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. It aims to provide students with the conceptual framework, factual knowledge, and analytical skills necessary to deal critically with the rap- idly changing science of biology. Major topics included are molecules and cells, heredity and evolution, and organisms and populations. Valuable and extensive laboratory experiences are scheduled twice in the seven day cycle. Students will be required to begin lab sessions before the school day and finish during the scheduled period during the school day. After showing themselves to be qualified on the AP examination, some students as college freshmen are permitted to take upper-level courses in biology or to register for courses for which biology is a prerequisite. Note: Summer work is a necessary component of the course and its completion before the start of school is mandatory. Prerequisite: A 90% or higher (.1) or a 95% or higher (.2) Biology AND a 90% or higher in .1 Chemistry; departmental approval.

The AP Chemistry course is the equivalent of a two-semester course in general chemistry, usually taken during the first year of college. Successful completion of the examination enables some students to undertake second-year work in the chemistry sequence at their institution or to register in courses in other fields for which general chemistry is a prerequisite. For other students, the AP Chemistry course fulfills a laboratory science requirement while allowing students to gain experience of college-level studies. AP Chemistry addresses six ‘Big Ideas’ — Matter, Intermolecular Forces, Chemical Reactions, Kinetics, Thermodynamics and Equilibrium. Each Big Idea has specific Learning Objectives to inform the teaching and learning. Laboratory work (25% of the class) is an important part of an AP Chemistry course. Students have an additional lab- oratory class at 7 am on mornings when AP Chemistry meets first period of the day. In addition, it is assumed that the student will spend a number of hours per week on unsupervised individual study. Note: Summer work is a necessary component of the course and its completion before the start of school is mandatory. Prerequisite: Departmental approval; a 92% or higher in Chemistry .1.

AP Physics C Electricity & Magnetism is a college-level course that serves as the foundation in physics for students intending to major in engineering or the physical sciences. Its curriculum is equivalent to the second semester of college Physics. This course is designed to prepare students to take the AP Physics C exam in Electricity & Magnetism, successful completion of which may earn the student credit for that coursework in most science or engineering college programs. Concepts covered in this course are electrostatics, conductors and capacitors, circuits, magnetic fields and electromagnetism. This is a calculus-based physics course which will require advanced coursework and high proficiency in mathematics. Physics C emphasizes depth of knowledge over breadth of content. Laboratory activities and reports are intensive and will require an additional early morning class to be scheduled once per seven day cycle. Summer work will be required and will be made available to students in mid-May. Prerequisite: Departmental and instructor approval; concurrent enrollment in or successful prior completion of AP Calculus; an 80% or higher in AP Physics C Mechanics or a 95% or higher in Physics .1.

This college-level course serves as the foundation in physics for Juniors intending to major in engineering or the physical sciences. Its curriculum is equivalent to the first semester of college Physics. This course is de- signed to prepare students to take the AP Physics C exam in Mechanics, successful completion of which may earn the student credit for that coursework in most science or engineering college programs. Concepts covered in this course are kinematics, forces and Newton’s Laws, energy, linear momentum, gravitation and orbital mechanics, rotational dynamics and oscillations. This is a calculus-based physics course which will require advanced coursework and high proficiency in mathematics. Physics C is more intensive and analytical than AP Physics 1 or 2 and emphasizes depth of knowledge over breadth of content. Laboratory activities and reports are fairly intensive and will require an additional early morning class to be scheduled once per seven-day cycle. Summer work will be required and will be made available to students in mid-May. Note: Summer work is a necessary component of the course and its completion before the start of school is mandatory. Prerequisites: Departmental and instructor approval; an 85% or higher in Chemistry .1; Students who are concurrently enrolled in precalculus will be expected to independently become proficient in calculus concepts necessary for this course.

This laboratory course is an introduction to the science of living things. The framework of this course emphasizes the themes of: 1. Living things: energetics to evolution; 2. Cells, genetics and growth; 3. Ecosystems and human interaction. Knowledge of basic biological concepts will be taught through text analysis, project based learning, and collaboration with peers. Designing labs, collecting and analyzing data, and writing lab reports are key components of this course. Students will understand the importance of technology in the ever changing world of science by incorporating technology into lab reports, homework assignments, and assessments. Collaboration and communication skills are emphasized through lab and group work. Lab activities once per cycle. Science fair and science research paper required for .1 students.

This laboratory course is an introduction to the science of living things. The framework of this course emphasizes the themes of: 1. Living things: energetics to evolution; 2. Cells, genetics and growth; 3. Ecosystems and human interaction. Knowledge of basic biological concepts will be taught through text analysis, project based learning, and collaboration with peers. Designing labs, collecting and analyzing data, and writing lab reports are key components of this course. Students will understand the importance of technology in the ever changing world of science by incorporating technology into lab reports, homework assignments, and assessments. Collaboration and communication skills are emphasized through lab and group work. Lab activities once per cycle. Science fair and science research paper required for .1 students.

This laboratory course is an introduction to the science of living things. Major biological concepts will be presented in a manner that allows the students to make connections to real world experiences and circumstances. Practical applications of the concepts through laboratory and experiential activities will be stressed. Research work is required.

Biotechnology has revolutionized the agricultural, medical, environ- mental, and pharmaceutical fields and job growth in the biotechnology field is happening at a very high rate. This course is designed to provide students with a comprehensive introduction to Biotechnology which includes the concepts and processes of biotechnology research and manufacturing. Students will develop extensive lab skills in the principles and techniques of gel electrophoresis, genetic engineering, microbiology, immunology and biochemistry. Students who are interested in the bio-medical, medical, and pharmaceutical field will find this a valuable course. Regular attendance is mandatory for success in this lab intensive course. Prerequisite: Departmental approval and successful completion of Biology and Chemistry .2A

This course is designed for the advanced science student who desires to continue science studies in college. Problem-solving is emphasized and students should have a strong algebra background. Topics covered rely heavily on decoding of word problems, solving for one or more un- knowns, and use of multiple equations to solve for the indicated quantity. A research project is required. Prerequisite: 70% percentile on standardized testing; strong algebra background and departmental approval.

This course deals with the basic (inorganic/ organic) principles of chemistry and their applications. Topics include atomic theory, rates of chemical change, equilibrium, bonding, solutions, acids and bases, and the environment. This course is designed to be less mathematical than the .1 course, but will require a good background in Algebra I.

This course is similar in content to the .2A course. It is designed, how- ever, to be less mathematical than the .2A course. Still, it requires a back- ground in Algebra I.

A general chemistry course, Chemistry .3 is designed as an overview of chemical terms and processes. Special attention will be given to how chemistry is involved in ordinary and familiar reactions. Contemporary issues come into focus when the study of chemistry is related to environmental problems and solutions. The mathematics involved is minimal, as this course is designed for those students who do not possess adequate computational and problem-solving skills. Prerequisite: Departmental approval.

This course is designed to provide students with a comprehensive introduction to Engineering. It utilizes a project driven approach to develop an understanding of how real-world technology is designed and implemented. The science relevant to various fields of engineering will be covered in the context of four different projects (one per quarter). Topics include mechanics, electricity, energy, materials, fluids and optics. Teamwork and hands-on experimentation and development will be stressed. The social impact of various technologies and issues of sustain- ability will also be covered. Students taking this course are expected to have a strong interest in mathematics and science, as well as solid problem-solving skills. Prerequisites: Successful completion of Geometry and Algebra II (an 80% or higher for enrollment in .1); concurrent or prior enrollment in Chemistry or Physics; departmental approval required.

This course introduces students to an overview of ecology, current environmental issues, environmental policies, and the principle of sustain- ability. The students will examine natural environmental processes as well as human impacts on these processes, such as the impact of human population growth on natural resources, the greenhouse effect, decreasing biodiversity, and the impacts pollutants have on ecosystems. The format of the class includes many individual and group projects and presentations, collaborative inquiry-based labs and computer simulation models, and maintaining a blog of current environmental issues. Students analyze and propose sustainable solutions for complex, real-world environmental problems, such as designing a water filtration system. The .1 class will contain more writing, research, and assessments and projects will be more in depth. Prerequisite: Biology and Chemistry.

This course is designed for students who are interested in Forensics and have previously taken Chemistry. This course is laboratory-intensive and involves hands-on laboratory activities such as: Hair and Fiber Analysis, Fingerprint Patterns, Blood Typing/Serology, DNA Profiling using Gel Electrophoresis, Bloodstain Pattern Analysis, Drugs & Toxicology, Ballistics, and Glass Fracture Analysis. At the end of the year, students solve a Crime Scene by utilizing their Forensic knowledge and Laboratory analysis skills. This course is recommended for those students consider- ing a career in law enforcement, criminal justice, or who are just interested in this fascinating field. Prerequisite: Successful completion of Biology and Chemistry .2A

This course is designed for motivated students who are interested in disease and its causes and have previously taken Biology and Chemistry. Fundamental principles of the study of microorganisms will be presented, including the structure, function, and control of microbes. Various diseases will also be examined, as well as the fundamentals of the immune system. This course is very valuable for those interested in the medical field. Extensive lab activities. Prerequisite: An 85% or higher (.1) or a 90% or higher (.2) Biology; Departmental approval. approval required for Juniors.

Oceanography is a course offered to juniors and seniors which covers geological, physical, chemical and biological ocean sciences. Lab based research will investigate ocean structure, chemistry (nutrient cycling), water circulation, weather principles, undersea exploration and coastal ecology. Emphasis will be placed on the relationships between humans and the sea and the results of that relationship; pollution, habitat loss and fishing. Community involvement with local and state agencies including DEM and URI will expose students to current research technology and related occupations. The .1 class will contain more writing, research of scientific literature and presentation skills. Concepts and assessments will also be more detailed. Prerequisite: Successful completion of and an 85% or higher in both Biology and Chemistry with departmental approval. One field trip required.

This is a laboratory class providing a general background in the basic principles of physics. Topics covered are similar in nature to the Physics .1 curriculum. Emphasis is on the development of concepts. Mathematics and laboratory activities are used to reinforce concepts. (Students entering the class should be proficient at finding the equation of a linear line, graphing skills and have a strong understanding of right-angle trigonometry and symbolic algebra. Students need to have mastered Algebra II and Geometry to solve problems.) Prerequisites: Departmental and instructor approval; successful completion of Chemistry .2A and Algebra II .2A.

This laboratory course is essentially the same in content as the .2A course. The major difference involves the level of application of mathematical analyses. (For example, in the .2A course, trigonometry is needed to solve problems; in the .2B course, only knowledge of basic algebra is required.) This course reinforces basic reading and mathematical skills while exploring the physical causes of events in nature. Science project due at the end of the 3rd quarter.

This year-long, honors-level, laboratory science course emphasizes the mathematical nature of physics. The course covers Newtonian mechanics (including rotational dynamics and angular momentum), work, energy, and power, electric circuits, and mechanical waves and sound. Inquiry and modeling approaches along with design-based laboratory activities at- tempt to connect physics concepts to mathematical functions and real- world applications. Laboratory activities are a key component of the curriculum and may require extended early morning lab periods. Students who excel in this course will be well prepared to take the Advanced Placement Physics 1 exam, successful completion of which may earn the student credit for that coursework in non-science or non-engineering degree pro- grams. Prerequisites: Departmental and instructor approval; successful completion of Chemistry .1; concurrent or prior enrollment in Pre-Calculus.