Science

Biology is the study of life, from the molecular level to the ecosystem level. In this survey course, we emphasize the interconnectedness of life and highlight unifying themes relevant to the interactions of an organism's internal and external environment.  We also investigate the ethical and social implications of scientific issues. Topics include molecular and cellular biology, genetics, human reproduction, ecology, and evolution. These concepts are presented through scientific investigation, simulations, readings, videos, and discussion. They are reinforced with questions, examples, analogies, and applications. Laboratory work encourages a sense of inquiry, organization, and interpretation while building collaboration skills. In this course, students will work on becoming discerning creators and consumers of scientific findings and identify reliable sources for scientific information.

Biology Honors is the study of life: plants, animals, and microorganisms.  This is an in-depth course, which focuses on the molecular approach to understanding organisms and their environments. Study will include the chemical nature of life, the structure and function of animal and plant cells, Mendelian and molecular genetics, life processes, reproduction, and Darwinian evolution. Current biological research will be presented and analyzed. Students use laboratory investigations to understand text-based material and to gain further lab skills such as microscope use, dissection, and experimental design. Students in this class will explore biotechnology through an extensive, multiple-week laboratory exploration. This course is for motivated, accelerated students who desire the opportunity to pursue advanced study in the field of biological sciences.

Advanced Placement Biology is a course that aims to provide students with the conceptual framework, factual knowledge, and analytical skills necessary to deal critically with the rapidly changing science of Biology.  Essential to the conceptual understanding are the following: a grasp of science as a process rather than as an accumulation of facts; personal experience in scientific inquiry; recognition of unifying themes that integrate the major topics of biology; and application of biological knowledge and critical thinking to environmental and social concerns.  The general areas covered are the following:  molecules and cells, heredity and evolution, and organisms and populations.  Inquiry-based  laboratory investigations, which make up over 25% of the course curriculum,  develop skills that help students model the work of scientists and develop the critical thinking needed to be prepared for college level courses as well as a part of the 21st century workforce.   Students in this class will explore biotechnology through an extensive, multiple-week laboratory investigation.  This course is especially for students who might be interested in careers in the biological sciences.

Students will connect concepts from multiple science disciplines (including Biology, Chemistry, and Physics) to solve real life problems within the realm of criminal justice and forensics.  All labs will be age-appropriate with simulated evidence.  Forensics is a UC approved lab science course that will cover theory, concepts, and techniques relative to a full-service crime laboratory.  Quantitative and qualitative analysis skills, including graphical interpretation, error discussion, and experimental design will be integrated into the curriculum.  Example units may include crime scene investigation, fingerprinting, blood spatter, document analysis, ballistics, DNA, toxicology, serology, and arson.  Case files will be used throughout each unit to show how forensic analysis has helped to solve crimes.

Chemistry investigates the nature of matter—all the substances which make up our world and the changes that take place in and between these substances.  The areas of study include elements, compounds and mixtures,  fundamental  concepts of atomic theory and structure, electrons in atoms, chemical bonding, writing chemical formulas and equations, the mole concept, stoichiometry, properties of gases, solution chemistry, and acids and bases. Regular laboratory exercises consist of investigating related chemical reactions through the proper use of the scientific method,  and a focus on skill development including  graphing and data analysis.

Honors Chemistry is a rigorous course that introduces the fundamental language, ideas and tools used in the study of chemistry. This advanced pre-AP course covers key topics such as nomenclature, stoichiometry, bonding, acid/base chemistry, gas laws, common laboratory practices and much more.  Students will use principles of chemistry to think more intelligently about current issues they will encounter involving science and technology.  Students will be able to describe chemical processes and behaviors and to solve numerical/verbal problems in chemistry. Critical thinking (the ability to carry out systematic thought processes in making decisions and solving problems) and inquiry (solving problems through scientific investigation) are stressed in this class.  Upon completion, students will have a solid foundation in chemistry and will be prepared for AP Biology, AP Chemistry, and college-level chemistry courses.

AP Chemistry is based on the College Board’s curriculum, and is the equivalent of a first-year college Chemistry course. Topics include strong emphasis on chemical calculations, including modern atomic theory, molecular bonding and hybridization, stoichiometry, thermodynamics, kinetics, aqueous equilibrium, REDOX, and electrochemistry. A rigorous laboratory component, some of which takes place during collaborations, will supplement all lecture topics.  Summer assignment required.  The AP Chemistry exam in May is required.

Physics is the study of the way the universe works. Conceptual understanding along with mathematical relationships will be emphasized. The topics covered will include motion, forces, gravity, energy and momentum, thermodynamics, waves, sound, light, electricity, and magnetism. Classroom activities will include laboratory experiments, classroom discussions/lectures, readings, design projects, and assessment activities.

Honors Physics is a course designed to introduce students to the advanced levels of science.  The course deals with the principles of motion, energy and work, electricity, properties of light and sound waves, and the study of thermodynamics and modern physics. This course will emphasize a more in-depth and mathematical study of the laws of nature.  Classroom activities will include laboratory experiments, classroom discussions/lectures, readings, design projects, and assessment activities.

This course will explore the concepts of kinematics, Newton’s laws of motion, work, energy and power, systems of particles and linear momentum, circular motion and rotation, oscillations, and gravitation. Students will learn to apply differential and integral calculus in order to solve problems associated with these concepts. These calculus concepts will be taught as part of the course for the students who have not yet taken calculus.  Students will build understanding and critical thinking skills through inquiry-based, laboratory investigations that explore these physics concepts.

Anatomy & Physiology: This rigorous college-preparatory elective science course includes a detailed study of many human body systems. Homeostatic balance, the relationship between structure and function, and the interrelationships between body systems are a focus throughout the course. This course is recommended for students interested in a health-related career, especially those students who plan to study medicine, nursing, physical therapy, and athletic training. The course may also be helpful for those students who plan to enter education as either a life science or physical education teacher. Laboratory activities will include several microscopic analyses of tissue specimens as well as several dissections to accompany the subject matter.

Anatomy & Physiology Honors: This rigorous college-preparatory elective science course includes a detailed study of many human body systems. Homeostatic balance, the relationship between structure and function, and the interrelationships between body systems are a focus throughout the course. This course is recommended for students interested in a health-related career, especially those students who plan to study medicine, nursing, physical therapy, and athletic training.  Standards are similar to those in the standard level of the course, but students are expected to have a deeper understanding with a higher level of sophistication. This course uses dissection as an instructional activity.

Chemistry investigates the nature of matter—all the substances which make up our world and the changes that take place in and between these substances.  The areas of study include: elements, compounds and mixtures;  the fundamental concepts of atomic theory and structure; the periodic table; chemical bonding;, writing chemical formulas and equations; and the properties of gases.  Each unit will focus on investigating a chemical reaction in the laboratory along with the application of the scientific method.  The course stresses the continued development of science skills including graphing, data analysis, and measuring.  There will be very little computational work in this class and the emphasis will be on understanding the chemical phenomenon through visuals and laboratory investigations. 

The goal of the AP Environmental Science course is to provide students with the scientific principles, concepts, and methodologies required to understand the inter-relationships 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 or preventing them. Environmental science is interdisciplinary. It embraces a wide variety of topics from different areas of study.  The course includes a field study component.

This course will introduce students to the engineering design process.   Students dig deep into the engineering design process, applying math, science, and engineering standards to hands-on projects. They work both individually and in teams to design solutions to a variety of problems using 3-D modeling software and use an engineering notebook to document their work.

Aerospace Engineering ignites students’ learning in the fundamentals of atmospheric and space flight. Aerospace Engineering is one of the specialization courses in the PLTW Engineering program. The course deepens the skills and knowledge of an engineering student within the context of atmospheric and space flight. Students explore the fundamentals of flight in air and space as they bring the concepts to life by designing and testing components related to flight such as an airfoil, propulsion system, and a rocket. They learn orbital mechanics concepts and apply these by creating models using industry-standard software. They also apply aerospace concepts to alternative applications such as a wind turbine and parachute. Students simulate a progression of operations to explore a planet, including creating a map of the terrain with a model satellite and using the map to execute a mission using an autonomous robot. 

Medical Interventions is designed to continue students’ education in the Health Science field, introduce a better foundation and skills needed to be successful, and strengthen the knowledge learned in Biology, Biomedical Science, and/or Anatomy and Physiology. In this course, students investigate the major biological concepts by studying the history of health care as well as the developmental stages in a human's life. Students learn about specific skills needed to be successful in pursuing a career in health science. Students will complete a resume and cover letter while practicing interviewing skills. Students will also learn about first aid and practice certain basic first aid skills. Finally, students will learn about medicinal plants including the structure and function, and create a usable product from certain plants