Science Department

From chemical reactions to studying the covalent bonds in atoms, our Science department helps young minds to discover the inner workings of our natural world. Our classes give hands-on experience with labs and cutting edge technology. Our anatomy class utilizes an anatomage table that allows students to perform virtual dissections of the human body. 

 

The biology course is a survey of basic concepts in the life sciences. The course content introduces the basic topics of the scientific method, the use of the compound microscope, evolutionary theories, cell structure and physiology, cell reproduction, basic human anatomy and physiology, the structure and function of flowering plants and genetics. The course format consists of lecture and independent study, with an emphasis on the laboratory experience: The students will perform dissections as part of the laboratory program. This course fulfills the UC entrance requirement for a laboratory life science and fulfills the Bishop Montgomery graduation requirement for life science.

 

The honors biology course is a survey of the basic concepts in the life sciences. It is more rigorous than the biology course. The course content introduces the basic topics of the scientific method, the use of the compound microscope, evolutionary theories, cell structure and physiology, cell reproduction, basic human anatomy and physiology, the structure and function of flowering plants and genetics. Greater content depth, compared to the regular biology course, will be provided in the area of genetics and other topics. The course format consists of lecture and independent study, with an emphasis on the laboratory experience: The students will perform dissections as part of the laboratory and take part in the design and implementation of the laboratory process. This course fulfills the UC entrance requirement for a laboratory life science and fulfills the Bishop Montgomery graduation requirement for life science.

 

The Advanced Placement Biology course is designed to replicate a first-year college-level biology course, one required of biology majors. Students who enroll in the class must first successfully complete a one-year high school biology and one-year high school chemistry sequence. Students who take the course must be willing to commit considerable time and effort towards the reading, writing, and laboratory requirements necessary to sit for the Advanced Placement Biology exam. Course content will adhere to the standards set forth by the College Board.

 

Chemistry is a college preparatory laboratory course designed to introduce students to basic principles of chemistry. The course content introduces the basic topics of the scientific method, the mole, stoichiometry, atomic theory, atomic-structure, periodic properties, gases, phases, bonding, thermochemistry, kinetics and acids and bases. The course promotes problem-solving and inductive reasoning techniques and applications and the integration of mathematical principles is an essential part of the curriculum. The course format consists of lecture and independent study, with an emphasis on the laboratory experience. Students are required to have a scientific, non-graphing, nonprogrammable calculator for use in this course. This course fulfills the UC entrance requirement for a physical laboratory science and fulfills the Bishop Montgomery graduation requirement for physical science.

 

Honors Chemistry is a college preparatory course designed to introduce students to the basic principles of chemistry. Students work at a more rigorous pace than in the regular Chemistry course. The course content introduces the basic topics of the scientific method, the mole, stoichiometry, atomic theory, atomic structure, periodic properties, gases, phases, bonding, thermochemistry, kinetics and acids and bases. The course promotes problem-solving and inductive reasoning techniques and applications and the integration of mathematical principles is an essential part of the curriculum. The course format consists of lecture and independent study, with an emphasis on the laboratory experience; students will take part in the design and implementation of the laboratory process. Students are required to have a scientific, non-graphing, non-programmable calculator for use in this course. This course is a designated UC Honors course. This course fulfills the UC entrance requirement for a physical laboratory science and fulfills the Bishop Montgomery graduation requirement for physical science.

 

AP Chemistry is equivalent to a freshman level general chemistry course in college. It should be taken as a second year chemistry course in high school and is open to all students who have taken at least one year of chemistry. The course will take principles, calculations, and lab practices learned in the first chemistry course to explore more deeply the field of chemistry. As a part a of deeper exploration of the field, more extensive and involved labs will be required, advanced mathematical manipulations of equations will be expected, extensive research necessary, and independent study of the materials needed because the pace is fast and the number of topics covered large.

 

The Physics course is designed to prepare students for a college science experience. The course covers the basic physics areas such as kinematics, dynamics, equilibrium, momentum, circular motion, simple harmonic motion, waves, optics, electricity, magnetism and special relativity. The course promotes problem-solving and inductive reasoning techniques. The integration of mathematical principles is a main part of the curriculum. The course format consists of lecture and independent study, with an emphasis on the laboratory experience. Students will participate in extra projects taught in the class. This course fulfills the UC entrance requirement for a physical laboratory science and fulfills the Bishop Montgomery graduation requirement for physical science.

 

The AP Physics 1 course is an accelerated course designed to prepare students for the rigors of a college curriculum. The course covers the basic physics areas of Kinematics, Newton’s Laws, Circular & Rotational Motion, Simple Harmonic Motion, Momentum, Energy Electro Statics, Circuits, Waves & Sound. The course promotes problem-solving techniques and logical reasoning skills. Real life applications and the integration of mathematical principles are part of the curriculum. The course format consists of lectures with the latest classroom technologies, activities, and discussion. Physics concepts are made tangible via the laboratory experience. This course is a designated AP Physics course. The students who take this class are eligible to take the AP Physics 1 exam in May, based on the instructor’s recommendations. 

 

The AP Physics 2 course is a continuation of the AP Physics 1 course. The new topics covered in this course are: ThermoDynamics, Fluids, ElectroStatics, Circuit (DC & RC), Magnetism, Optics, Quantum Physics, Atomic and Nuclear Physics. The course utilizes a systematic and logical approach to solving real life problems through physics and mathematical principals. The format of instruction will be via lecture format with the use of current classroom technologies. This will also include active discussions about current scientific principles applied in the real world. This is all made more tangible through the laboratory program designed to train our future problem solvers. This course is a designated AP Physics course recognized by the College Board.

 

This course surveys the major principles of human anatomy and physiology. The course covers a wide spectrum of topics which include basic biochemistry, cell physiology, histology, and major organ systems of the body, with an emphasis on the skeletal system, neuroanatomy, neurophysiology, the excretory system and homeostasis. The course format consists of lecture and independent study, with an emphasis on the laboratory experience: The students will perform dissections as part of the laboratory program.

 

Honors Anatomy and Physiology allows students who have demonstrated aptitude and interest in science to study human body in greater depth than the current regular course. This lab class prepares students for the future by incorporating the science/ reasoning skills and content knowledge foundational to health science fields. The coursework and lab work for this course has been aligned to the current Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) as well as the Common Core Standards for literacy. This course focuses on the systems of the human body and emphasizes their interactions in order to maintain homeostasis. The honors course covers both anatomical structure and physiological mechanisms in greater depth than the regular course, in addition to moving at a faster overall pace. Students in the honors course take a yearlong final as well as completing a comprehensive dissection covering all systems.

 

This full-year science course is designed to incorporate and expand upon the essential knowledge learned during the student’s biology course. It will explore the science components of sport and exercise including biomechanics, exercise physiology, psychology, nutrition, & performance techniques. It will also include the specifics of sports medicine with the exploration of therapeutic careers, medical terminology, anatomy & physiology as it relates to sport and injury, kinesiology, detailed evaluation skills, first aid competencies, the healing process, injury prevention, rehabilitation techniques, and therapeutic modalities. Multiple laboratory activities and scholarly article reviews are integrated as essential aids in the learning process to extend the students comprehension and application of the current technology and information associated with the science.