Science Program

The Science Department is committed to providing opportunities for students to gain knowledge and appreciation of the natural sciences. The curriculum emphasizes the process of scientific inquiry so students can discover and interpret scientific knowledge, develop interests and appreciation for science and scientists, and realize that these processes can be applied in the Marianist tradition to the solution of present and future problems.

Course: Physics II Honors (SCP 450)

Prerequisite: Algebra I & II, trigonometry, chemistry and instructor approval. Description: This is the first semester of a two-semester college physics course targeted to students interested in a career in a field related to the physical sciences. The course content is kinetics, dynamics, statics, wave phenomenon, optics and thermodynamics. http://glencoe.mcgraw-hill.com/sites/0078695104/student_view0/webquest_projects.html  

Course: Physics (SCP 300)

Prerequisite: Two years of mathematics, with junior or senior status. Description: Physics II is designed to give the student a fundamental understanding of the basic laws that govern our universe. The main areas of study are: energy, motion, wave phenomena, light, electricity, and atomic structure. This course depends heavily on the laboratory experience to teach and enhance those basic concepts.

Course: Environmental Science (SCE 300)

Prerequisite: Senior status and approval from the department and guidance counselor Description: This course builds upon a foundation of ecology, the study of interrelationships among organisms. After having mastered the principles of ecology, the student finds that the course branches into environmental science, which is a blend of many scientific disciplines.

Course: Conceptual Physics (SCP 100)

Prerequisite: Junior or Senior status and approval from the department and guidance counselor; Sophomores only with approval of the guidance counselor. Description: Conceptual Physics is about the rules of nature. This course emphasizes comprehension rather than mathematical computation. Physics is treated conceptually in down-to-earth English rather than in mathematical language. The mathematical structure of physics will appear in equations but the equations will be seen as guides to thinking rather than as recipes for computation. The goal of this course is to enjoy physics by understanding it. This course is an introductory physics course and will be used by students as a foundation for further study and lab work in science.

Course: Chemistry II AP (SCC 550)

Prerequisite: SCC 450, instructor approval and submission of the AP Form Description: Chemistry II AP is a one-semester, one-credit course that includes the study of heat of reaction, rate of reaction, equilibrium, acids and bases, oxidation-reduction reactions, electrochemistry and cation analysis in preparation for the AP Exam. Extensive laboratory work introduces and reinforces concepts.

Course: Chemistry II Honors (SCC 450)

Prerequisite: Chemistry I Honors or instructor approval. Description: Chemistry II Honors is a one-semester, one-credit course that includes the in-depth study of basic chemistry principles (definition of chemistry, atomic theory, atomic model, electron arrangements, the periodic table of elements, inorganic substances, organic substances, organic reactions and stoichiometry) phases of matter, gaseous state chemistry, liquid and solution chemistry. Extensive laboratory work introduces and reinforces concepts.

Course: Chemistry II (SCC 200)

Prerequisite: Chemistry I or Chemistry I Honors or instructor approval Description: Chemistry II includes a study of the phases of matter, gaseous state chemistry, liquid and solution chemistry, rate of reaction, chemical equilibrium, acids and bases, oxidation-reduction reactions and electrochemistry. Extensive laboratory work introduces and reinforces concepts.

Course: Chemistry I Honors (SCC 150)

Prerequisite: Honors Biology I or instructor approval Description: Chemistry I Honors is a one-semester, one-credit course. This course includes the definitions of chemistry and chemical reaction, nomenclature and formulas for inorganic substances, inorganic reactions, nomenclature and formulas for organic substances, organic reactions, measurement, atomic theory, molecular structure, stoichiometry and gaseous state chemistry. Extensive laboratory work reinforces concepts.

Course: Chemistry I (SCC 100)

Prerequisite: Conceptual Physics. Open to sophomores, juniors, and seniors Description: Chemistry I is a one-semester, one-credit course. Chemistry I includes the study of the definitions of chemistry and chemical reaction, nomenclature and formulas for inorganic substances, inorganic reactions, nomenclature and formulas for organic substances, organic reactions, measurement, atomic theory, molecular structure and stoichiometry.. Extensive laboratory work reinforces concepts.

Course: Biology II AP (SCB 550)

Prerequisite: SCB 450, instructor approval and submission of the AP Form Description: The goal of Advanced Placement Biology is to prepare students to take the Advanced Placement Examination and earn college credit in biology. The following topics are discussed in depth: organisms and populations and comparative anatomy. In addition, students will engage in 20 to 30 hours of laboratory time throughout the semester. Students will take the AP Exam in May.

Course: Biology 2 Honors (SCB 450)

Prerequisite: Biology I and Chemistry I, departmental approval and junior or senior status. Description: The goals of Biology II are to provide an environment where students can learn to deal with the rapid growth of thought and information in the biological sciences and to prepare students to take the Advanced Placement Biology course. In order to accomplish these goals and to develop a firm understanding of the principal concepts of biology, the student will cover many more topics and content than in the full-year course. Specific areas of study and approximate amounts of time are as follows: molecules and cells, genetics and evolution. In addition to the classroom or “lecture time” 50 to 60 hours, an additional 30 hours of laboratory time will be spent.

Course: Biology 1 Honors (SCB 150 & 159)

Prerequisite: SCB 159 is for Honors level freshmen Description: Biology 150/159 is an advanced life science class designed to integrate scientific reasoning skills with the rapid growth of thought and information in this field. Some of the topics to be mastered include scientific methods, chemistry of life, energy and the biosphere, structure, function, and interactions of cells, DNA and proteins, genetics and inheritance patterns and evolution. Laboratories, projects, current events discussions, independent research projects and interactive instruction are used to enforce concept mastery.

Course: Biology 1 (SCB 100 & 109)

Prerequisite: SCB 109 is freshmen only Description: Biology I is an introductory class designed to provide a fundamental understanding of life sciences as well as to promote scientific reasoning skills. Some of the topics covered are: characteristics of life, methods of science, structure, function and interactions of cells, genetics and inheritance patterns and evolution. Laboratories, projects, current events and interactive instruction are used to enforce concept mastery.