Welcome to the Science Department web page.
829 – 830H - Earth Systems – 1/2 credit - ½ year Grade 9
(levels – College Prep/Continuing Ed. Honors)
This course is required of all students in Grade 9.
This course is designed to facilitate an interdisciplinary introduction to general systems theory and system dynamics modeling. It will emphasize the dynamic interrelationships among changes in the atmosphere,hydrosphere, cryosphere, biosphere, and geosphere. The student will develop tools for understanding andpredicting patterns of change in biological, physical, economic, and social systems. Students should select a level appropriate for their abilities.
831 – 832H - Energy and Matter – ½ credit – ½ year Grade 9
(levels – College prep/Continuing Ed., Honors)
This course is required of all students in Grade 9.
The course is designed to enable students to study the role of energy in the world and the structure of matter in relation to its affect on the properties and uses of materials. Carbon chemistry and its role in our modern society will be emphasized. In addition the course will address both the technological and human impact of these two areas of science. The class will meet four periods a week, incorporating labs and lecture-discussion period together.
804 – 805H – Biology – l ½ credits – 1 year with lab Grade 10
(levels - College prep/Continuing Ed., Honors)
Biology is the study of living things, their relationships, their structure, their function, the human body, and human health. It is a laboratory course designed to enable the student to acquire a functional understanding of biological facts, concepts, principles, and to obtain a general knowledge that will serve as a basis for more advanced study. Biology is taught in heterogeneous classes with honors and regular biology students in the same classroom. Students recommended for honors credit in Biology will be required to take “honor” exams, an “honor” mid- year exam, and an “honor” final exam. The “honor” exams will be more challenging than the regular Biology exams in terms of: 1) the recall of information; 2) the application of information and principles; 3) the analysis and interpretation of data. The decision to take Biology for honors credit must be made by the
start of the school year.
806 – Life Science – 1 credit – 1 year Grade 10
Life Science is a basic course in the study of living things. It will expose the student to many facets of life science. Upon completion of the course, students should have knowledge of the basic principles of Biology, including human anatomy and physiology, genetics, and environmental interactions. This knowledge should prepare them to make informed decisions concerning their own health and well being as well as providing them with the tools to make appropriate environmental decisions. This course meets the graduation requirement for a Biology course.
812 – Environmental Studies – 1/2 credit – 1 year (2 days a week) Grades 11, 12
Prerequisite: A grade of 73 or better in Biology
During the first semester, students will be learn the fundamentals of Soil Science, Forestry, Surveying, Geographic Information Systems, Global Positioning Systems, Mapping, and Watershed Management. During the second semester, students will learn the fundamentals of Aquatics, Wildlife Ecology, and develop a research proposal and subsequent project in an area of environmental science that is of personal interest to them. This project will be completed by the end of the school year.
820 – Practical Chemistry – 1/2 credit – 1/2 year Grades 11, 12 To be an informed citizen today, one must have an understanding of chemistry. This course is intended to make
students more aware of the effect chemistry has on their daily lives. The emphasis of the course will be on the practical applications and consumer aspects of chemistry in our modern society. Numerous labs stressing the practical applications of chemistry will be a part of the course. (This course is not recommended for college placement; students interested in such a course should take a full year chemistry course.)
807 – Chemistry – 1-1/2 credit – 1 year with lab Grades 10, 11,12
Prerequisite: A grade of 73 or better in Algebra I or equivalent or 75 or better in Geometry
The study of chemistry affords students the opportunity to develop an understanding of the nature of matter and the principles that govern chemical changes. The course will emphasize the impact of chemistry on society by addressing chemistry-related technological issues that are relevant to the community and society in which the students live. Students will learn chemical facts and concepts as they need them to understand the societal issues addressed in the course. This is a comprehensive college preparatory chemistry course.
803 – Biochemistry – 1-1/2 credit – 1 year with lab Grades 11, 12
Prerequisite: A grade of 83 or better in Chemistry
This is an honors level course. The first semester will deal with the basic relationships of the carbon compounds. Some time will be devoted to a 3-dimensional study of carbon compounds and the use of carbon compounds in everyday life. One paper/project is required. The second semester will cover the detailed chemical study of fats, proteins, carbohydrates, and nucleic acids. Some discussion and experimentation will be done on various biological topics such as embryology, genetics, physiology, and ecology. One paper is required.
808 – Chemistry AP – 1-1/2 credit – 1 year with lab Grades 11, 12
Open to juniors and seniors who have successfully completed Chemistry and two years of Algebra with a grade no lower than 85 in both. This course will focus on the student’s ability to master quantitative reasoning skills in the form of numerical problem solving exercises that enable them to explore these models and their reliability from a quantitative perspective. These exercises involve both word problem analysis and algebraic manipulations using familiar equations such as gas laws, energy accounting, and equilibrium concentrations in gases and solutions. Students will also experience the opportunity to write good explanations in order to answer a non-quantitative question. Direct student experience in manipulating both chemicals and chemical apparatuses is a vital part of learning the chemical principles. Computer work will be incorporated in order to provide opportunities for report writing, data analysis, graphing and trend analysis. Student grades in the course will be independent from the scores earned on the AP exam.
813 – Principles of Technology – 1 credit – 1 year Grades 11,12
Prerequisite: A grade of 73 or better in Algebra or 75 or better in Geometry
This is an applied physical science course designed for students who plan technical careers and/or students wishing to expand their knowledge of the principle of modern technology. The complexity and rapid rate of change of modern technology requires training that is applicable to more than a single job. This course stresses a hands-on approach to learning the principles of mechanical, electrical, fluid, and thermal systems as they apply to modern equipment. Upon enrollment in the Tech-Prep program and successful completion (grade of 73 or better) of the course, the student will earn college credit at Manchester Community College.
810 – Physics – 1-1/2 credit – 1 year with lab Grades 11, 12
Prerequisite: A grade of 73 or better in Algebra II
The intent of the physics course is for students to develop an understanding of some of nature’s basic rules – physics. This should allow the student to gain a greater awareness of and appreciation of the world. The student should develop an understanding of the major concepts associated with motion, forces, energy, matter, heat, sound, light, electricity, and magnetism. The course will emphasize physics concepts first with applications and problem solving following the comprehension of the basic concepts. The course will also attempt to show the historical evolution of physics and the fact that current knowledge may be altered by improved understanding of natural phenomena and/or further discoveries. Student readings, class discussions, laboratory activities, and problem solving will all be part of the course. Laboratory activities are designed to both demonstrate physical phenomena and to experimentally determine relationships between physical
quantities.
821 – Practical Physics – 1/2 credit – 1/2 year Grades 11,12
This course is an introduction to how applied physics is part of our everyday life, The basic concepts of mechanics, sound, light, and electricity will be covered The emphasis will be on the practical application of these concepts and the presence of these applications in the everyday world. Numerous labs using everyday applications of these concepts will be a major part of the course. Laboratory activities will be emphasized.
826 – Global Science – 1 credit – 1 year Grades 11-12
Not recommended for students who have successfully completed Chemistry.
Global Science is an integrated science course combining life, earth, and physical sciences with Chemistry and Physics to provide a ‘spaceship earth’ view of the world. It will present the world as a dynamic self-supporting ecosystem where humans are partners with nature. Over 80 possible labs will allow students to analyze realworld problems and understand how science is relevant to their lives as an important piece of the decisionmaking process. Students will gain a new appreciation for their planet and the knowledge to manage its resources intelligently.
822 – Energy – 1/2 credit – 1/2 year Grades 10, 11, 12
The course covers the use of energy. The areas covered will be: the historic use of energy, energy and work, conservation of energy, fossil fuels, solar energy, nuclear power, and alternative energy sources. The environmental, economic, and future impact of energy decisions will be stressed. Numerous labs using energy collection and conversion devices will be performed. The goal of the course will be for students to be able to formulate a cohesive energy policy for the United States.
823 – Genetics – 1/2 credit – 1/2 year Grades 11,12
Prerequisite: A grade of 80 or better in Biology
This course will focus on human characteristics and how they are inherited, including a variety of genetic diseases. Laboratory investigations including Drosophilia Fruit Flies and Fast Growing Mustard Seed plants will assist in the observation of genetic alternatives. The study of inheritance of physical, physiological and behavioral traits based on species purity and diversity through generations, and how this is affected by human influence will be an important part of the course. Genetic engineering in relationship to humans and their environment will also be explored.
824 – Anatomy and Physiology – 1 credit – 1 year Grades 11,12
Prerequisite: A grade of 80 or better in Biology or 80 or better in Chemistry
This course is designed to explore in detail the structure and functions of the human organism. Topics discussed include identifying the common and scientific names and locations of bones, muscles, and organs, as well as basic life functions such as ingestion, digestion, absorption, assimilation, secretion, excretion, respiration, and homeostasis. Laboratory experiments will be included to enhance course topics. Upon enrollment in the Tech Prep program and successful completion (grade of 73 or better) of the course, the student will earn college credit at Manchester Community College.
825 – Advanced Environmental Studies – 1/2 credit –1 year (two days a week) Grade 12
Prerequisite: A grade of 73 or better in Environmental Studies
This course will allow students to explore the field of environmental sciences at a more challenging level of study and in greater detail. Enrolled students will help to choose the course of study each year, work with resource professionals, and university professors. The general topics covered will be soils, forestry, wildlife, and aquatics. The course will model AP Environmental Science and courses offered at UConn’s Biology and Natural Resources and Engineering departments. A major responsibility of this coursed is authentic research study involving a personal interest in one of the areas of study listed above. Once approved, the student will implement this research project and present his/her research as a paper in the spring. Students will be expected
to attend workshops and seminars throughout the year.
