Science
	Biology This course is designed to provide students with an introduction to and a general overview of biology, concentrating on the major themes that connect all living things. The course includes a brief survey of the plant and animal kingdoms, a section on molecular and cellular biology, and a thorough study of human biology. Special emphasis will be placed upon understanding processes, the relationship between structure and function, and cause and effect, as well as evolution. A principal goal of the course is to gain understanding of the natural world and how it applies to daily life. Lab, field, and research activities reveal and reinforce these concepts. Independent work is encouraged and may be required. The course is a requirement for all subsequent science courses and is most often taken in 9th grade. (1 credit; full year) Biology H This course is for motivated, high achieving students who have been successful in Middle School science. Students must be able to quickly assimilate both textual and lecture material. This course offers an examination of the fundamental biochemical principles underlying molecular biology and genetics, a brief survey of the plant and animal kingdoms, and a thorough study of human biology. Lab and research activities reveal and reinforce the concepts. Classes will be fast-paced, and students who are interested in advanced science courses may wish to prepare for the SAT 2 at the completion of this course; such preparation will require extra study beyond the material covered in class. An application, a sample lab write-up, and permission from the science department are required for admission into this course. (1 credit; full year) Marine Biology The study of marine biology explores a variety of concepts and ecosystems. The backbone of this course is the ecological principles that operate throughout the marine environment. Students will study marine environments to acquire an understanding of these principles and of the ecosystems in this region, and will apply these basic concepts to a variety of marine ecosystems. They will relate the properties of saline water to the structure and function of marine organisms and explore interactions of man and the sea. The questions “why” and “how” summarize the approach of this course. Field work will be prefaced and supported with studies of literature and working knowledge of flora and fauna that characterize the ecosystems. Since Biology meets the life science requirement, Marine Biology does not meet any additional science requirements, nor is it a prerequisite for any other course. Prerequisite: Biology. (1 credit; full year) Chemistry Chemistry is a first-year, lab-based course that is designed to give students an opportunity to explore a variety of topics in inorganic chemistry. The section on general chemistry will cover in detail the basic principles of the states of matter and energy and the changes that they undergo. Acid-base chemistry and a brief survey of nuclear chemistry complete the inorganic survey. Lab work is a cooperative experience that reinforces concepts and introduces standard chemical techniques. Prerequisite: Algebra 2 must be taken before or concurrently with this course. (1 credit; full year) Chemistry H This rigorous course is designed to provide a strong background in inorganic chemical principles. The major topics of study include atomic structure, chemical reactions, stoichiometry, periodicity, chemical bonding, forces and theories of matter, solutions, thermodynamics, kinetics and equilibrium, acid-base chemistry, redox, and electrochemistry. Nuclear chemistry and organic chemistry complete the syllabus. Laboratory experiences provide the students with hands-on opportunities to study the topics covered during lectures. This course has a strong emphasis on problem-solving and critical thinking. It requires a solid, analytical, intuitive, and mathematical foundation. Prerequisite: Algebra 2 must be successfully completed prior to admission. An application, a sample lab write-up and permission from the science department are required for admission into this course. (1 credit; full year) Physics The traditional topics of physics are investigated, including linear, circular, and rotational motion; momentum; energy; light; sound; electricity; magnetism; modern atomic and nuclear physics. Class and lab exercises emphasize principles and concepts, and straightforward math techniques are used in problem-solving. Practical applications of principles are explored. (Students interested in physical science careers or who will be taking AP Physics should take Physics H, not Physics.) Completion of Algebra 2 and Trigonometry are prerequisites for this course. (1 credit; full year) Physics H This rigorous first-year physics course investigates the traditional topics of motion, momentum, energy, light, electricity, magnetism, and atomic and nuclear physics. Emphasis is placed on applying math techniques to problem-solving and forming basic principles from analysis of lab work. Students considering careers in the physical sciences or who wish to continue with AP Physics in another year should take this course. Prerequisite: Students must also have completed or be enrolled in Pre-Calculus H. An application and departmental permission are required for admission. (1 credit; full year) Environmental Science Environmental Science is an interdisciplinary course utilizing biology, chemistry, sociology, economics, and other disciplines. At the beginning of the year, students choose the overall theme of the course, such as climate change or endangered species. Students will study the adjacent salt marsh and beach as well as nearby Audubon properties as field laboratories to collect, analyze, and interpret real-world data. Students have many opportunities to work individually or in small groups to delve more deeply into specific topics of interest. Biology and Chemistry are prerequisites for this course. (1 credit; full year) AP Biology This is a rigorous course that uses college-level texts and lab materials and closely follows the syllabus published by the College Board. This course examines in detail the biochemical and biophysical principles that underlie plant and animal morphology, physiology, and genetics. This course is modeled after a college-level biology course and will require extra study beyond the material studied in class. Students are asked to interpret complicated lab phenomena in terms of the concepts and to formulate their own hypotheses from the data. Further, students are required to take the AP Examination in May. Full-year biology and chemistry courses are prerequisites; summer biology and chemistry courses are not acceptable. An application and departmental permission are required for admission into this course. (1 credit; full year) AP Chemistry This advanced course closely follows the syllabus published by the College Board and focuses on some areas of chemistry not previously explored in earlier chemistry classes. The five major areas of study are: structure of matter; states of matter; reactions; descriptive chemistry; and laboratory work. Topics from Chemistry and Chemistry H to be explored in greater depth include: the periodic law; thermodynamics; electrochemistry; and equilibrium. The laboratory exercises are similar in concept, equipment, instrumentation, and techniques to those found in a first-year college course. Chemistry or Chemistry H is a prerequisite. An application and departmental permission are required for admission into this course. (1 credit; full year) AP Physics This difficult, college-level course is designed for those students with a keen interest in physics and a solid background in mathematics. Calculus is used extensively. The year is split between topics of mechanics and those of electricity and magnetism, and much of the material is discussed from a theoretical point of view. Analytical and problem-solving skills are developed, and lab work is more open-ended than in previous science courses. AP Calculus must be completed or taken concurrently with this class; Physics H is a prerequisite for this course. An application and departmental permission are required for admission to this course. (1 credit; full year) AP Environmental Science This course examines ecological principles and the scientific basis behind many current environmental issues of local, national, and global importance. As an environmental science, it will include a strong laboratory and field investigation component. The adjacent salt marsh and beach are used for field study. Biology and Chemistry are prerequisites. The AP level is more rigorous and requires additional coursework in preparation for the AP exam in May. An application and departmental permission are required. (1 credit; full year)

	11th & 12th Grade Science Electives
	Organic Chemistry I: Introduction to Organic Chemistry Organic Chemistry I will introduce students to the chemistry of carbon. This course is the first of a two-part sequence. In this introductory elective, which may also be taken as a one-semester course, students will become familiar with naming and identifying functional groups and basic structures in addition to understanding alkene reaction mechanisms. Other topics will include Lewis structures, Kekulé structures, resonance and thermodynamics, and structural stability. Prerequisites include successful completion of Chemistry and approval of the science department head. (1⁄2 credit; 1st semester) Physics of Sports This first semester elective will provide an understanding of physics concepts occurring in the world of sports. Many sports will be included: baseball, basketball, hockey, diving, skating, cycling, and football. The syllabus will cover trajectories of pucks in hockey and balls in football and baseball. Timing in sports, applications of Newton’s laws, momentum and angular momentum, work and energy, and fluid dynamics will also be covered. The way technological advances influence sports will be discussed as well. Readings will be provided, and weekly assessments will be part of the class. There will be three major tests and a research project in lieu of a final exam. The final project will be presented to the class at the end of the semester. Prerequisites: Successful completion of Physics or Physics H. (1⁄2 credit; 1st semester) Organic Chemistry II Organic Chemistry II is the second half of the two-part sequence of introductory Organic Chemistry. This course will build on the topics learned in the first semester and delve more deeply into various chemical reactions. Topics will include spectroscopy, alkyne reactions, synthesis of carbon-carbon bonds, and stereochemistry. Students will also be introduced to carbonyl chemistry. Prerequisites: Successful completion of Organic Chemistry I and departmental approval. (1⁄2 credit; 2nd semester) Astronomy This second semester elective will focus on understanding how physics laws have been used to give us our current understanding of the universe. The syllabus will include classical astronomy, astronomical instruments, and exploration of the solar system. Composition of the sun and stars, the evolution of stars, the Big Bang, and relativity will also be discussed. Nautical astronomy and several labs will also be included in the semester. Three major tests, two brief presentations during the semester, and a major presentation at the end of the year will comprise the course assessment. There will be a field trip to a local observatory and special observations of any special celestial events, e.g. solar or lunar eclipses. Prerequisite: Successful completion of Geometry and Trigonometry. (1⁄2 credit; 2nd semester) Research and Experimental Design This one-semester course will expose students to the principles and practices inherent in college level scientific research. Topics covered include proper reading of scientific publications, scientific literature searching including citation research, statistical design of experiments (BOX etc.), project planning (PERT, GANTT), visual presentation of numeric data (Tufte’s work), scientific writing, and presentation methods for scientific findings. During the class students will select a specific project to plan. Many assignments will be applications of the topics studied to the chosen project. The end product of the class will be a complete research plan, which the student may choose to follow during further research. This course is a prerequisite for independent research studies in the sciences and should be taken in the spring by students planning to do research the following year, or it may be taken in the fall as a first step in an independent research study. Students in other subjects who intend to do an independent or group research project that will generate experimental data should consider this class. (1⁄2 credit; one semester)