Courses

AP Biology is a second year course intended for those students who are highly motivated and desire a college-level class during their senior year. The student will work to successfully complete the AP Biology exam in the spring, which will provide students with a range of college credits from 3-8, depending on their score on the exam. Students are expected to maintain a rapid, intensive pace of reading in a college text and will complete 12 college-level labs during the year. The course of study is pre-determined by the CEEB. Note: This course meets 8 periods per week. There could be an occasional evening review session, if necessary. Pre-requisites: successful completion of honors biology in the 9th or 10th grade and college prep of honors chemistry. 1.0 unit
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This new science course offers students the opportunity to earn college credit while exploring 6 broad environmental topics. The course examines the Interdependence of Earth’s Systems, Human Population Dynamics, Renewable and Nonrenewable resources, Environmental Quality, Global Changes and their Consequences, and the Relationship between Environment and Society. Prerequisites include 2 years of science, an overall science average of 85 or higher, and a strong work ethic. 1.0 unit
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Advanced Placement Physics is a college-level, non-calculus-based survey course in physics. Topics covered in the course include Newtonian mechanics, electricity and magnetism, thermal physics, fluid mechanics, waves and optics, and atomic and nuclear physics. Emphasis is placed on understanding the fundamental principles that underlie these topics and applying the principles to the solution of problems. Laboratories are an integral part of the course and serve to better help students both understand the topics being considered and foster problem-solving abilities. During laboratories, students gain experience using computers, sensing devices, and recording and analyzing data. Successful completion of the course will enable students to take the AP Physics B Exam. Prerequisites: Completion of CP Algebra and enrollment in Advanced Math or Pre-Calculus. 1.0 unit
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Biology: A Community Context. This class is an introductory general course in biology. It is an active approach to learning about ecosystems, the 6 kingdoms of life, human anatomy and physiology, cells and genetics. There is an emphasis on participating while students learn about themselves and the environment and their involvement in their community. A Project is required. This course meets 5 periods a week with several labs per week. 1.0 unit
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The major goal of this course is to increase students’ knowledge of science by emphasizing chemistry’s impact on society. Students will have the opportunity to recognize and understand the importance of chemistry to their lives, develop problem solving techniques, and critical thinking skills, use chemical principles to make decisions about scientific and technological issues, and acquire an awareness of the potential as well as limitations of science and technology. Students study issues of societal and technological importance related to chemical resources, such as water and petroleum, food, and nuclear chemistry. Concepts, vocabulary, and skills are presented using a variety of student-oriented activities, which include laboratory activities, decision-making activities, and problem-solving exercises. 1.0 unit
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Students will gain an understanding about cell biology, classification, the kingdoms of life, human biology, genetics, evolution, reproduction, populations, ecosystems, and solving ecological problems. Students will participate in 1-2 labs per week. Some of these labs include microscope studies, dissections, and genetics. The labs are designed to reinforce concepts being taught. A project is required. This course meets 7 periods a week with one-two labs per week. 1.0 unit
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The major goal of this course is to increase students’ knowledge of chemical principles and skills that they need for college and careers in technology and science. The impact of science and technology on society is emphasized. Students have opportunities to use chemical symbols and terminology, demonstrate an understanding of reaction rate, equilibrium, and the structure of matter using the periodic properties of the elements, observe and measure the properties of substances, and the interaction between substances, solve problems related to chemical reactions and chemical systems and explore nuclear, organic and acid-based chemistry. Students develop proficiency in the use of scientific methodology by designing, collecting data, analyzing and reporting on experiments. An independent project is required. 1.0 unit
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Students will learn during the first semester how to solve theoretical problems and concepts involving kinematics, Newton’s Law of Motion, Newton’s Universal Law, statistics, circular and angular motion, also concepts of work, potential energy, linear and rotational kinetic energy. During the second semester students will learn concepts and problem-solving involving heat, electrostatics, electric and magnetic fields, SC and AC electric circuits. If time permits, an introduction to electromagnetism and the special Theory of Relativity will be covered. Students will use the graphing calculator to solve algebraic problems involving quadratic and parametric equations. Throughout the year, students will perform experiments and learn the following: (1) the use of CBL (Calculator Based Laboratory) in conjunction with the graphing calculator; (2) transfer programs from the computer to the graphing calculator in order to collect data with the CBL during an experiment; (3) use the collected data to analyze results and use the graphing calculator to find the regressive equation that best fits the experimental graph; (4) transfer the experimental graph, the collected data and regressive equation to a computer, include it in the lab report and print it. In addition, students will learn the value of team work while doing experiments in groups. Prerequisite: CP Algebra II with a grade average of “B” or better. 1.0 unit
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Honors biology is a rigorous course designed for college bound students. It includes a thorough look at current issues in the fields of cell biology, DNA science, genetics, immunology and bioethics. This is accompanied by a tour of traditional biology themes of bacteria, protest, plants and human body systems as well as ecology and principles of conservation and sustainable development. Evolution is the main theme that ties both classical and modern biology together. This course meets 7 times per week. Laboratory work is a major part of the course. Labs include several popular biotechnology labs such as genetic engineering of a recombinant organism and DNA fingerprinting. 1.0 unit
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This course is designed to present chemistry concepts in a rigorous and fast paced manner. Students are selected by teacher recommendation and completion of Algebra II in the 10th grade 1.0 unit
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This is a second year, rigorous biology course intended for college-bound students who as juniors or seniors want some in-depth studies in the included areas. Students should have completed Honors biology or BSCS biology with a B or better. Permission of instructor is required. Topics included are advanced genetics and molecular biology as they relate to understanding human genetic diseases, human anatomy and physiology, clinical application in illness and injury and a fetal pig dissection. Students will be assessed on their record-keeping, mastery, and completion of laboratory techniques and experiments, and on their ability to work in an independent manner. Maximum course enrollment 16. Offered 2nd semester only. (semester, grades 11 + 12) 0.5 unit
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This is a second year, rigorous biology course intended for college-bound students who as juniors or seniors want some in-depth studies in the included areas. Students should have completed Honors biology or BSCS biology with a B or better. Permission of instructor is required. Topics included are marine and aquatic environment, life in the marine and aquatic environment, structure and function of marine and aquatic ecosystems, and humans and the sea. Students will participate in at least two field trips and complete a semester long field study. In addition to these major studies, students will be assessed on their record-keeping, mastery, and completion of laboratory techniques and experiments, and on their ability to work in an independent manner. Maximum course enrollment 16. Offered 1st semester only. (semester, grades 11 + 12) 0.5 unit
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Physical science introduces the student to physics and chemistry, the studies of matter and energy. The physics component of the course explores topics such as force and motion, acceleration and momentum, types of energy, machines, energy waves, sound, light, electricity, and magnetism. The chemistry portion of the course focuses on nature and classification of matter, atomic structure, chemical bonding, elements, biological and organic compounds, solutions, chemical reactions and acid-based chemistry. This course is embedded with teacher and student designed laboratory activities based on the scientific method. Students will write approximately 15 lab reports and read a 600-page textbook. This challenging course is designed for those students who plan to pursue a college preparatory curriculum. Previous course work in Algebra is highly recommended. A project is required. 1.0 unit
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This course examines the Earth’s climate system by considering what we know about the Earth’s present climate. And what conditions or processes, either natural or human-induced, that might cause changes in the climate, such as global warming. We will look at evidence for changes in the Earth’s climate in the past, focusing in particular on the possible causes and conditions during the Ice Ages. (semester) 0.5 unit
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A course that looks at the origin, distribution, and importance to modern civilization of the energy and mineral resources that are obtained from the earth. Students will consider the problems of finding, extracting, and processing mineral resources, and the ultimate limits of the supply of mineral and energy resources, and the consequences to the environment from their use. The course will include field trips to the mineral deposits and processing facilities in Vermont. (semester) 0.5 unit
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Ninth grade science will concentrate on chemistry and physics. The chemistry module will focus on topics including atomic structure, bonding, chemical reactions, solutions, and carbon chemistry. The physics module will examine the light and sound waves, electricity, magnetism, motion and forces. A project is required. 1.0 unit
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This new course is designed for juniors or seniors who need to acquire a 3rd credit in science. The course is for one semester, but each semester includes a different field of study. Students may take either semester, or both semesters. The areas of study are listed below. Students will be expected to read newspapers and magazine articles, as well as do web-based searches and view current topic videos. First semester topics include: • SARS, emerging diseases, work of the CDC, hemorrhagic diseases • Environmental in Crisis: our role in causing and solving a variety of environmental problems throughout the world • Medical Technology/Advanced in Machines: learn about new diagnostic devices and treatments for the leading killers cancer and heart diseases; study risks analysis • Space exploration: go on virtual field trips! • Natural Disaster • Animal Behavior-who/what are the worlds’ deadliest creatures? • Animal Welfare • Others as situations arise Second semester topics include: • Forensics- the science of crime solving • Genetics and Bioethics • Reproductive technologies • Frontiers of the Brain: advances in neuroscience • Medical/Science Careers (semester) 0.5 unit
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This one semester course examines the role of earthquakes and volcanoes in shaping the surface and subsurface features of the earth, and the impact that earthquakes and volcanoes have had and continue to have on humankind. Earthquakes and volcanoes cause flood and tsunamis, bury and demolish cities, and even produce changes in climate. The course will provide an overview of the science behind earthquakes and volcanoes, the insights that they can provide into the structure, processes and development on the Earth, and the beneficial and adverse ways in which they affect humankind. Students in the course will have the opportunity to collect and analyze earthquake data from the school’s seismograph. (semester) 0.5 unit
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