite: Completion of Biology
and Chemistry or completion of one and concurrent enrollment in the other. Completion or
concurrent enrollment in a Calculus course from the Math Department. A deeper look, using
calculus, into the mechanics presented in Physics 1. AP Mechanics prepares the student for the C Level
Advanced Placement Mechanics Examination in Physics and goes beyond the scope of the AP
Examination. This course fulfills one Science Lab requirement.
Physics 2 E&M (AP C) - Requires departmental approval. Prerequisite: Completion of Biology,
Chemistry, Physics 2 Mechanics (AP C), and AP AB Calculus. This course involves a deeper look,
using calculus, into Electricity and Magnetism. It involves college-level laboratories and prepares the
student for the C Level Advanced Placement Magnetism and Electricity Examination in Physics. This
course fulfills one Science Lab requirement.
Science and Technology Term courses
Human Physiology - This term course is designed to provide students not only with information about how
the human body functions but also with tips for studying and learning to solve problems. To accomplish
this, there will be a number of study aids performed during the course. Students construct a global view of
the body, its systems, and the many processes that keep the systems working. This “big picture” is called
the integration of systems and is a key theme of the course. Learning to analyze, synthesize, and evaluate
information are skills that students develop in this course. (Fall)
Kinesiology - This two-term course consists of the study of human movement from the point of view of the
physical sciences. The course examines the human body as a machine for the performance of work. Areas
of study include biomechanics, musculoskeletal anatomy and neuromuscular physiology. Students use a
hands-on approach with laboratory exercises being performed throughout the term. In this course a
foundation is laid for perfecting, repairing and keeping in good condition that incomparable mechanism --
the human body. (Winter/Spring)