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Science
Department
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Building on concepts and content from preceding
years, the high school science program provides
students with the skills, knowledge, and
experiences which lead to the development of young
adults who are capable of assuming their role as
productive thinking citizens. The high school
science program strives to provide students with
experience in making informed decisions, through
the analysis of both qualitative and quantitative
data, on scientific topics and issues which affect
our society and environment.
With a focus on critical thinking and problem
solving, the high school science curriculum is
founded on the in-depth study of Biology,
Chemistry, and Physics. The contemporary issues and
approaches of these courses are supplemented with a
variety of electives allowing students to not only
fulfill their science requirements, but also pursue
their interests in an array of science topics
through rigorous and relevant courses ranging from
Astronomy to Forensics to Zoology.
Science courses are well subscribed to but
must be limited in size and number for reasons
including safety concerns in the laboratory
setting. As a result, in addition to the
fulfillment of prerequisites, scheduling priority
is based on senior status and previous performance
in Mathematics and Science courses.
AP
and Accelerated Science electives require a great
deal of commitment and focus from the student. The
placement for students electing to change levels in
science courses will be determined by previous
science course level, performance, and teacher
recommendation.
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#311 - Biology
I
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Grades
9-12
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Level:
Accelerated
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Year:
5X
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Credits:
5
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Biology I provides a strong foundation
in biological concepts. The student
enrolled in the accelerated level will
assume responsibility for learning about
cell biology, biochemical genetics,
chemistry of life, diversity, ecology,
evolution, plant physiology and the
effects of biological systems. Students
should expect to utilize all forms of
research skills, displaying familiarity
with traditional library sources as well
as emerging technology, including
calculator and computer based
instruction.
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#312 - Biology
I
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Grades
9-12
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Level:
Academic
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Year:
5X
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Credits:
5
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The
course is structured as a study of the
molecular approach to biology, providing a
challenging course through inquiry based
investigations and a broad base upon which
students may elect to major in science at
higher levels. Teachers use multiple
techniques in dealing with broad topics
that include cell biology, biochemical
genetics, and chemistry of life,
diversity, ecology, evolution, plant
physiology and the effects of biological
systems. Students should expect to utilize
all forms of research skills, displaying
familiarity with traditional library
sources as well as emerging technology,
including calculator and computer based
techniques.
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#313 - Biology
I
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Grades
9-12
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Level:
Standard
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Year:
5X
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Credits:
5
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The
course is structured as a study of the
molecular approach to biology, providing
challenges through inquiry oriented
investigations. Teachers use multiple
techniques in dealing with topics that
include cell biology, biochemical
genetics, chemistry of life, diversity,
ecology, evolution, plant physiology and
the effects of biological systems.
Students will be exposed to all forms of
research skills, displaying familiarity
with traditional library sources as well
as emerging technology, including
calculator and computer based
techniques.
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#320 - Biology
II: AP
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Grades
11-12
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Level:
Accelerated
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Year:
8X
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Credits:
8
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Prerequisites:
Biology I, Chemistry I and meet AP
entrance guidelines (accelerated level or
lower only with teacher
recommendation).
The Advanced Placement Biology course is
designed to be the equivalent of a college
introductory biology course. Each year,
the AP Biology program requires a summer
assignment based upon a changing theme.
Students electing this course are expected
to have excellent science background,
mathematical skills, and be prepared to
spend the appropriate amount of time
preparing course work, in problem-solving
activities, laboratory and general study.
It should be recognized that course
objectives and proficiencies are focused
on the student taking and being successful
on the Advanced Placement Biology
examination and students are further
encouraged to accept the challenge of this
examination. The AP Biology examination is
constructed to meet the goals set for
three general areas: molecules and cells,
25%; genetics and evolution, 25%; and
organisms and populations, 50% Students
must be prepared to begin class at 7:41 AM
everyday and continue through until the
end of period 1.
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#321 Anatomy
& Physiology
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Grades
11-12
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Level:
Academic
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Year:
5X
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Credits:
5
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Prerequisite:
Biology I
Anatomy & Physiology is a second year
course in biology which deals primarily
with the study of the anatomy (structures)
and physiology (functions) of the human
body. Time is devoted to laboratory work
involving microscope technique,
microscopic examination of tissues, and
other types of laboratory work, including
dissections. Students electing this course
must assume the responsibility of
preparing comprehensive laboratory
reports, including significant drawings
complete with appropriate labels. It is
also expected that students will use
computer-based strategies to augment
learning.
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#341 -
Chemistry I
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Grades
10-12
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Level:
Accelerated
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Year:
5X
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Credits:
5
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Prerequisite:
Algebra I and Geometry
This course places a heavy emphasis on
quantitative relationships. All chemistry
sections employ a mathematical approach to
broad areas of the course. The student
must be comfortable in solving word
problems. Accelerated chemistry requires a
high reading and reasoning ability and
strong proficiency with algebra. A
significant amount of the instructional
time is used in the laboratory where data
is collected from which generalizations
can be drawn and lab reports written.
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#342 -
Chemistry
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Grades
10-12
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Level:
Academic
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Year:
5X
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Credits:
5
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Prerequisite:
Algebra I
This course is similar to Accelerated in
approach. Expectations of the students are
appropriately demanding and require
proficiency with algebra. Emphasis is
placed on helping the students in
understanding the concepts of chemistry.
Students successfully completing this
course would be well prepared for college
chemistry. A significant amount of the
instructional time is used in the
laboratory where data is collected from
which generalizations can be drawn and lab
reports written.
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#343 -
Chemistry I
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Grades
10-12
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Level:
Standard
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Year:
5X
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Credits:
5
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Prerequisite:
Algebra I
This course provides a general
introduction to chemistry and is similar
to academic chemistry in content with more
time spent on fundamental concepts.
Problem-solving involves both arithmetic
and algebraic skills. A significant amount
of the instructional time is used in the
laboratory where data is collected from
which generalizations can be drawn and lab
reports written.
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#344 -
Forensic Chemistry
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Grades
11-12
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Level:
Academic
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Year:
5X
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Credits:
5
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Prerequisite:
Biology I and Chemistry I
The Forensic Chemistry course is a second
year chemistry course. The course is
case-study and lab/activity-based and
integrates principles from both Biology I
and Chemistry I. Students will be
performing "CSI" like investigations that
reinforce and extend the concepts they
learned in Chemistry I.
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#350 -
Chemistry II: AP
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Grades
11-12
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Level:
Accelerated
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Year:
8X
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Credits:
8
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Prerequisite:
Chemistry I and meet AP entrance
guidelines (accelerated level or lower
only with teacher recommendation).
This is a second year chemistry course
designed to be the equivalent of the
general chemistry course usually taken in
the first year of college. This course
differs qualitatively from the first year
chemistry course with respect to the level
of textbook used, the topics covered, the
emphasis on chemical calculations, the
mathematical formulation of principles,
and laboratory work. Students electing
this course are expected to have excellent
mathematical skills and be prepared to
spend the appropriate amount of time
preparing homework, in problem-solving
activities, laboratory and general study.
It should be recognized that course
objectives and proficiencies are focused
on the student taking and being successful
on the Advanced Placement Chemistry
examination and students are further
encouraged to accept the challenge of this
examination. Students must be prepared to
begin class at 7:41 am every day and
continue through until the end of period
1.
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#371 -
Nutrition Science
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Grades
11-12
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Level:
Accelerated
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Year:
5X
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Credits:
5
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Prerequisites:
Biology and Chemistry.
This is a third year science course
designed to integrate principles from both
Biology and Chemistry at an accelerated
level and pace. The course content
including the physiologic roles and
chemistry of carbohydrates, lipids,
proteins, vitamins, minerals and water in
the human body, the understanding of
nutrition standards and relationship
between foods and nutrients, and factors
affecting absorption, utilization, and the
need for nutrients are analyzed in an
inquiry format. The accelerated level
places a further emphasizes on chemistry
while analyzing additional topics such as
but not limited to diets and dieting, food
additives, and food safety. This course is
a laboratory based and focused on critical
thinking and decision making skills. The
proficiencies of the course will be
supported by various assignments and group
experiences including the testing and
analyzing of various nutrients, additives,
and biochemical reactions. Students will
demonstrate understanding of inquiries
through written lab reports. Current
topics in nutrition will also be explored
through independent or cooperative group
research projects.
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#372 -
Nutrition Science
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Grades
10-12
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Level:
Academic
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Year:
5X
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Credits:
5
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Prerequisite:
Biology
This course is similar in approach to
Accelerated Nutrition Science in that
there is an emphasis on analysis and
evaluation of nutrients and human
nutrition. This academic level course will
focus on carbohydrates, lipids, proteins,
vitamins, minerals and water in the human
body, the understanding of nutrition
standards and relationship between foods
and nutrients, and factors affecting
absorption, utilization, and the need for
nutrients, Additionally, the topics of
food additives, diets and dieting,
wellness and establishing a positive
lifestyle will be analyzed. Student
learning is supported by the use of
journal articles, computer assisted
activities, Internet sources, group
presentations and laboratory
experiences.
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#361 - Physics
I
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Grades
11-12
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Level:
Accelerated
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Year:
5X
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Credit:
5
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Prerequisites:
Algebra I, Geometry and Algebra II,
AND Pre- OR Co-requisite:
FST or Math Analysis
Physics emphasizes the mathematical and
theoretical interrelationships of matter,
space and time. Mathematical and symbolic
language are extensively used. Laboratory
work requiring careful analysis is the
starting point for the topics that are
studied. The process of scientific inquiry
is learned through application and
practice both in the laboratory and in the
building of theory in the classroom.
Physics requires above average ability in
reading and mathematical reasoning in both
algebra and geometry. Physics is often
recommended for students who plan to study
science, mathematics or engineering at the
university level. Topics which will be
under investigation include motion,
velocity and acceleration, free falling
bodies, forces, Newton's laws,
work/power/energy, fluids, wave mechanics,
sound, color, light - mirrors, refraction
- lenses, electrostatics, electricity and
circuits, magnetism, electromagnetism and
induction, and topics in nuclear
physics.
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#362 - Physics
I
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Grades
11-12
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Level:
Academic
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Year:
5X
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Credits:
5
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Pre-
OR Co-requisite: Algebra II
Physics is applied math; students must
have strong proficiency with both algebra
and geometry to be successful in physics.
Models, both mathematical and physical,
are used in the development of physical
theory. Mathematical and symbolic language
are extensively used. Laboratory work
requiring careful analysis is the starting
point for the topics that are studied. The
process of scientific inquiry is learned
through its practice both in the
laboratory and in the building of theory.
Physics requires above average ability in
reading and mathematical reasoning. Some
topics, which will be investigated,
include but are not limited to motion,
velocity and acceleration, Newton's laws,
fluid and wave mechanics, sound, color and
light, reflection, refraction, electricity
and magnetism, and selected topics in
nuclear physics.
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#360 - Physics
II: AP
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Grade
12
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Level:
Accelerated
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Year:
8X
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Credits:
8
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Prerequisites:
Physics I, Math Analysis and meet AP
entrance guidelines (accelerated Level
OR lower only with teacher
recommendation).
Advanced Placement Physics is a second
year course designed to be the equivalent
of the first year general physics course
taken in college. This course will include
the in-depth study of Newtonian mechanics,
thermodynamics, wave mechanics including
light and sound, magnetism and electricity
and nuclear physics. It should be
recognized that course objectives and
proficiencies are focused on the student
taking and being successful on the
Advanced Placement Physics examination and
students are encouraged to accept the
challenge of the examination. Students
will be involved in extensive laboratory
investigations that support class
discussion, problem solving and
application. Students must be prepared to
begin class at 7:41 am every day and
continue through until the end of period
1.
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#380 -
Research in Science
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Grades
11-12
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Level:
Accelerated
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Year:
5X
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Credits:
5
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Prerequisites:
Enrollment is based upon successful
completion of Biology I, Algebra I, and
Chemistry I (or concurrent enrollment in
same), and prior approval of
instructor.
The content of the course includes such
topics as: information searches using
traditional library methods as well as the
Internet; communicating with scientists
and other students via e-mail;
participation in the "Waksman Challenge"
and/or other Internet research
competitions; in-depth practice of the
scientific method from framing a research
problem through analyzing the data
gathered through experimentation; writing
a research paper and making a
poster/technology presentation. Emphasis
will be given to biotechnology projects
using a variety of organisms.
Background information and techniques will
be taught as needed for the projects and
it is anticipated that course objectives
and proficiencies may expand as
experiences are gained working with the
program. It is expected that students will
work beyond the classroom, researching
information from appropriate sources.
All students are expected to prepare a
formal research and poster/technology
presentation. Participation in activities
sponsored by the Waksman Institute is
expected and participation in science fair
competitions will be encouraged.
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#385 - Zoology
and Animal Behavior
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Grades
10-12
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Level:
Academic
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Year:
5X
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Credits:
5
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Prerequisite:
Biology I and Chemistry I
Zoology is a biological science that
reinforces and extends the central
concepts of Biology I using the animal
kingdom as a content focus. To be
successful, students should have a strong
understanding of ecology, cell biology,
and genetics. These concepts will be used
as a foundation to explore the evolution
and diversity of the animal kingdom and
provide a basis for comparative anatomy
and physiology. This course is designed to
emphasize scientific and critical thinking
as well to provide general exposure to the
research that zoologists perform. Zoology
is recommended to any student with a
strong interest in biology.
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#386 -
Astronomy
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Grades
10-12
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Level:
Academic
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Year:
5X
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Credits:
5
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Prerequisite:
Successful completion of at least one high
school science course.
This is an integrated science course
studying outer space: universe, stars,
planets, solar system, and space travel.
The course utilizes case studies and
laboratory exercises to develop critical
thinking skills and to facilitate the
learning of important physical science
themes. Students will learn about
classical astronomy as well as new
discoveries in astronomy. This course is
recommended to any student with a strong
interest in physics.
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