Science
Quick Facts
Overview
The Science Department at Our Lady of Mercy Catholic High School offers students a college preparatory experience in the physical and biological sciences. We offer rigorous laboratory courses in Biology, Honors Biology, Anatomy, Chemistry, Honors Chemistry, Physics, Conceptual Physics, and Environmental Science. AP courses in Chemistry and Physics are offered to students who have excelled in foundation classes and who have teacher recommendations.
Philosophy
We believe that studying science at Our Lady of Mercy Catholic High School enhances the students’ understanding of the physical and biological environment in which they live. Through the understanding of science, the students will develop an appreciation for their physical and spiritual place in God’s world and recognize that the consequences of technology cannot be calculated without moral values. We want to ensure that students realize ethics associated with scientific study.
We believe that students should observe, explore and evaluate their surroundings and learn to make decisions by developing critical thinking skills. The practice of science will help students grow intellectually and emotionally and enable them to use their understanding of science to serve others and bring themselves closer to God.
Goals
It is our hope that students will become self-directed learners with highly developed critical thinking skills .We place a strong emphasis on integrating the different fields of science with other academic disciplines. The high expectations for these college level courses should enable our students to easily transition into any college environment. It is the goal of the Our Lady of Mercy science curriculum that our students will develop the skills and attitudes necessary to become life-long learners and independent thinkers.
· To foster critical thinking skills through the use of the scientific method.
· To provide evidence for the interrelationships that exist between science and other academic disciplines.
· To provide relevant instruction and learning environments in a wide variety of science courses, which will prepare the graduating student for future science course work at any post-secondary institution that they may wish to attend.
· To promote independent thinking skills.
· To stimulate interest in the sciences and science-related fields.
Course Offerings
- Anatomy
- Biology
- Honors Biology
- AP Biology
- Chemistry
- Honors Chemistry
- Conceptual Physics
- AP Chemistry
- Physics
- AP Physics
- Enviromental Science
- Meterology
- Oceanography
Anatomy
Offered to 11th – 12th grade with Department Approval
The goal of this course is to provide students with a basic understanding of the structure and functions of the human body with an emphasis on homeostasis. Students begin their study with the chemical, cellular, and tissue levels of organization of the human body before learning the various body systems. Students work cooperatively in lab groups. Microscopes and prepared slides are used to investigate histology. Laboratory work includes dissections of a sheep brain, sheep heart, sheep eye, and fetal pig.
Biology
Required of 9th grade students
This is an introductory course in which students study the fundamental concepts of biology. The unity and diversity of life are emphasized through the studies of cells, the chemistry of life, classification, genetics, evolution, ecology, and the structure and function of all life forms from bacteria to man.
Honors Biology
Required of 9th grade students with Department Approval
Biology is the study of living things. The goal of biology is to gain a better understanding of living organisms, how they work, and how they interact with their environment. Through study, students will learn and apply basic concepts and assumptions to describe a broad range of phenomena in the world of living things. Our studies in this course will include a comprehensive look at cells, heredity, ecology, taxonomy, and evolution. As an honors course, we will emphasize a strong laboratory component as well as cover information in greater depth than the regular course. Students who succeed in Honors Biology will be eligible to continue on to Honors Chemistry at the conclusion of the year.
AP Biology
Offered to 11th-12th grade students with Department Approval
AP Biology is a two-semester course designed to be taken by juniors and seniors who have successfully completed high school level biology and chemistry. Topics to be covered include but are not limited to biochemistry, cell regulation, mechanisms of heredity, adaptation, ecology, and biodiversity. Within each of these topics, AP Biology will focus on the concepts of science as a process, evolution, energy transfer, continuity and change, relationship of structure and function, regulation, interdependence in nature, and science technology in society. In addition to exams and homework, inquiry-based laboratory exercises will make up at least a quarter of the coursework. AP Biology is designed to be the equivalent of a college-level introductory biology course and students may be able to receive college credit based on a successful AP Exam score.
Prerequisite: Biology/Honors Biology and Chemistry/Honors Chemistry
Chemistry
Required of 10th grade students
This traditional course in chemistry uses experimentation, observation, and problem solving to reinforce a study of atomic theory, bonding, chemical periodicity, metric measurement, chemical reactions, and the primary states of matter. Students use mathematical skills to analyze and synthesize quantitative data and to solve problems in chemistry. Emphasis is also placed on developing problem solving skills, a disciplined approach to study, and skills in writing reports through the critical thinking and analytical reasoning required in the scientific method. An important aspect of this work is learning to apply safety skills and the ability to work in groups. Students must submit lab reports and are responsible for keeping up with assignments. Prerequisite – Biology/Honors Biology
Honors Chemistry
Required of 10th grade students with Department approval
This course provides a comprehensive coverage of principles of general chemistry. It differs from the regular chemistry course in that more topics are covered, the topics are covered in greater depth, and a more quantitative approach is followed. In this laboratory-based course, students will explore the topics covered in Chemistry 40.0510711, and additionally cover the following topics: thermochemistry, thermodynamics, and nuclear chemistry. Students who perform well in this course may be eligible to take AP Chemistry.
Prerequisite – Biology/Honors Biology
Conceptual Physics
Offered to 11th and 12th grade students with Department Approval
Conceptual Physics is an introductory physics course which places emphasis on the comprehension of concepts which describe a broad range of phenomena in the physical world. Students perform laboratory activities to investigate these concepts, collect and interpret data, and write detailed laboratory reports to demonstrate understanding. Students are also required to use their skills in Algebra Trigonometry, and problem-solving.
Prerequisite- Chemistry/Honors Chemistry
AP Chemistry
Offered to 11th – 12th grade students with Department approval
Students who have already completed an introductory chemistry course learn and apply the basic principles, concepts, and operations of college chemistry. Topics include atomic theory, bonding, periodicity, acid-base chemistry, oxidation-reduction, equilibrium and thermodynamics. Students use computers with interactive learning software, maintain a laboratory notebook, and use scientific calculators to solve problems. The course requires extensive home preparation that must be done nightly. Students are required to take the Advanced Placement examination in May.
Prerequisite – Chemistry/Honors Chemistry
Physics
Offered to 11th – 12th grade students with Department Approval
This class is an introductory college preparatory course in physics. Emphasis is placed on learning and understanding the principles and concepts of physics as well as the solution of problems. Students apply these concepts in laboratory activities. Students are required to write detailed lab reports on these activities. Students are also required to use their skills in Algebra, Trigonometry, vector analysis and graphing in their problem solving, so Pre-Calculus is a recommended prerequisite or co-requisite for the course. This physics class qualifies as a prerequisite course for Advanced Placement Physics.
Prerequisite – Chemistry/Honors Chemistry
AP Physics
Offered to 12th grade students with Department approval
This course covers a broad range of physics principles with an emphasis on problem solving and an insight to real-world applications. Topics in classical and 20th century physics include mechanics, thermodynamics, vibrations and waves, electricity and magnetism, light and optics, and modern physics. Advanced Placement Physics 1 is modeled after a one – year college level physics class designed for students majoring in the life sciences, pre-medicine, and some applied sciences, as well as other fields not directly related to science. The class assumes prior knowledge of trigonometry. Students participate in lab activities and write detailed lab reports. Students are required to take the Advanced Placement examination in May.
Prerequisite - Physics Co-requisite: Advanced Algebra
Enviromental Science
Offered to 11th-12th grade students with Department Approval
This course provides students with the scientific principles and concepts that enable them to understand the earth’s interconnected systems, to identify and analyze environmental problems, both natural and manmade, and to evaluate the risks associated with these problems. Method of instruction includes substantial laboratory and field components that focus on student data collection and analysis. Biology, chemistry, physics, mathematics, and technology concepts will be integrated throughout the course. The major topics to be emphasized include flow of energy and cycling of matter, interconnection of all life, the stability and change in an ecosystem, conservation and resource allocation, evaluation of human activity and technology.
Pre-requisites: Chemistry or Honors Chemistry
Meterology
Offered to 11th-12th grade students with Department Approval
Meteorology is a one (1) semester course covering the basic principles of meteorology. Topics covered include: the structure and characteristics of the atmosphere, the dynamic processes that contribute to small- and large-scale weather patterns, satellite and radar meteorology, meteorological data collection, analysis of weather data and maps, climate and climate change, synoptic meteorology and weather prediction.
Prerequisites: Chemistry/Honors Chemistry
Oceanography
Offered to 11th-12th grade students with Department Approval
Oceanography is a one (1) semester course designed to give students a better understanding of the concepts of the geology, chemistry, physics, and biology of the world’s oceans. Topics covered include: the formation and structure of the ocean basins, marine sediments, salinity, biogeochemical cycles, ocean structure, currents, waves, tides, primary production, marine ecology, pollution, and global- warming.
Prerequisites: Chemistry/Honors Chemistry