SCIENCE
Students who elect courses from the Science Department are:
Responsible individuals who:
- Are citizens who have a sense of their own and global history.
- Demonstrate character values and ethical behavior.
- Function effectively as members of a team.
- Are capable of understanding contemporary science issues.
Competent learners who:
- Pursue knowledge and remain open to continuous learning.
- Read and write with clarity and precision.
- Employ various forms of technology.
- Effectively communicate and learn from one another.
- Interpret data and effectively use resources.
Complex thinkers who:
- Solve problems critically and analytically.
- Create original ideas and solutions.
- Are capable of self-reflection.
- Are willing to accept and use constructive criticism.
- Take responsible intellectual risks
The sequence in science is physical science, biology, and chemistry. Section assignments will normally be based on mathematics skill levels.
INTEGRATED SCIENCE
5 Credits Full Year College I Prerequisite: None
A college preparatory study of the relationship of all sciences. Students will explore earth and space science, biology, chemistry and the physical sciences.
INTEGRATED SCIENCE
5 Credits Full Year College II Prerequisite: None
A college preparatory study of the relationship of all sciences. Students will explore earth and space science, biology, chemistry and the physical sciences.
COLLEGE BIOLOGY I
5 Credits Full Year Honors Prerequisite: A grade of 80% in Honors Physical Science or recommendation from the eighth grade teacher for entering freshmen or permission of the department.
This in-depth college preparatory course includes an ecological over-view of the web of life. Individuals, populations, communities, ecosystems, and diversity of life are interrelated. The structure and function of animal, plant, and protist kingdoms are examined; cells, tissue, organs, and living systems are studied. Further study of behavior, heredity, and genetics occur, with investigation into the biology of the human body. Emphasis in this course is on biological concepts and lab work.
COLLEGE BIOLOGY I
5 Credits Full Year College I Prerequisite: A grade of 70% in College I Physical Science or recommendation from the eighth grade teacher for entering freshmen or permission of the department.
This college preparatory course includes an ecological over-view of the web of life. Individuals, populations, communities, ecosystems, and diversity of life are interrelated. The structure and function of animal, plant, and protist kingdoms are examined; cells, tissue, organs, and living systems are studied. Further study of behavior, heredity, and genetics occur, with investigation into the biology of the human body. Emphasis in this course is on biological concepts and lab work.
COLLEGE BIOLOGY I
5 Credits Full Year College II Prerequisite: Physical Science
This college preparatory course includes an ecological over-view of the web of life. Individuals, populations, communities, ecosystems, and diversity of life are interrelated. The structure and function of animal, plant, and protist kingdoms are examined; cells, tissue, organs, and living systems are studied. Further study of behavior, heredity, and genetics occur, with investigation into the biology of the human body. Emphasis in this course is on biological concepts and lab work.
AP BIOLOGY
5 Credits Full Year AP Prerequisite: Permission of the Science Department. * Students are required to take the exam in May. Payment for the exam is due to the principal at the end of the first quarter. A summer assignment must be completed before entering the course in the fall.
The course covers Genetics, Molecular and Cell Biology, Evolution, Ecology and Biodiversity. It will address the common themes: Process of Science, Evolution, Energy transfer, Continuity and Change, Structure/Function, Regulation, Interdependence in Living Things as well as Biotechnology. The course is lab-based and permits some flexibility to account for the pace of individual students.
COLLEGE CHEMISTRY I
5 Credits Full Year Honors Prerequisite: A prerequisite of Honors Math II or Honors Geometry or recommendation of a science faculty member is required. This course requires the student to have and use a scientific calculator. This college preparatory course is intended primarily for those who may be majoring in one of the sciences in college. Some major areas of study include: matter and energy; heat and temperature; nature of the atom; solids, liquids, and gases; gas laws; writing chemical formulas and chemical equations; physical equilibrium; and the periodic table, solutions, thermodynamics, chemical equilibrium, oxidation-reduction, and acid-based chemistry.
COLLEGE CHEMISTRY I
5 Credits Full Year College I Prerequisite: Geometry College I This course requires the student to have and use a scientific calculator.
This college preparatory course is intended primarily for students who want to take a third year of science. Some major areas of study include: matter and energy; heat and temperature; nature of the atom; solids, liquids, and gases; gas laws; writing chemical formulas and chemical equations; physical equilibrium; and the periodic table.
COLLEGE CHEMISTRY I
5 Credits Full Year College II Prerequisite: Geometry College II
This course requires the student to have and use a scientific calculator.
Some major areas of study include: matter and energy; heat and temperature; nature of the atom; solids, liquids, and gases; gas laws; writing chemical formulas and chemical equations; physical equilibrium; and the periodic table.
AP CHEMISTRY
5 Credits Full Year AP Prerequisite: A grade of 80% or better in Honors Chemistry I, or permission of the department. *Students are required to take the exam in May. Payment for the exam is due to the principal at the end of the first quarter.
This senior honors course will prepare students to take an AP test (required of all in the class). The topics covered will include an in-depth coverage of honors chemistry I, descriptive and organic chemistry, and laboratory work in preparation to take the AP test. The major areas covered in this course include stoichiometry, equilibrium, acid-base problems, thermodynamics, and chemical equations.
AP PHYSICS
5 Credits Full Year AP Co-requisite: AP Calculus is required to take this course. Three years of science. Recommendation of instructor or department chair. Summer assignment must be completed before entering the course in the fall. Students are required to take the AP exam in May. Payment for the exam is due to the principal at the end of the first quarter.
Introduction to Mechanics, Kinematics, Newton's Laws, Work, Energy, and Power. Simple Harmonic motion, linear and angular momentum, the law of gravity and Kepler's laws. The course is calculus based. A student must be taking AP calculus concurrently. This course requires the student to have and use a scientific calculator.
PHYSICS
5 Credits Full Year Honors Prerequisite: A grade of 80% or better in Honors Chemistry or permission of the department. This course requires the student to have and use a scientific calculator.
Fundamental concepts in Physics will be developed through problem solving to give students a thorough understanding of force and motion, heat, wave, mechanics, light, sound and electricity.
PHYSICS
5 Credits Full Year College I Prerequisite: Geometry and Algebra II or permission of the department. This course requires the student to have and use a scientific calculator.
Fundamental concepts in Physics will be developed through problem solving to give students a thorough understanding of force and motion, heat, wave, mechanics, light, sound, and electricity.
ISLAND NATURAL HISTORY
5 Credits Full Year College I Prerequisite: None
Island Natural History is the study of the physical and biological processes of nature using Marthas Vineyard as our laboratory. We will examine the marine, aquatic, terrestrial, barrier beach, salt marsh, and salt pond ecosystems. We will identify the geology, plant and animal life; how they interact, helping us to better understand the small piece of earth called Marthas Vineyard. Field labs, research, and slides will be used as part of the curriculum.
ISLAND NATURAL HISTORY
5 Credits Full Year College II Prerequisite: None
Island Natural History is the study of the physical and biological processes of nature using Martha's Vineyard as our laboratory. We will examine the marine, aquatic, terrestrial, barrier beach, salt marsh, and salt pond ecosystems. We will identify the geology, plant and animal life; how they interact, helping us to better understand the small piece of earth called Martha's Vineyard. Field labs, research, and slides will be used as part of the curriculum.
SCIENCE RESEARCH SEMINAR (Independent Study)
2.5 or 5.0 Credits Semester/Full Year College I Prerequisite: Permission of the instructor.
Students are required to complete an in-depth research project per semester. At the beginning of the semester, the due dates for the project will be assigned. Upon completion of each project, students may be asked to teach others learning about the project. Guest speakers concerning science careers and college programs may participate from time to time. Students will be admitted to the course based on the ability to do independent research, and a desire to share discoveries with fellow students.
STUDENT TEACHING ASSISTANT
2.5/5 Credits Semester/Full Year College I Prerequisite: Permission of the instructor.
The Science Department offers a limited number of students the opportunity to work directly with a faculty member as an assistant in a science course. Responsibilities include preparing laboratories, drafting quizzes, and grading selected test items. Additional responsibilities may include test conducting a laboratory before it is included in the curriculum.