Upper School Science

Using the investigative approach, laboratory experiences are integrated with a program which attempts to give the student a complete and well-balanced foundation in science. Biology is required and the students take it during their freshmen year. Chemistry is normally taken the following year. Physics is required before graduation for all students enrolling in Advanced Bio and Advanced Chemistry. Trimester electives may be taken any time after the full year biology course. Advanced Placement Biology, Advanced Placement Chemistry, and AP Environmental Science are also available.

BSCS Biology: A Human Approach (Grade 9) Full year, lab science course
This is a first-year high school biology course based upon a constructivist model of instruction. Students proceed through a study of biology organized around unifying themes such as Evolution; Homeostasis; Energy, Matter, and Organization; Continuity; Development; and Ecology. Students will be involved in constructing their understanding of biological concepts through active investigation of questions and hypotheses related to each theme. There will be a balance of scientific and academic skills and concepts taught. The course utilizes a variety of assessments, cooperative learning opportunities, laboratory equipment and techniques, and student-centered learning strategies.
*Successful completion of one year of biology is required for graduation.

BSCS Biology: A Molecular Approach (Grade 9) Full year, lab science course
This is a first-year high school biology course based upon the structure and function of biologically significant molecules. It begins with the biochemistry of living systems and proceeds through larger structures from cells to organ systems to organisms, and finally species, biological communities and their evolution. It emphasizes cellular and molecular biology concepts and their application to the understanding of scientific knowledge and process. Labs seek to demonstrate the concepts being covered and involve a variety of manipulations of equipment and data. Assessment is primarily done through individual testing, lab report writing, and completion of other written assignments.
*Successful completion of one year of biology is required for graduation.

Chemistry (Grades 10, 11, 12) Full year
Prerequisite: Biology, Algebra II or simultaneous enrollment
This traditional approach to chemistry includes all of the basic concepts, but does not require as much expertise in mathematics as the honors course. The emphasis is more on the practical and less on the theoretical. One lab session is scheduled each week.

Chemistry Honors (Grades 10, 11, 12) Full year
Prerequisite: Algebra II or simultaneous enrollment, departmental permission.
The honors course is based on the investigative approach to learning chemistry. Emphasis is placed on discovery of chemical principles through careful observation in the laboratory. The student gains experience not only about chemistry, but how to do chemistry. Descriptive chemistry is used to strengthen the concepts. Facts are gathered and arranged meaningfully to reveal regularities that lead to understanding nature.

Topics include: scientific methodology, atomic theory, principles of reactions, kinetic theory, chemical bonding, organic chemistry fundamentals, chemical equilibrium, and acids and bases. Two labs are scheduled each week.

Physics Full year
Prerequisite: Algebra II, Biology, Chemistry.
Physics is concerned primarily with the laws that govern the behavior of the inanimate world. Laboratory experiences stress practical applications of physical, mechanical, dynamics, energy, electricity, heat, and light. One lab is scheduled each week.

Physics Honors Full year
Prerequisite: Pre-Calculus credit or simultaneous enrollment; Biology, Chemistry, and departmental recommendation.
This course covers kinematics, dynamics, energy, electricity and light from a Laboratory-based approach. The course should sharpen the student's skills as an observer and experimenter, and improve the ability to analyze results and generalize from his observations. Two labs are scheduled each week.

Advanced Biology (AP Biology) (Grades 11, 12) Full year
Prerequisite: Biology, Chemistry, and departmental recommendation.
Physics is required before graduation. This course is for the senior (and selected junior) student who has already had biology and chemistry. This is an Advanced Placement Biology course and meets the objectives of a general biology course taught at the college level. Three lab periods are scheduled each week. Briefly, it will include:

I. Molecular and Cellular Biology

II. Organismal Biology
A. Structure and Function of Animals and Plants
B. Principles of Heredity

III. Population Biology
A. Ecology
B. Evolution
C. Behavior

Advanced Chemistry (AP Chemistry) (Grades 11, 12) Full year
Prerequisite: Pre-Calculus, Chemistry, and departmental permission. To alternate with Advanced Environmental Science. Physics is required before graduation.

This course is for the junior or senior student who has had biology and chemistry. This is an Advanced Placement Chemistry course and meets the objectives of a general chemistry course taught at the college level. Understanding of fundamentals and competence in dealing with chemical problems will be stressed. Three lab periods are scheduled each week. Briefly, it will include:

I. Structure of Matter
A. Atomic theory and structure
B. Chemical Bonding
C. Nuclear Chemistry

II. States of Matter
A. Bases
B. Liquids and Solids
C. Solutions

III. Reactors
A. Types
B. Stoichiometry
C. Equilibrium
D. Kinetics
E. Thermodynamics

Anatomy and Physiology (Grades 10, 11, 12) - Full Year
Prerequisite: one full year of Biology
The anatomy course will study the structure and function of the following systems of the body: skeletal, muscular, nervous, excretory, and reproductive. Both the anatomy and the physiology of these systems will be taken. The laboratory approach will be anatomical, wherein dissection of large mammals will be the main thrust.

Any student wishing to take anatomy and physiology but (for whatever reason) feels that he/she does not wish to do a cat dissection, may sign up for the course and will be assigned some other related laboratory experience during that time. (Please note that it will be different-not easier.) Any student interested in pursuing a medical field of any kind is recommended to do the cat dissection.

The physiology course will study the structure and function of the following systems of the body: circulatory, respiratory, digestive, muscular, and endocrine. Both the anatomy and the physiology of these systems will be taken. The laboratory approach will be physiological in nature.

ELECTIVES
Each school year a series of trimester electives is offered. Not all electives are available in the same school year. Each year the department will identify those to be offered. Some of the most frequently offered electives are listed below.

Bologna Detection: Logical Errors and Statistical Lies (2007-08)
This class will examine Carl Sagan’s wonderful chapter on logical error in The Demon-Haunted World: Science as a Candle in the Dark, study sections of Darrell Huff’s How to Lie With Statistics, and examine the political process and scientific arena searching for modern day bologna.

Einstein: What he did with the rest of his life (2007-08)
This class will study the Special and General Theories of Relativity, the really strange nature of Quantum Physics (Zarate and Eisner’s graphic text will help here), and the search for the Theory of Everything. Students will be lead through the math (it is not really so hard), replicate some of the classic experiments, and try to understand a world beyond what everyone considers common sense, the world of modern physics.

Photoshop: Bending the Record of Reality (2007-08)
Instructor: Ralph Suiter
This class will learn to use Photoshop. Students will use digital cameras to gather experimental data, and examine how such records of such “fact” can be manipulated and twisted. Participants should become more critical consumers of both scientific and non-scientific publications.

Survey of the Senses (Fall 2007)
Prerequisite: Biology
Instructor: Anne Griffith
Students in this course will be involved in a study of the human senses. The anatomy and physiology of each of the sense will be explored along with cultural aspects of our sensory lives. Students will begin with an introduction to the nervous system, followed by material related to each of the five senses. Laboratory experiments and demonstrations will support what the students have learned and will include such things as brain dissection, mapping the tongue and skin, smell and memory, hearing and balance. Students will also work in groups to design an experiment to test a particular aspect of our senses, and will produce PowerPoint presentation of their studies. Resources will include Diane Ackerman's A Natural History of the Senses, Elaine Marieb's Essential of Human Anatomy and Physiology, and a variety of guest speakers, videotapes, Internet resources, and other media.

Let’s Eat! (Winter 2007-08)
Instructor: Anne Griffith
Pre-requisite: One year of Biology
Description: This one-term elective will involve a broad exploration of humans eating. We will begin with some fundamental concepts of why we eat, energy flow, human’s place in the food chain and role as heterotrophs. Next we will explore human nutrition and diet. To do this we will learn about the 2005 USDA dietary guidelines, MyPyramid, Nutrition Facts labels, as well as evaluating popular diets such as the Atkins diet, South Beach diet, Low/No fat diets, etc. Finally, we will explore implications of feeding the human population of the earth. Topics may include world food distribution, world hunger, issues of nutrition in the U.S., the green revolution and intensive vs. organic agricultural methods, genetically modified crops, and the slow food movement.

Forensic Science (Spring 2008)
Prerequisite: Biology
Instructor: Anne Griffith
Students will be involved in learning about the technology and procedures used by forensic scientists for solving crimes. This will be an integrated science course, drawing on concepts and lab techniques from life, earth, and physical sciences, as well as psychology, anthropology, and archeology. Students will explore many forensic techniques in lab situations (e.g. DNA fingerprinting, hair analysis, substance identification, blood drop analysis, etc.), practice using critical and deductive thinking skills, and explore contemporary forensic practices (e.g. serial killer profiling, psychic interventions, autopsy, etc.) including the debates surrounding such practices. Guest presenters may be a part of our exploration. Students will be involved in analyzing and presenting, as if in court, a mock crime scene.

Astronomy (9-12)
Prerequisite: None
This course is designed to be an introduction to observational astronomy. Topics include the Sun, the Earth, the moon, eclipses, the planets, comets and meteors, stars and nebulae, space science, telescopes, and cosmology. One double period for lab is scheduled each week, with additional evening observation sessions scheduled as weather permits.

Earth Origins (9-12)
Prerequisite: None
This lab course will use an investigative approach to study the dynamic processes that shape the Earth. Students will investigate topographical and geological maps, weathering and soil formation, erosion and deposition, volcanoes and earthquakes, plate tectonics and diastrophism, rocks and minerals, geology and geologic history, and water resources. One double period for lab is scheduled each week.

Ecology (9-12)
Prerequisite: None
Ecology is the study of interactions between living things and their environment. This course provides the opportunity to explore the concepts of interaction interdependence in a variety of ecosystems and the issue of human influence in the biosphere. A systems analysis approach to some past ecological issues leads to a discussion of current issues and the role of politics. Lab work is conducted outdoors, weather permitting.

Genetics

Biotechnology

Embryology