Science Program

 

 

The Science Program offers courses designed to acquaint students with the means of inquiry used by scientists, to acquire knowledge that comprises the essential structure of each of the sciences, and to develop a respect for and an enduring curiosity about the natural world and the mysteries of the universe.  Courses are available in earth science, biology, chemistry, and physics.  A student may choose to be introduced to the content and methods of several of the sciences or may wish to concentrate, doing advanced work in one or two of the sciences.  In all of the courses laboratory work is stressed rather than a lecture-reading method.  Emphasis is placed on the recognition of fundamental principles through direct experience.

 

The sequence chart that follows the listing of courses depicts the normal progression from one course to another within each ability level.  It is noted, however, that some students take courses in an order different from that depicted, based on consultation with the department chairperson.  Course selections should reflect a student’s ability, interests, and future educational and career plans.  The levels have been designed so that each course will consider essential content but will vary in terms of rigor and breadth and depth of coverage.  Students are reminded that two years of science are required for graduation from Concord-Carlisle High School.

 

 

Courses offered by the Science Department

 

Earth Science (Full Year)                                                     Introductory Chemistry (Full Year)

Introductory Biology (Full Year)                                       Advanced Placement Chemistry (Full Year)

Advanced Placement Biology (Full Year)                        Introductory Physics (Full Year)

Human Anatomy & Physiology (Full Year)                     Advanced Physics (Full Year)

 

Science Program

 

 

             Potential path students can take.  Alternative paths can be created with teacher permission.

 


 Grade                 College Prep                                 Enriched                                           Honors

 


   9                 Earth Science (CP)                                                                                         Introductory Biology (H)

                                                                                                                                                Earth Science (H)

 


   10              Introductory Biology (CP)                                                                            Introductory Biology (H)

                      Earth Science (CP)                                                                                         Introductory Chemistry (H)

                                                                                Introductory Chemistry (E)                Earth Science (H)

 

 


   11             Introductory Chemistry (CP)         Introductory Chemistry (E)              Introductory Chemistry (H)

                                                                                Introductory Physics (E)                    Introductory Physics (H)

                                                                                                                                                Advanced Placement                                                                                                                                                                          Biology (H)

                                                                                                                                                Advanced Placement

                                                                                                                                                Chemistry (H)

 

 


   12        Introductory Physics (CP)                 Introduction Physics (E)                     Introductory Physics (H)

                                                                                Human Anatomy                                  Advanced Placement

                                                                                And Physiology (E)                             Biology (H)

                                                                                                                                                Advanced Placement

                                                                                                                                                Chemistry (H)

                                                                                                                                                Advanced Physics (H)

 

 

 

Text Box: It is possible for students to elect the Advanced Placement chemistry or biology course in the junior year in addition to Physics I. Students may elect two advanced science courses in senior year as well. The ability of a student to schedule more than one science course in the honors sequence in one year is dependent both on the ability level of the student and the ability of the schedule to accommodate this.
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


Earth Science (CP)                                      Full Year – 5.00 credits                                     Course #528

For students in grades 9 and 10

Prerequisites:  None

 

Description:  The objective of this course is to give students an appreciation of the world around them.  This course is an introduction to earth science for students who usually grasp basic concepts on their own.  The topics to be covered include physical and historical geology, meteorology, astronomy and oceanography.  Students will use their text as their primary source of information.  Class time will be devoted to detailed study through lectures, discussion, audio-visual presentations, demonstrations and laboratory investigations and will reinforce concepts discussed in the text.  Field trips to the Town Forest will be taken during class to investigate glacial features, field mapping, compass work and leaf identification.  Students will be required to read the text and complete associated homework assignments on a regular basis.  These assignments will serve as a starting point for classroom discussion.  Group discussion will be encouraged in order to stimulate abstract thinking and to relate the student’s own experience and knowledge on the topic.  Projects will be given to students on a quarterly basis.  These topics include a research paper, the Leaf Project, and the creations of earth related web pages, radio broadcasts and videos.

 

Evaluation:  Evaluation will be based on homework, class participation, laboratory work and reports, special projects, tests, and the semester examination.

 

 

Earth Science (H)                                         Full Year – 5.00 credits                                     Course #530

For students in grades 9 and 10

Prerequisites:  Concurrent enrollment in Honors or CP1 Math; demonstration of a strong reading comprehension and independent learning; recommendation of previous teacher.

 

Description:  The objective of this course is to give students an appreciation of the world around them.  This course is designed for students who are capable of reading a high level, challenging science text and independently comprehending difficult material.  The topics to be covered include physical and historical geology, meteorology, ecology, astronomy and oceanography.  The topics will be covered in depth and expanded far beyond the classroom.  Class time will be devoted to detailed study through lectures, discussions, audio-visual presentations, demonstrations and laboratory investigations.  Laboratory assignments will ask students to create meaningful hypotheses, independently design and conduct controlled investigations, collect data, draw and present insightful conclusions and finally identify possible errors found in the experiments.  Field trips to the Town Forest will be taken during class to investigate glacial features, field mapping, compass work and leaf identification.  Students will use their text as one of their resources but will also be expected to read related articles found in recent scientific journals.  Students will be required to read the text and complete associated homework assignment on a regular basis.  These assignments will serve as a string point for classroom discussion.  Projects will be given to students on a quarterly basis.  These topics include a research paper, the Leaf Project, and the creation of earth science related web pages, radio broadcasts and videos.

 

Evaluation:  Evaluation will be based on homework, class participation, special projects, tests, laboratory work and reports, and the semester examinations.

 

Introduction to Biology (CP)                           Full Year – 5.00 credits                                     Course #521

For students in grade 10

Prerequisite:  Teacher recommendation

 

Description:  This introduction to biology course is for students who can usually grasp basic concepts on their own so that class time can be devoted to oral review of more difficult concepts and to provide open time for discussion and questions.  This course will address topics dealing with the nature of life and continuity of life.  Other major areas such as microbiology, botany zoology, human biology and ecology will be covered using a survey approach.  Students will use the text as their prime source of information.  Students will be required to answer chapter questions and class time will be used to discuss the difficult questions.  Group discussion will be encouraged in order to stimulate abstract thinking and to relate students’ own experience and knowledge of other fields to this subject matter.  Laboratory work will be done during class time or during scheduled laboratory hours.  Students will be assigned some outside readings and reports on various topics of interest.

 

Evaluation:  Evaluation will be based on homework, class participation, laboratory work and reports, and tests, and semester examinations.

 

 

Introductory Biology (H)                   Full Year – 5.00 Credits                                    Course #525

For Students in Grades 9 and 10

Prerequisites:  Concurrent enrollment in honors or CPII or I math and/or recommendation of previous teacher.

 

Description:  This honors program is an overview of topics in the biological sciences with an expansion upon selected areas.  The primary topics will include evolution, ecology, biochemistry, cellular biology, and diversity of life.  It is intended for students who are capable of reading and understanding the text on their own so that more class time can be devoted to in-depth study.  Because of the math prerequisite, the instructor will assume that students will be able to solve quantitative problems independently.  Students will conduct laboratory research and investigate additional selected topics through library research projects throughout the year.

 

Evaluation:  Evaluation will be based on homework assignments, class participation, laboratory reports, projects, quizzes, tests, and semester examinations.

 

Advanced Placement Biology (H)                   Full Year – 5.00 credits                     Course #527

For students in grade 11 and 12

Prerequisites:  superior achievement in Introductory Biology (H) and a minimum grade of B in Introductory Chemistry (H) and/or teacher recommendation.

 

Description:  This course is designed to be the equivalent of a college introductory biology course usually taken by biology majors during their first year.  It aims to provide students with the conceptual framework, factual knowledge, and analytical skills necessary to deal with the rapidly changing science of biology.  Topics include biochemistry, cellular biology, heredity, molecular genetics, evolution, diversity of organisms, and ecology.  It is expected that students use the college level text for learning much of the course content.  Other sources for learning are class lectures, laboratory experiments and independent research.

 

Evaluation:  Evaluation will be based on laboratory and periodical reports, independent research projects, tests, and semester exams.

 

Human Anatomy and Physiology (E)                              Full Year – 5.00 credits                     Course #541

For students in grades 11 and 12

Prerequisites:  Above average achievement in Honors Biology and Honors/Enriched Chemistry, or teacher recommendation.

 

Description:  The topics addressed include body systems, comparative anatomy, cell physiology, histology and pathology.  Students will be expected to do independent laboratory work, research work, outside reading and to submit reports on various topics of interest.  Students may also be expected to do a long-term independent project.

 

Evaluation:  Evaluation will be based on homework, laboratory activities, class participation, quizzes, tests, and semester examinations.

 

 

Introductory Chemistry (CP)                                            Full Year – 5.00 Credits                    Course #531

For students in grade 11

Prerequisites:  Successful completion of two years of CPIII math courses or equivalent, and completion of the departmental math evaluation.

 

Description:  This college preparatory course in introductory chemistry will include most of the topics contained within the Honors Chemistry offering.  However, greater emphasis will be placed on the qualitative treatment of this material.  Problem solving will include appropriate math review by the teacher.

 

Evaluation:  Evaluation will be based on homework, laboratory reports and techniques, class participation, quizzes, tests, and semester examinations.

 

 

Introductory Chemistry (E)                                               Full Year – 5.00 credits                     Course #535

For students in grades 10 and 11

Prerequisites:  Concurrent enrollment in CPI or II level math and/or teacher recommendation, and completion of the departmental math evaluation.

 

Description:  This course will involve quantitative and descriptive work in the following areas; stoichiometry, atomic theory, equilibrium, solubility products, hydrolysis, acid/base theory, thermodynamics, colligative properties, rates, gaseous behavior, chemical bonding, and electrochemistry.

 

Evaluation:  Evaluation will be based on homework assignments, class participation, laboratory reports, projects, quizzes, tests, and semester examinations.

 

 

Introductory Chemistry (H)                                              Full Year – 5.00 credits                     Course #536

For students in grades 10 and 11

Prerequisites:  Students planning to take this course must demonstrate proficiency in mathematical concepts and computational skills by having success in Honors Geometry and Honors Algebra 2 or receiving high grades in CPI Geometry and CPI Algebra 2, and completion of the departmental math evaluation.

 

Description:  This honors course will include a more intensive and in-depth study of the topics listed in Introductory Chemistry (E) The program assumes that students are adept at the math that is involved.  For this reason, the instructor will assume that students will be able to solve quantitative problems independently.

 

Evaluation:  Evaluation will be based on homework assignments, class participation, laboratory reports, projects, quizzes, tests, and semester examinations.

                               

Advanced Placement Chemistry (H)                              Full Year – 5.00 credits                     Course #537

For students in grades 11 and 12

Prerequisites:  A minimum grade of B+ Introductory Chemistry (H) and/or teacher recommendation.

 

Description:  The topics in this college level course include atomic theory, chemical bonding, structures and properties, chemical dynamics, equilibrium, electrochemistry, descriptive chemistry, states of matter, reaction types, and kinetics.

 

Evaluation:  Evaluation will be based on homework assignments, class participation, laboratory reports, quizzes, tests, and semester examinations.

 

Introductory Physics (CP)                                                 Full Year – 5.00 credits                     Course #551

For students in grade 11 and 12

Prerequisites:  Completion of two years of CPIII or CPII  math or its equivalent.

 

Description: The topics addressed in this course include one and two dimensional motion, Newton’s laws of motion, work and energy, gravity, optics, and electricity.  The course stresses conceptual understanding over mathematical expertise.  Support such as reviewing mathematical problem solving skills will be included. 

Evaluation:  Evaluation will be based on laboratory reports, class participation, homework, tests, and semester examinations.

 

Introductory Physics (E)                                    Full Year – 5.00 credits                     Course #555

For students in grade 11 and 12

Prerequisites:  Strong achievement in science accompanied by a consistent demonstration of sound study skills/habits.  Strong proficiency in algebraic concepts and skills.  For example, students should successfully complete two years of CPI or II level math or its equivalent.

 

Description: The topics addressed in this enriched course include one and two dimensional motion, Newton’s laws of motion, work and energy, circular motion and gravitation, periodic motion, optics, and electricity.  This course assumes a level of proficiency in math.  However, necessary skills will be reviewed in class and students will receive additional support in problem solving.

 

Evaluation:  Evaluation will be based on laboratory reports, class participation, homework, tests, and semester examinations.

 

 

Introductory Physics (H)                                     Full Year – 5.00 credits                     Course #556

For students in grade 11 and 12

Prerequisites:  Exemplary achievement in science accompanied by a consistent demonstration of sound study skills/habits.  Strong proficiency in algebraic concepts and skills.  For example, completion of and concurrent enrollment in Honors or CPI Math with an A-average and completion of the departmental math evaluation.

 

Description: The topics addressed in this honors course include one and two dimensional motion, Newton’s laws of motion, work and energy, circular motion and gravitation, periodic motion, geometrical and physical optics, and electricity.  This honors course assumes that students already know the math necessary for problem solving.  For this reason, the math skills will not be taught in the classroom. 

 

Evaluation:  Evaluation will be based on laboratory reports, class participation, homework, test, and semester examinations.

 

Advanced Physics (H)                                               Full Year – 5.00 credits                                     Course #557

For students in grade 12

Prerequisites: Teacher’s recommendation is required along with successful completion of Introductory Physics (H) or (E).  Students should have already taken or be taking CPII, CPI, or Honors Trigonometry and Analysis and completion of the departmental math evaluation.

 

Description:  The topics addressed in this honors course include heat, kinetic theory, thermodynamics, fluid statics, fluid dynamics, electrostatics, direct current circuitry, magnetism, atomic and nuclear physics, waves and sound, and special relativity.  Students will be required to integrate first year physics concepts into their study of the advanced topics listed above.  Those who successfully complete this course will be prepared to take the non-calculus based Advanced Placement Examination (AP) Physics “B” in May.

 

Evaluation:  Evaluation will be based on class participation, homework, laboratory reports, quizzes, tests, and semester examinations.