Science

Earth & Space Science

Open to: Freshmen

Prerequisite: None

Duration/Credit: 1 year/1 credit

Levels: Standard, Honors

Have you ever looked up into the night time sky and simply wondered how the universe was formed? Our course begins by exploring the vastness of our universe as well as the formation of our solar system and planet Earth.  Students will also investigate the many internal and external processes that impact Earth and determine what role they play in continually reshaping our planet.  This course will culminate with human sustainability, when students research how humans negatively impact Earth and use their engineering skills to design a solution to alleviate the action. Throughout this course students will continually improve upon their critical thinking and problem-solving skills. Students will engage frequently in real world lab investigations, where they will collect and analyze their data in order to provide evidence to support their findings.

Honors: Students will continue to elevate their critical thinking skills by immersing themselves in real world applications when developing models, performing investigations, analyzing data, and engaging in evidence-based debates as they align with the engineering design process. Students must be highly motivated for this course and will be held to a higher standard of rigor and responsibility.

Biology

Open to: Sophomores

Prerequisite: Earth & Space Science

Duration/Credit: 1 year/1 credit

Levels: Standard, Honors

Explore the world of biological principles through the practices of scientific inquiry to solve the mystery of life! Students will use critical thinking skills to analyze and interpret real world data. Topics explored in this course will be cellular biology, genetics and heredity, evolution, biodiversity, energy and interactions in the environment and more! Students will be required to improve upon their critical thinking and problem solving skills when engaged in real world lab investigations as they collect and interpret data in order to provide evidence for their findings.

Honors: Students will continue to elevate their critical thinking skills by immersing themselves in real world applications when developing models, performing investigations, analyzing data, and engaging in evidence-based debates as they align with the engineering design process. Students must be highly motivated for this course and will be held to a higher standard of rigor and responsibility. 

Chemistry in the Community

Open to: Juniors

Prerequisite: Biology

Duration/Credit: 1 year/1 credit

Level: Standard

How does chemistry affect the world around us?  This class focuses on basic concepts, such as those involved in atomic and molecular structure, chemical bonding, chemical interactions, the kinetic molecular theory and gas laws, solutions, and acids and bases.  Many hands-on investigations will be performed that will challenge students to utilize critical thinking skills and problem-solving skills to collect, interpret, and analyze data to provide evidence to support their claims.  Less algebraic problem solving is required for this course as compared with Standard or Honors Chemistry.

Chemistry

Open to: Juniors

Prerequisite: Biology

Duration/Credit: 1 year/1 credit

Levels: Standard, Honors 

Why do some metals rust and others don’t? How do companies figure how much of a reactant to buy in order to make enough of their product? Take this full-year lab course that stresses the theoretical fundamentals and applications of chemistry to find out why! If you are interested in going on to college or furthering your education before joining the workforce, this course will give you the foundation you need going forward.

Honors Chemistry: This is an advanced, introductory chemistry course designed for the independent, highly motivated student who plans on furthering their studies in science or engineering.

Environmental Studies

Open to: Juniors, Seniors

Pre/Co-requisite: Chemistry or Chemistry in the Community

Duration/Credit: 1 year/1 credit

Levels: Standard

Want to explore your natural world and uncover many environmental issues that  you never thought could affect you or your environment?   In this course you will be immersed with scientific work in the field, perform investigations while collaborating with peers, and be an active participant in the engineering design process when solving real-world environmental issues.  Students will improve upon their critical thinking skills when collecting and analyzing their data as well as using evidence to back their findings.  Topics include agriculture, water and air pollution, global warming, alternative energy, Earth’s resources and the interdependence of organisms within their environment.  This full year course aims for students to leave with an understanding of the interrelationships within the natural world and to become better environmental stewards. 

Bioethics

Open to: Juniors, Seniors

Pre/Co-requisite: Chemistry or Chemistry in the Community

Duration/Credit: 1 year/1 credit

Levels: Standard

Deepen your experiences into the field of bioethics by studying the ethical issues emerging from advances in biology, medicine, technology, and innovations. Want to research, discuss and debate controversial biological topics such as designer babies, eugenics, abortion, cloning, euthanasia, vaccinations, stem cells, animal research, universal healthcare, and environmental issues to name a few? Learn how to advance and promote respectful dialogue among individuals with diverse views and to prepare and make informed and thoughtful choices. Cultivate your critical thinking and reasoning skills in order to build strong justifications on important bioethical topics.

Microbiology

Open to: Juniors, Seniors

Pre/Co-requisite: Biology

Duration/Credit: 1 semester/ ½  credit

Levels: Standard

This course is offered for students interested in pursuing a career in the field of science.  Students will build a basic understanding of microbiological concepts and principles on which to develop further knowledge of more advanced microbiological concepts.  Students will use their understanding to investigate the microbiological world through the practices of science inquiry, or solve meaningful problems through the practices of engineering design. Students will participate in hands-on lab experiences which include but not limited to media preparation, staining, research projects, and use of models. 

Anatomy & Physiology

Open to: Juniors concurrently taking Honors Chemistry, Seniors

Prerequisite: Biology and Chemistry

Duration/Credit: 1 year/1 credit

Levels: Standard and Honors

Fascinated with the human body? Come learn about the structures (anatomy) and functions (physiology) of your body. We will explore the 11 human body systems and supplement class instruction with lab work including dissections of the cow heart, cat, and dogfish shark.

Honors: This is an advanced introductory course that is designed for the independent, highly motivated student with plans of furthering their studies in allied health.

AP Biology

Open to: Juniors concurrently taking Standard or Honors Chemistry, Seniors

Prerequisite: Biology and Chemistry

Duration/Credit: 1 year/1 credit

Levels: Advanced

This course is designed to be the equivalent of a first-year college Biology course. Topics to be covered in depth are biochemistry, cell biology, genetics, evolution, classification, plants, anatomy, and ecology. In order to cover the prescribed curriculum, students are expected to do summer reading assignments prior to taking the course and extensive reading outside of the classroom during the year. Students are expected to work independently on much of the material. Mastery of concepts will be assessed through tests, quizzes, and lab reports, including the AP labs recommended by the College Board. Students in this course are expected to take the Advanced Placement Biology Exam in May.  The cost for 2024-2025 was $99 per AP exam and is subject to change as determined by College Board. Students who are eligible for free or reduced meals are will receive a fee waiver. With additional independent work, this course is also articulated with the University of Connecticut. Students opting to register with UConn have the opportunity to earn four UConn credits for BIOL1107: Principles of Biology I and BIOL1108: Principles of Biology II. 

Physics

Open to: Seniors

Prerequisite: Chemistry, Standard or Honors Algebra 2, Pre-Calculus preferred 

Duration/Credit: 1 year/1 credit

Levels: Standard

Learn how forces play a part in everyday life, how energy makes up everything, and how math can help solve everyday problems. The course is designed to provide a deeper understanding of the physical world around you.

ECE Physics

Open to: Seniors

Prerequisite: Standard or Honors Chemistry, Precalculus

Duration/Credit: 1 year/1 credit

Levels: Advanced

Advanced studies in applied mathematics will be utilized in helping solve worldly physical concepts including Statics, Dynamics, Energy, Momentum, Thermal Physics, Fluid Dynamics, Waves, and more! This course is developed as a University of Connecticut ECE course. Students have the opportunity to earn four UConn credits for Phys1201Q: General Physics I. Students must complete registration through UConn to be eligible.