Science

Non-Ranked

Course Length: Embedded in ACT MATH and ACT ELA

Pre-requisites: none                                                                                                        

Criteria for admission: none                                                                                       

The Science ACT course is directly aligned with the New Jersey Core Curriculum Content Standards in Science and the Next Generation Science Standards. This course is designed to enhance student scores on the American College Test (ACT) with a concentration on test taking skills. The structure of the ACT, along with the implications of how the test is graded, will be discussed. Understanding and fluency, along with application of scientific concepts, skills and practices will be addressed and strengthened. Students will learn and practice effective test taking strategies that include but are not limited to: appropriate pacing, increased focus, use of an appropriate calculator in appropriate sections, analyzing data in various forms, extrapolating information from graphs and charts, and use of scientific argumentation in data analysis. Students will learn to work independently, as well as cooperatively in pairs and small groups. Both verbal and written communication of ideas will be emphasized. The course is intended to motivate students of all ability levels to develop their problem solving and test taking skills.

Weight: 10

Course Length: Year

Pre-requisites:    Biology CPE/Biology Honors; Chemistry CPE/Chemistry Honors     

Criteria for admissions: Advanced Placement Criteria                                                         

1.       Mid-year average of 85% in the present honors course; mid-year grade of 90% in the present academic science course.

2.       Recommendation of the present science teacher.

The advanced placement biology course is designed to be the equivalent of a college introductory biology course taken by biology majors.  The content of this course follows the College Entrance Examination Board syllabus.  Major topics include: biological chemistry, thermodynamics & cellular energetics, classical & molecular genetics, evolution, and ecology. This is a full-year course with a double laboratory period.

Weight: 10

Course Length: Year

Pre-requisites:    Chemistry CPE/Chemistry Honors; Physics CPE/Physics Honors     

Co-requisites:      Honors Physics                                                                                                    

Criteria for admissions: Advanced Placement Criteria                                                          

1.       Mid-year average of 85% in the present honors course; mid-year grade of 90% in the present academic science course.

2.       Recommendation of the present science teacher.

The advanced placement chemistry course is designed to be the equivalent of a college introductory chemistry course taken by chemistry majors.  The content of this course follows the College Entrance Examination Board syllabus.  Major topics include: atomic structure, periodicity, stoichiometry, gas laws, thermodynamics & thermochemistry, bonding, kinetics, acid & bases theories, and electrochemistry. This is a full-year course with a double laboratory period.

Weight: 10

Co-requisites:      Honors Calculus or AP Calculus               

Pre-requisites:    Chemistry CPE /Chemistry Honors; Physics CPE/ Physics Honors  

Criteria for admissions: Advanced Placement Criteria                                                          

1.       Mid-year average of 85% in the present honors course; mid-year grade of 90% in the present academic science course.

2.       Recommendation of the present science teacher.

The advanced placement physics course is designed to be the equivalent of a college introductory calculus based physics course taken by science majors.  The content of this course follows the College Entrance Examination Board syllabus.  Major topics include:  mechanics, electricity & magnetism, waves & optics, and modern physics. This is a full-year course with a double laboratory period.

Weight: 3

Course Length: Year        

Pre-requisites:    Biology: CP, CPE or Honors; Chemistry CP, CPE or Honors

                                Physics (11th grade students can take concurrently with physics CPE or physics honors)

*Cannot be used toward 3-year science graduation requirement

This full year course provides a comprehensive study of the anatomy and physiology of the human organism. Students will be able to demonstrate an in-depth understanding of the principles of Anatomy, Physiology, and their interrelationships. The course emphasize structure and function using the systemic approach in which the body systems such as the cardiovascular system, nervous system, respiratory system, for example, are explored individually following the introductory material. Emphasis is placed on how systems integrate with each other and how each contributes to homeostasis, a steady state of body functioning. In addition, real world topics will be included to prepare students who may be pursuing careers in the sports sciences, exercise physiology, kinesiology, physical therapy, occupational therapy, nutrition and nursing. Since it is necessary that the student has completed Biology and Chemistry with a strong understanding of concepts, the work and expectation in this course builds to a much higher level than that of the an introductory high school course. 

Laboratory activities, as in all sciences at Mahwah High School, play a large role in developing concepts and the learning process. The laboratory environment enables students to develop group dynamics, organizational skills, and deductive reasoning. All of these become extremely important in Anatomy & Physiology, as the intensity of laboratory work requires as much precision and care as the complexity of the human body systems. This is a full-year course with a double laboratory period. 

Weight: 0

Course Length: Year

Co-requisite:  Algebra 1 CP                                                                                          

Pre-requisites: none                                                                                                    

This course of study was designed to transition students from the middle school science program to the high school laboratory science course. This is a college preparatory laboratory science course which requires students to not only master life science content knowledge, but also develops the science and engineering practices and cross-cutting concepts as outlined in the Next Generation Science Standards.   This course introduces students to the fundamental principles, laws, and concepts of biology. The major themes include organization and development, matter and energy transformations, interdependence, heredity and reproduction, and evolution and diversity.   Academic activities are designed to enhance critical thinking, note-taking and organizational skills.  Students will engage in physical manipulation of authentic systems, interact with simulations and authentic data, and engage in scientific argumentation. This is a full-year course with a double laboratory period.  Laboratory investigations play a large role in the development of concepts and application of mathematical skills to real world data.

Weight: 3

Course Length: Year

Co-requisite:  Algebra 1 CPE                                                                                      

Pre-requisites: none                                                                                                  

This level is offered to the high-achieving student with a focus on developing the knowledge, skills, and habits of mind necessary to master a rigorous course of study.  The course challenges students to transition from the middle school science program to the high school science program.  Students will increase their knowledge base and understanding of the natural world and how it functions by engaging with the three dimensions outlined in the Next Generation Science Standards.   This course introduces students to the fundamental principles, laws, and concepts of biology. The major themes include organization and development, matter and energy transformations, interdependence, heredity and reproduction, and evolution and diversity.  Students will also be able to develop their ability to think critically, problem solve, communicate, and collaborate.  Students will hone their skills in conducting laboratory investigations, analyzing data, and drawing conclusions based on scientific evidence.  It is expected that students will be active participants to use authentic data to engage in scientific argumentation.  This is a full-year course with a double laboratory period.  Laboratory investigations play a large role in the development of concepts and application of mathematical skills to real world data.

Weight: 8

Course Length: Year

Criteria for admissions: See Honors Criteria                                                        

Co-requisites:      Geometry Honors                                                                               

This level is offered to the intrinsically motivated student with a strong interest in and aptitude for the sciences.  At this level, students are expected to engage in independent learning and to be able to apply and transfer concepts between units and courses.  This course is designed for 9th grade students who can perform at an advanced level and has the ability to apply mathematical concepts and reasoning essential to a comprehensive scientific understanding of the Next Generation Science Standards.   Students are invited into this course based on superior past performance in 8th grade.  Students are given the opportunity to work at a higher and more in depth level of study.

Topics cover scientific-inquiry, basic chemistry and biochemistry, cell structure and function, energy relationships, genetics and molecular genetics, evolution and ecology.  Additional topics include:  the five-kingdom classification systems, and comparative anatomy and physiology.  This course stresses the development of laboratory skills, critical thinking and problem solving which are consistent with the demands of the 21st Century and College Board’s Advanced Placement Program. This is a full-year course with a double laboratory period.

Weight: 3

Course Length: Semester w/ Lab

Pre-requisites: Biology (CP, CPE, Honors), Chemistry (CP, CPE, Honors), Physics (CP, CPE, Honors)

                            *Cannot be used toward 3-year science graduation requirement

Criteria for admissions:                                                                                                   

The Biotech Engineering course offers students the opportunity to experience the basics of microbiology, human genetics, biochemical and biological engineering, and the exploration of bioethical issues.  This course is supplemented with laboratory exercises and research and engineering-based projects that illustrate the basic concepts and techniques within the field of biotechnology.  The laboratory component of this course encompasses biochemical and molecular biological techniques that are routinely performed in research, government, and industrial biotechnology laboratories. The exercises are designed to provide a hands-on context for the topics being presented in the course lectures. This is a semester course with a double laboratory period. Additionally, this course runs sequentially with Forensic Science.

Weight: 0

Course Length: Year

Pre-requisites: Biology CP or Biology CPE                                                       

Co-requisites: Geometry CP                                                                                                         

This is a college preparatory laboratory science course which requires students to not only master chemistry content knowledge, but also develops the science and engineering practices and cross-cutting concepts as outlined in the Next Generation Science Standards.   This course introduces students to the fundamental principles, laws, and concepts of chemistry. The major topics are matter, atomic theory, electron theory, periodic law, chemical bonds, formula writing, equations, gas laws, chemical mathematics, solutions, and acids and bases.   Academic activities are designed to enhance critical thinking, note-taking and organizational skills.  Students will engage in physical manipulation of authentic systems, interact with simulations and authentic data, and engage in scientific argumentation.  This is a full-year course with a double laboratory period.  Laboratory investigations play a large role in the development of concepts and application of mathematical skills to real world data. The students will receive a comprehensive background in chemistry and will be prepared for further studies in science.

Weight: 3

Course Length: Year

Pre-requisites:    Biology CPE or Biology Honors; Algebra I, Geometry, or Honors Geometry

Co-requisites:     Geometry CPE, Algebra 2 CPE, or Honors Algebra 2           

This level is offered to the high-achieving student with a focus on developing the knowledge, skills, and habits of mind necessary to master a rigorous course of study.  The course challenges students to apply concepts learned in biology to the understanding of chemical principles.  Students will increase their knowledge base and understanding of the natural world and how it functions by engaging with the three dimensions outlined in the Next Generation Science Standards.   This course is designed to give the college-bound student an overview of the basic principles and laws of chemistry, emphasizing the application of chemistry to the issues of our daily lives.  Major topics include: atomic and molecular structure, chemical reactions, solutions, states of matter, and acid-base theory.

Students will also be able to develop their ability to think critically, problem solve, communicate, and collaborate.  Students will hone their skills in conducting laboratory investigations, analyzing data, and drawing conclusions based on scientific evidence.  It is expected that students will be active participants to use authentic data to engage in scientific argumentation.  This is a full-year course with a double laboratory period.  Laboratory investigations play a large role in the development of concepts and application of mathematical skills to real world data.

Weight: 8

Course Length: Year

Criteria for admissions: See Honors Criteria                                                            

Pre-requisites:    Biology CPE or Biology Honors; Honors Geometry 

Co-requisites:      Algebra 2 CPE or Honors Algebra 2

This level is offered to the intrinsically motivated student with a strong interest in and aptitude for the sciences.  At this level, students are expected to engage in independent learning and to be able to apply and transfer concepts between the biology and chemistry courses.  This course is designed for 10th grade students who can perform at an advanced level and has the ability to apply mathematical concepts and reasoning essential to a comprehensive scientific understanding of the Next Generation Science Standards.   Students are given the opportunity to work at a higher and more in depth level of study.

This chemistry course emphasizes quantitative chemical relationships and the application of mathematical models to describe chemical principles. Emphasized throughout this course are the principles of structure and matter-energy relationships, the mole concept, chemical bonding, acid-base theory, equilibrium, and redox equations. This course stresses the development of laboratory skills, critical thinking and problem solving which are consistent with the demands of the 21st Century and College Board’s Advanced Placement Program.  Students exiting this course are encouraged to take the AP Chemistry course. This is a full-year course with a double laboratory period

Weight: 3

Course Length: Year

Pre-requisites:    Biology: CP, CPE or Honors; Chemistry CP, CPE or Honors

                                Physics (11th grade students can take concurrently with physics CPE or physics honors)

*Cannot be used toward 3-year science graduation requirement

Environmental Science is an elective science designed to help students understand the environment around them and to become informed global citizens. Students will engage in hands-on, project based learning to identify environmental problems and propose solutions to these problems.  In addition, students will conduct inquiry-based labs to test soil, air and water quality in the Mahwah community, among other activities.  Students will also explore sustainable solutions to environmental problems through such activities as field visits within the New York and New Jersey area, farm-to-table meals using the school garden and redesigning structures and landscapes to be more energy efficient. 

 This course is designed to challenge students with topics such as ecological systems, biodiversity, habitat destruction, invasive species, land use, industrial agriculture, pollution, soil degradation, acid precipitation, ozone depletion, population trends and resource distribution, sustainable practices and climate change.  Students will also explore renewable and nonrenewable energy sources as well as environmentally supportive business practices. Students will learn about the statutory and regulatory framework of environmental law on the municipal, state, federal and international levels. This is a full-year course with a double laboratory period

Weight:  3

Course Length:  Semester

Pre-requisites:  Biology: CP, CPE or Honors; Chemistry: CP, CPE or Honors, Physics: CP, CPE or Honors

*Cannot be used toward 3-year science graduation requirement

The Forensic Science Course is designed as a 4th year Science elective.  This course will acquaint the students with the work and goals of the forensic scientist. The students will use problem solving strategies during inquiry based lab settings to analyze real life situations.  This course will familiarize the students with the broad range of careers available in the field of Forensic Science

This course is designed to challenge students with topics such as fingerprinting, DNA analysis, blood typing and spattering, trajectories (for ballistics as well as blood spattering), comparative anatomy, and chemical analysis of drugs, poisons, and trace evidence and the dynamics of Physics.  Students will learn about the careers involved with Forensic Science and will play mock roles as experts in the field to solve crimes.  They will learn team work in solving mock crimes and have a chance to change their roles as the course progresses.  The course includes one double laboratory period every four days.  Emphasis is placed on scientific-inquiry, appropriate technology, and hands-on activity. This is a full-year course with a double laboratory period. Additionally, this course runs sequentially with Biotech Engineering.

Weight: 8

Course Length: Year

Pre-requisites:    One or more of the following: Honors STEM: Design and Research; Technology & Engineering Principles; 

   T3 Innovations and Inventions                    

                               Application process through department supervisor.

The Honors STEAM Capstone: Independent Research/Internship is an elective course that provides students the opportunity to apply critical-thinking skills while investigating a specialized area of interest.  Successful students in this course will be self-motivated, independent learners and demonstrate a strong interest in STEAM-related fields.

Each student will have the assistance of the Honors STEAM Capstone advisor to help guide them through their projects.  Additionally, each student will select an adult mentor in their field of research. 

Throughout the Honors STEAM Capstone, students activate prior academic and technical knowledge and skills to address complex, authentic problems.  Moreover, students incorporate 21st Century Skills in a real-world context through brainstorming, independent thinking, questioning, and posing problems, applying creativity, innovation, and invention, problem solving, researching and gathering data, thinking and communicating with clarity and precision, flexibility and reflection, and interpersonal communication and connections with adults.

The Independent Research option requires that students research and design a Capstone Project under the guidance of a faculty-assigned mentor.  Students enrolled in this course will maintain a documented relationship with their mentor, meeting consistently with their mentor throughout the school year.  The research project must be from a STEAM related field and emphasize the ultimate implication of the research in the advancement of science and engineering. 

Alternatively, the Independent Internship option will require that students secure an internship and spend, on average, 2-3 hours a week with their university/industry-based mentor.  Students will meet with their mentors to discuss the ongoing research and the goals and expectations for the internship.  The internship will also culminate with a Capstone paper and presentation that the student will make to a committee including high school students, teachers, and their research mentor.

**While this course takes place outside of the traditional school day schedule, mentor and advisor meetings, check-ins, etc. may be completed during the school day as agreed upon by the mentor, Capstone advisor, and student.

Weight: 8

Course Length: Year

Pre-requisites:    Technology & Engineering Principles and/or T3 Innovations and Inventions 

Co-requisites:     Must be enrolled in grade appropriate science for 10th or 11th grade (chemistry/physics).

*Cannot be used toward 3-year science graduation requirement

The STEAM Design and Research course will focus on applying engineering, science, math, and technology to solve complex, open-ended problems in a real-world context.  Student teams will work through the process of defining and solving a problem, not on getting the “right” answer.  They learn how to apply STEAM knowledge skills, and habits of minds through innovation.  Each task will hone in on different aspects of the design process or cycle.  Building upon these skills, the student will engage in the ideas behind science and engineering practices to familiarize them with the initial processes behind doing authentic research.  The aim is to build a foundation for students that allows them to examine original identified research opportunities in the natural science and engineering programs that hone the students’ investigative skill and prepare them for academic endeavors.  The culmination of this course includes a research paper and presentation in a symposium style.   Emphasis is placed on scientific inquiry, the use of appropriate technology, and hands-on activity. This is a full-year course with a double laboratory period.

Weight: 0

Course Length: Year

Pre-requisites:    Chemistry CP or Chemistry CPE          

Co-requisites:      Algebra 2 CP                                                  

This course of study was designed to transition students from the chemistry to the physics science course. This is a college preparatory laboratory science course which requires students to not only master physical science content knowledge, but also develops the science and engineering practices and cross-cutting concepts as outlined in the Next Generation Science Standards The program has been developed around themes to introduce fundamental principles, laws and concepts in physics. The major topics include energy, motion, force, mechanics, heat, electricity, optics, and nuclear energy.  A conceptual approach will be used, and emphasis placed on data collection and analysis.  This is a full-year course with a double laboratory period.  Laboratory activities will enhance students’ comprehension of the interrelationships between energy and matter to everyday occurrences. Academic activities are designed to enhance critical thinking, note-taking and organizational skills.  Students will engage in physical manipulation of authentic systems, interact with simulations and authentic data, and engage in scientific argumentation.  

Weight: 3

Course Length: Year

Pre-requisites:    Chemistry CPE or Chemistry Honors; Geometry or Honors Geometry 

Co-requisites:      Algebra 2 CPE, Pre-calculus, Honors Pre-Calculus                 

This level is offered to the high-achieving student with a focus on developing the knowledge, skills, and habits of mind necessary to master a rigorous course of study.  The course challenges students to integrate concepts learned in biology and chemistry to the understanding of physics principles.  Students will increase their knowledge base and understanding of the natural world and how it functions by engaging with the three dimensions outlined in the Next Generation Science Standards.   This course is designed to give the college-bound student an overview of the basic principles and laws of physics, emphasizing with an emphasis on conceptual understanding of essential topics without requiring the use of advanced mathematics. Physics gives the students the opportunity to apply mathematics to develop problem-solving skills to real world problems.  Major topics include motion, Newtonian mechanics, energy-matter relationships, electricity & magnetism, and wave theory.

Students will also be able to develop their ability to think critically, problem solve, communicate, and collaborate.  Students will hone their skills in conducting laboratory investigations, analyzing data, and drawing conclusions based on scientific evidence.  It is expected that students will be active participants to use authentic data to engage in scientific argumentation.  This is a full-year course with a double laboratory period.  Laboratory investigations play a large role in the development of concepts and application of mathematical skills to real world data.

Weight: 8

Course Length: Year

Criteria for admissions: See Honors Criteria                                                       

Pre-requisites:    Chemistry CPE or Chemistry Honors; Algebra 2 CPE or Honors Algebra 2 

Co-requisites:      Pre-calculus, Honors Pre-Calculus

This level is offered to the intrinsically motivated student with a strong interest in and aptitude for the sciences.  At this level, students are expected to engage in independent learning and to be able to apply and transfer concepts from the biology, chemistry and physics courses.  This course is designed for 11th  grade students who can perform at an advanced level and has the ability to apply mathematical concepts and reasoning essential to a comprehensive scientific understanding of the Next Generation Science Standards.   Students are given the opportunity to work at a higher and more in depth level of study.

The honors level is an in-depth study of physics, emphasizing quantitative relationships in physics and the application of mathematical models to describe physical phenomena.  Additional topics will include:  rotational equilibrium and dynamics, fluid mechanics, thermodynamics, interference and diffraction, atomic physics and subatomic physics.  Laboratory work will be more quantitative and analytical than the Physics course. This course stresses the development of laboratory skills, critical thinking and problem solving which are consistent with the demands of the 21st Century and College Board’s Advanced Placement Program.  Students exiting this course are encouraged to take the AP Physics C course. This is a full-year course with a double laboratory period.