General Description: As a primary program this course should cover basic science skills: computer graphing, calculator use, lab skills, lab format, safety, recognition of equipment. Basic math skills will be used: diagnosis, dimension analysis, and an introduction to algebra and trig skills. This is primarily a lab course, designed to boost enthusiasm and curiosity, while stressing organization and simple problem solving using the tools of science.

 

Entry skills: Basic math skills, curiosity, and common sense.

 

Exit Skills: Calculator use, basic applied algebra, s=vt measurement, density determination, mass, volume, length measurement, dimensional analysis, lab cleanup, balance skills, basic elements, states, exo/endothermic reactions, Newton’s 3 laws, basic mechanics, lab format, computer graphing and lab reports, lab equipment identification, safety, basic balance skills, estimation and error analysis, burner/hotplate use, Units, lab cleanup, basic problem solving skills.

 

 

 

General Description: A gatekeeper course, as this course is usually needed to graduate to the upper science courses. Builds on Phys. Sci. lab techniques, intro to living systems, integrates physical and life science perspectives. Basic math skills to algebra are used, dimension analysis, will intro osmosis, solubility, exponential growth and decay in living situations, calculator skills, concentrations, and math needed to make a solution of a given concentration. Grading is critical to passage on to chem and physics. Ecosystems, plant and animal life are central topics.

 

Entry skills: Calculator use, lab format, computer graphing, lab equipment ID and safety, basic balance skills, Units, lab cleanup, basic problem solving skills.

 

Exit Skills: Physiology, genetics, taxonomy, botany, cell structure, metabolism, heredity, growth and decay, microscope skills, dissection, 3 major biological compounds, computer written lab reports, dimensional analysis and units, ecological and environmental concerns.

 

 

 

General Description: A challenging, interesting one-year advanced biology course, covering basic taxonomy and moving to human physiology topics. Additional topics include: Science lab techniques, introduction to living systems, and integration of physical and life science perspectives. Basic math skills to algebra are used, as well as dimensional analysis. Will introduce osmosis, solubility, exponential growth and decay in living situations, calculator skills, concentrations, and math needed to make a solution of a given concentration. Topics: protein synthesis, meiosis and mitosis, microbiology and disease

 

Entry Skills/Prerequisites: Calculator use, lab format, computer graphing, lab equipment ID and safety.

 

Exit Skills: Advanced proficiency in: Mass, volume, length measurement, dimensional sis, lab cleanup, balance skills, burner operation, disease vectors and nature, solution concentration calculations, growth and decay calculations, microscope skills, dissection, possible glassware work, elements, computer written lab reports, writing a research paper, ecological concerns and environmental ramifications.

 

 

 

 

General Description: A complete lab course, covering solutions, lab skills, glassware, and independent observation. Rigorous analysis of data and organized data gathering skills are cultivated. Course also covers safety in the lab, exploration and cultivation of analytical skills, and problem solving techniques: dimensional analysis, calculators, algebra and logarithms. Some exponential decay math is introduced. Topics include: stoichimetry, concentration, gas laws, types of reactions, orbitals, nuclear chemistry, bonds, periodic trends, basic biochem, equilibrium, reaction rates and kinetics, ions and precipitation, electrochemistry, basic organic chemistry.

 

Entry skills: Familiarity with Lab format, calculator skills, periodic table/ basic elements, computer lab reports, lab safety, identification of equipment, balance and burner operation skills. Math level: Algebra II or equivalent.

 

Exit Skills: Periodic table, including groups and schemes, burner/balance facility, some glassware work (bending, cutting), solution concentration calculations, advanced analytical skills, dimensional analysis, units, problem solving. Writing and balancing chemical reactions, chemical formulas, stoichiometry calculations, bonding, kinetics, biochem and organic chem. Cleanup of lab, chemical safety, computer literacy: graphing, lab reports, spreadsheets, analysis of data.

 

 

 

General Description: Advanced chemistry class designed for those completing Bio Honors. Topics are similar to Chemistry (SC- 103), but with greater mathematical rigor. A synthesis of Physical Sciences and Life Sciences skills, covering solutions, lab skills, glassware, and independent observation. Rigorous analysis of data and organized data gathering skills are cultivated. Course also covers safety in the lab, exploration and cultivation of analytical skills, and problem solving techniques; calculators, basic algebra. Some exponential decay math is introduced.

 

Entry Skills/Prerequisites: Completion of Honors Biology. Familiarity with Lab format, calculator skills, periodic table/ basic elements, glassware work, computer lab reports, lab safety, identification of equipment, balance and burner operation skills. Math level: Algebra II or equivalent

 

Exit Skills: Periodic table, including groups and schemes, burner/balance facility, glassware work, advanced analytical skills, dimensional analysis, units, problem solving, and chemical safety. Reactions, cleanup of lab, computer literacy: graphing, lab reports, spreadsheets, analysis of data, safe waste disposal. Topics: balancing equations, products, dilution, identification, radioactive decay, bonding, analytical techniques, and some organic chemistry.

 

 

 

General Description: The study of the origins of nature, its composition and processes; geological structures, tectonics; survey of oceanography, and environmental sciences.

 

Entry Skills/Prerequisites: Successful completion of physical science and biology; basic curiosity and willingness to learn; familiarity with basic science lab skills, calculator proficiency, ability to read well, and to solve basic problems.

 

Exit Skills: Understand interrelationships between astronomy/geology/geography and meteorology. Familiarity with the topics covered: waves, flora/fauna, exploration, tsunamis, erosion, volcanism, Celestial bodies. Atmospheres of stars, maps, exploration, space vehicles, telescopes. celestial navigation, star wars technology, plate tectonics, earthquakes, 3 rocks, maps, plates, brunton compass, seismic exploration, mapmaking, volcanoes, computers, oscilloscope, and ability to solve basic ecological problems.

 

 

 

General Description: Advanced problem solving techniques, organized lab practices, creative approaches, computer analysis and presentation, lab work, analytical skills, independent study/computer tutorials. Synthesis labs. Mature study skills. Exponential decay, algebra and geometry, some trig used. Topics include motion, momentum, energy, heat, light, electricity, forces, waves, simple harmonic motion, vectors, fluids, mechanics, and nuclear energy. Some astrophysics may be covered.

 

Entry skills/Prerequisite: Algebra/trig level math skills, calculator skills, dimensional analysis units, problem solving, data gathering and analysis skills.

 

Exit Skills: Exponential growth and decay, calculator/computer literacy, data gathering and organized analysis, advanced problem solving skills, Measurement of time, mass, length, electrical and thermal quantities, and calculations involving them.

 

 

 

General Description: Builds on honors or normal chemistry course, prepares student to pass the AP Chemistry exam, which qualifies for college credit. Extremely desirable if one plans on doing science, medicine or engineering in college. Any student passing Chem honors will have no difficulty with this course.

 

Entry Skills/Prerequisites: Chemistry (Honors preferred), periodic table, including groups and scheme, burner/balance facility, glassware work, advanced analytical skills, dimensional analysis, units, problem solving, and chemical safety. Reactions, cleanup of lab, computer literacy: graphing, lab reports, spreadsheets, and analysis of data.

 

Exit Skills: Proficiency with the AP exam, experience with college level science course.

 

 

 

General Description: Builds on honors or normal Biology course, prepares student to pass the AP Biology exam, which qualifies for college credit. Extremely desirable if one plans on doing science, medicine or engineering in college. Any student passing Bio honors will have no difficulty with this course. Topics: protein synthesis, meiosis and mitosis, microbiology and disease, Physiology, immunology, genetics, anatomy, advanced lab skills, botany.

 

Entry Skills/Prerequisites: Biology (Honors); Microscope use, osmosis, solubility, exponential growth and decay in living situations, calculator skills, concentrations, and math needed to make a solution of a given concentration.

 

Exit Skills: Proficiency with the AP exam, experience with college level science course.

 

 

 

General Description: Builds on Honors or normal physics course, prepares student to pass the AP Physics exam, which qualifies for college credit. Extremely desirable if one plans on doing science, medicine or engineering in college. Any student passing physics, and is taking calculus will have no difficulty with this course. Topics: Forces, mechanics, momentum, energy, kinetics, static’s, fluids, electricity, light, nuclear physics.

 

Entry Skills/Prerequisites: Physics, Calculus (taken concurrently). Exponential growth and decay, calculator/computer literacy, data gathering and organized analysis, advanced problem solving skills, Measurement of time, mass, length, electrical and thermal quantities, and calculations involving them.

 

Exit Skills: Proficiency with the AP exam, experience with college level science course.