Science

Department Overview:

A science education should provide students with ways to address major challenges facing society today.  Our sequence of courses engage students with fundamental questions about the world and how scientists have investigated and found answers to some of those questions. Science courses are designed to develop knowledge and understanding of scientific practices and skills through the content area. Critical thinking, problem solving, data representation and analysis, and basic laboratory skills are explicitly taught, reinforced, and refined through active engagement in science practices. The core courses in the Science Department are Ecology & Environmental Science, Biology, Chemistry, and Physics. The department also offers several interest-based elective offerings for students who want to engage in more science course work.  Students may choose between College Prep, Honors, or Advanced Placement courses based on their interests and skill level.  

Science courses draw, in part, upon a student’s mathematics background.  Please be aware of the mathematics prerequisites for science courses.  Students who lack the specific prerequisite for a science course, but have comparable mathematics experience, should consult with a school counselor and Science department head for review of materials and approval to enroll in that course.

ARHS Graduation Requirements:

In order to graduate from ARHS, students are required to earn a minimum of eight (8) credits (two full-semester courses) in laboratory science.  In addition, Massachusetts requires that all students pass a Science or Technology MCAS exam in order to earn a high school diploma.  We recommend that all students take 4 years of laboratory science.

Most students will take a science MCAS exam at the end of their tenth-grade year in Biology.  However, students may opt to take the Physics or Engineering & Technology MCAS if they have sufficient preparation in those areas. 

Massachusetts State University Admissions Requirement:

Three years of laboratory science are required for admission to the state universities in Massachusetts and to the University of Massachusetts campuses.

Grouping:

In science, students may choose between College Prep, Honors, or Advanced Placement courses based on their interests and skill level.  The decision to take a college prep course one year does not limit access to honors or AP classes the following year. If students feel that a course is a good fit but do not meet the prerequisite requirement, consult with a guidance counselor and the Science department head.   Honors and AP courses typically involve significant independent work and a faster pace than college prep courses.  However, all of our courses will prepare students for future study at the college level.  

4-year sequence:

All ninth graders are required to take Ecology & Environmental Science or Ecology/Honors & Environmental Science/Honors. All 10th grade students are required to take Biology, Biology / Honors, or AP Biology.  Students can take a college preparatory course one year and an honor course the next (or vice versa).  Listed below is the sequence of courses offered.  Students are recommended to take Chemistry and Physics as juniors or seniors but may also choose to take electives in addition to these core courses. (Remember to consider mathematics prerequisites when planning a sequence.) 

CORE COURSE OFFERINGS

Ecology/Environmental Science (2081a)

Credits: 4

Ecology is the study of how living things interact with their physical and biological environments. The study of ecology will comprise the first half of this semester-long course. Environmental science, the focus of the second half of the course, focuses on how humans influence the physical, chemical, and biological function of ecosystems.  In this college preparatory course, students will learn how populations and communities vary in size and diversity, how energy is fixed biologically and transferred through food webs, how major elements cycle, and how minerals and rocks become sources of nutrients to plants. In environmental science, Students will investigate how agriculture and land-use changes affect water and soils, study global atmospheric change, and alternative energy resources.  Labs in all units require mathematical analysis, performed with appropriate guidance and support.  Laboratory write-ups will comprise a major portion of the grade. Other assessments will include tests, homework, and projects.  This course covers the Ecology learning standards required for the Biology MCAS test.  Successful completion of Ecology is required to continue to 10th grade Biology.

Ecology/Environmental Science/Honors (2081b)

Credits: 4

Prerequisite:  Successful completion of Algebra (with a minimum grade of B+) or permission of department head.

Ecology/Environmental Science Honors includes a greater depth of mathematical and physical analysis than does college preparatory Ecology/Environmental Science.  The first half of the semester will focus on Ecology, the study of how living things interact with their physical and biological environments. Environmental science, the second half of the semester, builds upon the key concepts in ecology to study how humans influence the physical, chemical, and biological function of ecosystems.  In this course, students will learn how populations and communities vary in size and diversity, how energy is fixed biologically and transferred through food webs, how major elements cycle, and how minerals and rocks become sources of nutrients to plants.  In Environmental Science, students will investigate how agriculture and land-use changes affect water and soils, global atmospheric change, and future sources of energy and the physics that underlie them.  A more rigorous mathematical approach is used in labs to answer open-ended questions.  A substantial part of the grade will be based on laboratory write-ups; other assessments will include tests, homework, and research projects.  As part of the coursework, students will be expected to complete regular reading assignments from a textbook for advanced readers.  The course requires a strong work ethic to be successful. This course covers the Ecology Learning Standards required for the Biology MCAS test. Successful completion of Ecology is required to continue to Biology and highly recommended to continue to Honor’s Chemistry.

Biology (222B)

Credits: 4

Prerequisite:  Ecology or Ecology/Honors

Biology is a comprehensive college preparatory course. Topics covered include cell structure and function, biochemistry, evolution and classification, modern and classical genetics, and selected topics in anatomy and physiology, with an emphasis on humans.  Class format will consist of lectures, discussions, investigative hands-on laboratory exercises, and individual and small group activities. Assessments include homework assignments, quizzes, tests, lab reports, demonstration of microscopy skills, and projects. This course covers the molecular and organismal learning standards required for the Biology MCAS test.

Biology/Honors (224B)

Credits: 4

Prerequisite:  Ecology or Ecology/Honors

Biology/Honors covers the topics covered in Biology at an accelerated pace, as well as additional topics, including a more in-depth study of biochemistry and molecular biology and analysis of biological data.  This rigorous course requires a high level of commitment, maturity, and responsibility to be successful.  Students will be required to do substantial independent readings above grade-level.  Assessments include daily homework assignments, quizzes, tests, lab reports, demonstration of a variety of laboratory skills, and projects. This course covers the molecular and organismal learning standards required for the Biology MCAS test.

Biology/AP (228B)

Credits: 8

Prerequisite: Ecology/Honors for rising 10th grade students; Chemistry/Honors for rising 11th grade students. Not open to 12th grade students.

This is a college level course that requires a significant amount of independent work and follows a curriculum established by the College Board. Students will study biology from molecules to biomes, with an emphasis on inquiry and the process of science. A substantial independent summer assignment is required and will count towards the first semester grade. The textbook is at an introductory college biology reading and content level. Emphasis will be on detailed understanding of processes and interpretation of data sets. Mathematical analysis, including experimental statistics will be undertaken throughout. Students will perform independent research projects that include developing original questions and methods, performing research tasks independently, analyzing data using appropriate statistics, writing formal research reports, and presenting research results. This class will prepare students for the College Board AP Biology test.  

Chemistry in the Community (2301)

Credits: 4

Prerequisite: Completion or concurrent enrollment in Algebra 1 or permission of the department head.  Open to students in grades 11 and 12.

The goals of Chemistry in the Community are to help students realize the role chemistry plays in their daily lives and examine chemistry’s impact on our society and environment.   The course consists of a variety of student activities and emphasizes the major concepts, vocabulary, skills, and laboratory techniques expected in an introductory Chemistry course.  Major topics include materials science, water chemistry and treatment, atmospheric chemistry, nuclear power, petroleum, and alternative energy.  The course content is taught mainly through laboratory experiments and investigations.  Other assessments will include tests and quizzes, projects, writing assignments, and problem-solving exercises.  Note: This course is primarily designed for students who are not planning to major in science in college.

Chemistry (234B)

Credits: 4

Prerequisite: Completion of or concurrent enrollment in Algebra 2.  Open to students in grades 11 and 12.

This course is designed to provide an overview of the fundamental principles of Chemistry.  Topics include measurement, atomic structure, bonding, the periodic table, chemical reactions, stoichiometry, solutions, and acids & bases.  Chemistry is a mathematical discipline and requires students to perform unit conversions and solve algebraic equations on a regular basis.  In addition, students will conduct weekly laboratory experiments and will use models to demonstrate key chemistry concepts.   Assessment in this course is based on tests and quizzes, laboratory reports, and nightly homework assignments.   

Chemistry/Honors (236B)

Credits: 4

Prerequisite:  Completion of or concurrent enrollment in Algebra 2 (Algebra 2/Honors recommended).  Open to students in grades 11 and 12.  

Chemistry/Honors is a mathematically rigorous course.  It is designed to provide in-depth knowledge of the fundamental principles of Chemistry. Topics include measurement, atomic structure and modern atomic theory, bonding, the periodic table, chemical reactions, stoichiometry, gasses, solutions, and acids & bases. Students must be able to interpret algebraic equations, solve multi-step problems, and effectively analyze data.  Assessment is based on tests and quizzes, lab reports, and problem sets.  Significant out-of-class reading, independent work, and study time is expected. 

Physics (244B)

Credits: 4

Prerequisite: Successful completion of Geometry. Open to students in grades 11 and 12.

This course provides a broad overview of physics topics with an emphasis on conceptual development and applications of science. Topics include motion in one and two dimensions, forces and Newton’s laws, work and energy, linear momentum, rotational motion, gravitation, electrostatics, electric circuits, electromagnetism, and waves (sound, light, and color). Less emphasis is placed on mathematical modeling than in the other physics offerings. Students will read, write, perform investigative activities, and solve problems using mathematical and conceptual reasoning.  This course is recommended for all college-bound students.

Physics/Honors (246B)

Credits: 4

Prerequisite: Successful completion of or concurrent enrollment in Pre-Calculus. Open to students in grades 11 and 12.

This course builds a strong conceptual framework of physics principles and provides an in-depth mathematical treatment of classical mechanics in preparation for further study after high school.  Topics include motion in one and two dimensions, forces and Newton’s laws, work and energy, systems of particles and linear momentum, rotational motion and angular momentum, gravitation, electrostatics, electromagnetism, and waves (sound, light, and color).  Students will apply mathematical skills, including trigonometry and quadratic equations and systems of equations, to solve problems that model the physical world. 

Physics: Mechanics C/AP (2493)

Credits: 6                                                                

Prerequisite: Successful completion of or concurrent enrollment in AP Calculus. Open to students in grades 11 and 12.

AP Physics-C Mechanics is a lab science course, offering a rigorous, calculus-based overview of classical mechanics. The curriculum follows the guidelines set by the College Board and prepares students to take the College Board’s AP test: Mechanics C, in May.  Topics include motion in one and two dimensions, projectiles, forces and Newton’s laws, work and energy, systems of particles and linear momentum, rotational motion and angular momentum, oscillations, and gravitation.  Students will be expected to do a large amount of independent work, including regular reading assignments and problem-solving assignments. There will also be several written lab reports each semester. Students will be required to complete a major summer reading assignment.   This course is a calculus-based extension of Honors Physics; therefore, the course moves at a much faster pace and is a 2-semester course.

Science Electives

Advanced Chemistry/Honors (2361)

Credits: 4

Prerequisite: Completion of Chemistry or Chemistry/Honors.  Open to students in grades 11 and 12.

Advanced Chemistry/Honors builds upon the knowledge and skills developed in Chemistry or Chemistry/Honors.  Topics include thermodynamics, reaction rates, equilibrium, buffers, organic chemistry, liquids and solids, solubility, and electrochemistry.  In addition, students will design and carry out experiments using a variety of laboratory techniques.  Advanced Chemistry/Honors is a mathematically rigorous course.  Students must be fluent in algebra, familiar with logarithms, and be comfortable solving multi-step problems.  Assessment is based on tests and quizzes, lab reports, and problem sets.  Significant out-of-class reading, independent work, and study time is expected. 

Anatomy and Physiology CP (226A)/Honors (226B)

Credits: 4

Prerequisite: Completion of Biology, Biology/Honors or Biology/AP. Open to students in grades 11 and 12.

This course has a strong focus on laboratory procedures and skill development related to understanding comparative anatomy and physiology. We will study all the major taxa of animal life.  Significant emphasis is placed on developing skills needed to take basic measurements of organisms in order to understand how these measurements indicate maintenance of homeostasis.  This course will provide a strong knowledge of skills and content for students interested in the medical, health, veterinary, and zoology-based fields.  We will provide a review of cell biology and biochemistry and then will begin an in-depth study of the anatomy and physiology of major body systems including the musculoskeletal, digestive, nervous, immune, cardiovascular and respiratory systems across taxa.  Students will be required to work independently outside of class reading, reviewing, and studying course material.  Assessments will consist of tests to demonstrate content knowledge, laboratory practical exams to demonstrate skill acquisition, and reports to communicate laboratory findings.  This is a laboratory course that requires animal tissue dissection.

Environmental Studies (251a)                                                                             

Credits: 2

Prerequisite:  Ecology or Ecology/Honors.  Open to students in grades 11 and 12.

Environmental Studies is a quarter-long multidisciplinary course that brings together principles from both the physical and social sciences to address environmental challenges. The class combines content from ecology and environmental science, as well as economics, ethics, and social justice. Environmental Science content includes: Human population growth, resource consumption, global warming, world forest preservation, and energy. Multidisciplinary content includes: Women's reproductive rights, the influence of markets on conservation, the tragedy of the commons, multilateral environmental agreements, and the impact of environmental degradation on the Global Majority.  Students work in groups to explore these challenges and present workable solutions, taking into consideration the technological and sociological aspects of each. Other assessments will include tests and labs.

Environmental Science/AP (255B)

Credits: 4

Prerequisite:  Chemistry or Chemistry/Honors. Open to students in grades 11 and 12.

Advanced Placement Environmental Science is a four-credit laboratory class that is the equivalent of a one-semester, introductory college course.  This course provides students with the scientific principles, concepts, and methodologies required to understand the interrelationships of the natural world, to identify and analyze environmental problems both natural and human-made, to evaluate the relative risks associated with these problems, and to examine alternative solutions for resolving or preventing them. Due to the quantitative analysis required in the course, students should be comfortable using algebra and performing calculations. Students are expected to complete significant individual work building an on-going portfolio of work, and will participate in both short- and long-term science investigations. Fieldwork focuses on our local environment.  Summer work will be required. The curriculum will prepare students to take the College Board AP Environmental Science exam, given in May.