BIOLOGY I (10 Credits)

The Biology I course is designed to explore introductory concepts of life science and health topics. Biology I includes the characteristics of living organisms, the chemistry of life, cell structures and functions, anatomy and body systems along with the scientific inquiry skills to develop appropriate analysis of data and lab safety requirements. Health related themes covered include physical, social, and emotional health. Lab activities, lab reports, and projects will be integrated into the curriculum to reinforce the concepts taught during each section. The Standards are aligned with the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) Frameworks for High School Biology which will prepare students for the Biology Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System (MCAS) exam. Students will take the MCAS exam at the conclusion of Biology II.

BIOLOGY HONORS (10 Credits)

This is an accelerated, one year Biology course. The science concepts taught are aligned with the DESE Frameworks for High School Biology in order to prepare students for the Biology MCAS exam which students will take in grade 9. This course is designed explore the concepts of the chemistry of life, cell structures and functions, anatomy and physiology along with the scientific inquiry skills to develop appropriate analysis of data and lab safety requirements. Topics will include plant and animal physiology and taxonomy, photosynthesis and cellular respiration, DNA, RNA, and protein synthesis, genetics, principles of evolution, ecology and the environment. Health related themes are integrated into the discussion of the body systems. Lab activities and hands-on projects are used to reinforce concepts in each unit. Students will take the MCAS exam at the end of this course.

BIOLOGY II/Honors (10 Credits)

The Biology II course includes the fundamental concepts of life and life processes. Topics include plant and animal physiology and taxonomy, photosynthesis and cellular respiration, DNA, RNA, and protein synthesis, genetics, principles of evolution, ecology and the environment. Lab activities, lab reports, and projects will be integrated into the curriculum to reinforce concepts and material taught to students. The standards are aligned with the DESE Frameworks for High School Biology. Students will take the MCAS exam upon completion of this course.

The Biology II Honors course emphasizes independent work and an accelerated curriculum for students who wish to purse Anatomy and Physiology, AP Biology, or higher level honor science courses. The course emphasizes the integration of content with science practices, powerful reasoning tools that support students in analyzing the natural world around them. This will provide students with a solid foundation for future scientific endeavors in future science courses at both the high school and college level.

CHEMISTRY/CHEMISTRY HONORS (10 Credits)

This course is designed to introduce students to chemistry concepts, including the importance and relationship to chemistry to everyday life and their technical programs. Labs, activities, presentations, and projects will be integrated into the curriculum to reinforce the techniques and methodology used in a chemistry lab. Topics include Mixtures, pure substances, separation techniques, phase changes, chemical reactions, balancing equations, bond type, naming compounds, mole conversions, molarity, stoichiometry, and gas laws. The standards covered align with the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education chemistry strands.

The Chemistry Honors course is designed to introduce chemistry concepts and prepare students for AP chemistry and college chemistry courses. Topics include properties of matter, measurements, atomic structure, electron configuration, chemical nomenclature, the mole and molarity, types of chemical reactions, stoichiometry, and chemical bonding. Labs, activities, lab reports, presentations, and projects will be integrated into the curriculum to reinforce the concepts taught. A strong background in Algebra I math is highly recommended. The standards covered align with the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education chemistry strands.

PHYSICS, PHYSICS HONORS (10 Credits)

These lab-based courses include the topics of mechanics, motion, matter, heat, light, electricity and magnetism. Students will receive instruction through class demonstrations, lab projects, lab reports, experiments, and lecture. A mathematics background in Algebra I is recommended. Lab activities and projects will be integrated into the curriculum to reinforce the concepts taught. Electrical, Physics, Engineering, and Robotics students will take Physics in grade 10 and take the corresponding Physics MCAS exam at the end of the course.

The Physics Honors course is designed as a comprehensive physics course with a greater emphasis on mathematical problem solving. The course is intended for students with a strong background in math while also giving students more autonomy during labs to figure out the solution with less instruction. Labs and complex problem solving are the foundation of this course.

ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY

Anatomy & Physiology is a yearlong course that provides students an opportunity to explore the intricate and sophisticated relationship between structure and function in the human body. The course offers students an environment in which they may probe topics such as homeostasis, anatomical and physiological disorders, medical diagnosis and treatment, modern and past imaging techniques, biochemistry, cytology, histology, and survey of the remarkable array of body systems that comprise the human body. Laboratory activities reinforce concepts and principles presented in the course.

ADVANCED PLACEMENT BIOLOGY® (10 Credits)

The Advanced Placement Biology course is designed to provide students a conceptual framework for modern biology and an appreciation of science as a process. The class prepares students for college by making demands upon them equivalent to those made by full-year introductory college courses. The primary emphasis in Advanced Placement Biology is on developing an understanding of concepts rather than on memorizing terms and technical details. Essential to this conceptual understanding of Biology is a grasp of science as a process rather than as an accumulation of facts. Students participate in a personal experience of scientific inquiry, allowing for the recognition of unifying themes that integrate the major topics of biology and an application of biological knowledge and critical thinking to environmental and social concerns. General Chemistry as a prerequisite is highly recommended for this course.

ADVANCED PLACEMENT PHYSICS 1® (10 Credits)

AP Physics 1 is an algebra-based, introductory college-level physics course that explores topics such as Newtonian mechanics (including rotational motion); work, energy, and power; mechanical waves and sound; and introductory, simple circuits. Through inquiry-based learning, students will develop scientific critical thinking and reasoning skills.

ADVANCED PLACEMENT PHYSICS 2® (10 Credits)*

AP Physics 2 is an algebra-based, introductory college-level physics course. Students cultivate their understanding of Physics through inquiry-based investigations as they explore these topics: fluids; thermodynamics; electrical force, field, and potential; electric circuits; magnetism and electromagnetic induction; geometric and physical optics; and quantum, atomic, and nuclear physics.

ELECTRICAL CODE (10 Credits)

This course concentrates on the development of industrial and commercial wiring requirements. The operating principles for motors, generators, controllers, and transformers will be emphasized. Preparation for the Massachusetts Journeymen’s Electrical Exam will be taught. This course is required for all students enrolled in the Electrical Technology program.

PLUMBING AND HEATING CODE (10 Credits)

Students will receive instruction in the following areas: safety, advanced plumbing theory, blueprint reading, job search skills, advanced plumbing and gas piping math, job estimation, in-depth Massachusetts Plumbing Code Book studies, and advanced preparation for licensing examinations. This course is required for all students enrolled in the Plumbing and Heating program.

EARLY COLLEGE BIOLOGY 120 (10 Credits)

This survey course is designed for students with little or no background in biology. Emphasis is placed on developing basic laboratory skills, communication, collaboration, critical thinking, organization and self-assessment. Providing students with a framework for the study of more integrated topics in biology, the initial portion of the course will be devoted to developing an understanding of the nature of science and the basic structures, biochemistry and functions of plant and animal cells. Using these fundamental concepts as background, students will then investigate the topics of genetics, taxonomy, evolution and ecology. Bioethics, the study of the social and philosophical implications of new biological and medical procedures, will serve as theme throughout the course. This course supports student development of Written and Oral Communication, Critical Thinking and Quantitative Analysis. Students earn credit through 3-credits Middlesex Community College. The Middlesex credits qualify for the MassTransfer credit, which guarantees credit transfer to Massachusetts state universities and the University of Massachusetts.