Biology is a comprehensive life science course. The curriculum is aligned with the Massachusetts Curriculum Frameworks for High School Biology and addresses concepts from the four core areas of biology: biological structures and processes from the molecular to organismal level, heredity, ecology and evolution. Engagement in laboratory activities, online investigations and projects reinforce core concepts and present opportunities for students to further develop scientific skills and practices.

Suggested Prerequisites: Successful completion of one year of high school biology and one year of high school chemistry. 

Scientific Ethics and Literacy is a course where students will start by developing critical scientific Literacy skills, then use those skills to delve into a variety of topics where scientific knowledge intersects with societal challenges such as public health, agriculture and food, energy production, climate change, populations and scientific misconceptions. exploring those issues, claims around those issues and how to evaluate their veracity. Students will perform a variety of scientific experiments related to these issues, collecting their own data to evaluate and better understand the process used. This class is part of the Public Health Innovation Pathway. Open to juniors and seniors. Sophomores in the Health Care and Social Assistance Innovation Pathway may enroll in this course.

Suggested Prerequisite: B in History 10 and B in Biology. How has disease influenced human history? How has human history influenced disease? How have people perceived, experienced, and coped with disease? This is a multi-disciplinary elective which will examine the interactions and interrelationships of disease, healers, and patients in an historical context and develop a basic understanding of the biological mechanisms of infectious disease. The course will study the connections between epidemic disease, history, politics, and public health. It will present an overview of medicine and disease from the Middle Ages through modern western civilization. Social, cultural, and biological perspectives of disease will be addressed at the local, national, and international levels. The class will be a project-based learning course with a strong emphasis on research, reading, writing, technology, labs, lectures, and discussions. This course is part of the Public Health Innovation Pathway. This course is grouped heterogeneously with honors and non-honors students enrolled in the same section. Open to Juniors and Seniors.

Prerequisite: Open to all students with an interest in public health in grades 10-12. The cost of the course is approximately $630.00 per student. This is a Dual Enrollment course taught at RMHS within the student schedule. Public health topics, both historical and contemporary are of importance to all citizens and to societal decisions. This survey course provides a foundation for understanding public health through exposure to current health care and policy issues viewed through the perspective of multiple disciplines. Methodology for understanding population health and developing critical thinking and decision-making skills in the analysis of public health issues using a population-based perspective will be developed. The course will provide an ecological understanding of the causation and prevention of disease with an emphasis on health issues that affect society as a whole. Upon successful completion of the course students will earn 2 credits at RMHS and simultaneously 3 credits at the college level through UMass Lowell. *This offering is based on UMLs availability to offer the course at RMHS.

Prerequisite: Open to all students with an interest in nutrition and wellness studies in grades 10-12. The cost of the course is approximately $630.00 per student. This is a Dual Enrollment course taught at RMHS within the student schedule. This course is an introductory course to the science of nutrition as it applies to everyday life and health. Focus will include the six major nutrients: carbohydrates, lipids (fats), protein, vitamins, minerals, and water and their importance in the human body. Digestion, absorption, and metabolism in the human body will be introduced. The course will also examine energy balance and weight management as they relate to nutrition and fitness. The impact of culture, demographics and ethnicity on nutritional intake will be discussed. Students will explore the relationship between nutrition and health through laboratory experiences. Upon successful completion of the course students will earn 2 credits at RMHS and simultaneously 3 credits at the college level through UMass Lowell. *This offering is based on UMLs availability to offer the course at RMHS.

Suggested Prerequisites: An A- in 322 Biology or a B in 321Honors Biology and an A- in 332 Chemistry or a B in 331 Honors Chemistry and teacher recommendation. As stated by the College Board, Advanced Placement Biology is designed to be the equivalent of a twosemester college introductory biology course. This rigorous course “aims to provide students with the conceptual framework, factual knowledge and analytical skills necessary to deal critically with the rapidly changing science of biology.” It differs from high school biology courses in range, depth, pace and types of labs covered. Enrollment in this course may require summer work to be completed on the part of the student. This course is Part of the Public Health innovation Pathway. Open to sophomores (as an elective), juniors and seniors. Students taking this course are expected to take the College Board’s Advanced Placement exam in May.

Capstone or Internship (100-hrs) - Capstone takes place during senior year as a semester class (typically semester 2) OR internship with an industry partner term 4 of senior year.