RONCALLI'S SCIENCE PAGE

CLASS LISTINGS-                                                                   

1. BIOLOGY/ A.P. BIOLOGY                                                           

2. PHYSICAL SCIENCE

3. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE

4. PHYSICS/ ADVANCED PHYSICS

5. CHEMISTRY/ A.P. CHEMISTRY

6. GENERAL CHEMISTRY

7. HUMAN PHYSIOLOGY

TEACHERS-

CLASS DESCRIPTIONS-

Physical Science

Freshmen Requirement Grade: 9

Length: Two semesters Fulfills Science graduation requirement

Prerequisites: None Credit: .5 per semester

Physical Science concerns a study of matter and energy. Physical laws and chemical processes are presented through applications that are current and meaningful. The course is intended to develop an understanding of fundamental principles which will aid the student in understanding and appreciating everyday occurrences in the physical and chemical world. Laboratory experiments provide students with technical and practical knowledge of the scientific method.

Biology

Elective Grade: 9

Sophomore Requirement Grade: 10

Length: Two semesters Fulfills Science graduation requirement

Prerequisites: None    Credit: .5 per semester

This course is designed to be the introductory life science course in the high school science curriculum. Students will engage in discussions, laboratory activities, and various classroom activities to gain an understanding of the process of life science. Major topics and themes to be explored include: the molecular basis of heredity; the cellular basis of life; biological evolution; botany; zoology; human biology; and ecology. Technology will be integrated into all aspects of the curriculum.

General Chemistry

Elective Grade: 11, 12

Length: Two semesters Fulfills Science graduation requirement

Prerequisites: Consent of chemistry instructor Credit: .5 per semester

This course is designed for those students who have a desire to learn more about chemistry but do not plan a career in science or related field. If the student is planning a post high school career in science or a related field, he/she should check to make sure this course will fulfill the college’s prerequisites. The student is expected to work efficiently in a laboratory setting to learn the basics of inorganic and organic chemistry.

Chemistry

Elective Grade: 10, 11, 12

Length: Two semesters Fulfills Science graduation requirement

Prerequisites: Sophomores: Consent of the instructor Credit: .5 per semester

Junior/Senior: "C" or better in Physical Science and Algebra 1 and consent of current science teacher

This course is designed for those students who intend to continue their education to obtain a four year degree. It is especially important for those who want to pursue a science related career. The properties of the elements of the periodic table and their chemical reactivity is studied in some detail. Laboratory investigations are required of each student.

Environmental Science

Elective Grade: 11, 12

Length: Two semesters Fulfills Science graduation requirement

Prerequisites: Biology Credit: .5 per semester

Consent of current science instructor

Students will be introduced to the major ecological concepts and environmental issues that affect the world in which they live. They will learn about technological developments that have created environmental problems as well as technologies that are helping to solve them. Students will develop a personal environmental ethic that reflects an understanding of stewardship for the earth.

Human Physiology

Elective Grade: 11, 12

Length: Two semesters Fulfills Science graduation requirement

Prerequisites: Minimum of "C" in Biology and Chemistry/ Credit: .5 per semester

Consent of current science teacher and

Human Physiology instructor

Human Physiology is a laboratory course designed to give the student who has a background in biology and chemistry a more advanced knowledge of the structure and function of the human body. All major organ systems are studied in this course. Students will do some laboratory experiments involving each of the bodily systems. It is a recommended course for any student wishing to pursue a career in a health related field. College credit is given through St. Mary’s University of Minnesota.

Physics

Elective Grade: 11, 12

Length: Two semesters Fulfills Science graduation requirement

Prerequisites: Adv. Algebra and Trigonometry or Credit: .5 per semester Honors AAT, Chemistry/Consent of Physics instructor.

Physics is a course geared to produce a genuine understanding of the physical laws fundamental to all sciences. In order to grasp a concept in physics, laboratory investigations and numerous related numerical problems are solved. The study of physics begins with an introduction to the basic skills and techniques of the study of motion, which will lead to a grasp of the concepts of energy. Heat energy, behavior of fluids, and wave phenomena are studied, followed by a study of optics and color. Electricity and magnetism are included, and with time permitting, a look at recent developments in modern physics.

Advanced Physics

Elective Grade: 12

Length: Two semesters Fulfills Science graduation requirement

Prerequisites: Minimum of "B" in Physics/ Credit: .5 per semester

Consent of Physics instructor

Advanced Physics is designed to give students an opportunity to study topical areas within physics in greater depth with primary focus on mechanics, electromagnetism, wave physics and optic, relativity, and quantum mechanics. Problem solving and inductive laboratory investigations are emphasized. Advanced Placement testing is strongly recommended at the conclusion of this course.

Advanced Placement Biology

Elective Grade: 11, 12 (offered next in 2004-2005)

Length: Two semesters Fulfills Science graduation requirement

Prerequisites: Minimum of "B" in Chemistry and Biology/ Credit: 1.0 per semester

Consent of A.P. Biology instructor

This course is designed for the motivated student who wants to pursue biological topics in greater depth. The A.P. Biology course is designed to be the equivalent of a college introductory biology course. The following topics will be explored in depth with corresponding laboratory study: molecules and cells; heredity and evolution; and organisms and populations. The A.P. course will help students to develop a conceptual framework for modern biology and to gain an appreciation for science as a process. The twelve recommended A.P. labs along with additional laboratory work will be included in the course. Advanced Placement testing is strongly recommended upon completion of this course. A student must take the A.P. test in order to receive college credit. Students enrolled in this course are taking one credit of lecture and one credit of laboratory biology.

Advanced Placement Chemistry

Elective Grade: 11, 12 (offered next in 2005-2006)

Length: Two semesters Fulfills Science graduation requirement

Prerequisites: Minimum of "B" in Chemistry and Algebra/ Credit: 1.0 per semester

Consent of A.P. Chemistry instructor

This course is designed to provide upper ability science students an opportunity to pursue an introductory college chemistry course. Problem solving and inductive laboratory investigations of inorganic chemistry are emphasized. A unit on organic chemistry is also introduced. This class is fast paced and structured as a college level chemistry course. Advanced Placement testing is strongly advised. Students enrolled in this course are taking one credit of lecture and one credit of laboratory chemistry.

FUN FACTS- (from www.hightechscience.org)

1. Did you know that there are 206 bones in the adult human body and there are 300 in children (as they grow some of the bones fuse together.

2. Flea's can jump 130 times higher than their own height. In human terms this is equal to a 6ft. person jumping 780 ft. into the air.

3. The most dangerous animal in the world is the common housefly. Because of their habits of visiting animal waste, they transmit more diseases than any other animal.

4. The world's largest amphibian is the giant salamander. It can grow up to 5 ft. in length.

5. The longest cells in the human body are the motor neurons. They can be up to 4.5 feet (1.37 meters) long and run from the lower spinal cord to the big toe.

6. There are no poisonous snakes in Maine.

7. The Atlantic Giant Squid's eye can be as large as 15.75 inches (40 centimeters) wide.

8. The deepest part of the ocean is 35,813 feet (10,916 meters) deep and occurs in the Mariana Trench in the Pacific Ocean. At that depth the pressure is 18,000 pounds (9172 kilograms) per square inch.

9. Everyone's tongue print is different.

10. The oldest multi-cellular fossils date from 700 million years ago.

SCIENCE WEBSITES-

http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/REVscience.htm

http://www.biology.arizona.edu/default.html

http://www.physlink.com/Index.cfm

http://chemistry.about.com/mbody.htm

http://www.niehs.nih.gov/