Science

The primary goal of the science program at BB&N at all levels is to give students a systematic approach to scientific problem solving. This is accomplished through a laboratory-based discovery approach adopted with the belief that insights are best developed in an experimental setting. Laboratory skills emphasize the habit of objectivity in observation and accuracy in data gathering and recording. Identification and control of variables, manipulation and presentation of data, and evaluation of the validity of experiments are emphasized as appropriate to the grade level.

The department aims to instill in students an appreciation for science as an imaginative, often impassioned human endeavor. Students gain an understanding of the common atomic base yet the amazing diversity of both the natural and man-made environment. They also appreciate the principles that help to describe the interactions of matter and energy.

Courses

Biology (Grades 9-10)
Biology is an introductory course that surveys a variety of topics with an emphasis on cell biology, genetics, and physiology. A special attempt is made to provide students with the background needed to develop an understanding of the contemporary issues in science from a cellular, molecular and ecological perspective. Correlated lab work is emphasized, including a frog dissection. Honors level work in this course will satisfy the prerequisite for enrollment in Experimental or Advanced Biology. Students are approved for this course by their BB&N Middle School science teacher or by the Science Department Head.

Honors Biology (Grades 9-10)
Honors Biology covers similar material as Biology but the pace is quicker and topics are explored in greater depth. Students will build a foundation necessary to understand the contemporary issues in science from a cellular, molecular, biochemical and ecological perspective. Correlated lab work is emphasized, including a frog dissection. Students are approved for this course by their BB&N Middle School science teacher or by the Science Department Head. Algebra II is a recommended co-requisite with this course.

Physics (Grades 10-12)
This is a lab-oriented course designed for students who have completed Biology and who want to explore physical science with an emphasis on the practical nature of the physical world. The course will cover mechanics, motion, and energy during the first term, while the second half examines heat, electricity, simple circuits, magnetism and motors. Algebra is used in the interpretation of data and provides a link between the relationships elucidated by lab experiments and the practical applications of those principles.

Honors Physics (Grades 10-12/Preference to Grade 10)
Honors Physics is an experiment-oriented course that stresses the inter-relationships of various kinds of energy, and gives students a strong introduction to mechanics. The year begins with a study of Newtonian physics and proceeds through buoyancy, pressure, electricity, heat, and ends with the examination of sound and light. Students who have earned honors level grades in Algebra II would be well suited for this course since Algebra is used extensively in the interpretation of data and in the expression of ideas. Enrollment is limited, and permission of the department is required.

Principles of Chemistry (Grades 11-12)
This course focuses on the conceptual aspects of Chemistry and covers topics including the structure of atoms and molecules, principles of chemical reactions including energy and reactions between acids and bases. Significant emphasis will be placed on the development of lab skills and problem solving both qualitatively and quantitatively. This course is not designed to prepare students for the Chemistry SAT subject test but honors level work in this course will satisfy the prerequisite for enrollment in either Experimental or Advanced Biology. Algebra II is a pre-requisite and Physics is a recommended prior science course.

Chemistry (Grades 11-12)
This course covers the standard college preparatory material required for continued work in Chemistry, Biology, or pre-medical studies. Topics include the structure of atoms and molecules, principles of chemical reactions including energy, kinetics, equilibrium and reactions between acids and bases. Laboratory work, observation, and data analysis are emphasized and used as a means of examining the scientific thought process. Strong math skills are essential, Algebra II is a pre-requisite and Physics (either Regular or Honors) is a recommended prior science course.

Honors Chemistry (Grades 11-12)
The Honors section of Chemistry covers the same topics as the Chemistry class but the pace is quicker and each subject is examined in greater depth. Strong math skills are essential. Algebra II is a pre-requisite and Honors Physics in Grade 10 is a recommended prior science course. Enrollment is limited and permission of the department is required.

Human Physiology (Grades 11-12)
Human Physiology is a course in which lab work is used to study several major organs and organ systems of the body. The course covers cell, tissue and organ structure with a focus on the circulatory, respiratory and nervous systems. Neuroanatomy, exercise physiology and nutrition will be explored and applications related to exercise physiology and clinical conditions will also be addressed. Participation in dissection and in exercise labs is a required parts of this course. Preference is given to seniors.

Forensics (Grades 11-12)
Forensics is a lab-based course that stresses the importance of applying scientific principles to law. Students will learn the methodology needed to evaluate a crime scene, the proper lab mechanics needed to evaluate evidence, and how to compare samples that are both known and unknown. Procedures in collecting and interpreting criminal evidence will be examined and modeled. The students will gain a basic understanding of forensic science and how it is used in criminal cases. Forensic experiments will include drug analysis, blood typing, hair and fiber analysis, gun shot residue tests, and fingerprint identification. The course will include lectures, labs, research projects, activities, and videos. Forensics is open to juniors and seniors who have fulfilled their science graduation requirement but preference is given to seniors. Chemistry is recommended but not required.

Environmental Science (Grades 11-12)
Environmental Science is a lab-based course that explores the inter-relationships of biological, physical, and social environmental factors. Field investigations and class discussions focus on the causes and the solutions of environmental problems on a local and on a global scale. Topics include ecosystems, renewable and nonrenewable resources, water quality, conservation biology, marine biology, and population studies. Laboratory investigations will focus on the local environment, including the Charles River and Mt. Auburn Cemetery. Learning via first-hand observations and analysis is emphasized. Biology is a prerequisite for this course. Preference is given to seniors.

Current Topics and Research in Science and Technology (Grade 12, half or full-credit)
This course is designed for students to explore topics in science and technology both within and beyond BB&N by critically reviewing current literature, presenting recent findings in science, visiting scientific destinations throughout the Greater Boston area and potentially undertaking an independent research project outside of BB&N. Interested students must be motivated, independent learners capable of working within established timeframes to achieve research and presentation goals. Prerequisites include: successful completion of three years of science, concurrent enrollment in a science elective and approval by the Department Head. Students who wish to enroll in this course as a semester long half-credit course will identify areas of scientific interest, pursue independent research and work toward creating a symposium of current topics in science that will be shared with the BB&N community at the end of the first semester. Students who wish to enroll in this course as a year-long full-credit course will complete all of the above and must establish a connection with a science-mentor outside of BB&N by the end of November. The outside mentor should be willing to have the student undertake a research project in their laboratory continuing through the Senior Spring Project period. Students are expected to spend the summer between their junior and senior year establishing this connection in anticipation of spending approximately 80 hours (an average of 10-15 hours per week) working on an independent research project outside of BB&N during their Senior Spring Project. Students will meet weekly as a class during Senior Spring Project to share their research with each other and the BB&N community in the spring. Enrollment is limited, and interested students are required to complete a short application due to Dr. Cataldo in April.

Advanced Biology (Grade 12)
This lecture course can be taken alone, or in combination with Experimental Biology (with the expectation that students remain enrolled in both courses for the full academic year to complete the AP curriculum). The content of this course is a selection of topics from the Advanced Placement syllabus. It is divided roughly into thirds: evolution, cell biology and genetics are covered in the fall term; molecular and organismal biology in the winter term; and animal behavior and ecology in the spring term. Advanced Biology, when taken in combination with Experimental Biology, results in AP notation on the student transcript. Biology and Chemistry are pre-requisites. Enrollment is limited, and permission of the department is required.

Experimental Biology (Grade 12)
This laboratory course can be taken alone, or in combination with Advanced Biology (with the expectation that students remain enrolled in both courses for the full academic year to complete the AP curriculum). This course will cover many of the laboratory exercises and experiments that are normally contained in an introductory college biology course. The laboratory work will be taken from widely used lab manuals and will be correlated with reading assignments in the textbook used for the AP Biology course. Students will expand upon these topics by planning and executing their own experiments. Evaluation will be based on lab work, including collaboratively designed and executed research projects presented using scientific posters, PowerPoint slide shows and lab reports. Additionally, there will be lab-practical and written tests. An important part of this course involves a comparative dissection in which participation is mandatory. Experimental Biology, when taken in combination with Advanced Biology, results in AP notation on the student transcript. Biology and Chemistry are pre-requisites. Enrollment is limited, and permission of the department is required.

AP Biology (Grade 12)
Advanced Biology, when taken in conjunction with Experimental Biology, will fully prepare students for the AP Biology exam. Students are expected to remain enrolled in both courses for the full academic year to complete the AP curriculum and are encouraged to take the AP exam. Refer to Advanced Biology and Experimental Biology course descriptions above.

Advanced Physics: Electricity Magnetism and Optics (Grades 11-12)
The course covers the Electricity and Magnetism, Wave and Optics, Atomic and Nuclear sections of the AP Physics B curriculum. The course will include weekly labs, and significant emphasis will be placed on the development of strong lab skills, including error analysis and problem solving both qualitatively and quantitatively. In March, at the beginning of Senior Spring Project, juniors will begin an independent supervised research project due at the end of the year. Seniors may continue the course if they wish and participate in the projects or prepare for the AP Exam. Students must complete either Physics or Honors Physics before enrolling in this course. Since systems of equations and trigonometry will be used extensively throughout the year, a strong record in Algebra 2 (B+) and in the trigonometry portion of Geometry is a pre-requisite and pre-calculus is a co-requisite. Enrollment is limited and permission from the department is required.

AP Physics C (Grades 11-12)
When taken in combination with Calculus and for the full academic year (through Senior Spring Project), either Advanced Physics course results in AP Physics C notation on the student transcript. During the spring term, the course will cover calculus-based concepts of the material in depth.