Human Anatomy and Physiology, 5.00 cr.
440 – honors
Human anatomy and physiology are an intensive study of the human organism. All human body systems (integumentary, skeletal, muscular, nervous, digestive, respiratory, circulatory, lymphatic, endocrine, reproductive, excretory) are studied in detail. This is a challenging and fascinating course that investigates what makes you “tick”. The course involves dissection and physiological lab investigations. This is a beneficial course for any student planning on a career in any medical or allied health field.
AP Biology, Grades 10, 11, 12, 5.00 cr.
425
There is a college board exam fee associated with this course.
The AP Biology course is designed to be the equivalent of a college introductory biology course usually taken by biology majors during their first year. The two main goals of AP Biology are to help students develop a conceptual framework for modern biology and to help students gain an appreciation of science as a process. The ongoing information explosion in biology makes these goals even more exciting and challenging. Lab investigations will be integrated into the course. DNA extraction, animal behavior experiments, and respiration rates of germinating seeds are just some of the topics. Additional lab opportunity is provided by doing on-line simulations. Students are required to take the AP exam in May.
AP Chemistry, 5.00 cr.
435
There is a college board exam fee associated with this course.
The AP Chemistry course is designed to be the equivalent of a college level introductory chemistry course usually taken by chemistry majors during their first year. This course is for students who have demonstrated perceptive and intuitive skills in the area of science, especially chemistry. The course is designed for students considering a career in the natural and physical sciences, medicine, or engineering. Topics of study include: chemical thermo-dynamics, solubility and acid bases equilibria, electrochemistry, and organic chemistry. Classes include lecture, discussion, and laboratory investigations. Students are required to take the AP exam in May.
AP Physics, 5.00 cr.
445
There is a college board exam fee associated with this course.
This course follows the AP Physics C Mechanics curriculum. This course ordinarily forms the first part of the college sequence that serves as the foundation for students majoring in the physical sciences or engineering. The sequence is parallel to or proceeded by mathematics courses that include calculus. Methods of calculus are used wherever appropriate in formulating physical principles and in applying them to physical problems. The sequence is more intensive and analytical than in the B course. Strong emphasis is placed on solving a variety of challenging problems, some requiring calculus. This course integrates a laboratory component. Students are required to take the AP exam in May.
AP Environmental Science, 5.00 cr.
455
There is a college board exam fee associated with this course.
The goal of the AP Environmental Science course is to provide students with the scientific principles, concepts, and methodologies required to understand the interrelationships of the natural world, to identify and analyze environmental problems both natural and human-made, to evaluate the relative risks associated with these problems, and to examine alternative solutions for resolving or preventing them. Environmental science is interdisciplinary; it embraces a wide variety of topics from different areas of study. Yet there are several major unifying constructs, or themes, that cut across the many topics included in the study of environmental science. The following themes provide a foundation for the structure of the AP Environmental Science course: science is a process; energy conversions underlie all ecological processes; the earth itself is one interconnected system; humans alter natural systems; environmental problems have a cultural and social context; and human survival depends on developing practices that will achieve sustainable systems. Students are required to take the AP exam in May.
Astronomy, 5.00 cr.
458 – college prep
Astronomy is a course that introduces students to the studies of celestial objects and related phenomena. In the course students will apply basic mathematics, physics, and chemistry in an effort to explain the evolution of the universe, stars, and other celestial objects. Objects of interest include planets, moons, asteroids, stars, exoplanets, comets, and galaxies. Related phenomena of black holes, supernovas, and cosmic microwave background radiation may also be discussed. Topics of exobiology and the search for extraterrestrial life may be addressed in the course, when appropriate. The history, current research, and future of astronomy and space exploration will also be discussed.
Marine Biology, 5.00 cr.
468 – college prep
Not offered in 2025-2026
Marine Biology is a full year college prep course for students who have an interest in the biological sciences. Topics of study include: an intense survey of New England’s local flora and fauna (plants and animals), marine environments, marine ecology, and water quality assessments. Classes include lecture, discussion, field work, and many laboratory investigations that include dissections. Students will also be expected to work outside of class and collect and identify species level marine organisms indigenous to New England.
Biotechnology & Forensic Science, 5.00 cr.
470 – honors
This course is designed to familiarize students with this quickly expanding scientific field of study. The goal of the course is for students to “do” science. Students will learn and perform standard lab operating procedures, (SLOP), that are necessary for an academic or corporate laboratory. The topics and tools of gel electrophoresis, recombinant DNA and protein assays Students will be encouraged to think about the implications of biotechnological advances for a global society. Forensic science investigations about fiber hair analysis, blood identification, forgery and counterfeiting will be done during the second semester. This course is designed not only for students considering further study in the life sciences, but also for student inclined toward the arts and humanities who may find themselves writing, or even legislating for the industry.
Earth Science, 5.00 cr.
475 - college prep
This full year survey course will introduce students to the four main areas of earth science: astronomy, geology, meteorology and oceanography. Topics and laboratories will give students a better understanding of the processes that shape their world and the universe they live in. Emphasis will be placed on natural phenomena - such as natural disasters and their causes - that impact the lives of humans on earth. Environmental issues, such as global warming, and their relationship to earth’s processes will be covered throughout the year.
Environmental Science 5.00 cr.
476 – honors
This environmental science course will examine how humans meet their needs by interacting with parts of the ecosystem. Water is one of the most basic human needs so the course will include an in-depth study of water. Ownership, usage and decontamination will be examined. We will also study how humans use different parts of the environment and the implications of such use. We will also focus on case studies to examine remediation of damage. Other topics studied will include ecology, populations and climate change. This course will include lab investigation and independent research.
Medicinal Chemistry, 5.00 cr.
477 - honors
This course investigates how drug molecules achieve their therapeutic effects in the human body. There is a strong focus on the specific structural features (functional groups) of drug molecules, and how these functional groups dictate how a drug will exert its effect on the human body. Several signal transduction pathways will be explored to explain how a drug molecule causes unique intracellular changes after it binds its biological target. As students work through this course, their appreciation of how drugs affect the body in intended and unintended ways will increase. To this end, students will be provided opportunities to research specific drugs and give presentations related to the drug’s history, molecular structure, and mechanism of action within the body.
Microbiology, 5.00 cr.
462 - honors
463 - college prep
Microbes are all around us and all over us, but are invisible to the human eye. The diversity among microbes is astounding, yet even through a microscope, we can only observe them as basic shapes. In this course, students explore the innovative ways that scientists find, cultivate, and identify microorganisms in order to study the complex roles they play in ecosystems on Earth. Some techniques students can expect to learn include the isolation of bacteria on agar plates, preliminary identification of bacteria through metabolic tests and dichotomous keys, enumeration of bacteria, preparation of laboratory reagents, slide preparation and microscopy, and experimental design and analysis. This course is laboratory intensive and students will maintain a detailed laboratory notebook and conduct an independent project at the culmination of the course.
