Grade 9 (transfer students in grades 10-12 may enroll in this course)

Full Year

1 credit

This course is for students in the ninth grade. Algebra I forms the basis of the mathematical concepts of this course, but opportunities are presented to apply more advanced mathematics. Students cover the topics of waves and sound, optics, classical mechanics, energy, electricity, and magnetism. This course emphasizes a conceptual understanding of the material and introduces algebra-based problem solving, as appropriate. This course employs regular laboratory exploration, emphasizing basic laboratory skills of measurement, data collection and analysis, and includes computer-based data collection.

Grades 10-11

Full Year

1 credit

Prerequisite: Physics

Students will be placed in the appropriate chemistry course based on their performance in physics, and their math level. The topics in the levels are similar, though the order and emphasis may differ. Students successfully completing chemistry gain an understanding of and proficiency in basic chemical properties, chemical reactions, and major chemical concepts, principles, and theories. Laboratory work is closely coordinated with regular classwork. The chemistry program includes both quantitative and qualitative applications. There is an emphasis on developing problem-solving and higher-level thinking skills. Laboratory reports focus on data organization and analysis. This course provides a solid foundation for students who take Biology in their junior year.

Note: Honors Chemistry examines topics in more depth, at a faster pace, and, with more advanced mathematical applications. To be considered, students must achieve the qualifying grades in physics and receive department approval.

Grades 10-11

Full Year

1 credit

Prerequisite: Physics

Students will be placed in the appropriate chemistry course based on their performance in physics, and their math level. The topics in the levels are similar, though the order and emphasis may differ. Students successfully completing chemistry gain an understanding of and proficiency in basic chemical properties, chemical reactions, and major chemical concepts, principles, and theories. Laboratory work is closely coordinated with regular classwork. The chemistry program includes both quantitative and qualitative applications. There is an emphasis on developing problem-solving and higher-level thinking skills. Laboratory reports focus on data organization and analysis. This course provides a solid foundation for students who take Biology in their junior year.

Note: Honors Chemistry examines topics in more depth, at a faster pace, and, with more advanced mathematical applications. To be considered, students must achieve the qualifying grades in physics and receive department approval.

Grades 10-11

Full Year

1 credit

Prerequisite: Minimum grade of A- in Physics and on Physics exam, successful completion of independent assignments, and teacher recommendation

Students will be placed in the appropriate chemistry course based on their performance in physics, and their math level. The topics in the levels are similar, though the order and emphasis may differ. Students successfully completing chemistry gain an understanding of and proficiency in basic chemical properties, chemical reactions, and major chemical concepts, principles, and theories. Laboratory work is closely coordinated with regular classwork. The chemistry program includes both quantitative and qualitative applications. There is an emphasis on developing problem-solving and higher-level thinking skills. Laboratory reports focus on data organization and analysis. This course provides a solid foundation for students who take Biology in their junior year.

Note: Honors Chemistry examines topics in more depth, at a faster pace, and, with more advanced mathematical applications. To be considered, students must achieve the qualifying grades in physics and receive department approval.

Biology Honors Prerequisite: Minimum grade of A in Chemistry 439, A- in Chemistry 440, or B+ in Chemistry Honors, earn a Chemistry final assessment score of B+ or better, successful score on the placement test, teacher recommendation, and departmental approval

Note: Biology Honors requires deeper exploration of topics based on critical thinking, creative lab design, and problem-solving approaches. Students are pushed to make supportable inferences from experimental data and to tie data to the main concepts of the course. This course pushes students to ask the “why?” questions in the field of biology. Students must achieve the qualifying grade in chemistry, complete an application and placement test, and receive department approval to enroll in the honors section. 

Full Year

1 credit

Prerequisites: Minimum grade of B+ in Biology Honors or A in Biology, a minimum grade of B+ in Chemistry, earn a final assessment score of a B+ or better in Biology Honors or A or better in Biology, successful score on the placement test, and departmental approval

This course is the equivalent of two semesters of an introductory college biology course taken by biology majors. It is designed to provide the student with the conceptual framework, factual knowledge, and analytic skills necessary to deal with the rapidly changing science of biology. The curriculum pushes students to really “get” the big ideas, and to demonstrate their understanding by making predictions, justifying phenomena or using mathematical processes to explain concepts. Topics include molecular biology, genetics, evolutionary biology, biodiversity, and ecological systems. In addition to preparing students for the AP examination, there is a strong emphasis on independent work, developing research and experimentation skills, practicing effective writing, discussing important unanswered questions, and independent critical analysis. Throughout this course, the student gains a better appreciation and understanding of the variety and complexity of life around us.

Full Year

1 credit

Prerequisites: Minimum grade of A- in Chemistry 440 or B+ in Chemistry Honors, successful completion of Biology or concurrent enrollment in Biology, and departmental approval

This course covers many of the topics in the regular course in more depth, and presents additional work to prepare the student for the AP exam. This course requires students to read chapters from a college-level text, answer questions on the material, and work on numerous problems. There is a strong emphasis on independent work, developing experimentation skills, and practicing effective writing on theoretical topics.

Full Year

1 credit

Prerequisites: Minimum final grade of B- in Physics, Pre Calculus or concurrent enrollment in Pre-Calculus, a minimum average in math of B, and departmental approval
This course prepares students to take the AP Physics I exam, and corresponds to a typical first semester of introductory college physics. Students explore principles of Newtonian mechanics (including rotational motion); work, energy, and power; mechanical waves and sound; and introductory, simple circuits. This course is based on six big ideas, which encompass core scientific principles, theories, and processes that cut across traditional boundaries and provide a broad way of thinking about the physical world. There is a strong emphasis on experimental work. Additional topics including thermodynamics and twentieth-century physics may be covered.

Full Year

1 credit

Prerequisites: Minimum grade of B+ in Physics, Calculus or concurrent enrollment in Calculus, a minimum average in math of B, and departmental approval
This course prepares students to take the AP Physics level C exams (Mechanics and Electricity and Magnetism). Primarily for those planning college level study in physics, engineering, or other sciences, this course is designed both to deepen existing understanding of the physical world, and to introduce mathematical applications of the material at a college level. The use of calculus increases as the course progresses.

Full Year

1 credit

Prerequisites: Average grade of B or better in all prior science courses, successful completion of Biology or concurrent enrollment in Biology, and departmental approval
This course is designed to be the equivalent of a one-semester introductory college course in environmental science but is offered as a full-year course at the high school level. Students study the principles that govern ecosystem function and apply these principles to various environmental problems, both natural and human-made. The relative risks associated with these environmental problems are evaluated and alternative solutions are examined. Topics include human population growth, deforestation, biodiversity, climate change, air and water pollution, and renewable and nonrenewable energy resources. This course includes laboratory and fieldwork in addition to extensive reading.

Grade 12

Full Year

1 credit
Prerequisites: Average grade of B or better in all prior science courses, successful completion of Biology, and departmental approval
This course is designed to be the equivalent of an introductory college course in psychology. Students are introduced to the systematic and scientific study of the behavior and mental processes of human beings and other animals in context. The course of study focuses on topics from the major schools of psychology including psychobiology, sensation and perception, states of consciousness, learning, cognition, motivation and emotion, personality, abnormal psychology, and social psychology. Students learn about major figures in psychology, perspectives, terminology, research findings, and associated psychological phenomenon. Ethics and research methods used in psychological science and practice are emphasized in demonstrations and through the use of articles on historical psychological experiments. This course includes laboratory activities and demonstrations as well as extensive reading.

Grades 10-12

One Semester

½ credit

Forensic science is the application of science to solve crimes using evidence that will be admissible in a court of law. As a multidisciplinary subject, the course brings together the fields
of biology, chemistry, and physics through experiential and analytical work. Topics of study may include fingerprinting, qualitative analysis of substances (hair, metal, soil, glass, and fibers), toxicology, serology, DNA evidence, historical case studies, and current events. Lab experiences, presentations, class discussion, and collaboration are essential components of the course.

Grades 11- 12

One Semester

½ credit

Prerequisites: Chemistry and Biology (Biology
may be taken concurrently)
In this one-semester elective, students investigate the roles microorganisms play in the lives of humans. Students will develop a working understanding of, and the skills necessary to, cultivate and study microorganisms. Students will investigate a broad range of microorganisms with a focus on understanding the causes and consequences of infectious diseases caused by viruses and bacteria. Students will explore the foundations of modern microbiology, cell biology, microscopy, clinical microbiology, and bacterial genetics. Laboratory investigations complement classroom instruction. Students will be expected to engage in safe and responsible laboratory practices.

Grades 10-12
Single Semester Course

½ credit

Prerequisite: Chemistry (Chemistry may be taken concurrently)
This is a one semester, lab-based elective where students learn about the living (biotic) and nonliving (abiotic) interdependent 24 characteristics of marine ecosystems. One quarter is devoted to learning about the dynamics of marine invertebrates, sharks and fishes, seabirds, and marine mammals. The second quarter focuses on global distribution of whole ecosystems such as coral reefs, mangroves, and marshes. Field trips to local parks and waterways will give the students several opportunities to measure water quality and capture specimens for observation.

Grades 11-12
One Semester

½ credit

Prerequisite: Biology (Biology may be taken concurrently)
Enrollment limited to 10 students and preference is therefore given to seniors.
Through observation and identification processes, students learn about the characteristic flora and fauna and their interrelationships in the various wetland communities found between the Atlantic Ocean and the Virginia Piedmont. This field-oriented course involves off-campus trips to local wetlands along with one all-day trip to a salt marsh. Classwork includes required readings from a variety of texts and journals, and discussions of the methods used to do field research. 

Grades 11-12

One Semester

½ credit

Prerequisite: Biology (Biology may be taken concurrently)
Enrollment is limited to 10 students and preference is therefore given to seniors.
This course offers a more in-depth look at adaptation and evolution. This course will look at the selective pressures that have shaped adaptations and behaviors of the flora and fauna that we study. Adaptations necessary to survive winter, and plant development from water to land are used to illustrate the evolutionary process. This field-oriented course involves off-campus trips to local habitats along with one all-day trip to the Eastern Shore. Classwork includes required readings from a variety of texts and journals and discussions of the methods used to do field research. 

Grades 11-12

First Semester

1/2 credit

Prerequisite: Biology (Biology may be taken concurrently)

The Anatomy and Physiology class will involve a detailed study of the form and function of all organs of bodily systems, and how those systems work together to maintain homeostasis in the human body. Emphasis will be on macroscopic studies such as muscular mechanics, and histological studies such as microscopic tissue examination. This course will combine class discussion with laboratory activities to explore how the human body works. Animal dissection will be an optional element of the course.

Grades 11-12

One Semester

1/2 credit