Science

Biology is a required science for all freshmen at Bay View. Introducing students to the process of science is a key objective, accomplished through discussion, activities, and labs. Proper laboratory procedure and use of scientific equipment and technology, qualitative and quantitative observations and scientific lab report writing are emphasized. Such skills are crucial in preparing students for further studies in the sciences at Bay View.

Topics addressed in this course include: levels of organization, basic inorganic chemistry, basic biochemistry, enzyme structure and function, structure and function of the cell membrane, photosynthesis and chloroplasts, respiration and mitochondria, structure and function of the nucleus, DNA and RNA structure, replication, transcription, translation, mitosis and meiosis, genetics.

Biology is a required science for all freshmen at Bay View. Introducing students to the process of science is a key objective, accomplished through discussion, activities, and labs. Proper laboratory procedure and use of scientific equipment and technology, qualitative and quantitative observations and scientific lab report writing are emphasized. Such skills are crucial in preparing students for further studies in the sciences at Bay View.

Topics addressed in this course include: levels of organization, basic inorganic chemistry, basic biochemistry, enzyme structure and function, structure and function of the cell membrane, photosynthesis and chloroplasts, respiration and mitochondria, structure and function of the nucleus, DNA and RNA structure, replication, transcription, translation, mitosis and meiosis, genetics.

Biology is a required science for all freshmen at Bay View. Introducing students to the process of science is a key objective, accomplished through discussion, activities, and labs. Proper laboratory procedure and use of scientific equipment and technology, qualitative and quantitative observations and scientific lab report writing are emphasized. Such skills are crucial in preparing students for further studies in the sciences at Bay View.

Topics addressed in this course include: levels of organization, basic inorganic chemistry, basic biochemistry, enzyme structure and function, structure and function of the cell membrane, photosynthesis and chloroplasts, respiration and mitochondria, structure and function of the nucleus, DNA and RNA structure, replication, transcription, translation, mitosis and meiosis, genetics.

All sophomores are required to take Chemistry, which will provide an understanding of the composition, structure, bonding, nomenclature, properties, and classification of matter. This includes all of the changes that occur with matter and the energy that is associated with these changes. The student will be able to calculate chemical quantities based on a balanced chemical reaction. The concepts will be acquired and reinforced through lectures, collaborative activities, and using the latest technologies, laboratory experiences, and independent work assignments.    

All sophomores are required to take Chemistry, which will provide an understanding of the composition, structure, bonding, nomenclature, properties, and classification of matter. This includes all of the changes that occur with matter and the energy that is associated with these changes. The student will be able to calculate chemical quantities based on a balanced chemical reaction. The concepts will be acquired and reinforced through lectures, collaborative activities, and using the latest technologies, laboratory experiences, and independent work assignments.    

All sophomores are required to take Chemistry, which will provide an understanding of the composition, structure, bonding, nomenclature, properties, and classification of matter. This includes all of the changes that occur with matter and the energy that is associated with these changes. The student will be able to calculate chemical quantities based on a balanced chemical reaction. The concepts will be acquired and reinforced through lectures, collaborative activities, and using the latest technologies, laboratory experiences, and independent work assignments.    

Prerequisite – Successful Completion of Biology  

The honors Molecular Biology course is offered to sophomore, junior and senior students as an elective.  The curriculum will introduce common laboratory techniques used in biomedical research such as micropipetting, centrifugation, spectrophotometry, PCR, agarose gel electrophoresis, polyacrylamide electrophoresis, DNA extraction and purification, bacterial transformation, and plasmid purification. The molecular biology student will not only master such techniques but will be asked to apply them in a number of short term and long term experimental research projects including: human DNA extraction and purification, restriction enzyme analysis of crime scene DNA, comparison of PCR amplified DNA extracted from genetically modified and non-modified plants, and the cloning and sequencing of a plant gene using bacterial cell transformation.

Prerequisite – Successful completion of Honors Geometry or Honors Algebra 2

The Honors Physics course is offered to junior and senior students and is recommended for students who contemplate majoring in the science, technology, engineering, or healthcare fields. It is a year-long, algebra-based study of the physical laws of nature. The course stimulates higher-level thinking by capitalizing on the student’s personal experience with nature. A variety of instructional strategies is employed, but the focus is on engaging the student with demonstrations and hands-on activities that challenge her to relate her personal experiences to phenomena that are either new or, quite often, counterintuitive. The student reads, writes, and talks about physics. She engages in a variety of independent and collaborative laboratory activities designed to explore, develop, and apply concepts. The three-step cycle modeling emphasizes the discovery and understanding of concepts as the precursor to applying those concepts in a variety of moderately challenging problem-solving scenarios. First semester topics include kinematics (the study of motion) and dynamics (the study of forces). Second semester topics include work, energy, and momentum; wave theory, including mechanical waves and electromagnetic waves; geometric optics; and fluid mechanics. The student is expected to have a strong mathematics background as demonstrated by successful completion of honors Geometry or honors Algebra 2.

Prerequisite - Successful completion of Algebra 2 or Geometry

The Level 1 Physics course is offered to junior and senior students and is recommended for students who contemplate a major in which undergraduate physics may be required. It is a year-long, algebra-based study of the physical laws of nature. The course stimulates higher-level thinking by capitalizing on the student’s personal experience with nature. A variety of instructional strategies is employed, but the focus is on engaging the student with demonstrations and hands-on activities that challenge her to relate her personal experiences to phenomena that are either new or, quite often, counterintuitive. The student reads, writes, and talks about physics. She engages in a variety of independent and collaborative laboratory activities designed to explore, develop, and apply concepts. The three-step modeling cycle emphasizes the discovery and understanding of concepts as the precursor to applying those concepts in a variety of moderately challenging problem-solving scenarios. First semester topics include kinematics (the study of motion) and dynamics (the study of forces). Second semester topics include work, energy, and momentum; wave theory, including mechanical waves and electromagnetic waves; geometric optics; and fluid mechanics. The student is expected to have a satisfactory mathematics background as demonstrated by successful completion of any level of Geometry or Algebra 2.

Prerequisite – Successful completion of Algebra 1 and Geometry

The Conceptual Physics course is offered to junior and senior students. It is recommended for students whose major might not require an undergraduate physics course, but who wish to acquire a basic understanding of the physical laws of nature. The course stimulates higher-level thinking by capitalizing on the student’s personal experience with nature. A variety of instructional strategies is employed, but the focus is on engaging the student with demonstrations and hands-on activities that challenge her to relate her personal experiences to phenomena that are either new or, quite often, counterintuitive. The student reads, writes, and talks about physics. She engages in a variety of independent and collaborative laboratory activities designed to explore, develop, and apply concepts. The three-step cycle emphasizes the understanding of concepts as a precursor to more traditional problem-solving. First semester topics include kinematics (the study of motion) and dynamics (the study of forces). Second semester topics include work, energy, and momentum; wave theory, including mechanical waves and electromagnetic waves; geometric optics; and fluid mechanics. The student is not required to have a strong mathematics background to succeed in this course.

Prerequisite – Successful completion of Chemistry

The AP Biology course emphasizes an in depth study of the following major themes: ecology, biochemistry, cells, energy transformation, cell reproduction, heredity, nature of genes, evolution, structure and function, of plants and animals. Laboratory work illustrates and reinforces principles presented in lecture and in the text. A mandatory three hour lab, after school, is required every week. The course follows the guidelines of the College Board AP course description. Acceptance will be based on performance in previous science courses. All students are required to take the AP Exam in May.

Additional Requirements
AP Biology will meet until 3:30 p.m. every time the class meets last period. 

Prerequisite – Successful completion of Chemistry and Algebra 2

The Advanced Placement Chemistry Course is an introductory college-level chemistry course. Students cultivate their understanding of chemistry through inquiry-based lab investigations as they explore the four Big Ideas: scale, proportion, and quantity; structure and properties of substances; transformations; and energy.  This course is designed to prepare students to succeed on the AP Chemistry Exam offered by the College Board. Students enrolled in this course should have a strong background in mathematics and chemistry. Laboratory work includes experiments which demonstrate the principles of equilibrium, qualitative analysis, rates of reactions, electrolysis, voltaic cells, oxidation-reduction, and acid-base titrations.

Additional Requirements - AP Chemistry will meet until 3:30 p.m. every time the class meets last period. 

 Prerequisite - Successful completion of Chemistry                                                        

The Anatomy and Physiology course is offered to junior and senior students as an elective.  In this course, students will be introduced to common laboratory techniques such as micropipetting, centrifugation, PCR, restriction enzyme digestion, agarose gel electrophoresis, and microscopic examination of body tissues to enhance the study of the molecular make-up of the cells composing the human body.   Macroscopic anatomical features will be studied via virtual dissection of human cadavers via the life-size Anatomage dissection table and traditional fetal pig dissection.  To reinforce the concepts addressed in class and enhance the medical application of the course content, students will be presented with a number of medical case studies throughout the year.  They will work in groups utilizing the laboratory equipment described above to explore, research and solve the medical issue outlined in each case. 

These hands-on activities are designed to add depth to the concepts discussed in lecture and class discussion concerning the physiology of the cell, body tissues and organs as well as enhance the student’s understanding of the human body plan.  Through this approach, the Anatomy and Physiology student will appreciate the hierarchy in which a multicellular organism is assembled.  They will follow and study the emergent properties at each level of this hierarchy from the atom to the molecule, molecule to cell, cell to tissue, tissue to organ and organ to organ system.

Prerequisite – Successful completion of Chemistry

The Anatomy and Physiology course is offered to junior and senior students as an elective.  In this course, students will be introduced to common laboratory techniques such as micropipetting, centrifugation, PCR, restriction enzyme digestion, agarose gel electrophoresis, and microscopic examination of body tissues to enhance the study of the molecular make-up of the cells composing the human body.   Macroscopic anatomical features will be studied via virtual dissection of human cadavers via the life-size Anatomage dissection table and traditional fetal pig dissection.  To reinforce the concepts addressed in class and enhance the medical application of the course content, students will be presented with a number of medical case studies throughout the year.  They will work in groups utilizing the laboratory equipment described above to explore, research and solve the medical issue outlined in each case. 

These hands-on activities are designed to add depth to the concepts discussed in lecture and class discussion concerning the physiology of the cell, body tissues and organs as well as enhance the student’s understanding of the human body plan.  Through this approach, the Anatomy and Physiology student will appreciate the hierarchy in which a multicellular organism is assembled.  They will follow and study the emergent properties at each level of this hierarchy from the atom to the molecule, molecule to cell, cell to tissue, tissue to organ and organ to organ system.

Prerequisite – Successful completion of Honors Geometry or Honors Algebra 2

The AP Physics 1 course is an initial course in physics offered to junior and senior students as an elective, and is recommended for students who contemplate majoring in the science, technology, engineering, or healthcare fields. It is the equivalent of a first-semester college course in algebra-based physics, but is taught over a full academic year to enable students to develop deep understanding of the content and to focus on acquiring and applying their knowledge through inquiry labs. The course covers Newtonian mechanics; work, energy, and power; and mechanical waves and sound. The course also introduces electrical circuits. The successful student must have a strong mathematics background as demonstrated by successful completion of honors Geometry or honors Algebra 2.

Additional requirements
AP Physics will meet until 3:30 p.m. every time the class meets last period. 

Prerequisite – Successful completion of AP Physics 1 or Honors Physics

The AP Physics 2 course is offered as an elective and is recommended for students who contemplate majoring in the science, technology, engineering, or healthcare fields. It is the equivalent of a second-semester college course in algebra-based physics, but is taught over a full academic year to enable students to develop deep understanding of the content and to focus on acquiring and applying their knowledge through inquiry labs. The course covers fluid mechanics; thermodynamics; electricity and magnetism; optics; and atomic and nuclear physics. The successful student must have a strong physics background as demonstrated by successful completion of AP Physics 1 or Honors Physics.

Additional requirements
AP Physics will meet until 3:30 p.m. every time the class meets last period. 

Prerequisite – Successful completion of AP Physics-1 or Honors Physics; concurrent enrollment in either AP Calculus or Honors Calculus  

AP Physics C: Mechanics is a second-year physics course offered to students as an elective. It is equivalent to a one-semester, calculus-based, college-level physics course, especially appropriate for students planning to specialize or major in a physical science or engineering. The course explores six content areas: kinematics; Newton’s laws of motion; work, energy and power; systems of particles and linear momentum; circular motion and rotation; and oscillations and gravitation. Presented over a full academic year, the course engages students with a combination of lectures, recitations, and labs.  Introductory differential and integral calculus are used throughout the course. All students are required to take the AP Physics C: Mechanics exam administered by the College Board in May.

Additional requirements
AP Physics will meet until 3:30 p.m. every time the class meets last period.

A Life Approach is a one semester Honors elective offered to sophomores, juniors, and seniors. This course explores the interdependence of all living things and the world in which they live. The major topics of the course include the diversity of life on Earth, species interactions, population analysis, economics, environmental justice, and sustainability. Students will be engaged in the learning process through lectures, labs, independent work and collaborative activities. Students will view and summarize videos that highlight some of the important aspects of the course.

A Physical Approach is a one semester Honors elective offered to sophomores, juniors, and seniors. This course focuses on the physical planet and the forces that shape its current condition. Topics include Earth’s resources, pollution, alternative energy sources, and sustainability. Students will be engaged in the learning process through lectures, labs, and independent work. Students will collaborate to design prototypes and build devices which can aid in creating a sustainable planet. Videos will be used to highlight important aspects of the course. The use of social media will enable students to access timely information from sources such as the USGS, NOAA, EPA, and World Wildlife Federation.

Part A is a one semester elective course offered to juniors and seniors.  Part A addresses major themes such as the development of Forensic Science, the role of the CSI, the capabilities of a crime lab, processing a crime scene, and the significance of physical evidence. Students will be engaged in the learning process through lectures, labs, independent work and collaborative activities. Students will view and summarize videos which highlight some of the important aspects of the course.

Part A is a one semester elective course offered to juniors and seniors.  Part A addresses major themes such as the development of Forensic Science, the role of the CSI, the capabilities of a crime lab, processing a crime scene, and the significance of physical evidence. Students will be engaged in the learning process through lectures, labs, independent work and collaborative activities. Students will view and summarize videos which highlight some of the important aspects of the course.

Part B is a one semester elective course offered to juniors and seniors.  Part B addresses major themes such as fingerprints, impression evidence, arson, explosives, firearms, drugs, alcohol, and forensic serology. Students will be engaged in the learning process through lectures, labs, independent work and collaborative activities. Students will view and summarize videos that highlight some of the important aspects of the course.

Part B is a one semester elective course offered to juniors and seniors.  Part B addresses major themes such as fingerprints, impression evidence, arson, explosives, firearms, drugs, alcohol, and forensic serology. Students will be engaged in the learning process through lectures, labs, independent work and collaborative activities. Students will view and summarize videos that highlight some of the important aspects of the course.