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 scale 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 with students researching how humans negatively impact Earth and then engineering solutions to mitigate those impacts. 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. Honors level students’ SBAC and NGSS scores will be reviewed for a minimum target score of 3. 

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, problem-solving, and analytical 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 discussions as they align with the engineering design process. The Honors level of Biology typically moves at a faster pace and goes into greater depth of the content material. Students must be highly motivated for this course and will be held to a higher standard of rigor and responsibility as well as complete more independent work and problem-solving. 

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 are 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. Students will explore the 11 human body systems and learn how these systems work together to maintain homeostasis. Emphasis is placed on real-world connections through engaging activities, labs, models, and dissections (cow heart, cat, dogfish shark). Students will develop skills in scientific observation, critical thinking, and problem-solving. This introductory course is ideal for students interested in health sciences or wanting a deeper understanding of how the human body works. 

Honors: This is an advanced introductory course that is designed for the independent, highly motivated student with possible plans of furthering their studies in allied health. The Honors level of Anatomy & Physiology typically moves at a faster pace and goes into greater depth of the content material. Students will be held at a high standard of rigor and responsibility. 

ECE Biology 1107

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

Prerequisite: Biology and Chemistry

Duration/Credit: 1 year/1 credit

Levels: Advanced

This class is structured to be equivalent to an introductory college Biology course. The goal of this class is for you as a student to develop your skills as a critical thinker, analyst, problem solver, and team member. These skills will be taught in a biological science context, but are designed to be useful in any science that you pursue. You will also develop introductory lab skills that will form the foundation of more complex biological inquiries. This course is planned around four integrated and cross-connected units. Topics that will be covered include biochemistry, molecular and cell biology, genetics, and animal anatomy and physiology.  This course will provide a foundation for more advanced courses in Biology and related sciences. Lab exercises include dissection of preserved animals. This course is developed as a University of Connecticut ECE course. Students have the opportunity to earn four UConn credits for BIOL1107: Principles of Biology I. Students must complete registration through UConn to be eligible. 

ECE Biology 1108

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

Prerequisite: Biology and Chemistry

Duration/Credit: 1 year/1 credit

Levels: Advanced

This class is structured to be equivalent to an introductory college Biology course. This course combines traditional lecture-style instruction with student-centered activities and labs in a collaborative learning atmosphere. The focus of this class is to build upon the knowledge and skills you have obtained in your previous science courses as a critical thinker, analyst, problem solver, and team member. This course is planned around four integrated and cross-connected units. Topics that will be covered include evolution and population genetics, plant physiology and diversity, animal diversity and behavior, and ecology.  This course will provide a foundation for more advanced courses in Biology and related sciences. This course is developed as a University of Connecticut ECE course. Students have the opportunity to earn four UConn credits for BIOL 1108: Principles of Biology II. Students must complete registration through UConn to be eligible. This course is developed as a University of Connecticut ECE course. Students have the opportunity to earn four UConn credits for BIOL1108: Principles of Biology II. Students must complete registration through UConn to be eligible. 

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.