Science

The variety of science offerings in the upper school is designed to prepare students for further study in college science courses. Students in the 9th and 10th grade years learn how to apply the scientific method, develop critical analyses of data, and use fundamental problem-solving techniques with the goal of preparing students for the IB and Advanced classes in the core subjects of biology, physics, and chemistry available in 11th and 12th grade. Environmental science is also offered in 11th and 12th grade as an applied laboratory science course utilizing the backgrounds established in the core courses. Experimental design, the STEM approach, and scientific writing are progressively emphasized through laboratory investigations in all courses as well as oral communication skills via class presentations. Opportunities to explore science and STEM outside of the classroom are also available through such activities as Science Olympiad, FIRST Tech Challenge (and other robotics competitions), conferences, and field trips to higher education and other institutions. Opportunities to engage in connections to the nature and philosophy of science (a major thread of the IB Programme) are also available through the Bioethics Team and MSON Ethics (or other advanced science) courses.

Students are required to successfully complete a minimum of three years of science, although most students take four years. Students begin upper school with the 9th grade Physics 1 courses and take the Chemistry 1 courses in 10th grade. It is recommended that students take at least 1 course in each of the core areas (chemistry, biology, and physics) in 9th-12th grades, although individual interests can take students in a variety of directions during the 11th and 12th grade years. Also, many junior and senior students “double” in a single year and take two science courses. Students discuss course choices with advisors, teachers, and the department chair. Final placement decisions, however, are made by the department based on the student’s demonstrated ability and on course availability.

In addition to the courses listed below, the department is interested in helping students to arrange independent study courses when appropriate. Proposals for independent study must be arranged and approved by the faculty in advance of the year (for full-year independent studies) or semester (for one-semester independent studies). An independent study could involve a continuation of a course listed below, or study of a science topic or area not investigated by these courses. Interested students should speak with their teacher and the department chair. Independent study and MSON courses may not be used to meet the requirement of 3 years of science instruction needed for graduation.

ADV Chemistry 2

Advanced Chemistry 2/IB Chemistry SL is a second year chemistry course designed to provide interested students with more depth andadditional concepts that are not covered in the 10th grade Chemistry 1 course. Topic areas, aligned with the Standard Level IB Chemistry curriculum, include atomic theory, periodicity, bonding, states of matter, energetics, kinetics, equilibrium, acids and bases, oxidation and reduction, and organic chemistry, plus an alternate options topic. This course is designed to develop scientific reasoning skills and to provide practice in designing experiments in order to gain direct experience with the process and inquiry of science. Students interested in the IB program, either as diploma or certificate candidates, must complete both Chemistry 1 and IB/SL Chemistry 2. A consecutive two-year program is recommended.

Prerequisites: Successful completion of Chemistry 1, or Chemistry 1 Accelerated, permission of the science department and signature of the department chair. Concurrent enrollment in either IB Math AA HL1, IB Math AA SL1 / IM5 or Calculus (or their equivalent) is strongly recommended
Advanced Biology 1*

Advanced Biology 1/IB Biology HL Year 1 is the first year of a two-year sequence in Biology and utilizes a molecular approach to the study of life. The core concepts include cell structure and energetics, classical and molecular genetics, micro and macroevolution, basic ecology, organismal structure, and physiology. This higher-level course goes to further depth in all topics in molecular, cellular, and organismal biology and genetics than covered in Biology 2/SL. The laboratory and classroom activities are varied in nature and content but generally are designed to maximize the student's involvement in the planning, implementation, and interpretation of their own experiments. Students learn to access scientific information through textbooks, as well as online and print educational and research-oriented resources. Using this information, they develop the skills to critically analyze current issues relating to science and technology, as well as to critically evaluate their own experimental data. An emphasis is placed on the communication skills necessary for effective technical writing. Students participating in the Higher Level International Baccalaureate program, either as diploma candidates or as certificate candidates, must complete both years of the two-year program in Biology.
Prerequisites: Successful completion of Chemistry 1. Permission of the science department and signature of the department chair.
Advanced Biology 2*

Advanced Biology 2/IB Biology Higher Level Year 2 is the second year of the two-year sequence in biology. It is a course designed to provide students with experiences and exposure that extend beyond concepts involved in previous biology courses. Although comprehensive in nature of topics (Principles of Evolution, Cellular Basis of Life, Structure and Function, Principles of Genetics, and Ecology), particular emphasis is placed on special topics in Evolution and Human Physiology. The focus of the course is on an integrated understanding and application of these content areas, emphasizing connections and extensions that help explain fundamental observations in the biological world. The laboratory and classroom activities are varied in nature and content but generally are designed to maximize the student's involvement in planning, implementation, and interpretation of their own experiments.

Prerequisites: Successful completion of HL Biology Year 1, or Advanced Biology 1. Permission of the science department and signature of the department chair.
Biology 2

Biology 2/IB Biology SL is a one-year course in biology that utilizes a molecular approach to the study of life. The core concepts include cell structure and energetics, classical and molecular genetics, micro and macro evolution, basic ecology, organismal structure, and physiology. The course is investigation oriented to engage students in the process of science, and students learn to design, implement, and analyze their own experiments. An emphasis is placed on the communication skills necessary for effective technical writing. As scientific knowledge and technology grow more diverse, it becomes increasingly important for students to have a clear understanding of these advances in order to become effective decision makers. Students learn to access scientific information through textbooks, scientific journals, and online resources. Using this information, they develop the skills to critically analyze current issues relating to science and technology. Standard Level students, both diploma and certificate candidates, complete the SL curriculum in one year.

Prerequisites: Successful completion of Chemistry 1 or Chemistry 1 Accelerated.
Chemistry 1

Chemistry 1 deals with the composition, structure, and reactions of matter. It develops the atomic model and connects it to large-scale, real-world applications and phenomena. Key units include measurement, matter and energy, the atom and atomic theory, the periodic table and trends, ionic and molecular compounds and bonding, molar relationships, chemical reactions, stoichiometry, gas laws, solutions, acids and bases, and equilibrium. Through both laboratory and classroom exercises, the course emphasizes quantitative problem solving, analytical precision in measurement, the analysis of experimental error, and develops concepts to help students progress from concrete to abstract thinking. Technical science writing is also stressed as part of the laboratory work. This course prepares students for subsequent science courses by providing a solid foundation in problem-solving and in the collection and analysis of scientific data.

This course is not weighted. Upon successful completion and with the recommendation of the department, students taking this Chemistry 1 course are eligible to take the Advanced/IB Chemistry course or other Advanced/IB science courses offered in the upper school.

Note: This course, or Chemistry 1 Accelerated, is a prerequisite for the other science courses taken in the 11th and 12th grade years.
General Biology

General Biology/IB Biology SL is a one-year biology course that utilizes a molecular approach to the study of life. The core concepts include cell structure and energetics, classical and molecular genetics, micro and macroevolution, basic ecology, organismal structure, and physiology. The course is investigation-oriented to engage students in the process of science, and students learn to design, implement, and analyze their experiments. An emphasis is placed on the communication skills necessary for effective technical writing. As scientific knowledge and technology grow more diverse, it becomes increasingly important for students to have a clear understanding of these advances to become effective decision-makers. Students learn to access scientific information through textbooks, scientific journals, and online resources. Using this information, they develop the skills to critically analyze current issues relating to science and technology. Standard Level students, both diploma and certificate candidates, complete the SL curriculum in one year.

Prerequisites: Successful completion of Chemistry 1 or Chemistry 1 Accelerated.
IB Bio HL1

Advanced Biology 2/IB Biology HL Year 1 is the first year of a two-year sequence in biology and utilizes a molecular approach to the study of life. The core concepts include cell structure and energetics, classical and molecular genetics, micro and macro evolution, basic ecology, organismal structure, and physiology. This higher-level course goes to further depth in all topics in molecular, cellular and organismal biology and in genetics than covered in Biology 2/SL. The laboratory and classroom activities are varied in nature and in content but generally are designed in order to maximize the student involvement in planning, implementation, and interpretation of their own experiments. Students learn to access scientific information through textbooks, as well as online and print educational and research oriented resources. Using this information, they develop the skills to critically analyze current issues relating to science and technology, as well as to critically evaluate their own experimental data. An emphasis is placed on the communication skills necessary for effective technical writing. Students participating in the Higher Level International Baccalaureate program, either as diploma candidates or as certificate candidates, must complete both years of the two-year program in Biology. (See the description of “Advanced Biology 3/IB-HL, Year 2” below.)

Prerequisites: Successful completion of Chemistry 1 or Chemistry 1 Accelerated. Permission of the science department and signature of the department chair
IB Bio HL2

Advanced Biology 3/IB Biology Higher Level Year 2 is the second year of the two-year sequence in biology. It is a course designed to provide students with experiences and exposure that extend beyond concepts involved in previous biology courses. Although comprehensive in nature of topics (principles of evolution, cellular basis of life, structure and function, principles of genetics, and ecology), particular emphasis is placed on special topics in human physiology. The focus of the course is on an integrated understanding and application of these content areas, emphasizing connections and extensions that help explain fundamental observations in the biological world. The laboratory and classroom activities are varied in nature and in content but generally are designed in order to maximize the student involvement in planning, implementation, and interpretation of their own experiments.

Prerequisites: Successful completion of HL Biology Year 1, or Advanced Biology 2. Permission of the science department and signature of the department chair
IB Bio SL

Biology 2/IB Biology SL is a one-year course in biology that utilizes a molecular approach to the study of life. The core concepts include cell structure and energetics, classical and molecular genetics, micro and macro evolution, basic ecology, organismal structure, and physiology. The course is investigation oriented to engage students in the process of science, and students learn to design, implement, and analyze their own experiments. An emphasis is placed on the communication skills necessary for effective technical writing. As scientific knowledge and technology grow more diverse, it becomes increasingly important for students to have a clear understanding of these advances in order to become effective decision makers. Students learn to access scientific information through textbooks, scientific journals, and online resources. Using this information, they develop the skills to critically analyze current issues relating to science and technology. Standard Level students, both diploma and certificate candidates, complete the SL curriculum in one year.

Prerequisites: Successful completion of Chemistry 1 or Chemistry 1 Accelerated
IB Bio SL

Biology 2/IB Biology SL is a one-year course in biology that utilizes a molecular approach to the study of life. The core concepts include cell structure and energetics, classical and molecular genetics, micro and macro evolution, basic ecology, organismal structure, and physiology. The course is investigation oriented to engage students in the process of science, and students learn to design, implement, and analyze their own experiments. An emphasis is placed on the communication skills necessary for effective technical writing. As scientific knowledge and technology grow more diverse, it becomes increasingly important for students to have a clear understanding of these advances in order to become effective decision makers. Students learn to access scientific information through textbooks, scientific journals, and online resources. Using this information, they develop the skills to critically analyze current issues relating to science and technology. Standard Level students, both diploma and certificate candidates, complete the SL curriculum in one year.

Prerequisites: Successful completion of Chemistry 1 or Chemistry 1 Accelerated
IB Chem SL

Advanced Chemistry 2/IB Chemistry SL is a second year chemistry course designed to provide interested students with more depth andadditional concepts that are not covered in the 10th grade Chemistry 1 course. Topic areas, aligned with the Standard Level IB Chemistry curriculum, include atomic theory, periodicity, bonding, states of matter, energetics, kinetics, equilibrium, acids and bases, oxidation and reduction, and organic chemistry, plus an alternate options topic. This course is designed to develop scientific reasoning skills and to provide practice in designing experiments in order to gain direct experience with the process and inquiry of science. Students interested in the IB program, either as diploma or certificate candidates, must complete both Chemistry 1 and IB/SL Chemistry 2. A consecutive two-year program is recommended.

Prerequisites: Successful completion of Chemistry 1, or Chemistry 1 Accelerated, permission of the science department and signature of the department chair. Concurrent enrollment in either IB Math AA HL1, IB Math AA SL1 / IM5 or Calculus (or their equivalent) is strongly recommended
IB Physics SL

Advanced Physics 2 and IB Physics SL continue the search for order and patterns in the physical universe. Students are introduced to such topics as Newtonian mechanics; conservation of mass, energy, and momentum; rotational motion, electricity, and magnetism; sound and light wave theory; and astrophysics. More fundamentally, the course illustrates the process by which physics is developed and applied; the observation of physical phenomena and the generalization of those observations into basic principles; the expression of those principles in abstract terms and the use of those abstractions to analyze new situations and suggest further experimentation. IB students, both diploma and certificate candidates, complete the SL curriculum in one year.

Prerequisites: Successful completion of Chemistry 1 (or Chemistry 1 Accelerated) and Physics 1 (or its equivalent). Permission of the science department and signature of the department chair. Concurrent enrollment in either IB Math AA HL1, IB Math AA SL1 / IM5 or Calculus (or their equivalent) is strongly recommended.
Physics 1

Physics 1 is a one-year course that focuses on using experimental evidence and class discussion/consensus to develop understanding of core physics topics. These topics include static and current electricity, motion, forces, gravitation, and waves. The learning cycle in this course starts with an anchoring phenomenon to elicit initial ideas about the topic from the students. Students conduct experiments and simulations, then use the data collected as evidence to make general claims and inferences about the observations. When appropriate, the class also works through the reasoning that connects the claims to the evidence. The class then engages in discussions to revise and fine-tune their claims and come to a consensus on the scientific principles that explain the data. It is at this point that the students read about the formalized scientific principles and terminology. Each unit ends with mathematical model-building activities associated with the topic. This course prepares students for Chemistry 1 or Chemistry 1 Accelerated with the department’s approval.
Adv Physics

Advanced Physics 2 and IB Physics SL continue the search for order and patterns in the physical universe. Students are introduced to such topics as Newtonian mechanics; conservation of mass, energy, and momentum; rotational motion, electricity, and magnetism; sound and light wave theory; and astrophysics. More fundamentally, the course illustrates the process by which physics is developed and applied; the observation of physical phenomena and the generalization of those observations into basic principles; the expression of those principles in abstract terms and the use of those abstractions to analyze new situations and suggest further experimentation. IB students, both diploma and certificate candidates, complete the SL curriculum in one year.

Prerequisites: Successful completion of Chemistry 1 (or Chemistry 1 Accelerated) and Physics 1 (or its equivalent). Permission of the science department and signature of the department chair. Concurrent enrollment in either IB Math AA HL1, IB Math AA SL1 / IM5 or Calculus (or their equivalent) is strongly recommended
Environmental Science

In this course, students are introduced to the idea of the Earth as an interrelated system in a way that highlights the diverse options and complexity of solving our current environmental problems. The course is also designed to help students consider and clarify their own environmental value system. Major topics include ecosystem functioning, population growth, resource availability and exploitation, energy use (both conventional and alternative), global climate change, biodiversity, and the effects of environmental pollution. In addition, each topic and issue studied is examined from a historical and global perspective, to note changes in scientific understanding, attitudes, and the impact of human activity. A significant proportion of the material covered is researched by the students, either through scientific inquiry, literature searches, reading about current events, or through other interactive, web-based activities. Laboratory exercises involve the design and implementation of conventional labs as well as field work at several local environments. Critically analyzing, critiquing, and discussing the topics are fundamental goals of this course, so that students learn to address complicated and controversial issues by examining all sides objectively before forming their own value system and opinions and taking action.

Prerequisite: Successful completion of Chemistry 1 or Chemistry 1 Accelerated
CRISPR in a Box Summer Intensive

A summer intensive course offering hands-on lab experience with cutting-edge CRISPR-cas9 technology using the methodology developed by the ChristianaCare Gene Editing Institute for gene editing protocols. We will be using a mammalian cell-free extract to edit bacterial plasmid DNA, use of DECODR software to analyze products of the editing protocol. Also included is a supporting curriculum on genetic diseases and the status of CRISPR-based therapies, ethics and regulation, consideration of access to and trust in breakthrough technologies, career paths and stories (including guest experts and site visits to GEI facilities), as well as activities studying biochemical modeling of the nucleosome and the Cas9 enzyme. Timing would be 10 half-days, during two weeks in July. This course would not provide graduation credit but would appear on the transcript as pass/fail.

US Curriculum Detail

Science