Science - Sophomore

BIOLOGY (305)

Grades 10: Level 2 

(Year) 1.50 credits

All grade 9 students enrolled in Biology will take the MCAS Biology exam in June of their freshman year.

How do organisms live and grow? How do organisms interact with their environment? How are characteristics passed on to the next generation? What is the relationship between different species? 

In this course, students will investigate answers to these and many other questions as they explore Biology, the science of life. 

Biology students will work with multiple kinds of models and will perform laboratory investigations. They will make predictions, analyze information, and make claims based upon evidence and scientific reasoning. This provides an excellent foundation in biological principles, technical skills, and critical thinking that will prepare students for advanced electives later in their high school career.

HONORS BIOLOGY (306)

Grades 9 - 10: Honors

(Year) 1.50 credits

Prerequisite: B+ or better in most recent science class, and teacher recommendation.

Note: All grade 9 students enrolled in Honors Biology will take the MCAS Biology exam in June of their freshman year.

Highly motivated students should consider the Honors Biology course. They should have a strong interest in science, research, and problem solving. Honors students will be assessed at a higher level, will complete more challenging lab work, and will explore each topic in greater depth than in level 2. Research projects may be periodically assigned; students should be able to work independently and manage their time well. Honors students should be leaders in class discussions and willing to take academic risks.

INTRODUCTION TO PHYSICS (327/328)

Grade 10: Level 2 

Grades 9-10:  Honors

(Year) 1.50 credits

Explore the interrelationships between matter and energy through the study of physics. This course uses hands-on exploration and design projects to investigate how the world works through an introduction to forces, linear motion, work, energy, momentum, electromagnetic phenomena including circuits, light and sound. This course is intended for Freshman students interested in the physical sciences and/or intend to study math, engineering or science related topics in college. 

Grade 9 students enrolled in Honors Introduction to Physics will take the MCAS Introduction to Physics  in June of their freshman year.  

Honors Option: Honors students will be expected to work at a quicker pace covering more topics with higher mathematical skills in addition to higher learning standards.

CHEMISTRY (365/366)

Grades 10/11/12: Level 2 and Honors 

(Semester) .75 credits

**note that Honors Chemistry is a prerequisite for all AP science classes, excluding AP Environmental Science.** 

Prerequisites:

1. Successful completion of Biology or Introduction to Physics and MCAS

A successful Honors Level Chemistry student will have had:

1. B- or higher in Biology or Introduction to Physics, level two or honors

Chemistry is a laboratory science course designed for students with an interest in science. For Honors Chemistry, students should have a strong interest in both science and using their mathematics skills. Adequate completion of homework is essential for success in this course. Topics studied in this course include but are not limited to atomic and molecular structure, chemical bonding and formulas of compounds, characteristics of groups of elements, the mole concept, types of reactions, the mathematics of chemical equations, solution chemistry, acids and bases, and measurements. 

In labs, students gather information to measure characteristics of substances, carry out chemical reactions, and/or develop a concept during post-lab discussions. Quantitative labs are assigned whenever possible. Students are expected to maintain a laboratory journal detailing their work throughout the course. Tests routinely involve questions based on laboratory work. 

Attitudes emphasized include those leading to clear communication (math and verbal), efficient use of time, thoughtful execution of labs and consideration for others. Skill development focuses upon safe manipulation of lab equipment and chemicals, factor-label use in presentation of both simple and complex math problems, problem solving, report writing and computer applications. 

Honors Option: This course differs from the level 2 Chemistry course as the honors course covers additional topics within the units of study and topics in greater depth and at a faster pace. Students also are expected to work at a higher level of independence and to engage in more individual research and study of course topics. The honors course will have a greater emphasis on the use of mathematics.

ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY (378)

Grades 10-12: Level 2

(Semester) .75 credits

Prerequisite: Successful completion of Biology (C or better)

Note:  This course is for non-IP Healthcare students

How do the structures of the body relate to their function?  What does it mean to be healthy or have a disease?  Anatomy is the study of the systems of the human body. It begins at the tissue level and covers both the microscopic and large (gross) structures and their functions. The pathology or diseases of each system is explored with a focus on how our choices affect our overall health. Dissection labs are part of this course and may include a mammalian organism, or individual organs such as the brain, kidney, heart and knee of either a cow or sheep. Diagrams and visuals are an essential part of the course and should interest those students who enjoy art. Assessments include a good deal of memorization of anatomical vocabulary. Other lab experiences include measuring pulse, blood pressure, respiration rate,and lung volume.

HONORS ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY (379)

Grades 10-12: Honors

(Semester) .75 credits

Prerequisite: Successful completion (B or better) in Biology or Honors Biology

Note:  This course is for non-IP Healthcare students

This course is an intensive study of the systems of the human body. It is suitable for students considering careers in medicine, nursing, physical therapy, or other health sciences but who are not part of the IP program. Systems are explored from the microscopic level through the tissue and gross (large) organ level. The pathology (disease) and homeostatic imbalances of each system is discussed as well the interdependence of each system on the others. Dissection is an essential part of this course and includes a mammalian organism (cat, rabbit, or mink), as well as individual organs including the heart and knee of either a cow or sheep. Students will utilize art extensively for projects in each body system including sketching and clay models. Assessments will include a great deal of memorization of anatomical vocabulary. Other lab experiences include measuring pulse, blood pressure, respiration rate, and lung capacity.

ECOLOGY (289/290)

Grades 10-12: Level 2 and Honors (Semester) .75 credits

Prerequisites:  Successful completion of Biology or Introduction to Physics

Ecology is the study of the interactions between living organisms and their environment.  This class will study the principles of ecological science, including concepts of population and community ecology, biodiversity, and sustainability. Field trips to local ponds and estuaries, hands-on labs, service learning projects, and student-centered activities are the foundation for learning in this class.  Activities may include working with local community partners on pond experiments, studying water quality along the Bass River, conducting a pond study on Flax Pond, using algae for wastewater management, and setting up field experiments. Throughout this course, students will be immersed in learning about topics about local environmental problems and exploring their solutions, studying competition between  species, researching population changes, and studying the natural history of Cape Cod.  The expectation is that students will spend much of their time outside doing environmental monitoring and field work.  

Honors students should be highly motivated, college bound students who are willing to engage in more rigorous class work, homework, and be assessed on more content and at a higher level on all written and oral work.

INFECTIOUS DISEASE AND THE HUMAN IMMUNE SYSTEM (329/330)

Grades 10-11-12: Level 2 or Honors 

(Semester) .75 credits

Prerequisites: Successful completion of (C or better) of Biology, Honors Biology or Evolution and Biodiversity

Note:  This is a required course for IP Healthcare students to be taken in grade 10.  

This course includes the curriculum from the Tuft’s University Great Diseases project for students- a curriculum designed to engage high school students in the science behind their real-world experiences of health and diseaseThe essential question for this course is: “Why do we get sick, and how do we get better?”  We will explore the microbiology of pathogens (bacteria and viruses), the history of epidemics and plagues, learn about the body’s innate and adaptive immune system, and be able to explain the role vaccines and antibiotics play in keeping society safe and healthy. Students will explore a case study lab experience in microbiology including learning the following skills: agar plating of bacteria, gram staining, and antibiotic resistance in cultures. Students will explore what it means to be an epidemiologist as we focus on an outbreak of the Ebola virus that occurred in West Africa in 2014 as well as the COVID19 global pandemic of 2020. 

Honors requirement includes more intensive coursework and assessments.

MARINE SCIENCE (287) 

Grades 10-12: Level 2 

(Semester) .75 credits

Prerequisite: Successful completion of Biology or Honors Biology

Travel around the world exploring the depths of the ocean, while investigating the interrelationships of living and nonliving existence within Earth’s oceans. Marine Science is the exploration of the oceans using biology (living beings) and physical sciences (chemistry, physics, and geology). Through projects, labs and other activities, students analyze data and communicate findings about the marine environment.  Topics may include water and estuaries, oceanic currents, plankton, coral reefs, ocean pollution, fishing, or cartilaginous fishes. 

Honors Option: Through guided research projects, students expand their understanding of the ocean using topics of their choosing. Additionally, weekly current event assignments provide an expansion of understanding of topics learned in class. 

Fall

EVOLUTION AND BIODIVERSITY (343/376) 

Grades 10-12: Level 2 / Honors 

(Semester) .75 credits

This course is offered every even school year (ex: 2024-25)

Why is there such a wide variety of life on earth? How do organisms adapt to their surroundings? Why are modern species different from their ancestors? How can knowledge of these changes impact human health and well-being?

In this course, students will explore the evolution of life on earth, delving into important concepts such as natural selection, common ancestry, speciation, and extinction. Students will explore the diversity of life by researching the fossil record to examine milestones in life’s history, such as the formation of the first cells, the start of photosynthesis, and the beginning of multicellular life. This course will emphasize the use of simulation labs, models, and dissections to explore these concepts. Perhaps most importantly, students will consider the direct, practical impacts evolution has on human health, agriculture, forensics, industry, and natural resource conservation.

ASTRONOMY (393/415)

Grades 10 -12: Level 2 or Honors 

(Semester) .75 credit

Prerequisites: Completion of Introduction to Physics or Biology 

Reach for the stars and expand your knowledge of the universe to determine our place. Investigations of ancient and modern astronomy are investigated or replicated, so students become amateur astronomers. Potential topics of study include, but are not limited to astronomy through history, galaxies, sun and moon, constellations, stars, our solar system, space exploration, black holes or astrobiology. 

Students will employ the use of the Werner Schmidt Observatory on our grounds, to observe planets, stars, and other astronomical events.

Honors: Through guided research projects, students expand their understanding of space using topics of their choosing. Additionally, weekly current event assignments provide an expansion of understanding of topics learned in class. 

Fall Every year

PHYSICAL SYSTEMS  (298/299)

Grades 10-12: Level 2 and Honors

(sem) .75 credits

Prerequisites: 

Successful completion or enrollment in Algebra 2/Trig 

Honors Prerequisites: 

B- or higher in Geometry  

Physics is the study of matter and energy and their interrelationship. This laboratory science course is intended for those students with an interest in the physical sciences and/or those students who intend to study math or science related topics in college. Students should have good math skills and enjoy using mathematics as a tool. Adequate completion of homework is essential for success in this course. 

Topics will include forces and linear motion, work and energy, momentum, electromagnetic phenomena including circuits and motors, light, and sound. 

Skills introduced and developed in earlier science courses will be further developed including problem solving and critical thinking skills. Computers and other current technologies will be used as tools for the gathering, analyzing and reporting of data. 

A variety of teaching methods will be employed during this course, including the use of student-based inquiry projects, interactive lecture/demonstration sessions, audio-visual presentations, laboratory activities and discussions. 

Honors Option: This course differs from the Introduction to Physics course as this course covers additional topics within the units of study and topics in greater depth and at a faster pace. Students also are expected to work at a higher level of independence and to engage in more individual research and study of course topics. The honors course will have a greater emphasis on the use of mathematics.