Students learn to understand life and its processes so that they are able to explain and predict biological phenomena. Topics covered include concepts related to the chemical and cellular basis of life, genetics, reproduction, and evolution. This is a yearlong course. This course is similar to Biology, but concepts are studied in greater depth. Special attention is given to an examination of experimental and other evidence that is the foundation of modern biology.
Emphasis is placed on the interpretations and conclusions students derive from data.
Departmental approval is required. This is a yearlong course. This course presents chemistry as an inquiry into natural phenomena to help the student understand the nature of scientific investigation. Students learn the principles and concepts from which chemical phenomena can be predicted and explained. Major topics covered are the mole concept, gas laws, kinetic theory, structure of the atom, rates of reactions, energy in chemical reactions, equilibrium, oxidation and reduction, acid-base theory and solution chemistry.