PHYSICS (319) and HONORS PHYSICS (312)

Grade 9-12:  Level 2 and Honors

(Year) 1.5 credits

Prerequisites:

1. Recommendation from 8th grade teacher

2. Successful completion of Integrated Algebra I

A successful Honors Level Physics student will have had:

3. C+ or higher 8th grade science

How does the world work? Physics is the science of answering this very question. Students will explore the interrelationships between matter and energy through the study of physics. This course uses hands-on exploration to  illuminate and reinforce basic principles and relationships. Student design of experimental procedures to accomplish objectives is an integral part of laboratory work. Experiments range from teacher-directed to student-designed open-ended investigations Topics covered are  forces, linear motion, work, energy, momentum, electromagnetic phenomena including circuits, light and sound. This course is recommended for students interested in the physical sciences and/or intend to study math, engineering or science related topics in college. 

Honors:  Through guided research projects, students expand their understanding of the physics of our universe using topics of their choosing. Additionally, current events assignments provide an expansion of understanding of topics learned in class.

9th grade students will be taking the Introduction to Physics MCAS in June (not the Biology MCAS)

CHEMISTRY (365) and HONORS CHEMISTRY (366) 

Grades 10-12: Level 2 and Honors 

(Year) 1.5 credits

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

Prerequisites:

1. Successful completion of Biology and MCAS

A successful Honors Level Chemistry student will have had:

2. B- or higher in Biology, level 2 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. 

AP BIOLOGY (341)

Grades 11-12: Advanced Placement

(Year) 1.5 credits

A successful AP biology student should have:  

1. Completed Honors Chemistry with a B or higher

2. Completed Algebra 2/Trig Honors with a B or higher  

3. Successful completion or enrollment in Pre-Calculus  and/or

4. Teacher recommendation

The Advanced Placement Biology Program is a college level laboratory science course offered in high school. Students electing this course should be highly motivated and should exhibit a strong interest in life sciences. 

Course content will be predicated upon the syllabus of the Advanced Placement Program and will include many levels of organization such as molecular, cellular, population, organisms and others. Concepts related to each level of organization and to the entire syllabus will be explored, analyzed and discussed. 

Advanced placement students are expected to do considerable outside reading on topics that cannot be covered in class. Laboratory work is extensive and is correlated to the material being discussed. A lab notebook must be maintained throughout the year and reports must be written for most experiments. In addition to the development of laboratory procedures and techniques, cognitive skill development focuses upon critical thinking. Advanced placement students will also perform a considerable amount of mathematical analysis and should have strong mathematical skills. Advanced placement students are expected to have initiative, be responsible, and strive for excellence. 

Instructional methods include lectures, discussions, and student presentations, picture walks, reading guides, mini posters, drawings and a variety of teacher-directed and student-designed laboratory activities. Students are encouraged to take the Advanced Placement Examination, and those who do so will be exempted from the course final examination.

AP CHEMISTRY (357)

Grades 11-12: Advanced Placement

(Year) 1.50 credits

A successful AP Chemistry student should have:    

1. Completed Honors Chemistry with a B or higher

2. Completed Algebra 2/Trig Honors with a B or higher and/or

3. Teacher recommendation

. 

Advanced Placement Chemistry is a college level course offered in high school. Students electing this laboratory science course should be highly motivated, have a strong interest in science and enjoy hands-on laboratory work. 

Course content is based on the syllabus of the Advanced Placement Program developed by the College Board. The topics include atomic structure, bonding, compound structure and properties, intermolecular phases and forces, chemical reactions, chemical thermodynamics, equilibrium and kinetics, formation and behavior of solutions, acids and bases, and electrochemistry. 

As mandated by the College Board, students will spend at least 25 % of the time involved in hands-on laboratory investigations. Many of these are of an inquiry nature and are open-ended where students will be required to generate questions for investigation, choose which variables to investigate, design and conduct their own experimental procedures, collect, analyze, interpret, and display data, and determine how to present their conclusions. Students will learn to use modern chemical lab techniques such as LabPro interface and LogerPro software, spectroscopy, spectrophotometry, various gravimetric analysis, and chromatography. 

Development of critical thinking skills and clear communication of ideas are key components of the course. Students will develop skills in the qualitative representation of chemistry models and connection of the macro-world phenomena with the micro-world representations and models are emphasized. Students will use appropriate mathematics (algebra manipulations, reading and building graphs) to solve problems quantitatively. 

The advanced placement student is expected to do considerable outside study and preparation including significant reading assignments from the online and textbook sources, question and problems sets, and work related to labs including but not limited to design of lab investigation method, data analysis and writing of lab discussions. 

Students are encouraged to take the Advanced Placement Examination, and those who do so will be exempted from the course final examination if they choose.

AP ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE (364)

Grades 11-12 Advanced Placement

(Year)  1.5 credits 

A successful AP Environmental student should have:      

1. Completed Honors Chemistry or Physics with a B or higher

2. Completed Honors Biology with a B or higher  and/or

3. Completed Algebra 1 with a B or higher and/or

4. Strongly recommend Data Science Statistics or Statistics 

5. Teacher recommendation

AP Environmental Science is an interdisciplinary science course that focuses on the human impacts on earth, ecological processes, biodiversity, land and water use, global environmental changes, and ways to restore habitats and prevent natural and human made environmental problems.  Like other AP science courses, this introductory college level class will have a strong emphasis on developing lab skills, while also giving students a hands-on field work experience where they are expected to apply scientific principles and methodologies to help solve real world problems.  This is a lab course that integrates outdoor field work and classroom experiments to build a deeper understanding of environmental topics.  Students will be expected to work collaboratively in groups, spend time outside of class studying and doing homework, collect and analyze environmental data, take timed tests, and develop scientific writing skills. Students are encouraged to take the Advanced Placement Examination, and those who do so will be exempted from the course final examination if they choose. 

AP PHYSICS  (339)

Grades 11-12: Advanced Placement

(Year) 1.5 credits

Not offered academic year 2026-2027

A successful AP Physics student should have:      

1. Completed Honors Chemistry with a B or higher

2. Completed Algebra 2/Trig Honors with a B or higher  

3. Successful completion or enrollment in Pre-Calculus  and/or

4. Teacher recommendation

Advanced Placement Physics 1 is a college level course offered in high school. Students electing this laboratory science course should be highly motivated, have a strong interest in science and enjoy the use of mathematics and problem solving. Course content is based upon the syllabus of the Advanced Placement Program. Major content areas include Newtonian mechanics (linear and rotational), work, energy, power, mechanical waves and sound, and an introduction to electric circuits. Analysis of experimental data, modeling, vector mathematics, approaches to problem-solving and history of physics also are included and overlap many of the topical areas. An understanding of basic principles and the ability to apply these principles toward the solution of problems are the major goals of this course. 

The advanced placement student is expected to do considerable outside study and preparation. This will include some topics that may not be covered during class. 

Experimental work is extensive and is used to discover, illuminate and reinforce basic principles and relationships. Student design of experimental procedures to accomplish objectives is an integral part of laboratory work. Experiments range from teacher-directed to student-designed open-ended investigations. Students are exposed to and encouraged to use computer technology for the purpose of data acquisition and analysis as well as the writing of lab reports. Lab reports, formal or informal, are required after most experiments. Critical thinking, careful and detailed analysis and clear communication of ideas are stressed. The use of mathematics for analysis and problem solving is a key component of the course. 

Problem-solving is used extensively to reinforce and expand the students' understanding of concepts. 

Student explanation of her/his work to other students in class is used extensively. Explanation of new concepts and selected problems are provided by the teacher. Students are expected to be responsible, to strive for excellence and to work cooperatively with classmates. Students are encouraged to take the Advanced Placement Examination, and those who do so will be exempted from the course final examination if they choose.

ANATOMY & PHYSIOLOGY (347) and HONORS ANATOMY & PHYSIOLOGY (348)

Grades 10-12: Level 2 and Honors

(Year) 1.50 credits

Level 2 Prerequisite: Successful completion of Biology (C or better)

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

This course is an in depth exploration of the structures and functions of the human body systems. In particular, it highlights the integumentary, skeletal, muscular, cardiovascular, respiratory, urinary, endocrine, and reproductive systems. The diseases associated with each system are examined, as well, with a focus on how our choices affect our overall health. In addition, embryological and fetal development are explored. Dissection is an essential part of this course, involving a mammalian organism (cat, rabbit, or mink). Students will utilize art extensively for projects in each body system. Assessments include a good deal of memorization of anatomical vocabulary. Other lab experiences include measuring pulse, blood pressure, respiration rate, lung volume, kidney function, and reflexes.

Honors Anatomy and Physiology is intended for students considering careers in medicine, nursing, physical therapy, or other health sciences. Greater emphasis is placed on microscopic structures in the honors course, as well as more focus on imbalances in each system and interdependence between systems. Honors level students will be expected to analyze case studies, complete independent research, and design their own lab protocols.

IP HONORS HEALTH SCIENCE (396)

Grade 11: IP ONLY 

(second semester) .75 credits

Prerequisite: successful completion of Health Science 1

Note:  This course is for IP Healthcare students ONLY

This course is a requirement for students in the IP Healthcare pathway.  

Anatomy topics covered include the nervous, endocrine, urinary and reproductive systems. Other topics include medical mathematics,  health care professional responsibilities including patient privacy, medical ethics, and healthcare delivery systems. Diseases that will be discussed include diabetes, concussion and stroke.  Students will learn practical skills including first aid, and monitoring vital signs.  Emphasis will be placed on professionalism, communication and employability skills gained through role playing scenarios. 

Students will have the opportunity to become CPR/First Aid certified as part of this class and will be required to take the National Health Science Assessment at the end of the course. 

HONORS BIOLOGY OF CANCER (354)

Grades 11-12: Honors

(Semester) .75 credits

Prerequisites: Successful completion of (B- or better) of Biology or Honors Biology.

In this 15-week elective course supported by the Great Disease program from Tufts University. Students will learn the history of cancer; they will understand how cancer is studied in epidemiology and research. The course will reflect the latest in today's research and application. 

Students will dive into the cellular world and refresh their knowledge of cellular division and learn about its regulation. Students will also explore DNA and its function in protein production, in communication between cells, and also its regulation. Mutations will be a main subject throughout this course. Knowledge of anatomy and physiology will be reinforced and will be a constant throughout the course. Biochemistry and biotechnology as well as molecular genetics will take place as supporting cast throughout the whole course as well. Students will have a chance to explore screening and diagnosis of the disease and understand the new approaches in medicine and in research. Evolution concepts will be central throughout and will drive the entire discussion on the random processes of mutations when placed in the definitive world of the environment where cells live. The course will attempt to answer the following 5 questions: What is cancer and why should we care? What does it mean to be a ‘normal’ cell? How does a normal cell become cancerous? How does cancer make us sick? How do we treat cancer? 

The class will consist of case studies, videos, and worksheets in class, simple presentations and some application of mathematics such as statistics. Grading will be based mostly on classroom participation and completion of work, presentations and quizzes. 

A single final test which will address students’ misconceptions will also be part of the grading. 

Offered in FALL ONLY

HONORS BIOTECHNOLOGY (307)

Grades 11-12: Honors ONLY

(Semester) .75 credits

Prerequisites: 

1. B or better in Honors Biology 

2. B or better in Honors Chemistry or currently enrolled in Honors Chemistry with a B+ or better average for Semester 1 and teacher recommendation. 

This laboratory life science class is designed for students who want to explore topics in biotechnology. Students should have an interest in biological fields and solid math skills. With an industry focus, Biotechnology is an excellent course for students who are considering careers such as genetics, biomedical engineering or biomedical research. 

Biotechnology is a multi-disciplinary course integrating a variety of topics from the areas of biochemistry, microbiology, molecular biology, virology, cell biology, genomics, and proteomics. This course is a hands-on, high level laboratory techniques course. The course will emphasize chemistry, biochemistry, modern biotechnology laboratory techniques including aseptic techniques for establishing microbial cultures, detection and analysis of recombinant DNA molecules, protein purification, gel electrophoresis and the use of PCR technology for genetic analysis. Biogenealogy, evolution, disease diagnosis, cancer screening and forensics sciences (including discussions of crime scene investigation, fingerprinting, and skeleton identification), biopharmaceuticals and agriculture are possible topics for inquiry. 

The interdisciplinary field of Bioinformatics using computational techniques may help frame and solve biological problems becoming an essential component of modern life sciences. In this course, the basic concepts of bioinformatics will be discussed with the focus on how to identify, obtain, establish, maintain and exchange research information in biology. The use of mathematical, statistical and computing methods to solve complex biological problems using searches of internet databases will be employed. Although this does not require any computer programming skills, prior exposure to personal computers, e-mail, and the Internet is essential. Throughout the course, possible career paths and ethics will be presented and discussed.

The grading will include attendance, promptness, preparedness, willingness to do hands-on lab work every time the class meets, maintenance of a lab notebook with cooperation with classmates, cooperative teamwork, lab skills, lab results, discussions, presentations, and a final presentation that will assess the entire course.

ECOLOGY (289) and HONORS ECOLOGY (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, 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. 

EVOLUTION AND BIODIVERSITY (343) and HONORS EVOLUTION AND BIODIVERSITY (376) 

Grades 10-12: Level 2 and Honors 

(Semester) .75 credits

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 natural resource conservation?

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.

FARM-TO-TABLE (318) and HONORS FARM-TO-TABLE (319): 

Sustainable Farming, Nutrition

Grade 11-12:  L2 and Honors

(Semester) .75 credits

Prerequisites: Passing Grade in Horticulture

Students will engage in sustainable farming practices, learning the essentials of soil health, crop diversity, organic farming methods, and farm management. In the culinary arts component, they will learn how to incorporate fresh produce into cooking techniques, recipe development, and the preparation of delicious, nutrient-rich meals using fresh, seasonal ingredients.

The course integrates science and health by examining the role of food in preventing and managing metabolic diseases, such as diabetes, obesity, and cardiovascular conditions. Students will explore the science of nutrition, the importance of whole foods, and the impact of dietary patterns on long-term health.  This course will also examine how food insecurity can affect different people based on their socio-economic background. 

Through projects, including growing their produce, preparing balanced meals, and analyzing case studies, students will deeply appreciate the farm-to-table philosophy and its significance in fostering personal and planetary health. Field trips to local farms, guest lectures by health professionals and chefs, and collaborative cooking experiences will enrich their learning journey.  Honors students will learn about scientific case study analysis, controlled experiments, lab reporting, and scientific writing. 

HORTICULTURE (387) and HONORS HORTICULTURE (???) 

Grades 10-11: Level 2 and Honors

(Semester) .75 credit

Prerequisites: Successful completion of Biology or Honors Biology 

Do you like working with your hands?  Do you enjoy doing engaging labs in science?  Do you love being outside?  Do you like to cook and eat good food?  If so, then horticulture may be the perfect class for you.  Horticulture is an interdisciplinary course that explores many topics about plants.  Students in this class will learn the art and science of growing plants in the greenhouse and also work in outdoor garden beds.  Students who leave this course will know about the art of plant management, be able to do basic landscaping, learn gardening techniques, and be able to prepare healthy recipes using the plants they grow in the greenhouse.  Students will have many opportunities to engage with community partners in organizing plant sales, working with elementary students on planting projects, take field trips to nurseries, interact with local gardeners, and help maintain garden beds at our school.

INFECTIOUS DISEASE AND THE HUMAN IMMUNE SYSTEM (329) and HONORS INFECTIOUS DISEASE AND THE HUMAN IMMUNE SYSTEM (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 Tufts’ 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. 

LANDSCAPE HORTICULTURE & MAINTENANCE (335) and HONORS LANDSCAPE HORTICULTURE & MAINTENANCE (392):

Grade 11-12: L2 and Honors

(Semester) .75 credit

Prerequisites: Passing Grade in Horticulture

This course provides students with a comprehensive introduction to the skills, knowledge, and professional practices used in the landscape and horticulture industry. Students will learn the fundamentals of landscape maintenance, including plant care, pruning, soil management, turf upkeep, and seasonal property management. Emphasis is placed on business management concepts such as estimating, scheduling, customer service, and basic financial decision-making within the green industry.

Students will apply landscape math to real-world scenarios, including measurement, area, volume and ratio calculations, material estimation, and cost analysis. The course also explores landscape design principles and proper installation techniques, guiding students through planning, drawing, and installing functional and aesthetically pleasing outdoor spaces.

A strong focus is placed on equipment, tools, and safety, ensuring students develop the technical skills and safe work habits required when operating hand tools, power equipment, and industry machinery. Students will also study environmental stewardship and sustainability, learning how responsible landscape practices support healthy ecosystems, conserve resources, and protect the environment.

Throughout the course, students will build career readiness and professional skills, including teamwork, communication, problem-solving, and workplace ethics. Hands-on experiences, field projects, and industry-based tasks prepare students for entry-level employment, further technical training, or post-secondary education in horticulture, landscaping, environmental science, or related fields.

This course is ideal for students interested in outdoor work, plant science, design, environmental management, or exploring careers in the growing landscape and green industries.

MARINE SCIENCE (287) and HONORS MARINE SCIENCE (350)

Grades 11-12: Level 2 and Honors

(Year) 1.5 credits 

Semester 1: Oceanography | Semester 2: Marine Biology & Ecosystems

Prerequisite: Successful completion of Biology or Honors Biology, 

Successful completion of Chemistry L2 or Honors.

*requirement for Environmental pathway

Seventy percent of Earth’s surface is covered by the ocean, and more than 97% of all water on the planet is found within it. Despite its importance, over 95% of the ocean remains unexplored.

This full-year Marine Science course invites students to investigate the ocean as the planet’s largest, most dynamic, and least understood system, with a special focus on the marine environments of Massachusetts and Cape Cod. Students will explore how the oceans function, how marine life survives in a constantly changing environment, and how human activities influence marine and coastal ecosystems—locally and globally.

Throughout the year, students will engage in hands-on labs, dissections, fieldwork, species identification, data analysis, and real-world case studies, developing scientific literacy and practical skills used by oceanographers, fisheries scientists, and marine biologists. The course integrates climate change connections, current marine and estuarine events, and citizen science opportunities such as participation in local monitoring programs, including Cape Cod water quality surveys, Harmful Algal Bloom tracking, horseshoe crab population counts, and data from the Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries (DMF) & NOAA’s Northeast Fisheries Science Center.

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. 

NEUROLOGICAL DISORDERS (368) and HONORS NEUROLOGICAL DISORDERS (369) 

Grades 11-12: Level 2 or Honors by contract

(Semester) .75 credits

Prerequisites: Successful completion of (C+ or better) of Biology or Honors Biology.

This course is excellent for …Helpful feeder course: AP Psychology

This course includes the curriculum from the Tufts’ 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 disease. The Neurological Disorders (ND) course is organized around five key questions.  What do our brains need to do? What are the building blocks of our brains? How do our neurons communicate with each other? How do our neurons work together to control behaviors? How do our choices change our brains? These questions guide our investigation of the nervous system from the building blocks of our brains to how our brains control behavior. The students will explore each of these questions and then, for a final project (honors), use what they have learned to describe how the different choices we make can change our brains. Topics include neuron axon signaling, PET, MRI and other brain diagnostic tools, sleep, memory and learning, drugs and addiction, pain and reward pathways, narcolepsy, epilepsy and Alzheimer’s Disease as well as animal models for research.The class will consist of case studies, videos, and worksheets in class, simple presentations and some application of mathematics such as statistics. Grading will be based mostly on classroom participation and completion of work, presentations and quizzes. A single final test which will address students’ misconceptions will also be part of the grading. 

Honors requirements will include a final book report from a famous neurologist.

EARTH AND SPACE SCIENCE (385) and HONORS EARTH AND SPACE SCIENCE (386) 

Grade 10-12: Level 2 and Honors 

(Semester) .75 credit 

Prerequisite: Successful completion of MCAS 

How does our Earth work and how have humans impacted it? Dive into the forces that shape our world! In this course, students investigate Earth’s systems—from shifting tectonic plates and the vast universe we call home, to the mysteries of fossils, rocks, and our changing climate. Through hands-on labs, real-world data analysis, and engaging projects, students will develop a deeper understanding of how our planet works and how humans interact with it. Whether you're curious about natural disasters, climate change, or the history written in Earth’s layers, this class offers a fascinating journey into the science of our ever-changing planet. Investigation topics may include, but are not limited to: space, earthquakes, volcanoes, tectonic plates, Earth’s natural resources, erosion, climate change, paleoclimatology, sea ice, sea level rise and more. 

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