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ScienceEvery student is required to complete three years of credit in science. One must be in a biological science course and one in a physical science course. Students are encouraged to discuss individual circumstances with their science teacher or with the department chairperson to determine placement in science courses. Students wishing to take upper level science courses must demonstrate proficiency in introductory Biology and introductory Chemistry. Most Laboratory Schools students will take introductory Biology in ninth grade, and either Chemistry M or Chemistry C in tenth grade. If, in lieu of taking our course, a student successfully passes a placement exam administered by the department chair, the chair will authorize the student to register for the next appropriate course, subject to the prerequisites indicated in the individual course descriptions below. Should a student pass out of one or more courses by examination, that student will still need to earn a biological science credit and a physical science credit prior to graduation. Some students come to the Laboratory Schools in tenth grade or later, having successfully completed, at an accredited high school, introductory courses in Biology or Chemistry which closely parallel our own courses. These students will be given credit for those courses, and will not be required to duplicate their work in the corresponding courses here. Other students may have taken courses at other high schools which are not close matches to the introductory courses here. These students may be granted credit toward graduation, but will be required to complete the two-year sequence of introductory science courses at the laboratory schools.
Biology Students are offered the opportunity to develop a basic understanding of the molecular, ecological, and cellular bases of the processes common to all living things, such as respiration, reproduction, hormonal and nervous coordination. Evolutionary theory is presented as an underlying integrative principle. Ethical issues in ecology, human sexuality, and care of the human body are explored. This course is a prerequisite for Advanced Biology. This course meets six periods per week.
Chemistry C This course satisfies the chemistry component of the required two-year science sequence. The course is built around a series of societal issues, such as the conservation of our water and mineral resources; alternatives for supplying future energy requirements; the pollution of air and water; and the contributions of chemistry to agriculture and nutrition. In each case, the aim is to learn the chemistry concepts needed to intelligently discuss the problem and its possible solutions. The course, developed by the American Chemical Society, is designed to introduce college-bound high school students to chemistry. It is recommended that students who will be concurrently taking Geometry register for Chemistry C rather than Chemistry M. However, everyone who has successfully completed Algebra 1 and Biology is welcome to register for Chemistry C. This course meets six periods per week.
Chemistry M This course satisfies the chemistry component of the required two-year science sequence. The basis of the course is a series of laboratory investigations concerning structure and properties of gases, characteristics of chemical combinations; and conditions associated with chemical change. Specific topics include: kinetic theory, modern theories of the atom, chemical bonding, nuclear chemistry, acids and bases, and electrochemistry. This introductory chemistry course for college-bound high school students emphasizes the mathematical aspects of the discipline. This course meets six periods per week.
AP Biology This course is meant to be equivalent to an introductory college biology course. Topics include biochemistry and molecular biology, cell biology, classical and molecular genetics, development, evolution, and plant and animal physiology. There is an extensive laboratory program. The course emphasizes the concepts behind biological process and highlights modern biotechnology and research techniques. This course meets seven periods per week.
Physics This physics course takes a question-oriented laboratory-oriented approach and covers forces & motion, energy, light, sound, and electricity & magnetism. Emphasis will be placed on finding the relationships between these core concepts, and there will be much flexibility in terms of lab activities, out-of-class projects, and group work. While mathematics is not stressed, equations are used as a guide when solving problems. This course meets six periods per week.
AP Chemistry This course builds on the knowledge and skills learned in introductory chemistry. Topics such as atomic theory, kinetic theory, chemical bonding, reaction kinetics, and equilibrium are expanded in scope. Additional topics including thermodynamics and quantum mechanics provide a means of integrating basic chemical principles. Laboratory work is quantitative in nature and emphasizes techniques for evaluation of data. This course is designed to prepare students for the Advanced Placement Chemistry examination given in late May each year. This course meets six to eight periods per week.
AP Physics-B Syllabus This course is designed to prepare students for the AP Physics B examination given in May, and follows the syllabus for that examination. Topics include: Newtonian mechanics, thermodynamics, electricity and magnetism, optics and waves, and modern physics (atomic theory, radiation, and nuclear decay). The course will meet seven times per week until the AP exam. Typically, five of the seven meetings will be devoted to lecture, two to problem-solving sessions and laboratory work.
AP Physics-C Syllabus This course is designed to prepare students for the Physics AP C examination given in May, and follows the syllabus for that examination. Topics include: Newtonian mechanics and electricity and magnetism. The syllabus for the AP Physics C is calculus-based, and presupposes a prior course in physics. The course will meet six periods per week until the AP exam. Typically, four of the six meetings will be devoted to lecture and two to problem-solving and laboratory work.
Special Topic: Mathematical Methods of
Science (Fall) No frills mathematics. A course that emphasis the needed mathematics in the sciences. We sacrifice mathematical rigor and sequencing of topics in order to develop the necessary mathematics for various science disciplines. Data collection and laboratory work will be done with the purpose of analyzing results rather than simply finding a "good fit."
Special Topic : Introductory Astronomy (Winter) A one-quarter course covering our place in space, celestial mechanics, planetary and stellar astronomy, galactic evolution, and pulsars and black holes with some basic spectroscopy. There will be pencil and paper "laboratory" work as well as telescopic (day and night) observations. Some "hands-on" activities will involve triangulation of man made satellites, determining planetary positions, using Kepler's method of determining the elliptical orbit of Mars and plotting extra solar planets using the actual data.
Special Topic: Electronics (Spring) The course begins with the concepts of voltage, current, resistance, batteries, and AC power sources. Electronic components such as resistors, capacitors, inductors, diodes, and transistors, will be covered. A minimum of at least five projects will be constructed. Students who have an interest in constructing specific circuts may be allowed to do so. An understanding of how the circuitry fuctions will be emphasized along with circuit construction.
Special Topic: Human Behavior (Fall) This course is a quarter-long exploration of the human mind. We use psychological, biological, and philosophical approaches to understand human cognition, behavior, and perception. Specific topics may include gender differences in behavior, aggression, consciousness and cognition, evolution of behavior, personality, dreams, love, and death and dying.
Special Topic: Forensic Science (Winter) Forensic science involves the application of scientific skills to the resolution of legal issues. Topics to be discussed involve methods of investigation and applications to crime solving. Analysis and interpretation of physical evidence, physical anthropology, pathology, psychiatry, toxicology, and the scientific analysis of documents will be covered. The class meets four times per week.
Special Topic: Disease and Society (Spring) This course will build upon students' existing biological knowledge and not only cover how society looks at diseases today and in the past, but also how disease actually causes pathology. Coverage will not be comprehensive, but cardiovascular disease, cancers, various inborn and infectious diseases, and other factors affecting health, will be covered. The class meets four periods per week.
Laboratory Project in Science The student is provided the opportunity to do an individual laboratory investigation in some area of the biological or physical sciences. He/she must have demonstrated mastery of the basic concepts and skills of the prerequisite courses as well as the inclination and ability to plan and carry out laboratory investigation independently. Interested students must obtain further information and assistance in developing a plan of work by consulting members of the science department. It will be necessary to have a science department faculty member sign the course registration, agreeing to sponsor this independent study.
Library Project in Science The student designs and carries out a plan for investigating self-selected topics in a specific area of science. The course includes extensive use of the appropriate university and public libraries. Interested students must obtain further information and assistance in developing a plan of work by consulting members of the science department. It will be necessary to have a science department faculty member sign the course registration, agreeing to sponsor this independent study. | |
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