The science curriculum is designed to meet the
needs of students of varied interests and abilities. Students intending to
apply to the more selective universities should select courses at college prep,
level 1 or honors, and develop a program that includes at least three core
courses (as explained below). A major goal of the science curriculum is to give
all students an understanding of the role science will play in their lives and
how important it is that they are aware of that role. Note: No enrichment
courses may be taken during any given year unless the core course for that
year, if any, is taken concurrently. There are no enrichment courses for ninth
or tenth graders.
Ninth-Grade
Courses
All ninth graders must select a Science Course
The freshman course is an
introduction to physical and earth\space science. It will be taught at three
levels. The department recommends that the honors level be selected by only
those students who have been identified as having a very high mathematical
ability.
HONORS INTRODUCTION TO PHYSICAL SCIENCE
#0514 Ð
Honors 1
Credit 1
1Ú4 Periods Grade 9
*See description in the
Honors Program section.
INTEGRATED SCIENCE
#0505 Ð College Prep 1
Credit 1
Period Grade
9
This course if an
introduction to science skills for students who are college bound and who will
continue science education in
biology, chemistry, physics or enrichment courses. This laboratory-centered
course provides students with concepts and skills common throughout all science
courses. Topics considered include fundamental measurements, properties of
matter and the atomic nature of matter. Emphasis is placed upon the development
of migratory technique, mathematical manipulations and creative thinking. A
student-maintained science journal will be part of the course.
INTEGRATED SCIENCE
#0510 Ð College Prep 1
Credit 1
Period Grade
9
This course if an
introduction to science skills for students who are college bound and who will
continue science education in biology, chemistry, physics or enrichment
courses. This laboratory-centered course provides students with concepts and
skills common throughout all science courses. Topics considered include
fundamental measurements, properties of matter and the atomic nature of matter.
Emphasis is placed upon the development of migratory technique, mathematical manipulations
and creative thinking. A student-maintained science journal will be part of the
course.
Tenth-Grade
Courses
All tenth graders must select a science course
The tenth-grade course is Biology.
Biology will be offered at three levels as described below.
HONORS BIOLOGY
#0504
ÐHonors 1
Credit 1
1Ú4
Periods Grade
10
* See description in the Honors
Program section
Prerequisite: Honors IPS or permission of the department
BIOLOGY
#0501 - College Prep 1
Credit
1 1Ú4 Periods
Grade 10
This is a broad survey
course designed to meet the demands of students who plan to further their
studies in college, particularly in the biological sciences. It is a blend of
the traditional, lecture-laboratory, and discussion approaches. Core topics
include: biochemistry, cells, genetics, evolution, the five kingdoms and human
anatomy. The laboratory will coordinate with the lecture material.
LIFE SCIENCE
#0503 Ð
Career
1
Credit 1
Period Grade
10
A course designed to
acquaint students with basic biological principles such as ecology, human and
animal structures and functions, the role of plants in the web of life, basic
concepts of heredity, and the complexities of a single cell. Life Science is
intended for students who do not seek college preparatory work in science.
Eleventh-Grade
Courses
The core course for the college-bound junior
is chemistry. Chemistry is offered at honors level and college prep.
Chemistry in the community is offered for those students planning to enter a two-year
post-secondary school and for those who wish to gain a practical knowledge of
physics and chemistry without the rigorous mathematical component of the
college preparatory levels of those courses.
HONORS CHEMISTRY
#0524
ÐHonors 1
Credit 1
1Ú4 Periods Grades
11, 12
*See description in the
Honors Program section.
Prerequisite: Grades C- or better in Algebra I and Honors
IPS or permission of the department.
CHEMISTRY
#0508 Ð College
Prep 1
Credit
1 1Ú4 Periods Grades
11, 12
Prerequisite: C- or better
in Algebra 1 and freshman science
A course designed to give
college preparatory students an introduction to the basics of chemistry which
they would need to succeed in college science courses. Among the topics
considered are the structure and classification of matter, chemical bonding,
nomenclature, modern atomic theory, solutions, equilibrium systems, and
acid-base theories. These and other topics are studied through mathematical as
well as conceptual approaches. Laboratory summary reports will be handed in
regularly.
Note: Students who
do not anticipate applying to a four-year college are allowed to select an
enrichment course without taking chemistry.
*Students planning to
enter nursing at the RN or BSN level and those planning on other health-field
careers which require a four-year college degree should enroll in this course.
CHEMISTRY IN THE COMMUNITY
#0519 - College Prep
1 Credit 1
Period Grades
11, 12
Prerequisite: C- or
better in freshman science or permission of the department chairman.
This course is presented
without the rigorous mathematical treatment given in other chemistry courses. It
is designed to meet the needs of the student does not have a strong background
in math but who seeks an understanding of the basics of chemistry before
entering technical school, two-year college or a four-year college to study a
non-science related major. This course will prepare students planning to enter
dental hygiene or licensed practical nursing (LPN) programs for the types of
science-related courses they will encounter. Major topics in chemistry will be
covered through the student-centered activities that include labs and real
world applications.
Senior Core
Courses
HONORS/AP PHYSICS B
#0534
1
Credit 1
1Ú4 Periods
Grade
12
Prerequisite:
Grades of B- of better in Honors IPS, Algebra 1 and Algebra II and approval of
the instructor or of the program chairman.
The Physics B course
provides a systematic introduction to the main principles of physics and
emphasizes the development of problem-solving ability. It is assumed that the
student is familiar with algebra and trigonometry. The laboratory experience is
used to help students understand the topics being considered. This course will
provide a foundation in physics for students in life sciences, pre-medicine,
and some applied sciences as well as other fields not directly related to
science.
PHYSICS
#0518 - Level
1 1
Credit 1
1Ú4 Periods Grade
12
Prerequisite: Grade of C- or better in IPS, Algebra I
and Algebra II
This is the general college-preparatory
physics course. Physics provides an understanding of contemporary views of the
physical world. It describes things in terms of two fundamental concepts:
matter and energy. The development of these concepts, the manner in which they
have been merged, and the wave-particle duality concept for understanding their
behavior form the theme of the course. Computer based labs are used
extensively in this course.
ENRICHMENT COURSES - Open to juniors and seniors
Full-Year
Courses
ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY
#0509 - College
Prep
1
Credit
1 Period Grades 11,
12
Prerequisite: Grade of B- or better in Biology
This course will focus on
learning about the human body from the simple macromolecules to the complex
systems that help us function as an organism. We will learn the structure and
function of the major organs and organ systems. Dissection of preserved
organisms is an integral part of this course. Students will be expected to
learn the terminology pertaining to the structures discussed in this course.
This course will be designed to allow students to explore the possibility of
entering the medical and related health fields.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE
#0515 - College Prep 1
Credit 1
¼
Period Grades
11, 12
Prerequisite: Biology or Life Science
This course will present
an overview of the major environmental concerns of today: pollution of air, water
and soil; sound ecological practices; extinction; recycling; oceans, and
alternative energy sources. Recent developments in genetics, microbiology, and
organic chemistry will be discussed, as will the Earth and its inhabitants.
Traditional lecture will be combined with laboratories and in-class group
research projects and presentations.
EARTH AND SPACE
#0541 - College Prep 1
Credit 1
Period Grades
11, 12
This course continues the
studies of geology, meteorology and astronomy begun in elementary and middle
schools, focusing on the theories and discoveries in such topics as the
formation of the universe, instrumentation, basic physics and chemistry as
applied to geology and astronomy, the solar system, constructive and
destructive forces which shape the earth, and a brief geological history of
Connecticut, as well as several others. There will be demonstrations and
limited laboratory experiments.
ADVANCED PLACEMENT BIOLOGY
#5211 1
Credit
1 ¼
Period
Grades 12
Prerequisite: Grade of B- or better in Biology
and Chemistry and Permission from instructor.
The advanced biology
course will expand the major themes presented in the first year of biology. The
course is designed to be the equivalent of a college introductory course for
biology majors. The two main goals of AP Biology are to help students develop a
conceptual framework for modern biology and to help students gain an
appreciation of science as a process. The content included in this course is as
follows:
I. Molecules and Cells 25%
II. Heredity and Evolution 25 %
III. Organisms and Populations 50 %
INTRODUCTION TO
VETERINARY SCIENCE
#0520 Ð College Prep 1
Credit 1 Period Grades
11, 12
Prerequisite: Grades of
C+ or better in Biology; should have taken chemistry or be taking it currently.
Introduction to
Veterinary Science is a broad interdisciplinary science course intended to
capture the interest of students who are interested in animals, science,
medicine and biology. It provides a serious vehicle for teaching scientific
concepts, ideas and terminology. Students will be given a glimpse into science
and biology in the real world and how it interacts in there lives. The course
will be taught through lectures, labs, videos, guest speakers, student
presentations, and demonstrations.
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