Science
SCIENCE
The Science Department offers a solid selection of the core physical and biological sciences. Inquiry and laboratory work is emphasized in each course. Students will study some of the interrelationships between the physical and biological environments. Scientific and environmental problems facing mankind will be examined.
All students must successfully complete a course in Physics, Biology and Chemistry
RECOMMENDED COURSE SEQUENCES
Post-secondary Training and Employment, Technical School, Allied Health or 2-year College
9th: Introduction to Physics or Science and Technology
10th: Biology
11th: Chemistry
12th: Physics
11th or 12th: Anatomy and Physiology (strongly recommended
for students interested in Allied Health)
Four-year College
9th: Introduction to Physics or Science and Technology
10th: Biology
11th: Chemistry
12th: Physics , AP Physics,
AP Biology or AP Chemistry
11th or 12th: Anatomy and Physiology
Four-year College (Science Intensive -by application only)
9th: Biology
10th: Chemistry
11th: AP Chemistry
10th or 11th: Anatomy & Physiology
12th: AP Biology and Physics or AP Physics
Acceptance into the intensive sequence is at the discretion of the science department. Application qualifications are as follows:
- A 90 average or better in science and math for all terms in eighth grade and on
the Honor Roll during all terms in eighth grade
- Completion of Algebra I in 8th grade
- Strong recommendation of current science teacher
- Completed student application form and essay
It is very important to understand that if a student takes Biology as a 9th grader, he/she is committing to completing the entire intensive sequence of courses. (Note: The only difference between the intensive sequence and the traditional four-year college sequence is that the intensive sequence allows students to take both AP Biology and AP Chemistry.)
INTRODUCTION to PHYSICS Credit: 1
Grade 9-12 CP Prerequisite: None
Honors Honors Prerequisite: Concurrent Algebra
College Prep
This course addresses the fundamental laws, concepts and theories that govern the physical world. Through an investigative, hands-on approach, students will study energy, motion (including Newton’s Laws), heat, electricity, magnetism, and wave energy (light and sound). Wherever possible these topics will be related to daily life.
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY Credit: 1
Grade 9-12 Prerequisite: None
College Prep
Fundamentals
Science & Technology addresses topics of physics within the framework of engineering. Students will study the engineering design process, basic engineering drawing, manufacturing processes, strength of materials, thermal energy, pressure (and its application to pneumatic and hydraulic systems), electric circuits and electricity production . Students will participate in several group design projects during the year.
BIOLOGY Credit: 1.5
Grades 10-12 Prerequisite: None
Honors
College Prep
Fundamentals
Through laboratory experiments and current readings, students study ecology, evolution, DNA and genetics, cell organization and chemistry, and cell processes such as meiosis and mitosis, protein synthesis, photosynthesis, and cellular respiration. Also investigated are microbiology, the three domains, body systems, and current biological technology.
Advanced Placement BIOLOGY Credit: 1.5
Grades 11-12 Prerequisite: See below
This is an Advanced Placement Biology course. The course will include topics usually covered in a college biology course for majors. The major themes of the course are:
Science as Process Evolution
Energy Transfer Continuity and
Relationship of Structure to Function Change
Regulation Science, Technology
Interdependence in Nature and Society
Primary emphasis in the course will be in developing and understanding concepts rather than memorizing terms and technical details. Students should have completed a first year biology course and a first year chemistry course with an 85 average or better and have the recommendation of their biology teacher. (Suggested Honors Biology and Honors Chemistry).
Although not required to take this course, students expecting to take the AP Biology exam to earn college credits, should also take Anatomy and Physiology.
CHEMISTRY Credit: 1.5
Grades 10-12 Prerequisite: College Prep Mathematics
Honors
College Prep
Fundamentals
This course is a survey of topics regarding the structure and properties of matter with an emphasis on inquiry lab work.
Through emphasis on lab experimentation, this course provides a firm foundation for the understanding of principles underlying basic chemical concepts of matter, stoichiometry, the periodic table and the dynamics of chemistry.
ADVANCED PLACEMENT CHEMISTRY Credit: 1.5
Grades 11-12 Prerequisite: Chemistry I and
recommendation of Chemistry I instructor
This is an advanced chemistry course that gives the advanced science student an opportunity to continue studying the principles and concepts developed in Chemistry I. The course includes physical chemistry, organic chemistry, qualitative, and quantitative analysis.
(Please visit www.collegeboard.com for a detailed list of topics covered.)
PHYSICS Credit: 1 .5
Grades 12 Prerequisite: Math CP I & II are recommended
Honors Honors Prerequisite: Enrollment in Calculus
College Prep
Fundamentals
This course surveys the physical laws governing the universe. Through lab studies, consequences of these laws are examined and concepts in motion, energy and light are developed.
Advanced Placement Physics Credit: 1.5
Grade 12 Prerequisite: Concurrent enrollment in Calculus
This course focuses on mechanics and electricity and magnetism. Our approach to the analysis of systems is calculus based, emphasizing analytical skills and recognizing symmetries within systems. Since this is an intensive analytical college-level course, motivation and mathematical achievement are important prerequisites.
ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY Credit: 1
Grades 10-12 Prerequisite: Biology
Honors
College Prep
Anatomy and Physiology examines the structures and functioning of human systems. The program is highly recommended for students interested in health related careers. Anatomy and Physiology does not fulfill the life science graduation requirement.
BioMath Credit: .5
Grade 9-12 Prerequisite: CP or Honors Biology,
Honors Discussion with BioMath teachers
College Prep
The BioMath program is a multiple year initiative developed by the Discrete Mathematics program at Rutgers University and funded by the National Science Foundation. Its purpose is to create high school level units that simultaneously teach biology and math concepts. Approximately 25 units have been completed and field tested in high schools across the nation, including Monument Mountain. Four of Monument Mountain’s math and science teachers have been involved in writing and field testing these units. The individual units have been rewritten into a book that will serve as a text for the BioMath course. BioMath will run for the first time anywhere at Monument Mountain next fall.
The Monument Mountain course will likely choose from these modules – the Computational Molecular Biology series: Evolution by Substitution, Genetic Inversions, Spider Silk (DNA alignment), Microarrays; the Computational Epidemiology series: Competition in Disease Evolution, Modeling Disease Outbreaks, Imperfect Testing, Genetic Epidemiology; the Ecology series: Food Webs, Habitat-Squirrels, Ecological Footprint, Home Range; Additional Modules: Forensics, Evolutionary Game Theory, Tomography
At Monument Mountain this course will be aimed at all college bound students who are interested in biology and in learning the underlying math, particularly how the math is being used and applied. This means that the course is appropriate for both CP and Honors students and will be presented at the CP level, with an option to take it at the Honors level. One of the prerequisites is passing CP or Honors Biology. The primary prerequisite is a discussion with the course teacher(s) to make sure the student understands how the course material will be presented and where the student convinces the teacher(s) that the student is interested in the planned material and in doing the type of work required.