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Offerings
Descriptions
Physical
Science
This course is a study of matter and
energy. It emphasizes everyday applications of physical laws.
Special attention is given to building basic laboratory skills including
measurement, scientific method, and basic problem solving.
Emphasis is
placed on helping the student develop and apply critical thinking process
skills. The student is first introduced to the nature and methods of science
in which he learns the importance of observation, measurement, and problem
solving techniques. Following this introduction, the general topics are
motion, energy, heat, work, machines, forms of matter, atomic structure,
chemical bonds, periodic table of elements, organic chemistry, solutions,
chemical reactions, waves (sound and light), mirrors, lenses, electricity,
magnetism, radioactivity, nuclear reactions, and energy alternatives.
Biology I
The high school biology classroom is no
longer just a place where facts are disseminated. The modern biology
classroom is a place where a student not only learns the facts associated
with the science of life, but also learns the various higher level thinking
skills that are a requirement for a successful adult life. Critical
thinking skills involve judging the validity of facts by collecting evidence
that either supports the facts or refutes them. The general topics that are
covered in the course are molecular biology, the cell, genetics, evolution,
microorganisms, plants, animals, human biology, and ecology.
Environmental
Science
This course is a study of one aspect of
the natural world – living in a world that we seem to be destroying. In order
to do this, we need detailed knowledge of how the natural world works so that
we can prevent further abuse of our planet and begin to repair the damage
already done. Specialized environmental topics will include ecology,
forestry, oceanography, geology, and meteorology. Students will be expected
to do field research and to become involved in environmental issues.
Chemistry I
In this course a student will study substances,
especially their structure, composition, properties, and transformations. He
will develop critical thinking and problem solving skills, not only to use in
chemistry, but also, by extension, to use in everyday life. Topics covered
include classification & phases of matter, energy, atomic structure,
chemical formulas & equations, stoichiometry, gases, chemical
periodicity, chemical bonding, solutions, kinetics & thermodynamics,
chemical equilibrium, acids & bases, oxidation – reduction, electrochemistry,
organic chemistry, and nuclear chemistry.
Physics
The central theme of this course is the
interrelation of matter and energy. The underlying statement, theory, or law
and the application of the principles to problem solving are presented within
various topics of physical phenomena. Laboratory work and its interpretation
are an essential part of this course. The various topics treated include
mechanics, motion in a straight line, acceleration, vector analysis, Newton’s
Laws, momentum, projectile & circular motion, work, power, energy,
kinetic theory of gases, heat, radiant energy, mirrors & lenses, wave
& quantum, theory of light, electricity, magnetism, and nuclear energy.
Biology II
This course is designed for the student
who would like to further his knowledge of human biology beyond the concepts
introduced in Biology I. All human body systems are studied in closer detail
and laboratory work, including mammalian dissection, is used to enhance the
learning experience.
Biology AP
This course is designed to be the
equivalent of a college introductory biology course usually taken by a
biology major in his first year. It differs significantly from our first
course in biology with respect to the type of textbook used, the range and
depth of topics covered, the kind of laboratory work done by the student, and
the time and effort required of the student.
Chemistry
II
This course is designed for the student
who would like to explore more thoroughly the concepts he was exposed to in
Chemistry I. Additional topics that time constraints did not allow to be
covered in the first course will also be investigated.
Chemistry
II AP
This course is designed to be as close to
a college chemistry class as is possible in a high school setting. The topics
covered in Chemistry I are reviewed in greater depth, and new topics are
explored that could not be dealt with in the first course in chemistry. More
emphasis is placed on laboratory work.
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