Courses

Physics 20 - Year

This course covers the major concepts in physics while emphasizing practice with scientific and developmentally appropriate mathematical skills.  There will be extensive focus on developing good problem solving techniques, learning about engineering methodology and design, and introducing proper communication, collaboration, and writing habits.  Topics covered include kinematics, the laws of motion, momentum, energy, the properties of sound and light waves, electricity and magnetism, and atomic structure.  Weekly labs are a main feature of the course.  During these extended periods students have the opportunity to apply their knowledge in a variety of settings that focus on inquiry, data acquisition, scientific analysis, and critical thinking.  Students also complete four group presentation projects throughout the year.  Topics of these presentations relate the concepts learned in class to 21st century themes and events.

In an effort to more effectively integrate math and science our Physics 20 course structures the learning of physics around a student’s mathematical background.  There are two versions of Physics 20:  Physics 20 with Algebra and Physics 20 with Geometry Plus.  Students are assigned to a section based upon mathematical placement.  The core content of each course is uniform and the major laboratory experience and presentation project expectations are maintained.  However, assignments throughout the course are designed to appropriately support and challenge students in their early science education at St. Mark’s.

Physics 20 – Algebra

Physics 20 – Geometry Plus

Chemistry - Year

Chemistry 31 introduces the major principles of chemistry through a modified survey approach.  Students will study many of the topics discussed in the chemistry course but will do so in the context of the study of various environmental systems.  Topics include atomic structure, chemical formulas, bonding, chemical reactions, equations, solutions, solubility, acid and base chemistry and gas laws. An applied or thematic approach to these ideas allows students to understand the concepts through the lens of energy consumption, carbon dioxide emission, global climate change, effects of toxins on water quality and eutrophication of water systems.  Weekly laboratory investigations and field studies will supplement the classroom work.  Students are placed in this course based on their performance in Physics 20 and/or interest.  (Prerequisite: PH20)

Honors Chemistry - Year

Chemistry 30 is an interactive introduction to the discipline of chemistry.  In covering topics such as atomic structure, bonding, stoichiometry, and gas laws, students develop an appreciation for the chemistry present in the world around them.  As students, they are challenged to grow as problem solvers both in the laboratory and in classroom settings.  Small group work is emphasized as a way to encourage discussion of topics, as well as provide opportunities for students to learn collaboratively.  Work in the laboratory enhances understanding of content, while laboratory reports provide students a venue in which to develop their technical writing skills. (Prerequisite: Honors grade in PH20.  Department approval required)

Biology- Year

The concept of living has never been so ambiguous as it is today in a world where our understanding of the living world is increasing at an unparalleled pace, advancements in science blur the line between living and nonliving and, our ability to control and direct life increases.  Biology 30 provides students an introductory study of biology within the context of a rapidly changing world.  Students will explore the ideas of ecological, cellular, and genetic change while studying major societal topics including sustainable ecosystems, stem cells and cloning, managing the evolution of diseases, genetic testing and engineering, and human reproductive options.  The course of study will incorporate a variety of learning approaches such as inquiry, lab-design, presentations, collaborative study, problem-based learning, case studies, simulations, and scientific writing.  The course will culminate in an independent project addressing a specific aspect of modern change in our biological world; students will select their independent project topics.  (Prerequisite: Completion of Chemistry 30)

Advanced Placement Physics B - Year

This course is a non-calculus survey of physics that prepares students to take the Advanced Placement Physics B Examination.  Topics include kinematics, Newton’s laws, conservation of momentum and energy, waves, sound, light, optics, electricity, magnetism, thermodynamics, atomic structure, quantum mechanics, and the birth of Modern Physics.  Laboratory exercises are a feature of this course.  Students may also take the SAT II test upon completion of this course.  (Prerequisite: MA50.  Suggested coursework: CH30 or CH31.  Department approval required)

Advanced Placement Physics C- Year

This second-year course in Physics prepares students for both parts of the Advanced Placement Physics C Examination: Part I, Mechanics, and Part II, Electricity and Magnetism.  Calculus-based problem solving and laboratory work are emphasized.  (Prerequisites: An honors grade in a previous Physics course, Calculus, which may be taken concurrently, and completion of core science requirements.  Department approval required)

Advanced Placement Chemistry - Year

The course is designed to afford students extensive background in chemistry comparable to that acquired in a college level introductory chemistry course.  This second-year chemistry course prepares students for the Advanced Placement Examination in Chemistry. In-depth study of the concepts introduced in CH30 and extensive practice in problem solving and laboratory work are required.  (Prerequisites: Honors grade in CH30 and MA50; MA50 may be taken concurrently.  Department approval required.

Advanced Placement Biology - Year

AP Biology provides the opportunity for students with the interest and academic discipline to study biology at the advanced level.  This course will prepare students for the Advanced Placement Examination in Biology with some independent study.  Students will develop a thorough understanding of biological concepts that will enable them to more critically understand and evaluate some of our most pressing issues, such as global warming, stem cell research, cancer treatments, antibiotic resistance, and HIV challenges.  The AP Biology course will study at an accelerated pace and will expect students to be mature scholars capable of independent work and utilizing available resources.  Coursework will include reading from a college text, extensive lab work, analysis of scientific literature, presentation of material, and a significant focus on scientific writing. (This course may be taken as a 1st year Biology course if students meet both the prerequisite and gain Departmental approval.  Prerequisite:  Honors work in Chemistry.  Department approval required)

Introductory DNA Science - Fall

The introductory DNA science course will focus on the structure and function of DNA in the life of a eukaryotic cell.  We will discuss topics and techniques related to gene expression and gene cloning.  In addition, students will learn about current advances in understanding genomes and applications of this knowledge. This is a lab based course that will include the cloning and expression of a particular gene.  The practical applications of, as well as the theory behind lab techniques, will be covered as part of the course. Much of the students’ class time will be spent in the lab therefore students will be expected to keep a detailed lab notebook that will account for a portion of the course grade.  Students who want to be successful in the course will demonstrate an interest in the topic, an ability to ask thoughtful questions and work with some autonomy.  (Open to Forms V and VI.  Prerequisite: CH30)

Structures and Material Science - Fall

We make use of both public and private infrastructure in our lives daily.  It includes residing in homes, working in buildings, and driving on roads and bridges.  All these structures were designed and built with specific attention to the environment they would be in and the materials that would be used. Students will discover that a skyscraper in California would need to be designed and built with materials in a certain way so that it can resist an earthquake, while the same skyscraper would be designed and built a different way in Florida to resist hurricanes.

Students in this class will work in a project based setting to learn about the strength and properties of different materials including a material’s modulus of elasticity and its tensile and compressive strengths.  These substances will include steel, wood, and composite materials. Students will use their knowledge of the properties of these materials to design and build simple structures that will withstand loads mimicking live, shear, and wind.  The course will be hands on and will utilize basic computer software that can be used to create simple structures and apply theoretical forces to test them. Students will be assessed based on the projects they built and accompanying written reports for those projects.  Upon completion of this course, students will have a better understanding of the design and materials that make up the structures that surround us.  (Open to Forms V and VI.  Prerequisite: CH30)

Circuit Physics - Spring

Electronic devices surround us, but to most people their workings remain a lifelong mystery.  Circuit Physics will expand students’ understanding from a theoretical understanding of Ohm’s law and Kirchoff’s rules, to the practical experience of designing, building and testing electronic devices themselves.  Students will become acquainted with various literature reference sources at both the hobby and professional level.  A weekly “journal club” will give students a chance to share their reading selections with classmates.

Students will develop their understanding of circuits in a process analogous to learning the alphabet to write words, then assembling those words into meaningful sentences.  Students will learn how individual circuit elements like resistors, capacitors and semiconductors behave independently, and then learn how these elements can be assembled into simple amplifiers, oscillators and rectifiers.  Students will subsequently combine these assemblies to make more complex devices such as radio transmitters and receivers, electronic musical instruments or counters.  Logic circuits, op-amps, robots and computers will be discussed and explored as time permits.

Most class time will be hands-on and will involve learning how to read circuit plans, how to breadboard a prototype, how to use test gear and troubleshoot, and how to solder and package their device.  Ambitious students completing this course will be well equipped to choose an individual electronics project and complete it independently. (Open to Forms V and VI)

Anatomy and Physiology - Spring

This semester long course is designed to provide students with an understanding of the structure and function of the major human organ systems.  Emphasis is placed on the relationship between structure and function at the cellular, tissue, organ, and organ system levels.  Classroom discussions emphasize physiology, with special attention to the relevant anatomical features of the system being studied.  Possible topics to be explored include the nervous, musculoskeletal, cardiovascular, respiratory, digestive, immune, excretory, and reproductive systems.  There will be considerable lab time, both virtual and hands-on, including dissections of a cow eye, sheep brain, sheep heart, and numerous whole organisms.  (Prerequisite: Biology or Departmental approval

Contemporary Issues in Biology - Spring

In this semester long course, students will study a number of current issues that have biological backgrounds.  Students will be exposed to both mainstream media coverage as well as peer reviewed journal articles with an emphasis on understanding the biological foundation of the topics while exploring the multiple dimensions that affect each issue.  Students will determine the topics studied; potential topics include stem cells, the HIV/ AIDS epidemic, immunology and vaccines, cancer, DNA fingerprinting and forensics, and diets and nutrition. (Prerequisite: Biology or Departmental approval)